On February 4, 2026, the Polar Bear Riders Snowmobile Club in Cochrane, Ontario, issued a safety warning advising snowmobilers to avoid traveling across frozen lakes. While primary land-based groomed trails have been opened for the season, organizers say ice thickness on local water bodies remains dangerously inconsistent.
Club officials noted that while popular land-based routes like the Abitibi Canyon (TOP A103) and L103 loops are in great condition, moving off-trail onto lakes such as Commando Lake or Lillabelle Lake is currently risky. Unsteady temperatures earlier this winter prevented a solid deep freeze, leaving many areas with ice that is thinner than it looks to the naked eye.
According to the club, at least eight inches of ice is needed for a single snowmobile to cross safely, while heavy grooming equipment requires about 18 to 20 inches of solid ice. Volunteers and club officials are updating trail statuses via the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) and the club’s social channels to show ‘Yellow’ (Limited) or ‘Red’ (Closed) for any sections that require lake crossings until ice bridges are established and deemed safe (see https://www.ofsc.on.ca/trails).
Known as a major destination for winter tourism, Cochrane relies on these trails to bring visitors to the community during the peak riding season. Local organizers are urging everyone to follow posted and marked signs, stay on groomed trails, and heed ITG trail-status updates to keep the season safe for all riders and to prevent accidents on the water.
