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We have some of the most exhilarating trails you will find anywhere and would love to share them with you!
Our Club is a proud member of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). We would like to welcome all snowmobilers and visitors to the Havelock/Belmont/Methuen area. Consider becoming a member and reap the benefits of belonging to one of the first and oldest organized snowmobile clubs in the province.
We invite you to join us for fun-filled sledding adventures. Want to interact with other club members/executive and other riders? Arrange rides, ask about trails, share Havelock & District snowmobiling news, photos, and information? Join our Facebook or follow us on Twitter or Instagram!… Happy snowmobiling!
Have you ridden on the HDSC trails recently? We’d like to see some pictures and hear about your rides.
if you guys are responsible for the section that makes you absolutely trash your sled running all that shity shoulder and multiple road crossings up the 46 hwy, then you prolly dont wanna hear from me. its not just that ur wrecking ur carbides, sliders and studs, the sled was brown from mud because the shoulders wer pushed back right into the ditch, why ? knowing that the trail runs a ridicules distance down the side of the hwy ( looks like 6-8 kms ) you think they would leave the shoulder because a posted trail runs down the shoulder on both sides of the road ( at least 8 hwy crossings ) must be one of the most dangerous sections of trail in the OFSC . again, you asked.
Tried to ride the e107 into havelock the other night. Turned around at old Norwood road. I don’t think a groomer has been down that trail all year. Usually no complaints about HDSC trails but you asked.
Yes a great ride yesterday. Thanks for all the hard work!
Important reason NOT to drive in farm fields, stay on the trail!!!
I live on the outskirts of Ptbo. on the lake, yet in a fairly densely populated area but surrounded by farm fields. There are lots people in the area with sleds and 100's of them without " trail permits" who have never had a permit and could care less about riding OFSC trails, they are " ditch banging field runners" . I was on the lake a few weeks back, there are 2 sleds that I see / hear quite often ripping all over, up & down the lake with the noisiest cans i have ever heard, skipping open water and jumping farm fences with the snow drifts. I happened to be on my sled and followed them down the lake, when they stopped i pulled up to say hi, they wer maybe 15 yrs old driving polaris IQ sleds no visible permit. I asked if ther was anywhere to ride they pointed to the farm field on the hill. My long winded point is that i'm fed up with getting in shit as a permit holder who respects the landowner and my permit price and my love for the the trail system. I'd be willing to wager that alot of this "field running" is done by local people ( meaning, your neighbors) with their beaters just doing what they have always done, riding little off beat trails through the sugar forest using farm fields to connect to these trails. I guarantee they DO NOT subscribe to any snowmobile pages and never hear about the complaints. It is kinda F'd that every time there is an issue regarding a snowmobile people write the OFSC, why ? Not every snowmobile is owned by a permit holder, in fact i'd be curious what the ratio is. How many sleds out there, total. versus how many with permits. prolly 20 %. Its like saying every black person is a gang banger with a gun. ... ** and i'll just wait here while the bashing begins ** Go.
We’d like to thank all our volunteers for your time getting our trails prepped and groomed for our snowmobile use, without your dedication we’d still be stuck inside. Thank you, Thank you!!!
Also, we have heard from some home owners about speed, please slow down when riding along side or crossing roads. Below is some snowmobile tips for your review:
SNOWMOBILE SAFETY ETIQUETTE
1. HAND SIGNALS
• Extreme or surprise turns
• Slowing or stopping (obvious hand straight up, very important,
people behind may be in snow dust)
• Groomer in the area (straight up, circling around like beacon)
• Wildlife (bounding motion or antler sign)
• Significant hand signals only, no senseless count downs. We
prefer that you to have both hands on the bars, stay in control
and on your side of the trail.
2. SLOWING OR STOPPING
• Obvious hand signal ALWAYS!
• Pull to extreme right
• No double wide stopping, EVER!
• Visible areas only, think about where you stop, before stopping
and how well you can be seen from both directions.
• No surprise slowing or stopping to rubber neck, sight see or
adjust you gloves
3. STAY TO RIGHT
• Oncoming traffic comes surprisingly fast
• A safety margin of maneuverability is a good idea if oncoming
sled is in your lane
• If you intentionally crossover the center, have good sight lines and
get back quickly
• If you accidentally crossover get back quickly, it’s good to
practice
4. MISHAP TIPS
• Never lock up your brakes; you are not going to stop. “When in
doubt throttle out” and drive.
• If you go off the trail, look between the trees “not at them”, you
generally go where you look.
• If you miss a corner, don’t stop or immediately turn, you may end
up wearing the next guy
• If you have an incident in the trail, get out of the way, others are
coming
• If you get stuck, don’t have a heart attack trying to get out, take
your time, prepare an exit path or wait for help.
• People doing stupid stuff, downed trees, groomers and wildlife,
happen, expect the unexpected and be prepared.
• If you avoid an obstacle/accident, get out of the way immediately,
next guy also needs a place to go.
5. INTERSECTIONS
• Slow up, if no one is waiting to direct you, always assume the
biggest most traveled choice (never take the goat path)
• If there was a rider there for you, make sure the rider after you
gets the message as well
• It is not necessary to stop, just makes sure the next guy sees
which way you are going
• Lost or confused, just sit there and wait, we have only lost one
guy in 20 years, he didn’t wait and took the goat path
6. PASSING SLOWER TRAFFIC
• Let them know you are there by revving engine or putting your
light in their mirror
• Use patience and good judgment
• Make pass quickly and where you choose, no blind corners, no hill
crests, no gambling
• Get back on your side ASAP, like your life depends on it!
• Some people get aggressive, race you in the straights, won’t stay
on the their side, are oblivious to what is going on, are willing to
put you in the bush or all of the above. Be patient and prudent!
7. BEING PASSED
• If the rider is there, be real, keep an even speed, give him space,
let him in, there is no rescue crew waiting in turn one.
• Don’t get aggressive or speed up in the straights, stay on the
right side.
• Never wave another rider by, you cannot retract a bad wave.
Never hit your brakes, keep a steady speed and let the faster
rider decide when it is safe to make a pass.
8. DISTANCE
• Reaction time, visibility, the unexpected……….. you choose how
fast and how close.
• Every 5-10 miles, make visual contact with the next sled. If you
can, slow down or safely pull over, until you see the light coming,
blink brake light so they see you and go.
• If the delay is longer than, belt change and whiz stop combined,
turn around in a very visible area (use care in turning around
outside the trail alone… stuck sucks) and backtrack.
• If the problem is significant , the system will work and sooner than
later, everyone in your group will be back
We encourage all snowmobilers to think safety, talk about safety and to consider sharing some form of common or expected conduct with their fellow riding partners. Ride smart, Ride safe.
Between the ages of 12 and 15? Over the age of 15 and do not possess a valid Ontario Drivers License?
Then you need to successfully complete an Ontario-approved Snowmobile Safety Course before riding on public lands.
