$10 Fee increase for Michigan Trail Pass next year

[chords]

If I remember correctly, the MSA did propose some sort of tiered permit prices a couple years ago when this was first discussed with the DNR, but DNR shot it down. Maybe someone else remembers more details......

I believe the current bump up is a result of tiered pricing. A few yrs ago when it was $25 the increase to $35 was approved (along with todays increase to $45) but because it was to late, got delayed to the following year.

And I think that beyond 2011 - 2012 there is the option to raise again based on an index or something.

Oh and I hope this post is both correct AND helpful > >

 

[98panther]

It would be more fair if it was like a lift ticket.
$25 a day, $60 for a 3 day weekend, and $600 for the season.

That would be much better IMO.
Besides all the people they could put to work runnung the ticket booths.

 

[5_spot]

I don't like paying more for anything either, but when it comes down to it, I think it's still reasonable. When you compare some other things people pay for recreation, it's not that bad for 4 months of trail access -

*A round of golf is easily $45, and thats over in a few hours. You want to play the next day, $45 more
*A skiing/snowboarding lift ticket is about $45, again for just one day
*Amusement Park $45 & up for one day

These are just a few quick comparisons

I just got back from taking the kids to the Dells for 3 days for part of their spring break and for 3 days it was easily over $1K, but they had a blast.

Compared to some of these, it's nice to pay $45/sled in December and it's good every day 'til April.

Most of those who complain, have never put any time into trail maintenance, it's a lot of work. Especially in the off season.

 

[chords]

Heres how its gonna work.

(a) For permits valid for the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2009 or October 1, 2010, $35.00.

(b) For permits valid for the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, or 2015, $45.00.

(c) For permits valid for the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2016 and every fifth year thereafter, the state treasurer shall adjust the current permit fee by an amount determined by the state treasurer to reflect the cumulative percentage change in the consumer price index during the most recent 5-year period for which consumer price index statistics are available.

 

[dekx]

Complaining about $45.00 for a whole season

For those complaining about the $45.00, good BYE. I won't miss you and more room for the people that enjoy the TRAILS. I have no interest in riding off trail, did it a few times out west and its not MY cup of tea. Hats off to the groomer in the UP, you guys make the trails perfect. You guys will always get my business!

 

[michaeladams]

I'm not arguing with your point. But it is so funny that no one else can relate to the economies of scale. From my perspective, I only go to John's Ride-in for the backcountry riding and not the trails. So, to me, it is better to spend the money at another location with better backcountry riding that might be 50% farther in drive time and stay longer. If I pay more, fine, as long as I'm getting better powder conditions then the UP.

To me, paying $45 for UP trails are not worth it when I can ride in Vilas and Iron Counties for the price of the snowmobile registration. And for the past two year, the Crusiers have been doing an excellent job grooming. Just excellent. (Base on Christmas time in Sayner.)

So, it's not whether someone can afford it or not, it's what's it worth to them. To me, it is not worth going to the UP for a long weekend for $45. I would rather save the money and go to the Black Hills and spend it there.

If you go to the UP more then once, yes, it's worth it. But don't tell people because they don't want to pony up $45 they can't afford the sport and get out. No one on this site knows what the other person is worth. It is a person's prerogative to spend their money how they feel.

Yes, to me $45 is not worth the single three day trip to the UP.

I'm going out west instead.

dude,i never said if you can't afford to pony up get out of the sport.

 

[michaeladams]

i will continue with my week long trip once a year to the U.P. 45 bucks is not all that bad. the last two winters i don't think they ever groomed jefferson county,wisconsin at least i never ran across a groomed trail so my U.P money is well worth spending, 650 miles in three days and i don't really remember hitting any bumps.good job groomers.

this was my post.where does it pony up or get out?

 

[joks79]

Contact www.msasnow.org with your thoughts, while there read up on what they do for you and what they are up against. Everyone is fighting for the states money that the state don't have, support the Michigan Snowmobile Association if you really want to be heard. They are on your side. $45 is the price of a gallon of Poo or Doo oil at a trail side Mom and Pop stop.

I have not had any luck contacting the MSA by email on any question I have had.

 

[russholio]

Just a friendly reminder, since most posts seem to reference the UP -- Michigan does have two peninsulas, and the permits are good for both. Granted, the UP is generally more scenic and generally has more snow and a longer season, but LP riding is pretty darn good in a normal snow year.

Since I started riding in 1994 (trail permits were brand-new and cost $10) there has been a marked improvement in trail conditions in BOTH peninsulas. I'm like most people in thinking that while increases in anything suck, at least I can see a return on my money and that makes it more palatable. And I, too, still think it's a bargain considering you can easily drop $100 in a night out with the spouse. But I do understand the argument that those who only ride Michigan once a season make.

 

[polarisrider1]

I have not had any luck contacting the MSA by email on any question I have had.

Call them. Their office is on Plainfield ave. In. Grand Rapids, MI.

 

[xsledder]

dude,i never said if you can't afford to pony up get out of the sport.

