$10 Fee increase for Michigan Trail Pass next year
- Thread starter 440_chazz
- Start date
I would suspect it might have something to do with a combination of them getting a lot more snow, a lot less traffic, and fewer miles to groom. I'm with the others -- if the trails are so bad, here, nobody is forcing you to ride them.
mezz
Well-known member
You have to be kidding,,,,right? I guess it's true though, lunatic's do appear close to the Full Moon, the next one is Dec 10th.
-MezzYou have to be kidding,,,,right? I guess it's true though, lunatic's do appear close to the Full Moon, the next one is Dec 10th.
Mezz, we in the field of emergency services know this to be 100% true!
$10 more for stickers really! I have been going to the up for over 20 years and will continue to do so.Prevoius two winters flew home from california just to keep supporting the yoopers,aka john dee .For all john does the least I can do is give the support back.We do not even ride the trails anymore but they always have good snow.Thanks john
I love it, Jesse has 4 sleds @ $9000 a piece, trailer @ $6000 and he's complaining about $10 more per trail sticker. He does sound like a fun guy to be around. Get over it!
Seems that this goes on & on yes MI trail permit is $45 this year. For multiple sleds & multiple State permits the cost does add up for the out of state riders. Now that the snow is flying I will purchase my MI Trail permit & try to enjoy it as much as I can. I'm registered in WI so they get their hit too. What else can you do? Where is the snow? UPMI has great trails, great snow & a long riding season pay the $45 & have fun.
I think they are set for 5 years now. The drastic increase was done to create cash for certain priorities such as purchasing easements. But Jesse won't care about that.
It seems a little high for the amount of miles in Michigan, but I'm not aware how the money is distributed or any of the finacials in Michigan. I do know the finicials in Wisconsin and ours is definately way to low! The increase will not stop me from buying a pass, it is the cheapest expense in the sport, but it is also the most important!
lesledhead
New member
Obviously, there will always be differing opinions when fees go up, whether it's taxes or some other cost. There is a little bit of truth in everything posted here. Some people will just shrug their shoulders and pay the price. Others will voice their disagreement with the increase, and pay the price. Some will just quietly not ride in Michigan because they said to themselves "$25 per sled? Ok I guess, since we like riding here." Then later "$35 per sled!? Cutting into our budget, but we like the snow." Then today "Wow. $45 per sled. Since we only make 1 or 2 trips, and with the extra costs of sleds, gear, gas, hotels, and now trail permits, let's stay home or try a different sport..." Yes, this is happening. If you are constantly getting dinged with extra costs, at some point you give up.
We lowered the membership fee of our club five years ago. Membership has never been higher...
Indiana eliminated property taxes on recreational vehicles. Registrations sky-rocketed...
See the trend?
I can't second guess why the increase was made because I am not an MSA officer. All I can say is that I believe Michigan will definitely see a DECREASE in Trail Permit money coming in.
I am on the fence as to whether I will ride in Michigan or not. Yes, I shelled out $40 for ONE gallon of oil, $100 for a new coat for me, $100 for a new coat for my wife, $150 for new sno-pants for my wife, but we are all not made of money. It has to stop somewhere and everyone has that breaking point. You can't look at it as a $10 increase. I look at it as a $90 tax for me and my wife to cross the state line. I'm not against supporting the program. But something in the program needs to change. America is tired of getting fleeced.
Tony
PS: Wisconsin boasts over 18,700 miles of trails, and has a $35 permit. Michigan, about 6,000 miles of trails. That's ONE THIRD of the trails to maintain...
We lowered the membership fee of our club five years ago. Membership has never been higher...
Indiana eliminated property taxes on recreational vehicles. Registrations sky-rocketed...
See the trend?
I can't second guess why the increase was made because I am not an MSA officer. All I can say is that I believe Michigan will definitely see a DECREASE in Trail Permit money coming in.
I am on the fence as to whether I will ride in Michigan or not. Yes, I shelled out $40 for ONE gallon of oil, $100 for a new coat for me, $100 for a new coat for my wife, $150 for new sno-pants for my wife, but we are all not made of money. It has to stop somewhere and everyone has that breaking point. You can't look at it as a $10 increase. I look at it as a $90 tax for me and my wife to cross the state line. I'm not against supporting the program. But something in the program needs to change. America is tired of getting fleeced.
Tony
PS: Wisconsin boasts over 18,700 miles of trails, and has a $35 permit. Michigan, about 6,000 miles of trails. That's ONE THIRD of the trails to maintain...
