According to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs’ trail guide, a few snowmobile trails near Gravenhurst have opened to limited availability.
As snow continues to fall, the trail guide is showing more as being available.
However, Nunzio Iacobellis, president of the Snowcrest Riders in Gravenhurst, says limited availability means whichever club oversees the trail has deemed it safe, but there may still be potential hazards.
With only a few thousand of the over 30,000 km of trails in Ontario marked as available, Iacobellis pleads with sledders to stay off any unavailable trail. He says notnonly are they not safe to be on, but you risk being charged with trespassing if caught.
For the clubs, it could mean a private landowner revokes access. “Our landowners are the bread and butter of the snowmobile industry,” explains Iacobellis.
With volunteers working overtime to get the trails ready, Iacobellis stresses patience.
“I know everyone gets excited,” he says. “They see all the big snow we’re getting and they want to take their machines, but everyone has to be patient and let their clubs do their thing.”
He points out that most of the trails in Muskoka don’t open until mid-Jan. so, in the meantime, he suggests making sure your snow machine is in working condition and keeping an eye on the trail guide and social media for updates.
“Please stay off the trails until they’re available,” he finishes.
