PEISA Looks Forward to 2009 /10 Snowmobile Season
It has been a beautiful week for the second week of November but all of us snowmobilers know that with each passing day and cooler night it means that the best time of the year is getting close.
Our season officially begins on Dec 1st and it has been a very busy off-season for the PEISA. The last time we communicated we were just wrapping up a very successful snow season with good conditions and trails up to the end of March, and we can only hope it gets better for the winter of 09-10. The offseason began with a highly successful International Snowmobile Congress (41st annual ) hosted in Summerside by the Prince Edward Island Snowmobile Assocation. Delegates came from all provinces in Canada and from 26 USA snow states as well as representatives from Sweden and Russia.
A good time was had by all and the highlight was a appearance by PM Stephen Harper who addressed the delegates and received a award from the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Orginastions. This was a huge undertaking and three years worth of preparation went into hosting the event and I would like to thank the volunteers who made it a success.
Over the course of the summer the board met several times to prepare for the upcoming season and one of the issues was the cost of doing a good job of grooming as the board was complemented many times on the quality of the trails last season. Between the 3 Island Groomers, East, West and Central last season there was almost 1600 hrs of actual grooming done last year at a cost of over $90,000 for operating only. With our equipment getting older every year it costs more to maintain and therefore the Board was forced to add a small raise of $25 to the cost of our permit price to ensure we will be able to keep the trails in good condition.
This brings our permit price to $150.00 if purchased before December 31st and $225.00 for those who like to see if we get snow first. It is the first price increase in several years and it is still a good deal to have the right to travel on our Island wide network of trails.
The PEISA is also pleased to announce the creation of our first VINTAGE TRAIL PERMIT for those riders with machines 1993 or older. For $50.00 the machines will have a season permit and access to our groomed trails. These permits are only available at Access PEI sites and you must have registration to qualify. For those people who have not registered those old sleds in years I am told it is not going to be very difficult, perhaps a digital photo of SER# , but please phone Access for more info.
There have been several discussions at the Board about the Trail Warden program and there is exciting news coming with several new wardens and possible full time wardens patrolling and TICKETING those who feel they are more important then most and don’t need to purchase their $150.00 pass to enjoy our trails. Does it bother you as much as it does me to see those with out their permit???
Our four Dealers are back for another year and I urge all snowmobilers to support:
Dennis Motors - Ellerslie
Red Rock Polaris - North River
Toy Master Motor Sports - Winsloe
Team Reddin Power Sports - Stratford
We at the Board would like to thank them for their support over the years.
The PEISA is also pleased to announce our particaption in the annual Charlottetown Santa Clause Parade on Nov 28th. This should be a enjoyable experience for all involved and I thank those who are donating time to make the float and dress as elves to be Santa’s helpers.
In the very near future there will be a total redo of the PEISA web site and it will be more user friendly with new features and more news releases all designed to keep our members more informed and involved in the PEISA.
Good luck to Springside and Kensington Clubs on their Snowmobile dinner and draws as I know this is the major fundraising event for their grooming seasons and I hope to see them both well attended and in closing lets hope we have another terrific snowmobile season and remember the Christmas Carol OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE :::::::::
DALE HICKOX
President PEISA
Our season officially begins on Dec 1st and it has been a very busy off-season for the PEISA. The last time we communicated we were just wrapping up a very successful snow season with good conditions and trails up to the end of March, and we can only hope it gets better for the winter of 09-10. The offseason began with a highly successful International Snowmobile Congress (41st annual ) hosted in Summerside by the Prince Edward Island Snowmobile Assocation. Delegates came from all provinces in Canada and from 26 USA snow states as well as representatives from Sweden and Russia.
A good time was had by all and the highlight was a appearance by PM Stephen Harper who addressed the delegates and received a award from the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Orginastions. This was a huge undertaking and three years worth of preparation went into hosting the event and I would like to thank the volunteers who made it a success.
Over the course of the summer the board met several times to prepare for the upcoming season and one of the issues was the cost of doing a good job of grooming as the board was complemented many times on the quality of the trails last season. Between the 3 Island Groomers, East, West and Central last season there was almost 1600 hrs of actual grooming done last year at a cost of over $90,000 for operating only. With our equipment getting older every year it costs more to maintain and therefore the Board was forced to add a small raise of $25 to the cost of our permit price to ensure we will be able to keep the trails in good condition.
This brings our permit price to $150.00 if purchased before December 31st and $225.00 for those who like to see if we get snow first. It is the first price increase in several years and it is still a good deal to have the right to travel on our Island wide network of trails.
The PEISA is also pleased to announce the creation of our first VINTAGE TRAIL PERMIT for those riders with machines 1993 or older. For $50.00 the machines will have a season permit and access to our groomed trails. These permits are only available at Access PEI sites and you must have registration to qualify. For those people who have not registered those old sleds in years I am told it is not going to be very difficult, perhaps a digital photo of SER# , but please phone Access for more info.
There have been several discussions at the Board about the Trail Warden program and there is exciting news coming with several new wardens and possible full time wardens patrolling and TICKETING those who feel they are more important then most and don’t need to purchase their $150.00 pass to enjoy our trails. Does it bother you as much as it does me to see those with out their permit???
Our four Dealers are back for another year and I urge all snowmobilers to support:
Dennis Motors - Ellerslie
Red Rock Polaris - North River
Toy Master Motor Sports - Winsloe
Team Reddin Power Sports - Stratford
We at the Board would like to thank them for their support over the years.
The PEISA is also pleased to announce our particaption in the annual Charlottetown Santa Clause Parade on Nov 28th. This should be a enjoyable experience for all involved and I thank those who are donating time to make the float and dress as elves to be Santa’s helpers.
In the very near future there will be a total redo of the PEISA web site and it will be more user friendly with new features and more news releases all designed to keep our members more informed and involved in the PEISA.
Good luck to Springside and Kensington Clubs on their Snowmobile dinner and draws as I know this is the major fundraising event for their grooming seasons and I hope to see them both well attended and in closing lets hope we have another terrific snowmobile season and remember the Christmas Carol OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE :::::::::
DALE HICKOX
President PEISA