Big news! An OFSC club has won the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO)  Excellence Award for Outstanding Snowmobile Club! The recipient of this award must be a member club of a federation or association affiliated with the CCSO that has distinguished itself in the following areas: management, trail development, grooming and quality, safety, environment, promotion and development and community outreach.

Pineridge Snowmobile Club has served Southwestern Ontario for 48 years. Founded in 1977 by Jack Britnell, the club has developed a strong multigenerational legacy, with several generations of the founding family and local community continuing to enjoy its trails.

The club currently has 35 active volunteers, including eight new members recruited over the past year. Together, they maintain approximately 255 kilometres of trails across farmland, bush, and conservation areas. Despite challenging conditions during the 2024/25 season-including delayed staking and heavy snowfall-the volunteers quickly established a fully operational, groomed, signed, and mapped trail system.

Safety, environmental responsibility, and positive landowner relationships are central to Pineridge’s work. The club promotes safe riding through social media, partnerships with municipalities and the West Region OPP, well-maintained warm-up shacks, and strong volunteer accountability. It also hosted a landowner appreciation BBQ and carefully manages trail routes to protect crops, property, and natural areas.

Pineridge further distinguishes itself through its community involvement and operational excellence. Its fundraising BBQ raised $4,731.65 for Jessica’s House Hospice, while its safety initiative and landowner events strengthened community relationships. During the 43-day season, the club sold 883 permits, completed 1,207 grooming hours using three groomers, and uploaded 639 landowner agreements-demonstrating exceptional organization, adaptability, teamwork, and commitment to the future of snowmobiling.

Congratulations to the Pineridge Snowmobile Club on this great recognition!