BEAST Monthly Meeting – Thursday March 6, 2025

We have our BEAST Meeting on Thursday March 6, 2025.

At the OLD Beckwith Townhall, 7:30pm. Corner of Hwy 15 & 9th Line of Beckwith.

Trail Status Update for Richmond Area

Hi Everyone,
I want to try to dispel some of the speculation that has been happening in regards to the trails in the Richmond area that we have not been able to make available so far this season.
We have come up against a couple of unexpected issues in this area. We have some farms with winter crops in fields that we have traditionally used, and some land owners that would like some last minute changes made to existing trails.
These types of issues pop up all over our network every year, and normally we are able to take care of these and most permit buyers have no idea we’ve done anything. Usually we are able to hop into a ditch or cross over to the other side of the road or something along those lines in order to get around that. The problem we run into in this area is that our permissions within the City of Ottawa are handled under a different land use agreement than we have with other municipalities and we are unable to move things around as issues come up, we have to get permissions from the City on this and this is a long process.
The good news is that the agreement is up for renewal very soon and we are hoping to set this new one up in a fashion that gives us a few more options going forward.
We have been out working, and will continue to and as long as weather permits hopefully we’ll be able to get access for some more folks.
In the meantime if you are able to, we have park and rides set up at the Twin Elm Rugby park at the end of Trail 301 and at the MTO park and ride at Dwyer Hill with a service trail to the A trail.
Thanks everyone for understanding.
Chris Angell
President
The B.E.A.S.T.
e-mail: info@thebeast.ca

BEAST Work Weekends – Nov 23-24, Nov 30-Dec 1, Dec 7-8

Calling all volunteers! In case you haven’t heard, to get our trails ready for the snow, BEAST is having work weekends starting this weekend Nov 23rd. If you are already coming out Thank You! If not, contact us at info@thebeast.ca if you can help us out, and we can link you up with a work group in your area.

Driver Training

If you’re a new rider over 12 years of age, it’s time to get your Motorized Snow Vehicle Operator’s License (MSVOL) and learn the rules and behaviours necessary to be a safe and courteous snowmobile operator. Register today at https://www.snowmobilecourse.com/canada/ontario/

Quick Tips – No Vin No Problem

Don’t have your sled yet but want to save $80 before the Seasonal Permit fee increases at midnight on November 1st? Buy an OFSC Permit Gift Card. Learn more at https://www.ofsc.on.ca/gift-cards/

Important Message from President

Hi All, Please see this important message from our President Chris Angell

Early Bird Permits Available Oct 1

Permits and Gift Cards are now available online, no price increase from last season. The Gift Card option is handy for those who do not yet have their new vehicle ownership and want to take advantage of early bird fees. or want to gift a permit for a family member, friend, business associate, customer, etc.
Login with your existing account at OFSC(click link in the OFSC post) or create an account.
Watch/listen to the video on Trail Realignments and OFSC ITG, and be sure to let us know if you have any questions. The OFSC post on Facebook has comments on this.
When checking or filling in your personal information, please consider under Preferences to check Yes to receive information about snowmobiling and newsletters from the OFSC and/or local club. Your Club is selected at checkout.
Also please consider to check Yes if you already volunteer or would like to volunteer so that the club selected at checkout will get your contact information.
Thank you, and we can always use more volunteers, so feel free to contact us at info@thebeast.ca if you feel you have any skills or interests (there’s much more than just trail work) that can help us, or if you have any questions please reach out.
When you receive your permit, don’t forget to follow the application instructions and install it on your windshield or cowling so it’s visible from the front. This is not only the law, but will be more likely you get waved through any police or trail patrol checks as they will be able to see your permit.
And one last reminder that our snowmobles still need the license sticker updated and installed, unlike our cars where that is no longer a requirement. Go to Service Ontario to get your license sticker updated for $15.
MAY WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE❄❄
2025 Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permits are now available online at https://permits.ofsc.on.ca!!
You will be happy to note that there is no fee increase this season and when you buy now through November 1st you’ll lock in the best deal available!
Your permit purchase supports club volunteer efforts and investments into the provincial snowmobile trail network through groomer acquisitions and refurbishment, infrastructure maintenance and replacement, trail preparation and grooming operations.
See you on the trails this year!!
❄❄❄❄❄❄
*permit terms and conditions available online at ofsc.on.ca

OFSC News Update – Permit Pricing

From the OFSC

GOOD NEWS SNOWMOBILERS!!!
On September 13 and 14, more than 350 grassroots volunteers – representing 179 community-based OFSC member snowmobile clubs from across Ontario – gathered in Muskoka to officially kick off the 2024/2025 season! OFSC AGM is also when Member Clubs vote on Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit fees for the upcoming season. Our members, alongside our program partners at the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), are pleased to announce that there will be no increase in 2025 Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit fees. Revenue from permit sales allows the OFSC to continue to make investments into the provincial snowmobile trail network through groomer acquisitions and refurbishment, major infrastructure replacement and maintenance, and trail preparation and grooming operations.

An Important Message for Permit Buyers – from the OFSC

From the OFSC

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ONTARIO PERMIT BUYERS!
In advance of permit sales kicking off on October 1, we wanted to take a moment to share details of a work effort underway this spring and summer, which will continue throughout the fall and early winter. Since the close of the 2023/2024 season, OFSC Club volunteers have been engaged in the largest trail data project in the history of our Federation. This effort focuses on using precise GPS data generated by our grooming activity to realign our digital trail footprint; with a network the size of ours, you can be sure that volunteers have had a much busier summer than normal. This is still very much a work in progress, and Clubs will spend the fall and early winter finalizing their network alongside the countless gracious landowners in our communities.
As a result, our trail network will look different than it has in past years, particularly at the beginning of the season. It will positively evolve in real-time as trails and updated land use permissions are confirmed as we move closer to the finish line of this project. To ensure volunteers have as much time as possible to firm up their network, we will be launching the Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) and Go Snowmobiling Ontario App on December 1, 2024, which will still provide permit buyers ample time to book trips and plan routes. Read more: https://www.ofsc.on.ca/…/ofsc-57th-ofsc-agm-convention…/

2024 UCSR Sled Raffle

2024 UCSR Raffle Tickets for BEAST are now on sale at the following locations: Blacks Corners Motorsports, Carleton Place Marine, Perth Powersports, and Clayton General Store.

https://ucsr.ca/lottery/