Snowmobile season hit hard with limited trail access in Simcoe County, Muskoka
The 2022 snowmobiling season has not been kind to snowmobilers in Simcoe County and Muskoka.
With trails closed or down to dirt, businesses that rely on snowmobiling tourism, such as sled rentals, have been hit hard.
"We don't get the snow, the groomers won't be moving. There's nothing to work with. No snow there to work with," said Bill Watts, Hill & Gully Riders assistant trail coordinator. "
The dwindling sledding season has impacted the local economy, with a significant decline in business.
"Hotels, motels, restaurants, it affects the whole Muskoka area. There's a lot of money to be made there. People come up from the city or even up from the states to snowmobile up here," Watts said.
The manager of Mid Ontario Snowmobile Trails calls this the worst snowmobile season since 2009.
Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs website shows most trails across the region closed, while others are limited on Thurs., Feb. 16, 2023. (OFSC)
"The season is so short anyway," noted Muskoka Wild co-owner Miriam Dick. "The previous seasons, we've gotten anywhere from six to eight weeks. This season it's only been two weeks already, with the other two being questionable."
With limited trail access, some sledders desperate to ride are taking risks, including turning to lakes and roads.
"It's a concern for people that don't understand the lakes in the area and want to go on a lake because they see other people doing it and think it looks cool, but it's a big safety concern," Dick said.
In Muskoka, locals remain optimistic with snow in the forecast, potentially allowing groomers to be in action as early as Friday.
"If we got some good snow in the next, say, week, we could be open for a while. It all depends on how cold it is," Watts said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.