Northern sledders gearing up for a busy season
Dealers and snowmobile clubs in northern Ontario say people are eager to get aboard their machines and hit the trails if early sales are any indication.
One recreational equipment store in Timmins said despite global supply issues, sales are strong so far this fall with new and returning enthusiasts eager for the season to start.
"Snow's falling, everybody's excited. Sales have been fantastic. Machines are leaving as fast as we can get them in ... everybody's looking ahead, getting prepared, getting ready, "said Evan Colameco, of Mikey’s Sales and Repair.
And, there’s a new toy for sledders this winter. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is integrating live trail data with a navigation app from Bombardier Recreational Products, the company behind Ski-Doo.
"It's a collaborative agreement to allow whatever you see on the 'Interactive Trail Guide,' the ITG, on the OFSC side. It'll also be displayed on those various offerings from that company as it allows more people to have access to that information, as it gets updated," said Patrick Dzijacky, of the Timmins Snowmobile Club.
The OFSC still has a major problem with a small number of individuals who choose to ride on private land that’s not approved for sledding.
Agencies in the industry have launched a new campaign asking snowmobilers to follow the rules on trails with a pledge.
"We are losing trails, we're losing landowners because folks are riding off-trail. It could be as simple as a two to three-metre detour to get snow in their sleds or it could be driving across a farmer's winter wheat and destroying their crops," said Ryan Eickmeier, of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs.
The problem could affect other law-abiding sledders,Dzijacky said.
"If we lose some of these landowner agreements, trail connections to Cochrane or Iroquois Falls could be lost," he added.
He recommends sledders read up on the rules for trails and streets or contact a local club for more information.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.