Yes, your are right. I was quoting your comment and only the first sentence of my reply related to your comment. The rest of it wasn't directed at you but at others on the thread and board who often like to use the phrase "pay to play". I didn't transition well between what I wanted to say to you and what I wanted to say to the thread over all. Didn't mean to attack you.

 

[noradonuts]

We can't blame the unions for the price increase.Or can we ?

 

[polarisrider1]

We can't blame the unions for the price increase.Or can we ?

Not at all.

 

[maximumpsi]

The U.P. needs to counteract the DNR's rate increase. It's just one more barrier to tourism that adds up to significant $ when you have multiple sleds to register, higher gas prices for the truck on the way to the UP, higher gas prices to fill up your sleds, etc. The result is the local economies will suffer.<br><br> The UP tourism associations should start a "Get A Free Visitor Trail Pass" promotion. Out of state snowmobilers could get a rebate of their trail pass fees by mailing in copies of their food/beverage/hotel receipts, with the rebate based on the amount of sales tax paid. Get the counties, state and local tourism councils and the DNR to jointly fund the rebate program. The result will be more snowmobilers buying more trail passes, spending more money with local (profitable) businesses, and paying more sales taxes. Now you've created goodwill and made it less expensive to snowmobile in the U.P. And the U.P. ends up with a database of snowmobile tourists that they can direct mail, while also selling use of the list local businesses.

 

[polarisrider1]

The U.P. needs to counteract the DNR's rate increase. It's just one more barrier to tourism that adds up to significant $ when you have multiple sleds to register, higher gas prices for the truck on the way to the UP, higher gas prices to fill up your sleds, etc. The result is the local economies will suffer.<br><br> The UP tourism associations should start a "Get A Free Visitor Trail Pass" promotion. Out of state snowmobilers could get a rebate of their trail pass fees by mailing in copies of their food/beverage/hotel receipts, with the rebate based on the amount of sales tax paid. Get the counties, state and local tourism councils and the DNR to jointly fund the rebate program. The result will be more snowmobilers buying more trail passes, spending more money with local (profitable) businesses, and paying more sales taxes. Now you've created goodwill and made it less expensive to snowmobile in the U.P. And the U.P. ends up with a database of snowmobile tourists that they can direct mail, while also selling use of the list local businesses.

Great idea. Kinda like baiting with rebates, many will jump at it then not fill out the paper work once they hit the trails.

 

[sw_lower]

get a 25 year old sled , Mich passed a Historic snowmobile law , take effect Oct 1 2011 . one time Registration fee $ 50 get a Historic sticker , NO trail permit , as owned by the person that Registration the sled...

 

[zltim]

I wonder how Wi gets by with no instate permit, just out of state trail permits.

MN has resistration and trail permits. If you have a vintage sled, just submit a form and no registration nor trail permit if its used for a "limited" use. Good for instate and also out of state sleds as well as well. And if the trails in MI are that good a vintage sled would be good enough.

I will not say the $40 per sled will stop us from going to MI but it will enter the discussion since some in my group are retired and don't have the big income anymore.

Most states have various days fishing licenses so it shouldn't be that hard to have less then a season only pass.

I have never gone to Canada sledding and based on the cost of permits, I'll never see them either.

 

[peter]

I suppose the price went up because the price of everything else went up. $10 more won't break me.

 

[booondocker]

X has a point. Like it or not, as a couple others have suggested there is a point of diminished returns.

The refund idea is great too. For those who live in Michigan and use Michigan trails exclusively they will get far more bang for the buck than some guy who wants to just ride over the state line and have lunch.

So the tiered system would work too. Fishing licenses have become expensive, and that is why they have gone to the tiered system.

Ideally you would never want to close off someone who wants to take a trip or two to a state but frankly raising the price of a one size fits all sticker will hit some hard enough...particularly those who would need two or perhaps four sleds stickered from going there, and quietly many would just not come.

So perhaps it is time for the clubs to begin promoting a tiered system, and using THAT to attract rather than lose tourists.

One thing is for sure...Ontario trail stickers surely do hurt their tourist sledders...no question about that. But for those who ride there, the benefit is fewer sledders to contend with too. But from a tourist attraction point of view, it's a bad thing to raise fees because it discourages tourism, and that means that businesses that would otherwise get business will suffer too.

It surely doesn't help that the economy has done a number on some sledders who are just squeezed too hard already. So perhaps it is time to get proactive in revising the fee process and find the extra funding necessary to keep the trails groomed through some other sources.

While this fee increase is not life or death, as said by others, along with all the other increases, in costs to participate in this sport it can discourage people from getting involved in it, and that is a recipe for extinction of the sport. In a sport that is already under siege....do we really want to turn folks away, or bring them into the fold to keep the industry strong?

 

[sledhd1]

I am ok with it but also not !

I have 3 sleds for the family a 1998 polaris 2 up purchased for $1000.00 I have a 1998 zr 500 articcat purchased for $500.00 dollars and a 2002 mxz i purchased 7 years ago used I like to take my family but I just cant swing the extra 3 passes required to go to another state I will continue to ride in Michigan but my family will not. What it cost me in gas is crazy something has to give.