We’ve lost these beautiful trails.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs closed down the North of Superior Snowmobile Association. I blame this on the simple fact that snowmobile clubs in the area had inadequate communication with their riders.

The locals knew to purchase permits though the club, but since last year was so poor for snow, visitors didn’t know that lack of purchasing through smaller clubs that they ride on helped the OFSC in their decision to cut funding and use of equipment. The Snowmobile Association did have a website, but it was poor. I assume they lacked information on the importance of communicating with VISITORS (as I didnt see email newsletters, etc) – a striking contract to other, more active sites.

The closure to these areas means that will salvage (remove) bridges. We highly doubt they will ever be opened again. Without the equipment to maintain trails and the bridges to safely cross rivers and ravines, the sport will die there.

Now we understand money. We understand that the OFSC has to close them down especially since many clubs already closed in the association due to inactivity.

However we also think with better communication with it’s visitors and riders, this may have been averted. They could have let people know of their peril, collected petitions, etc. Now all they have for recourse is reaction since the decision has been made already. At best, we in the media can discuss it, and we in snowmobile clubs and associations can push to in the right direction of employing better club websites with active communication to prevent similar fates for our own clubs. It’s sad the cost of this lesson is so high though.

Don’t let this happen to your club. There are many options out there to aid you with communication. Do it now. Because if your club or association is faced with something like this, and you don’t have it in place, you – and everyone in the sport – will lose.