A northern Ontario snowmobile club has released new safety videos in response to recent heavy snowfall, aiming to instill trail etiquette and safe practices in riders starting from a young age. The Club Voyageur de Hearst produced the bilingual educational project in partnership with first responders. The initiative highlights the dual priorities of the popular winter activity: economic benefit and rider safety. Focusing on respect, youth Club representatives said the videos specifically target younger riders to promote responsibility on trails that often cross private land. “We wanted to start them young, to give them the right information because there are a lot when you’re riding the trails, respect,” said club members Serge Pominville and Crystel Vallée. “Mostly, we wanted kids to know the importance of kids respecting the trails because we are on private property.” Partnering with first responders The club developed the video with several safety organizations, including conservation officers, paramedics, Ontario Provincial Police and the Hearst Fire Department. Club members said these partnerships were crucial to the video’s messaging. “Their real-life experience helped make this video practical, honest and relevant to the kind of riding we actually do around here,” the club said in a social media post last week announcing the project. The club emphasized that the campaign’s ultimate goal is prevention, hoping the video will influence rider behaviour. “If it gets even one rider to slow down, gear up, or think twice — it’s worth it,” the club wrote. Safety and economic impact The campaign underscores safety as a cornerstone of the sport, which represents significant economic activity in the province. According to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, snowmobiling-related economic activity generates between three and six billion dollars annually for the province. The club’s announcement concluded with a simple and hopeful message for the riding season. “Here’s to a new year of respect on the trails and smart decisions,” it said. “Ride safe, have fun and we’ll see you out there.” The English and French versions of the safety video are available for viewing on the club’s YouTube channel and are shown below. ENGLISH VIDEO: FRENCH VIDEO: RELATED STORIES:
