Winter Quadding on sled trails

[retiredpop]

Most of the times lately atvers will stay off a snowmobile trail in the winter if explained why they should. Issue that affects most is summer use and abuse. We need some kind of solution but like ImDoin says tough to do. Sledding isnt dieing just needs some help from the government to come up with a trail use plan and a funding program for repairs and maintenance. Also a strong or present AOHVA that is commited to work with their member clubs if they have any and get the word out with proper riding habits. If possible. Quad squad in the Crowsnest Pass seem to have a working arangement but the ground is harder and rocky to help things along.

Funny you should mention this as I just wrote a letter to Jack Hayden (minister of tourism, parks and recreation) concerning this very thing last week. One solution is to get the government to turn over the revenue from registration fees to the sport that generates it. Also gasoline tax rebate on fuel used for sledding much like some states in the US. Maybe if more people could get on their MLA and government officials something would change.

 

[Sledderglen]

Funding program is in the works and Jacks department is involved as well as many others. Fuel tax rebate is not and will not ever be part of the program. What happens in the States stays in the States. Time will tell but a designated funding system is being looked at right now. How it will all work out is still a mystery.

 

[barleyfarmer]

would be nice alright. can't see it happening though. Alberta just hasn't had the now in the last few years, and there is trail access all over. posting signs may help, but not likely. sledding i AB is dying fast.

we need snow big time. should be time for the farmers to start squawking for more subsidy, costs money to fly those private planes.

I also run marked fuel in my plane too!!Dickhead!!!

 

[Marley]

There is a simple arrangement that makes everything better for everyone but there would be a storm of controversy in getting it done. Right now every off road vehicle is supposed to have licence and insurance. There should be a qualifying process to get properly documented. The internet makes it very easy to inform people of rights and responsibilities.

In Canada there was a push to have all who operated a watercraft to have a licence or operators card. The push was because of the number of accidents and deaths particularly involving young people and personal watercraft. Originally you had to take an exam on a computer connected to the internet and have someone supervise you taking the test so nobody could cheat. It was easy to get around the 'supervision' thing and so guys were getting their boating licence without really earning it - and therein lies the problem. Education was the real goal - not just getting a guy a little card that says he has a right to go out on the water.

The first thought was to make it tougher to cheat but some visionary minds said no - lets make the learning process the key - not the testing part. So now to get an operators card and be qualified to take a watercraft out everyone has to 'do the time' and learn before taking the exam. The online course was changed to ensure that each person seeking an operators card actually spent a certain amount of time on each learning module and had to pass a quiz before proceeding to the next one.
The exam was also changed to put emphasis on questions about the critical safety issues about boating and less on the ones trying to ferret out how much you knew about the more abstract aspects of boating. The process ends up with a more knowledgeable card holder not a better cheater. Brilliant.

Apply a similar strategy to all forms of off-road licensing and you end up with different types of users respecting all the other users, respecting the areas, people knowing the basic rules and safety being the prime motivator. Take one course for all types of backcountry pursuits, including horse riders and mountain bikers, and take one exam and you are then somewhat qualified to go into the wild with a degree of safety and respect in mind. After that you have to show your backcountry card before you can licence any type of offroad vehicle. It still won't make guys in overly jacked up trucks like people who drive SUVs, and vice-versa, but it would be a start. And just for the record I am a conservative guy and don't want more government intervention in peoples lives but there are guys, like oneeyedwilly, who need some edumacating.

 

[imdoo'n]

I also run marked fuel in my plane too!!Dickhead!!!

now are we not being a little snotty. did i hit a nerve or haven't you got your forms in yet.

 

[AirNorth1]

If everyone joined their local snowmobile club as members and the snowmobile clubs formed one big body then there may be substance to approach the governmentals about the needs.

Otherwise your all just fartin in the wind, dont expect much other than the continuing gradual demise of your sport.

 

[ferniesnow]

In western Canada there should be one spokesperson for all the provincial organizations; a paid professional with great PR and connections in the upper circles of government. He/She should be in constant contact with the BCSF, ABCSnow, ASA, SSA, and whatever they call the group in Manitoba and then relay the message to the press and ministers. Safety in numbers and direction in solidarity.

 

[Sledderglen]

In western Canada there should be one spokesperson for all the provincial organizations; a paid professional with great PR and connections in the upper circles of government. He/She should be in constant contact with the BCSF, ABCSnow, ASA, SSA, and whatever they call the group in Manitoba and then relay the message to the press and ministers. Safety in numbers and direction in solidarity.

Snowmobiling industry has the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) that takes care of that the best they can. They seem to use the influnce of Ontario and Quebec to set the positives of organized and supported $$$ to make snowmobiling a stronger industry. A few years ago the provinces had a funding boost from the (NTC) National Trails Council to improve trails in Canada. 23 million was set aside and the snowmobile associations and clubs used this money to improve trails. Alberta clubs were in on this and trails were improved. Whitecourt,Alberta Beach,Trailseekers,Smoky Lake are just a few I remember that benifeted from this program.
So if we get a chance we can make it work.
The CCSO is always looking for $$ as well. Dealing with the federal Government doesn`t come easy or cheap. They are and will continue to be our best bet yet.

 

[Thumper-darryl]

As sledderglen said.
The CCSO is that unified voice that takes the good examples from Ontario and Quebec and spreads the word to jurisdictions that WANT to listen. The problem is that some jurisdictions in the west do not want to listen. Jerry B. and I traveled with Minister Cindy Ady(Tourism, parks and rec) to Quebec last winter, as she wanted to see first hand how it is done. As frequently happens she no longer has that portfolio so the info she can share is for the most part lost, and we start over. Sadly Sask is currently not part of CCSO and I do not know what the heck is going on in B.C. Is there a unified voice in B.C? But in Alberta the ASA uses resources available to us through the CCSO and ISMA.
Ride safe.
Darryl