Snowmobiling is back at Northumberland Forest

By Cecilia Nasmith

Following a period of closure during the 2020-21 season while an updated agreement was under discussion, Northumberland County is pleased to announce that motorized trails in Northumberland Forest will reopen to snowmobiling in time for the 2021-2022 season.

This is the result of an agreement that has now been finalized between the county and the Great Pine Ridge Snowmobile Association. The agreement contains provisions for seasons up to the end of March 2026, the announcement said.

The terms approved by both parties provide for the continued safe and acceptable use of county lands for snowmobiling activities, such as trail maintenance and signage standards, volunteer management, and insurance requirements. This includes enhanced liability protections for the county and Northumberland taxpayers related to this motorized sport.

“The County Forest is an important space for outdoor recreation in our community,” Warden Bob Crate commented.

“We are pleased to welcome snowmobilers back to the forest in time for this season and look forward to seeing them out on our 47 km. of motorized trails, as well as patronizing local businesses in the surrounding communities.

“We appreciate the collaboration with the GPRSA and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs to define mutually-agreeable terms that get snowmobilers back out on the trails at an acceptable level of liability risk for Northumberland taxpayers.”

The updated agreement covers a two-year year period ending March 31, 2023, with an option for the parties to renew for an additional three years (through March 2026). At the conclusion of this period, the agreement will be assessed by both parties to ensure it is continuing to fulfill its intended purpose.

For more information about snowmobiling trails and other recreational opportunities in the Northumberland County Forest, visit Northumberland.ca/ trails.