ESA Online

Tuesday evening at 7pm the ESA executive held a Public meeting to provide an update on the latest information on changes and work projects affecting our snowmobiling area.  It was a successfull forum, with approximately 40 members showing their support by attending, including some local business owners who have been execllent supporters of our goals.

 Some of the Highlights:

Todd Blake Discussed:

• Minutes from the last Public Meeting in October.

Dave McKelvie Discussed:

• 2008 operating Plan.
• Issues regarding bridges throughout our network of secondary trails.
• Gros Morne Snowmobile Regulations.

Greg Hodder Discussed:

• Rendezvous 2008 and the proposed Rendezvous relay for those unable to attend the weekend even from Feb.29 - March 02. 2008.
• Volunteering
• Proposed Safety Awareness Day/Fundraiser

The ESA Executive is very pleased to announce that many Members at the meeting committed to helping out with the Safety Awareness Day/Fundraiser event currently being planned. We now have a Volunteer committee that will be working with the Executive to make this planned event a successfull one. We'll be realeasing more information on this early next week when all the details have been finalized.

Groomer Rides/Prizes/Food & Beverages and more coming to a parking lot near you very soon ... so stay tuned, this is going to be a great family event.

This meeting followed the Fall NLSF General Meeting held in Corner Brook where many issues and concerns were discussed regarding snowmobiling in Newfoundland. The General Meeting highlighted a number of problems snowmobile clubs throughout our Island have been experienceing in the last few years. Issues on Club Feasability and Volunteer participation were high on the agenda of many Clubs, while others discussed better ways to share Groomers and equipment.

Unlike the ESA, there are Clubs that do not have their own Groomer, such as the Terra Nova Trail Riders based out of GloverTown, who currently have to rent a Groomer from the Gander snowmobile Club. After listening to the discussions we quickly realize all Clubs have unique circumstances that a generic solution cannot solve, however they still march forward driven by their passion to maintain and develop these new areas of the Islands Primary snowmobile trail system.

Another hot topic at the General Meeting revolved around Groomer depreciation and the high costs many Clubs are facing each year just to keep the groomers running. NLSF Groomer Chairman, Dave Ackerman who overseas the monthly maintainence program all groomers are required to complete is worried that worn out groomers could lead to more problems for the NLSF, the Clubs and many of Newfoundland's groomed snowmobile trails.

As an Executive here in Central, we make it a priority to ensure our groomer is inspected and working throughout the season, and that costs money and time. Thanks to a very experienced Groomer Chairman, Jim Fancey, we manage to stay on top of things, but we've been really lucky in the last couple of years that we have not experienced any major mechanical failures, which could be devastating to our Club financially.

We hope this will keep many of you, who couldn't make it, in the loop on what's been happening this Fall. And to all of you who attended, your support is greatly appreciated.

Please feel free to leave your comments or questions below, by clicking the comments link directly below this article.

Have a wonderful day, and think SNOW!!!

Parks Canada will be enforcing snowmobiling regulations within the park boundaries this season. The Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Association has no control or input into these new guidelines, so please be well informed before you begin snowmobiling this season. 

The purpose is to regulate snowmobile traffic throughout the park to maintain and protect as much of the natural environment as possible. This is achieved by "corridors" that have been designated to keep snowmobilers away from animal habitates and sensitive ecological plant life. The Arctic Hare is one of the identified animals affected by snowmobiles "highmarking" on some of Gros Mornes snow covered hills and steep slopes which approach the highlands. In the winter the Hare's move down from wind swept highlands and burrow around the trees of the slopes below. Environmental Assessment Studies have determined that "highmarking" impacts the Hare's habitate, and as a result it is now against the law to perform this act on your snowmobile inside park boundaries.

'Highmarking" is a common technique practiced by experienced snowmobilers which involves climbing high on slopes and hills then turning and decending, creating a mark. It's a very entertaining activitiy to watch and is definitely not for the faint of heart for those who attempt it. It is common for snowmobiles to get stuck, turn over and even crash attempting this.

Parks Canada is also regulating how many snowmobilers can use the Park each year by enforcing a trail permit cap. We have been informed this cap number may be in the area of 5000 permits each season. Each snowmobile will be required to have a permit, which is free. However, each person will also be required to obtain a park pass, of which you can purchase a Daily or Seasonal type. The Park Pass is mandatory for all patrons using the area during any season.

For more information check out their website.

If you're interested in snowmobiling in Gros Morne National Park this winter, get your snowmobile permit and park pass in advance.

Please feel free to express yourself and leave your comments below.