Snowmobile clubs in Sask. on slippery slope due to warm weather

Calling this a strange Saskatchewan winter would be an understatement.

With temperatures above 0 C and with things like fog and rain popping up in many parts of the province, many annual winter activities have shut down or are attempting to contend with the warmth.

Leah Switzer, the executive director of the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association, said this has been a difficult winter for the organization.

“Honestly, from memory, a lot of our members and I cannot think of a year that’s been like this, where it’s so widespread throughout the province with so little snow and such warm temperatures to deal with,” Switzer told Greg Morgan Morning Show guest host Kevin Martel.

Along with a lack of snow, the organization is also contending with a lack of registrations.

“As of the end of December, registration was significantly down, and registration is the funds that support our clubs,” she said. “So that gets a little bit nerve-wracking for them all when they’re seeing those numbers come in so low.

“They do put expenses out every year, even if they can’t get the groomers moving.”

Snowmobile rallies are also seeing a drop in numbers this year. They’re what clubs depend on to cover the rest of the funding that registrations can’t.

Despite the struggles that clubs are facing, many are remaining optimistic.

“We’ve definitely had years where our south has got lots of snow late into the season,” Switzer said.

“If we can get some good snow with good temperatures, that’s the other part. If there is snow coming but they see those plus temperatures showing up within a week of that snow, it’s not the right conditions for them to get out and get their trails groomed because they’re going to melt on them right away.”

Clubs are asking that anyone sledding this year to register their snowmobiles because so many of the clubs depend on that for funding.