The OPP is warning that while there may be snow on the ground, it may not be safe to hit the trails and go sledding.
According to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs trail guide, only 213 km of trails are open. All are marked as having “limited availability.”
All the trails surrounding Cottage Country are marked as unavailable.
Along with staying off the trail, police warn sledders to keep away from waterways which, in many cases, have not frozen because of the mild temperatures we’ve experienced so far this winter.
“Safe and responsible snowmobiling means not going out if there is any doubt about whether it is safe to do so,” says Rohan Thompson, OPP Deputy Commissioner. “This cannot be overstated where frozen waterways are involved, which are never guaranteed to be 100 percent safe. Making smart decisions before and during your ride, such as always riding sober and drug-free, is what will get you home to your family.”
Police point out that in the past decade, 158 snowmobilers have died in Ontario. They say almost all were preventable.
Common factors include driving too fast, being impaired, and riding on unsafe waterways.
Monday will mark the beginning of Snowmobiling Safety Week in Ontario.