Due to winter weather finally living up to billing, more than 100 kilometers of snowmobile trails have been opened between Mattawa and Bonfield. The trails have been opened after cold weather finally hit regions around North Bay, later than is usual.
The trails were opened on Monday and Tuesday and are expected to stay open, while experts are saying a late start to the cold season does not necessarily mean that this will be a short winter. However, snowmobile clubs in North Bay are warning that riders need to stick to trails that have been opened as other runs are currently too watery thanks to excessive rainfall for this time of year.
There have been investments to improve snowmobile trails throughout the North Bay area, but even so a slow start to winter has meant only 1,000 kilometers of trails have been opened across the province of Ontario. That amounts to trails being opened in a “limited fashion” according to several clubs in the area.
As for trails directly surrounding North Bay, they may be able to open as soon as this weekend thanks to predicted cold weather that is going to temperatures finally drop. Although, most experts agree that it will take consistent -15 to -20 C days to get all trails opened, allowing waterways to solidify more. The warmer than usual start to the cold season has left trails unopened and some believing the winter will be shorter this year, but some experts disagree.
It is true that the traditional snowmobile season should have started two weeks ago, but a late start does not necessarily mean and early finish. Weather experts say Canada may still have a traditional winter and that the snowmobile season may well run into early April.
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It is important to remember that snowmobiles are powerful vehicles and like all modes of transport, accidents can happen and damage to riders and property can occur. Snowmobile insurance is available through Knox Insurance Brokers, giving snowmobile owners peace of mind when out on the trails around North Bay and beyond.