This club began around 1970, with a group of local people trying out the new toy. By 1972 it was well underway with almost everyone having a sled, and out enjoying a winter experience like nothing before. It wasn’t long before a sort of trail system through the backs of farms and unopened road allowances developed. Membership fees and relationships with local and regional authorities developed. The Ontario government of the day got involved, seeing this as a healthy outdoor pursuit for people and began various programs that by 1977 had materialized into the Ontario Trails Council. Some funding was available to develop trails through Ministry managed forests to start working their magic.

The durham club grew quickly and by 1975 had banded together with other local clubs in the area to form a formal organization to support a central grooming system. This was incorporated as the South Grey Regional Snowmobile Association.(SGRSA). That winter an industrial groomer was purchased through a group of area business men for them  to put a groomer on the trails. From this modest start a new winter industry was born that still provides a great winter sport enjoyed by many enthusiasts. Businesses found a way to stay open through the winter to accommodate this exciting new Tourism activity. Today, no less than five of these grooming machines are available to groom the Association’s trails from Fergus through to Durham providing a vital connecting link between the clubs in the south to those in the north.

All this sounds simple and easy. Nothing would be available with out the support of  Trail landowners who generously allow organized, properly insured clubs access to their  properties on a seasonal basis. As in all organizations there are a hard core of tireless volunteers who carry out work on a year round basis to maintain the sport through various ways. In the early years the clubs project every fall and winter was to work every spare minute to build the system. Members gathered in little groups and brushed out trails through the bushes, holding Chili rides and other events in winter to help support the club financially. Many took part in Easter Seals rallies to help raise money for those of us less fortunate. Durham Snowfest held for ten years, 1979-1989 brought many to the area for a three day event the second weekend in February, packed with indoor and outdoor games, races, snowmobile pulls, dances, ice and snow sculptures, snow baseball and much more, boosting the local economy. Organized by the Trailblazers, every local service club, hosted or organized one of the events.

When spring came, whole families went out and cleaned up litter, brought in guiding stakes and signage, closed gates and fence gaps, and then settled back until Fall to start all over again, with the occasional stake painting and bridge building event just to break up the time till we could get riding again. Every Spring Durham hosts their landowners for a delicious dinner as a thank you for their part in making this wonderful sport happen. Without these people and the volunteers that still do the work on the ground, we have nothing.

Local memberships developed and increased in price to support the financial needs of the clubs. Provincial and National organizations developed, in this area Durham and the SGRSA helped form the Ontario Trail Builders Alliance, a membership of 45,000 members, that brought a system of trail permits to support grooming clubs to a large part of Ontario.

In 1990 the OTBA amalgamated with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) to bring the industry to a new strength. Trail Permits are now sold throughout the Province, administered by the OFSC through their 230 plus member clubs and delivered through those local clubs and Associations creating many safety, educational, trail support, and  insurance  programs for the betterment of snowmobiling in Ontario.

Durham Trailblazers are proud of their part in the building and maintenance of this important winter Tourism activity that is an economic driver in this part of Ontario.