THUNDER BAY — This winter's snowmobiling season may be more of a wash-out than a white-out, but trail permit fees sledders paid for last fall won't go to waste.
Thunder Bay Adventure Trails Snowmobile Club president Adrian Tessier said Friday the non-refundable fees go towards maintaining grooming equipment and other expenses, regardless of whether the snow flies.
If next year's season turns out to be like the one in 2022-23 when there was plenty of snow, then groomers have to be in good shape to handle it, Tessier said.
"A new set of (groomer) tracks cost $20,000," he noted.
In a normal winter, the volunteer-operated club maintains 400 kilometres of groomed trail east and west of Kakabeka Falls.
Though this winter got off to a mild start, the club still managed to sell 200 Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) permits ranging from $200 to $280, depending on what time of year they were purchased.
With a valid permit, sledders can ride anywhere along OFSC's 30,000-kilometre network of trails across the province.
Tessier said his club's two grooming machines never left their sheds this season due to the shortage of white stuff. He said there has to be at least 18 inches of snow on the ground before grooming can begin.
Though he hasn't written off this year's season quite yet, Tessier said he's not overly optimistic.
"There's not a lot of snow in the forecast," he said.
Trail conditions across the province can be monitored on the federation's website.
The Chronicle-Journal
