Just a note to give everyone a "heads up", there will be increased activity on trail enforcement this year.

Visitors are advised to purchase trail passes (which ever flavour) before heading into Ontario this season.

Man I wish they would honor snowman passes, at least to Kenora.

-Steve

Toban,

What are the prices for ON this year?

HOLY CRAP.... 90 Dollars for a 3 day pass...there trails better be like a table top at that price :tease:

Thanks for the heads up I won't be riding there anymore.I'll spend my money in Manitoba.The trails aren't any better than ours,Iprefer to ride here given the choice.$90 is fuckin insane for a 3 day pass,but I guess we're paying for the trails further east that most of us will never see.It's to bad because Kenora is gonna loose a lot of money.

Especially for people who own cottages in kenora area.




I agree. $90 is crazy for a weekend of riding.

Well I feel sorry for your club, you are in a catch 22 situation with the price difference between the two provinces for snow passes. You can step up enforcement all you want you will just have more people use the lake systems.

As clubs in North West Ontario you need to go to your provincial organization and work on this problem. The clubs in NW Ontario need to have cheaper passes than the rest of the province and work out some sort of agreement with Manitoba. I only ride in Ontario couple times a year and try and stay off all your trails however how can you believe any one would pay so much for your snow pass when are is less than half? If there was some sort of agreement where if you already had a Manitoba pass I could pay$30-$40 to have limited privileges to ride on NW Ontario Trails I would do it - I am sure that a lot of others form Manitoba would as well. It may not seem like much compared to you’re your pass is know, but with increased numbers come increase revenue.

The question I have is why is there such a price difference between the two provinces? It cost the same for fuel, groomers, signage so what’s the deal?

FRICK, I wrote this big a$$ed reply... and then explorer crashed. TWICE! TWICE!! @#$@#

This ones gonna be quick.

I am in general agreement with the above. I like riding in MB and I pay $85 to ride for the whole season here.

Why should I have to pay $90 just to go for lunch in Kenora? It really creates a rift between our two clubs.

I like riding in MB, but if Im in the Falcon area I would like the ability to go riding to Kenora for lunch before heading south to the US and then back to MB. I love that triangle.

I feel that permits should be demographically based not provincially. Why should I pay 2 or 3 times as much for my trail permit(s) just because I live close to the provincial border. Were all Candians, and were enjoying the area that we LIVE in.

I dont plan on riding all of Kenoras or Ontarios trail systems. I already bought 1 snopass, why should I pay full price for another that I may only use 2-3 times in a year if that.

I wouldnt mind paying a bit more for my current snowpass... if it let me between Kenora and Falcon.

-Steve

$180.00 bucks before dec1

$225.00 bucks after Dec1

cheers

Fack that shit there is no way i am paying that much to go ride the trails in Ontario for 1-2 days. How in the world do they figure this is a reasonable price for people to pay to enjoy there trails. I would like them too see collect my money if they catch me i would not even show up to court or pay the fine. Fuck what is this world coming too.

I ride the same triangle. Manitoba to kenora trail is always crap. If they want to charge that kind of money for a pass they better work on the trails. I bought a few ON weekend passes and was didapointed every time. Now I just stay in manitoba. Better trails less money.

I don't see how they can charge that kind of money? That is way off for what it is worth. Even if they catch you they still have to try and collect. I for one will not go that way, there are lots of places to ride without going to the center of the universe to ride on trails that must be gold plated for those prices.

I myself prefer Platinum coated silver trails

-Steve

i guess when the average price of a cabin is 500k on lake of the woods, whats another 2hun to ride your sled there. i'll be staying here in manioba to ride. :div20:

we have a plavce on long bow lake it conects to lake of the woods bt 91 bucks for a 4 day pass is nuts.

Well guys just hop on to the pipeline and jump off at the lake.

Remember one thing, if not anything else. The Sunset Trail Riders snowmobile club of Kenora DOES NOT SET THE PRICE OF THE TRAIL PASS. That is done by OFSC. Snowmobile clubs both in Ontario and Manitoba always bear the brunt of criticism because they collect the money.

An agreement, if any is to be found, will ultimately have to be done between OFSC and Snoman and implemented as such.

As I posted last season, the situation as it is now operated in both Provinces, is not condusive for reciprocity, and that is a fact. Even if Manitoba adopts the Saskatchewan model of attaching a trail fee, tax or whatever you want to call it, the situation will remain the same.

Manitoba riders can look at our website forum for up to date trail reports and see when and what time EVERY trail was last groomed and also see what the daily groomer activites are planned. You can judge and make a decision by that information on which trail you want to ride.

Just for information sake, last season for example, we were grooming the "A West" trail which runs from Kenora to Falcon Lake twice a week - both ways each time. They were groomed on Mondays and Thursdays when ice thickness permitted. This is the trail that carries the most traffic over the week ends. Mondays grooming gets it back in shape and Thursdays grooming gets it ready for the week end riders. We were unable to groom High Lake all winter long last year as the ice would not support a groomer.

We always have safety in mind when grooming. The balance of our trail system was in excellent shape as ice thickness dictated when we could get our groomers out on the lakes. We groom more km's of water than land.

No worries, don't take it personally. I think you are more or less bearing the brunt of peoples criticism. I rode the A-West trail last year, once and I remember it was in good shape.

I think what people really want to know is why things are like this:



I am sure there are people in Kenora who want to ride in Manitoba, if everyone thinks we should cooperate... why arn't we? People still decide whats best for them dont they?

