$10 Fee increase for Michigan Trail Pass next year
- Thread starter 440_chazz
- Start date
We weren't just dead last at one point, it was for four consecutive years! We had the not-so-coveted number one spot from April 2006 to June 2010 when Nevada took over.
http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/18/news/economy/state_unemployment/index.htm
Grant Hoar
New member
Boy, April 1st and all the tempers are up already! Going to be a long summer
As I am one of the guys in xsledders group, the concern about trail sticker price is shared.
In a year with good snow (2009), we sledded in four different states. Not that the sticker price was the big concern, but we happened to have the good snow and the time to make that many trips to try different areas that year. I was amazed at the good trails in northeast Iowa, I love northeast Wisconsin when there is good snow, central Wisconsin this year was great. Personal preference, I prefer the twisty trails in WI to the WOT railroad grades in UP. My choice, I go to the UP only once a year for the Ride-In and to do some offtrail riding.
It is each individual persons choice on where they want to go to spend their money. At some point, the sticker price will start to affect peoples decisions, I think that is the main point of this thread. For some, $45 is too much, for others, not.
As I am one of the guys in xsledders group, the concern about trail sticker price is shared.
In a year with good snow (2009), we sledded in four different states. Not that the sticker price was the big concern, but we happened to have the good snow and the time to make that many trips to try different areas that year. I was amazed at the good trails in northeast Iowa, I love northeast Wisconsin when there is good snow, central Wisconsin this year was great. Personal preference, I prefer the twisty trails in WI to the WOT railroad grades in UP. My choice, I go to the UP only once a year for the Ride-In and to do some offtrail riding.
It is each individual persons choice on where they want to go to spend their money. At some point, the sticker price will start to affect peoples decisions, I think that is the main point of this thread. For some, $45 is too much, for others, not.
xsleder..
We've all heard you pissen rant. I now understand you do not like the increase in Mich. trail passes. So who does? Sorry I won't be seeing you in the U.P. next year. PM me in Feb.2012 and I'll tell you how smooth the trails are, how nice and courteous the Lodge Keepers are, how great the food is. Really, you'er bitchin' over 20.00 American?
We've all heard you pissen rant. I now understand you do not like the increase in Mich. trail passes. So who does? Sorry I won't be seeing you in the U.P. next year. PM me in Feb.2012 and I'll tell you how smooth the trails are, how nice and courteous the Lodge Keepers are, how great the food is. Really, you'er bitchin' over 20.00 American?
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Right, but I was speaking in general. The cost of practically EVERYTHING goes up, almost every year. And as you have pointed out (And a few others for that matter) its all a matter of where you decide to spend what you have.
But still, griping about it does nothing. Zip, zero, nada. Costs go up. Fact of life.
mezz
Well-known member
For the record, my initial response to this thread was not a slam against anyone whom forms an opinion of how they wish to spend their money or where they decide to spend it. After hearing the rants of a select few about the UP, I did & do take an offence to that. There was definelty an aire of dissatisfaction expressed about the UP.
It is not the UP's fault the State is increasing this fee, as such, it was & still is my opinion that the trail permit fee is a poor excuse not to come here. Perhaps a play on words may not have lead anyone to believe that this statement was offensive, my appologies for using the phrase "lame excuse".
It is most certainly anyones right to decide where, when & how much money they are going to spend, however, to insinuate that this $10 increase does not justify what they get by way of what our State & the UP has to offer with our trail system as well as the goods & services provided here is what I call offensive to our area.
Nobody likes the idea of increased expense, however, it is necessary merely due to increased expense in everything else, It is necessary in order to maintain & secure our trail systems, bridges, equipment & fuel. Without this, we would not be able to continue to offer this for not only the sake of the sport but to the appeasement of tourism. We have alot to offer here & we are proud of it. Take into consideration that there are many of us that live & ride here & use the trail system so very little, in fact, less in a whole season than many from outside of our area ride in a single day. We still have to pay that price, & you know what? It's worth every penny & more....-Mezz
It is not the UP's fault the State is increasing this fee, as such, it was & still is my opinion that the trail permit fee is a poor excuse not to come here. Perhaps a play on words may not have lead anyone to believe that this statement was offensive, my appologies for using the phrase "lame excuse".
It is most certainly anyones right to decide where, when & how much money they are going to spend, however, to insinuate that this $10 increase does not justify what they get by way of what our State & the UP has to offer with our trail system as well as the goods & services provided here is what I call offensive to our area.
Nobody likes the idea of increased expense, however, it is necessary merely due to increased expense in everything else, It is necessary in order to maintain & secure our trail systems, bridges, equipment & fuel. Without this, we would not be able to continue to offer this for not only the sake of the sport but to the appeasement of tourism. We have alot to offer here & we are proud of it. Take into consideration that there are many of us that live & ride here & use the trail system so very little, in fact, less in a whole season than many from outside of our area ride in a single day. We still have to pay that price, & you know what? It's worth every penny & more....-Mezz
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chitown sledhead
New member
Just like everything else in the world !!!! Going up up up!!!!