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Wisconsin actually has over 25,000 miles of trail, maintained almost entirely by volunteers. I believe that the DNR of both states could learn a thing or two from each other.
Now I know that the U.P. would have a very hard time grooming trails with just volunteers like Wisconsin, but Wisconsin could adopt some of Michigan standards, like bridges. There is money to be saved by both states.
For instance. Our club just had an 80 foot bridge installed, by DNR specs, for over $80 grand. Thats insane. In the U.P. they can build their own. If our club in WI could have built our own bridge we would have easily done it for less than $10,000, probably closer to $5,000. That is $75,000 back in the program for grooming trails. $80 grand for a bridge or $5 grand for a bridge that will do the same thing, seems like an easy choice to me.
Now I know that the U.P. would have a very hard time grooming trails with just volunteers like Wisconsin, but Wisconsin could adopt some of Michigan standards, like bridges. There is money to be saved by both states.
For instance. Our club just had an 80 foot bridge installed, by DNR specs, for over $80 grand. Thats insane. In the U.P. they can build their own. If our club in WI could have built our own bridge we would have easily done it for less than $10,000, probably closer to $5,000. That is $75,000 back in the program for grooming trails. $80 grand for a bridge or $5 grand for a bridge that will do the same thing, seems like an easy choice to me.
pwolfy2003
Member
jesSHE
Why even acknowledge an idiot like Jesse ? Nobody is forcing him/ her (lol) to ride in Michigan.
Why even acknowledge an idiot like Jesse ? Nobody is forcing him/ her (lol) to ride in Michigan.
Tony I agree with all your points about rising snomo & permit costs but your example about "Indiana eliminated property taxes on recreational vehicles "Registrations sky-rocketed"... If you mean any type of recreational vehicles including trailers that is self serving to the state of Indiana since 90% of recreational vehicles including trailers are manufacured in northern Indiana. That is Indiana taking care of Indiana Industry. I do agree however if the season gets off to a slow snow start riders may do as you say & stay south of MI & just may not want to shell out the $45 for multiple sleds per family no ROI for few trail miles for a few days. The other side of this I had a buddy that bought 1ea $25 MI trail permit for 3 hours use & said it was worth every penny since trails were so well groomed Watersmeet to Kenton vs staying on northern WI side. Granted the guy is loaded but I have to wonder if he would still shell out $45 for 3 hours of riding. It was his 1st exposure to UP trails & I spent an hour on the phone with him later that day answering all his UP trail questions & assuring him he could ride alone or with his Dad without me anytime just needed to beleive more in himself & his sled. UPMI does groom very well like no other state that I know & grooming does make a big difference to enjoyment of a day of sleddin. Most at least 95% of MI groomers are on the clock get paid for grooming so a cost to that as well. Don't know time will tell but I highly doubt we will see a $25 MI trail permit again.
polarisrider1
New member
Let's see? Wyoming permit, Montana permit, Idaho permit, Michigan permit and an Ontario permit??? where do I stick all these on one sled? And I do it each year. Wow. Last time to Ontario with the wife and 3 kids it was $1000 for permits for one week, not even the entire season. $45 is a deal. Stay home or ride in your own state if you don't like it. Oh and I ride 80% off trail and still have to buy a permit. Maybe all the states and Canada should pro rate my permits since I only need the trail to get me away from the $2000 a week lodge that we park our $45,000 truck and $7000 trailer at while wearing full Klim gear at the tune of $2000 x 5. Point is the permit is the least expensive part of this crazy passion that brings the rider the most return. $10 is what most guys I ride with spend on a shot and a beer with tip.
I think the point here is if you cut one of those locations out due to a self inflicted snomo budget reduction.... Who loses the most? IMO the private sector.... yes the state or province somewhat due to lost service tax revenue but Ma & Pa lose their pants & panties. They are the people I worry about in the great trail permit cost debate if it results in reduced numbers of riders.
Some people just get their undies in a bundle over the smallest things. In the grand scheme of things, we are all nuts for what we spend on an approx. 3 month sport, some are more nuts than others. But when it's all said and done, it sure leaves us with some awesome lifetime memories. Just think of what we may spend just for a weekend, but then think of the memories that weekend has given you. Last years Ride-In cost me about $750, just for a weekend. But, man did we have a great weekend. My wife and kids and I together, in the U.P., with all kinds of similar nuts like us,what more could I ask for. Family, sleds, and the Yoop, life is good.