Snowmobilers having an ‘exceptional’ year

It’s estimated 600 people attended the Southern Sno Riders first hot dog day in 10 years. Held Saturday, the event was at the club warm-up shack in the Township of Norwich. (Contributed Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Asked what kind of year it had been for snowmobiling, Derek Scholten responded, “Exceptional”.

The head of public relations for Southern Sno Riders Snowmobile Club, Scholten, said the trails opened three weeks ago on Jan. 23.

“When I joined the club, in ’03, we used to average five weeks the trails were open at some time during the season. Then it went to four, it went to three, and even none,” he said, adding he hopes there are another two or three weeks left.

The club maintains local snowmobile trails and obtains landowners' permission to cross their property. Snowmobilers using the club’s trails need to purchase an Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs permit, which helps offset grooming costs.

The club had its first hot dog day in 10 years on the weekend.

“We would plan it ahead, and then there would be no snow,” Scholten said.

With the first event in 10 years, it’s hard to imagine how many would attend, especially after years without snow. Scholten said they estimate there were 600 snowmobilers in attendance, with more than 100 parked most times at the warm-up shack where the event was held in Norwich Township.

Although Scholten noted lake effect snow would be more limited with Lake Erie frozen and part of Lake Huron ice-covered, he added, “We’ve got a great base with the cold week we had.”

Snowmobile Safety Week

With Motorized Snowmobile Safety Week running from Feb. 6 to 16, Oxford OPP want to remind snowmobilers that driving too fast for the conditions, impaired driving, and driving on frozen waterways are the leading causes of snowmobile fatalities.

OPP West Region members want to avoid a repeat of the 2024/25 riding season, when five riders lost their lives in fatal motorized snowvehicle collisions To date, there have been three fatal snowmobile collisions in West Region this year, including one in Oxford County. There have been three fatal snowmobile collisions in the West Region so far in 2026. (Brant County, Oxford County, South Bruce)

OPP reminds snowmobilers to:

• Ride sober.

• Do not ride tired or distracted.

• Consider taking a snowmobile safety course if you are a new or inexperienced rider.

• Adhere to the open OFSC trails as they remain the safest terrain to ride on.

• Treat any frozen waterway as though no ice is safe ice.

• Wear an approved helmet and appropriate clothing.

• Carry a small safety kit that includes waterproof matches, a pocketknife, a compass, whistle, ice picks, and a first aid kit.

• Obey the speed limits and municipal by-laws.

• Let someone know your intended route and keep your cell phone fully charged.

All motorists are reminded that occasionally, snowmobilers cross the roadways. It is everyone's responsibility to stay alert.

For more snowmobile safety information visit www.ofsc.on.ca, www.ontario.ca/snowmobilesafety and www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/off-road-vehicles-snowmobiles