Guys, the main factor is gas prices. I love riding in the U P, but I'm 360 miles away. 12 miles/gallon, gas $3.60/gallon, round trip is $216. Add 3 nights in a hotel, sno mo gas, and eating on the cheap- yes sandwiches on the trail sometimes, and I still come up with about $675/weekend. And if it's great snow, 4 times a month is $2700... Of course, the closer to home I can ride, the more gas money I can save. My problem is I like riding in the U P so much, it's hard to stay in MN and ride. $45 trail stickers for 2 sleds is a bummer, but just as one guy said, another straw to break the camel's back..
I guess to me the extra ten bucks won't kill me. I tend to look at the big picture out there. I see the equipment, the man hours, (volunteer), the upkeep for these groomers, and the trail maintenance. I am a member of the Superior Club, but have not been able to come up and help with the trails yet, so if the extra ten bucks helps out the clubs, I'm ok with that. Then when my wife and I come up it will be 20 dollars less in the casino I guess, at least for the first trip.
EXCESSIVE FORCE
New member
Will GLADLY spend the extra $10.00 to ride in "GOD'S COUNTRY"......Besides that if they use the money for the reasons posted earlier in this thread all the better for the sport. In a time of lost easements,liability issues,land closings,lack of volunteers i would think true snowmobilers would want to promote the sport? True it does all "add up",but seriously......10 bucks??............LOL.........
polarisrider1
New member
well, except for wages.
polarisrider1
New member
I am not calling anyone laim. Using the $10 increase as the reason not to ride here is laim. I suspect one would have other more pressing reasons not to come here to ride especially if they know the $10 is going to make the trails they ride even better. I look at it as a neccesary evil. $10 buys nothing now days, not even 2 number 9's at McDonalds.
chevytaHOE5674
New member
What erks me is I can ride all season and NEVER touch a groomed trail yet I'm still forced to spend $$$$ on my 3 sled for a trail permit....
This season was the first season that I can remember actually riding a groomed trail, and only rode it because I wanted to get something out of those permit fees.
This season was the first season that I can remember actually riding a groomed trail, and only rode it because I wanted to get something out of those permit fees.
booondocker
New member
While his choice of words might have been better, I didn't really think that he was trashing the YOOPEE....but more that paying $45 to get up there and ride, including the costs associated with getting there, and with the clearly limited areas he has gone up there (frankly I strongly disagree that the upper is not worth riding in....at least in the areas I go, it is second to none....even out west where riding is different...but admittedly more snow) others might also reconsider going if they had a one day pass similar to fishing, or camping or a host of other use fees that Michigan already has on the books.
While he has a good point about cause and affect of fee increases, others also point out that we have to remember that these fees for the most part directly support the sport we enjoy, and we need to remember that it is similar to passing the hat to keep the sport and the trail systems strong by participating in it and paying those fees in even if it hurts a bit. I know I pay for 6 sleds, and it is compounded hurt when I have to crack the wallet in October or November to make sure that the sleds I have comply with the rules of riding, even if I don't ride the trails very much.
But we never should be afraid to examine our taxes, and fees to be sure that we are spending it wisely, and are not ignoring some of the other avenues of revenue production that could or might be used to off-set these increases that could clearly impact the occasionally participant and the potential tourist dollars spent in Michigan.
While he has a good point about cause and affect of fee increases, others also point out that we have to remember that these fees for the most part directly support the sport we enjoy, and we need to remember that it is similar to passing the hat to keep the sport and the trail systems strong by participating in it and paying those fees in even if it hurts a bit. I know I pay for 6 sleds, and it is compounded hurt when I have to crack the wallet in October or November to make sure that the sleds I have comply with the rules of riding, even if I don't ride the trails very much.
But we never should be afraid to examine our taxes, and fees to be sure that we are spending it wisely, and are not ignoring some of the other avenues of revenue production that could or might be used to off-set these increases that could clearly impact the occasionally participant and the potential tourist dollars spent in Michigan.
HardwaterHoosier
Member
This is a good idea. Similar to a weekend fishing license.
But at the same time, spending $45 on three trail stickers makes me want to go into MI even more, so I get my monies worth.
Ahhh, I was wondering how long it would take for somebody to figure this out!
Congrats, you have just passed the tourism marketing advanced course.
The essence of successful tourism is the overnight stay. While casual users that drive across the border to have a bowl of chili at Roger's Bar are not unwelcome, true tourism success comes from loyal consumers that stay overnight for an extended period, and major success is when those consumers repeat.
The purpose of the snowmobile trail system in the UP is to support tourism so these businesses can sell lodging, gas, beer, and food in the winter.
Changing the rate to $45 will filter out some low spend casual users who were costing more than they brought in, while maintaining product quality and enticing existing consumers to repeat. Why? Because they had a great time, and they now have a greater upfront investment that will incent them to repeat.
I remember a while ago when John asked why people didn't go to northern MN to snowmobile. Simple. As an owner of 2 sleds I have already spent $90 to buy season passes to MI, and since I already belong to this "club", I am incented to repeat in MI. As long as the trails are great and the people are friendly I will continue to do so.
As with all consumer products, there is a point at which the pass becomes too expensive, and in time I may tire of MI and look elsewhere. But by increasing my admission price you are increasing my loyalty and I may choose to make an incremental trip. As long as the money is used to maintain product quality I am happy. And MI retains and possibly increases its business with high volume, high margin customers.