Northern Ontario "off trail riders"

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polarisrider1

New member
Hoosier said:
That and exchange rate these days and the high gas prices, which is a factor for those who would be riding a lot of miles on the trail (sounds like you do mostly off trail there). We wanted to do something different than the usual UP/Wisconsin trip, so last season I started pricing out a 4-5 day trip in Ontario. Once you factor in the gas prices and the permit price, we ended up just going out to the Togwotee area and renting mountain sleds out there. When we go fishing in Ontario, you can get some of the sales tax back as a rebate for tourist. You'd think there would be some way the sledding community could do that for gas for sleds, since that's the biggest expense of a sledding trip up there. I really want to ride up there at some point though.
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When I started riding up there in 97 the exchange rate was in our favor. Around 2001 the exchange was around 56% in our favor. I was seriously thinking of buying a sled there and bringing it home. Polaris quickly made it a rule that a US sled warranty must be preformed here and a Canada bought sled there. Trips were way affordable back then. easy to take whole family up. Not no more. Biggest thing now is finding out what is open anymore up there. Plan trip and verify with phone calls. DO NOT just go there and shoot for the best. Crossing the border was a pc. of cake back then also. I would cross the ice with the sled from Drumond Island to St. Joseph Island or to Theselon all the time. No hassles. Still love the remoteness. Loved to do the snow loops with my 2001 800XCSP with the tour buddy spare gas tank. I think they even went out of business.
 
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Hoosier

Well-known member
Interesting points. Hopefully they realize what they have up there and try to preserve it before it's too late. From what I've read on Northern Light's blog, Ontario taxes the heck out of everything, including property taxes, and it's making it difficult for a small motel to keep the doors open. I don't know if snowmobiling tourism is important to the govt folks that make the decisions.

I haven't ridden in Ontario but I have ridden in Quebec, and the riding was just incredible there. No traffic whatsoever, 75+ miles between towns (complete wilderness), elevation changes, tons of snow, looked to be lots of off-trail opportunities (we didn't stray far from the trail on that trip), friendly people at the B&B's we stayed at. Really couldn't ask for more if you are looking for a "touring" type trip.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Hoosier said:
Interesting points. Hopefully they realize what they have up there and try to preserve it before it's too late. From what I've read on Northern Light's blog, Ontario taxes the heck out of everything, including property taxes, and it's making it difficult for a small motel to keep the doors open. I don't know if snowmobiling tourism is important to the govt folks that make the decisions.

I haven't ridden in Ontario but I have ridden in Quebec, and the riding was just incredible there. No traffic whatsoever, 75+ miles between towns (complete wilderness), elevation changes, tons of snow, looked to be lots of off-trail opportunities (we didn't stray far from the trail on that trip), friendly people at the B&B's we stayed at. Really couldn't ask for more if you are looking for a "touring" type trip.
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Mo and John who own the Northern Lights Motel are fantastic people. check them out at www.NLmotel.com They are straight shooters and I do miss staying with them.
 
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Hoosier

Well-known member
I don't know them personally, but I checked Mo's blog quite a bit before she moved it to facebook.

I do love how they measure snow up there!
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Hoosier said:
I don't know them personally, but I checked Mo's blog quite a bit before she moved it to facebook.

I do love how they measure snow up there!
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Mo wanted it in easy to understand measurements. To this day still not sure how much 4 cases tall is but enough to cover the rocks and make for prime off trail riding

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Hoosier

Well-known member
polarisrider1 said:
Mo wanted it in easy to understand measurements. To this day still not sure how much 4 cases tall is but enough to cover the rocks and make for prime off trail riding

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Must be sort of like the metric system. As long as one case is still better than two, and so on, I think I understand.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Spur of the moment trips to off trail riding, Ability to cross the border is a must. Any one who can cross and go when the snow dumps at short notice only apply! :) You will say, "Why didn't anyone tell me about this!" and I will smile back at you. I stay at Wawa Motor Lodge when we go. they have group cabins to rent.
 
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getsome

New member
maybe make your way over to Chapleau area sometime. I have been surveying the area pretty heavy, lots of good bondocking IF WE GET THE SNOW ! Either way maybe hook up with you some weekend in Wawa. Think snow!
 
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polarisrider1

New member
getsome said:
maybe make your way over to Chapleau area sometime. I have been surveying the area pretty heavy, lots of good bondocking IF WE GET THE SNOW ! Either way maybe hook up with you some weekend in Wawa. Think snow!
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I have 2 brother in laws who have a cabin about 30 miles SE of Chapleau, an old abandon snowmobile trail runs thru there that we ride, signs are still up, just not used by anyone but us. It is a long drive up that's for sure. Ranger Lake rd. is a good short cut up. They are by Kormak on Tony lake.
 
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getsome

New member
Ranger Lk. Rd. for sure. I use it almost every time. 3hrs from Soo to Chapleau.
Timber getting cut south of Halfway Haven about 4 km off the hydroline. Very nice hills. clean cuts, lots of skidder shoots, fewer rocks.
I was in there this fall cutting firewood. Def. someplace to look into. Maybe even truck the sled in there with some fuel and make a day.
Can't wait.
 
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