Ont. snowmobilers waiting for snow

Snowmobilers anxiously awaiting snow The lack of snow across Ontario has halted the traditionally profitable winter activity of snowmobiling. Mike McDonald has the latest.

The sight of grass in January is not a welcome one for snowmobilers or any group that depends on snow this time of year.

All 30,000 plus snowmobile trails across the province are closed due to lack of snow. This comes on the heels of a report from the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) outlining the economic impact of snowmobiling.

"We haven't had anything this bad in the past 20 (years) that I can remember," said John Brenckenridge, the president of the Sault Trailblazers.

OFSC Regional Governor Garnet Greenwood said without snow, businesses that depend on snowmobiling will be losing out on a sizeable amount of money.

"Snowmobiling in the province of Ontario is a $6 billion enterprise to the province," he said – adding that many tourist outfitters rely heavily on snowmobiling, particularly in communities near the border.

"Especially the Americans, now that they can come across, that was probably the biggest supplier of riders that we've had in the past," said Greenwood.

"Hopefully they're going to come up again and enjoy once we get our snow."