Maybe if our trail pass was $200 then the guys in Ont would be complaining a bit more. Right now its at $85 its deal to them, so no one on the other side complains, just us.

But as far as us going to Kenora.... I think if both clubs could agree the grooming and costs associated, of the A-Trail was to be split 50/50... I dont understand the issue.

This would allow Kenora folk to Falcon and vice versa. Were not talking about alot of territory here.

-Steve

Here's one for ya. Why doesn't the business community in the Lake of the Woods area punch a trail into Manitoba and hook up to the trail between Westhawk and Falcon. Just think of it as a big siphon hose bringing Manitoba coin into into the area. I'm sure it would pay for its self.

Not to worry, I don't take it personal at all. I understand and am sympathetic to the concerns that all riders (your and ours) express. Since the resurrection/re-birth of our club in 2003, we have had three consecutive years of executive members who are doing their utmost to provide a safe, enjoyable AND affordable program for our locals as well as our visitors. We have been and are constantly engaged with our City Council and business stakeholders in trying to resolve problems and to create something that every individual or family can enjoy. The one good thing happening this year (I hope I don't give it the kiss of death) is that fuel prices are lower and perhaps will become even less expensive as the season begins.

I can't go into detail but for now, let me just say that there is some conversation on this subject with the concerned parties in Ontario.

I guess what you are talking about here, "Right now its at $85 its deal to them, so no one on the other side complains, just us" is that it's a good deal for Ontario riders to buy the Mantioba pass? I don't have any idea or figures on how many of the Kenora riders purchase Manitoba passes. I do know that I and most of our STR executive have purchased Manitoba passes because we do make a few trips into Manitoba and we believe in that we should support each other. I live in Manitoba and have a cabin in the Kenora area and I support both entities.

It's a bit expensive for me personally as I only rode into Manitoba as far as Bird Lake three times last year, but that is my choice. I do however, believe in supporting Manitoba and will continue to do so as I have a far greater knowledge of what is required since I joined the executive of our club. Snowmobiling IS an expensive sport, no doubt about it.

I'm sure there could and would be a lot of cooperation but it's going to take some time for things to change. For example, Manitoba could be in the midst of a change in the next year or so with the adoption of the fee tacked onto registaration of a machine. The results of that price structure and implementation of a new system will further change and influence the dynamics on the agreement process.

But the main governing factor is how to level the $$$ playing field. Another problem is that we, meaning Mantoba and Ontario, cannot operate independently of Snowman (Manitoba) and the OFSC (Ontario). We, as you, do not have the permission or authourity to operate or make agreements amongst ourselves. We are both bound by rules and laws. Perhaps if we did have that ability, we might be able to work out some of the $$$ kinks.

Will changes eventually come about for the good of the sport? I think they will, but the "when" is a big unknown.

I will say this, that if I was riding into Ontario more than twice a season, then the $180.00 pass would be the better deal. But, if you don't, then perhaps what the Hotel Alliance will be offering this season would be a better bang for the buck for everyone. I'll be posting that information on this forum as well as on our website in the very near future. From what I hear it is about ready for publication. Most of the riders from Mantioba that took advantage of that offering were very satisfied on the pricing, accomodations and the trail conditions/system.

Watch our website as it gets priority attention for all the latest news and updates. I know, because I "tender" the site.

There is a trail between Falcon Lake and Westhawk on the Manitoba side. It connects from our "A West" trail which is Kenora to Falcon Lake and to the L101 West Hawk Lake trail to Kenora.

There is extensive traffic on both trails, albeit the "A West" trail is the easiest and quickest to ride but all or any of that Manitoba coin doesn't find it's way into the STR club. We are the ones paying the price to groom the trail but the coin goes to the merchants of Kenora. Our only way to re-coup or support the trail grooming costs is via the trail pass and therin lies the problem.

Read my latest post in the forum "Who Rides In Manitoba". I posted a JPEG that indicates where the OFSC budgets it monies collected.

Whoa - If I were you I would re-think that decision to run. Here's why. The following is a regulation with regards to being stopped by a police officer and wilfully fleeing from the officer. By the looks of the penalties, I think it would be cheaper to pay the fine or put the fine money towards a seasonal pass instead.

Power of police officer to stop

17.1 (1) A police officer, in the lawful execution of his or her duties and responsibilities, may require the driver of a motorized snow vehicle to stop and the driver of a motorized snow vehicle, when signalled or requested to stop by a police officer, shall immediately come to a safe stop. 2000, c. 30, s. 8.

Offence

(2) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable, subject to subsection (3),

(a) to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $10,000;

(b) to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months; or

© to both a fine and imprisonment. 2000, c. 30, s. 8.

Escape by flight

(3) If a person is convicted of an offence under subsection (2) and the court is satisfied on the evidence that the person wilfully continued to avoid police when a police officer gave pursuit,

(a) the person is liable to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $25,000, instead of the fine described in clause (2) (a);

(b) the court shall make an order imprisoning the person for a term of not less than 14 days and not more than six months, instead of the term described in clause (2) (b); and

© the court shall make an order suspending the person's driver's licence or motorized snow vehicle's operator's licence,

(i) for a period of five years, unless subclause (ii) applies, or

(ii) for a period of not less than 10 years, if the court is satisfied on the evidence that the person's conduct or the pursuit resulted in the death of or bodily harm to any person. 2000, c. 30, s. 8.