With plenty of snow in the North, sledders are anxious to get out there and enjoy their sport. However, officials are warning that the trails maintained by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs are not open yet.
Residents have likely heard machines revving or seen them out for test runs, but the federation trails are not officially open.
"We recommend people to stay off the trail right now until they are open. We're in the process of clearing trees; there's quite a few trees that fell down on the trail, so until the trails are open it is unsafe and illegal to on them," said Gilbert Fortin of the Timmins Snowmobile Club.
Provincial police have concerns about the early trail riders as well, especially those who travel on rivers or lakes.
"It's dangerous, the ramifications are like, you can lose your life; lose your snowmobile, you're affecting not just yourself but you're also affecting families if you're driving your snowmobile on open water," said Constable Michelle Simard of the Ontario Provincial Police
Timmins snowmobile club officials also say they risk losing partnerships with property owners who allow trails on their land. Gilbert Fortin says they've lost deals in the past due to snowmobilers not respecting the rules.
