With uncertain weather leading into another snowmobiling weekend In North Simcoe, snowmobilers planning to head out on the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) trail system were being urged to check conditions, including weather or not the trail is open for use.
Meanwhile, Ontario Provincial Police were stressing the message that "no ice is safe ice" with above-zero temperatures in the forecast beginning next week and continuing into March break.
"As March starts to slide by bringing warmer, rainy days, area ice surfaces may not be up to expectations for ice surface travel by foot or by machine," Southern Georgian Bay OPP said in a release.
Riders were urged to check the ice surface or inquire with local residents, ice hut operators, weather stations or any other reliable source before heading out and "possibly going through into the frigid waters below".
Ultimately, you may be risking your life, the lives of others with you and that of emergency service responders trying to rescue you, police said.
Police also said riders can expect to see OPP officers on the trail system during day- and night-time hours and uniformed road patrol officers will be conducting RIDE programs at trail heads.
"The sport of snowmobiling has many associated inherent risks, dangers and hazards caused by the changing terrain and environment, your machine, and others on their machines to name a few," police said.
To help reduce these risks, riders are reminded to always check the Interactive Trail Guide before venturing out and wear all required safety equipment including floater suits if sledding on ice.
Interactive trail guide
It is highly recommended to have a fully charged cell phone with you, let a family member know where you're heading to and a return time, and load a location app on your cell phone such as What3Words and/or the Interactive Trail Guide.
Self rescue may be your only way out. Riders were urged to learn the “1-10-1 Rule” before venturing onto the ice. You have one minute to catch your breath, 10 minutes of active movement and one hour to get rescued.
Members of the snowmobile patrol attached to the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment were out over the past weekend and into the mid-week patrolling the trails in North Simcoe.
Officers on sleds checked snowmobilers for equipment, required licences, registration and trail passes where applicable.
Officers also conducted six separate RIDE programs checking over 100 snowmobilers for signs of impairment in an effort to maintain trail safety.
"With a balance between rider education and enforcement in mind, officers deal with issues found on the trails on a daily basis under some extreme weather conditions and welcome your cooperation on the many trails here in North Simcoe," the OPP said.
In addition to riding sober and avoiding unsafe ice, snowmobilers were urged to ride in control and according to the trail conditions and obey the posted speed limit.
In addition to the OFSC, the detachment also works with area safety partners and area snowmobile clubs including the Georgian Bay Snow Riders and Baxter Snow Riders.
