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For many American snowmobilers, the Canadian province of Ontario beckons every winter. Stretching in a vast expanse that borders both Minnesota and New York, this northerly neighbor is not that far away from a lot of avid riders who live in the states. Its northerly location makes for a good long winter (with a snowfall average of over 100 inches per year), and a proximity to the Great Lakes means even more snow in certain areas. Combine that with Canada's favorable exchange rate, warm welcome, and a first-class trail system, it's no wonder that Ontario is one of the most popular riding places on the planet.
Ontario boasts a remarkable 30,400 miles of groomed trails (for perspective, compare that to the 13,000 miles of funded trails in Wisconsin, one of the top American states). Of that amount, 11,185 miles comprise the Trans-Ontario Provincial Trails System, which forms the core of primary routes.
Snowmobiling in Ontario is under the aegis of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). This organization's 282 clubs administer the program by selling permits, publishing maps, and maintaining the trail network. In the last ten years or so, snowmobiling in Ontario has made great advances, as the provincial government recognized the economic value of the sport. Financial grants and significant user fees have allowed the expansion and improvement of trails in Ontario, with better grooming and maintenance to keep them in first-class condition.
For riders in Ontario, snowmobile permits are somewhat costly, but make possible the outstanding trail system to be enjoyed, as well as the operation of 400 groomers province-wide. A season-long pass, purchased on or before December 1st costs $120 Canadian ($80 U.S.), or $150 Canadian ($100 U.S.) thereafter. Daily permits for short-term visitors are $30 Canadian ($20 U.S.) per day. If you're stopped on the trail without a permit, the cost will be $180 Canadian ($120 U.S.), so make sure you don't venture onto the trails without a sticker.
I had the pleasure of riding in the heart of Ontario last season as a part of the Cat's Pride tour, run by Harlan and Bev Mannigel. Our three-day odyssey was a saddlebag tour, where we carried our own gear on a "triangle trip" that originated in Sudbury (north of Lake Huron) and featured two overnight stays before returning. Typical of the tours that Harlan and Bev have been running for many years, this vacation in early February featured good lodging, fine food, and lots of great riding. With the enjoyable experience we had, it's no wonder they keep bringing tour groups back to this area!
With the two hosts and our guides Bruce Morrison and Chris Lange, our contingent of 31 riders split into two groups each day, one traveling at a more leisurely pace. Our first day began with a chilly morning departure from the Travelway Inn at Sudbury, with the first miles straight across the frozen surface of Ramsey Lake, right in town. Outside Sudbury, the landscape was rocky and barren, yet beautiful cloaked in white. Then we plunged into the forest, headed southeast for our lunch stop at Marcel's Place, a roadhouse outside the small town of Noelville. It wasn't until after dark that we reached our destination, the town of Parry Sound, where the trail descended into town along the shore of a large bay, making for some wonderful views of the sparkling city lights. Our overnight stay was at the Jolly Roger Inn, a delightful motel that was about to close its doors in spring due to a road widening project. After a long but enjoyable haul of 185 miles, their sumptuous dinner buffet was great for our group of hungry riders.
Day two of our sojourn began and we stirred up clouds of the powdery white stuff behind us as we made our way out of town. The trails were excellent as they snaked through the forest, then up and down over small hills.
Once again we arrived after dark, with the marked trail crossing a portion of vast Lake Nipissing on its approach to the city. We sought out the Pinewood Park Motel, which we located by a process of trial and error. Once there, we capped the 157-mile ride with a hearty dinner with the group.
The last day of the tour was the final leg of our journey, a delightful run of 142 miles back to the Travelway Inn at Sudbury. It was one of those glorious days for riding, with the sun shining bright, a blanket of good snow, and temperatures in the 20s. With ideal conditions, we cruised all morning and afternoon at a lively pace on trails that were superb for the third day in a row. Our route was along a scenic river, past craggy rock cuts that overlooked the waters below. Further along, we saw several rushing rivers, one of which boiled underneath us as we crossed its twenty-foot gorge on a narrow snowmobile bridge. By late afternoon we were back at Sudbury, experiencing the feeling that comes after a day of enjoyable riding and successful completion of a great excursion.
It was a quick three days, and the tour had covered a total of 484 great miles through the heart of Ontario. The reputation of this province as a place for great snowmobiling was confirmed, and it's a place I can recommend. There's plenty of snow, a variety of terrain and a quality trail network that seems without end. Considering the vast area I covered was just a tiny part of the province, I know I'll be returning again for more great Ontario riding. If you have yet to experience the adventure of riding in this part of Canada, you'd better start making your plans, Ontario is beckoning you also.
For information on snowmobiling in Ontario, contact the following sources:
Snow Country Ontario tourism office, www.snowmobileparadise.com, 800/263-7533. Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, 705/739-7669, www.ofsc.on.ca. Sudbury Trail Plan Assn., 705/671-2138, www.sudbury
trailplan.on.ca. Parry Sound Snow-mobile District, www.parrysoundsnow mobile.on.ca, 705/746-7663. Near North Trail Association, 705/495-4333, www.ontariosnearnorth.on.ca.