The President of South East Sno-Riders says we need more snow.

Mitch Gobeil says their grooming equipment is still parked because of a lack of snow on their trails.

"If we could get four to six inches on top of what we've got now, that would go a long way," he says.

Even with this week's snowfall, Gobeil says in South Junction they only have a base of about six inches. He notes ideally you want a 12 inch base before starting the groomers, though he says some winters they have started with as little as a ten inch base.

But, it is not only more snow they need, Gobeil says ideally they would love an extended cold snap to freeze the swamps, followed by a dump of snow.

According to Gobeil, it is not unusual for their trails to still be closed at the start of January. He recalls there have been some years when they have been out on trails already by December 22nd or 23rd, but says more often than not, it is more like January 4th or 5th.

"I'm hoping early in the new year, in the first week or two of January, that we have enough snow to get out there and groom trails and get things going," he says.

When that does happen, Gobeil says there is a very good chance that sledders will not be able to enjoy the comforts of warmup shacks.

"We've been mandated by Manitoba Health to lock up our shelters," says Gobeil, referring to COVID-19 restrictions by the province. "People don't like that and we don't like it either. Because it, in my mind increases the chances of vandalism on our shelters."

Meanwhile, Gobeil says crews have been out clearing downed trees off of trails in anticipation of the upcoming season. Gobeil says their volunteers are reporting more trees on trails than what is normal.