Welcome to the Port Perry Snowmobile Club

Who knew? Ontario has more kilometers of snowmobile trails than it does highways, according to Rick Sauer, events and promotions director of the Port Perry Snowmobile Club. Of Ontario’s 40,000 kilometres of trails, the Port Perry Club grooms and maintains some 132 kilometres. With some trails opening as early as Dec. 5, 2008 this season, the region can be justifiably proud of this well-maintained network. “This is not Muskoka. We don’t have a lot of swamp and rock so we can open earlier,” said Rick.

Rick was giving my some instructions on handling a snowmobile this week, when Durham Tourism and the Port Perry Snowmobile Club teamed up to offer local media a chance to ride the snowy trail. Being new to the sport, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect – other than a very cold ride. As president Larry Glynn quipped, “We’re going to introduce you to the two main hazards of our sport: frostbite and helmet head,” I began to fret that my cross-country ski gloves might not be up to the task.

I shouldn’t have worried. The visor on my borrowed helmet kept the cold wind off my face and the deluxe Yamaha snow machine came with heated handles to keep my fingers toasty warm.

The power of the machine took me by surprise. At 120 hp, it had almost as much muscle as my car so going up hills presented no problem, but steering the beast at low speeds took a little more muscle than I had imagined. Other guests chose to ride in one of the two grooming machines. The club has an investment of over half a million dollars in grooming equipment that volunteers use to keep the snowy trails safe for riders.

Although I’m told that deer are commonly sighted in the area, we didn’t see any on our short outing, but I was surprised to see a woman mushing a team of sled dogs along the trail. It seems Durham is full of surprises.

A pass to access the trails,can be bought from the club and is valid at any of the trails affiliated with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs.  If you are tempted to try the sport, Port Perry Marina offers rentals that include a trail-use pass.