Snowless winters of yesterday?

I hear some people say that we always had great winters up until a few years ago. Well, I may be getting slightly old, as I remember a few winters where snow was limited, but the season still rebounded. Only in the winter of 1983 was there "no snow". I was taking photography at Sheridan College and one assignment was based upon snow as the subject. We saw only one snowfall that winter so the assignment had to be dropped.

Below are some pic's taken at oval races in Owen Sound and Valcourt in the 80's and early 90's. If you look to the infield area, there is no snow and these pic's were taken in three different winters. I also have B+W pic's of the Kawartha Cup being run with no snow in the infield. The other pic's are taken those same years, as you can see that the snow did come and the sledding seasons ended on high notes!

Lots of fans and great racing action, but no snow in Owen Sound in January!
Owen Sound races on ice, but no snow anywhere. Straw was used to keep mud off the mechanics while they worked. Is that Dwight Bauman's sled?

Another year at Owen Sound and another snowless infield after a heavy rain.

The twin-tracker above is Bruce Vessair's from Honey Harbour. His brother Gary still runs the marina there.

Below is a pic from Valcourt, the home of Ski-Doo, where winters made it tough to get around and the snowmobile was designed out of necessity. The year I took this pic, there was no snow on the infield but trails were open and were wet but decent.

Wow, Valcourt and no snow! They hauled in snow for the fun events, and the track was ready long in advance of the warm race weekend.

Even after that incredibly mild weather above........look below...... and you will see.............. THE SNOW CAME!! Yes, that's me on my 1986 Ski-Doo MX.

My first IFS sled, an INDY 340 Cross-Country Special. Snow-Cross sleds were limited to 56hp in those days! Anyone who rode SnowCrest trails (Gravenhurst) had to stop here at Summerland Store for Chili! Yes, it was good and so were the fresh cookies!

Ah, the good old Jolley Roger, when it was right on the highway. The trail crossed hwy 69 in those days, and the Jolley Roger was THE place to stay in Parry Sound in the 80's. We stayed there last year, still a great spot!

As you can see from above, we had several winters back then that started week, ended strong, and lead into a stretch of fantastic winters that gave this sport a huge boost.

Yes, I will post more pic's from my old photo albums to keep the adrenaline pumping!

Phil.