Snowmobiling 2025/2026
After last winter, with snowfall amounts bringing back memories of the 70s and 80s, snowmobilers are getting excited for the upcoming season. The season began on December 19 and ran until April 14, giving riders a 19-week season, the longest in recent memory. Huron County has miles of groomed trails that link up to the larger network of trails monitored by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) thanks to the efforts of all of the local clubs and their volunteers.
Travelling long distances in winter has been made even more fun with advances in technology. Now that everyone has a portable GPS system in their pockets, apps have been created that will enhance your trip. Before you head out, download the Go Snowmobiling Ontario app at the Google Play or iTunes stores and access all the OFSC trail information. It’s like having your own personal mobile trail guide along for the ride!
For safety, downloading the “what3words” app will ensure that rescuers can find you, should you have a breakdown, an accident or get lost.
The OFSC is divided into districts that oversee the operations of the volunteer clubs that maintain the trails. Huron is part of District 9, which has put together a number of “Snow Tours”, self-guided rides. The Huron Gateway tour travels over 177 kilometres through the county, exploring open fields and forest tracks, with suggestions for interesting stops for food, fuel and lodging.
Permits for the 2025-2026 season are still available online at a cost of $308.98, plus a processing fee. (Each year early bird discounts are available before Dec. 1.) Special “classic” permit prices are set for owners of antique snowmobiles (1999 or older) at a rate of $$213.80, plus a processing fee. Multi-day permits are also available if you are only able to get out for a weekend, starting at $55 per day, with a two-consecutive-day minimum.
The permits are mandatory to access any of the OFSC trails. The OFSC and member clubs take the funds from the sale of permits and use them for maintaining the more-than 40,000 kilometres of trails in Ontario. ‘Buy Where You Ride’ means that as a snowmobiler, you should purchase your trail permit from the club whose trails you ride most often. When buying online, you can easily select your local club by accessing the Club Locator.
Snowmobiling is a community activity and, in addition to the hard-working volunteers who keep the trails in great condition, there are also innumerable relationships with landowners who generously allow the trails to cross their land. In order to keep these trails available, a few common sense items should be reviewed with all the drivers in your group before you head out.
ALWAYS
- Stay on the marked trails.
- Keep to the right side of the trail.
- Operate in a safe and courteous manner.
- Give trail groomers the right of way.
- Reduce your speed when there is oncoming traffic.
- Give uphill riders the right of way when you are traveling downhill.Slow down and give the right of way to any skiers, hikers, persons on snowshoes or dogsleds you might encounter.
- Always report illegal operations out on the trails.
- Slow down when passing a parked snowmobile on the trail.
NEVER
- Ignore the posted speed limits for an area, as well as all other trail signs.
- Pull over on a turn or curve. If you need to stop along a trail, pull over to the right side of the trail and only do so on straight stretches.
- Leave your engine running if you need to stop for any length.
- Ride on private property without explicit permission.
Staying on the trails cannot be stressed enough. Venturing off the trail is not only dangerous for the snowmobiler, it is extremely tough on the land under it. You may be riding over just enough snow to disguise a crop of winter wheat or a newly sodded yard. In addition, soft banks of snow may hide rocks, fences or barbed wire. Please keep to the trail that the snowmobile clubs have negotiated for in good faith with landowners for your enjoyment.
Visit the OFSC website for more information at www.ofsc.on.ca