Our district has asked our club to endorse a policy that our groomers will not cross water{the stiff kind). Here in lies the problem, we have two crossings on C trail. The only alternate is to bypass on Hwy 69, which is not legal or insurance compliant. We have a very loose understanding with our local OPP, that do what you have to do. The decision is up to a few directors and any thoughts from the wise ones would be appreciated. thanks

Seeing as this is a very touchy subject with insurance company's and many policy's involved I'll give ya my input via PM


(Edit) .......... Doh ! Welcome to HCS gtserider08

Because of the fatality last year I think some changes should be made to their policies. I think they shoold be still groom water crossings. We were at a restaurant near Mactier when a lady told us the story. She said his jacket and cell phone were in the groomer when it went down. He got out and started walking down the trail but it was to cold. I always thought that they were suppose to groom in pairs. It's a touchy subject but some changes should be made to ensure the saftey of the drivers.

The man’s name was Michael Ryman and from what I understand he was a experienced groomer operator. gtserider08, from the location you have listed in your profile I’m sure you know the area where his accident happened. It was a very tragic thing that happened last year and I don’t want to read about another groomer operator losing his life this year. I think everything possible should be done to get that trail off the water and around the lake.

That being said, If you are referring to Harris Lake and Giroux Lake it looks to me that would be a tuff trail to reroute. You know this area better then any of us (I have only rode that trail one time) and are in a much better position to make that call. How deep are those lakes? Have there ever been problems with the ice there in the past because of currant or other factors? How often is the condition of the ice checked?


gtserider08 to HCS

Remember this club already had a no water crossing policy and no one really knows why the operator went onto the part of the lake

Grooming in pairs is a good idea aka groomer followed or following a sled

BUT groomers are hard to come by in the 1st place


Smaller groomer(Widetrack sled) for in between lakes?

IMO the industrail groomer is a bonus in most situations but in some it in way too big

Frezzy, He knew not to go on the lake. He wasn"t doing a water crossing but turning around>the drag was still above water and the roof of the groomer was above water. It was -30 that night.
As for the wide track sled and groomer,send it down I'll fix up the missing links--U didn't use it last year.

Yes I know he was turning around and not crossing the lake,he just happened to go out a bit too far when turning

Hope to go to Pointe O Baril this season I went 2-3yrs ago by way of Georgian Bay from Parry Sound

it was a sad story for sure... its too bad this had to happen.. I mean the guy is grooming snowmobile trails and looses his life....

I think you're right freeze.. there is no problem running the old alpines with a drag and they can go anywhere! I've thought about his for a while after seeing one early last year when the big rigs weren't out. might have even been a joe just wanting some decent trails for himself?

they don't put down the same carpet, but with a proper drag they can do a very good job and fast!

not to mention the cost is so much less..

these tractors are great, but so big!!! and so costly to repair.. I always see them with their tracks off on the side of the trail... 1 groomer out for 2 weeks means crappy trails for the rest of the year...

I like the idea of the smaller groomer for early season and swampy sections where the industrial has to wait or can not go as the terrain can not take the weight