Another $3

ezra

Well-known member
we as snowmobilers are so used to paying our own costs we quietly accept the incremental increases. due to the support our sport lends to rural economies it's time we get the same support from state and local budgets. if we got an equal share as bicycles, skateboarders, picnicers, birdwatchers and all the other passtimes that are supported by government programs we could keep our costs down a bit. we deserve a piece of the pie!

not sure in your state but MN we get a small % of the gas tax and the trail sticker fees - admin costs . comes to a pretty decent amount of money but it is all based on sled registration numbers so register that thing even if u only run around the house with it a few times a yr .
 

elf

Well-known member
When we lived in Amery WI we used to snowmobile all the time in Bayfield Cty. Loved riding the forest roads up there and exploring. But now with us living in MN and with 4 of us riding now and having to buy the out of state trail passes we just can't justify the money for one or two days of riding. Its too bad as we haven't rode outside on MN in 10 yrs, outside of trips out west and riding around at my dads farm. maybe in 4 yrs when we have both the kids off to college and only have to buy two trail passes we can do that again. Who am I kidding, when we have 2 kids in college I'll be lucky if I can keep riding.
 

Hoosier

Well-known member
When we lived in Amery WI we used to snowmobile all the time in Bayfield Cty. Loved riding the forest roads up there and exploring. But now with us living in MN and with 4 of us riding now and having to buy the out of state trail passes we just can't justify the money for one or two days of riding. Its too bad as we haven't rode outside on MN in 10 yrs, outside of trips out west and riding around at my dads farm. maybe in 4 yrs when we have both the kids off to college and only have to buy two trail passes we can do that again. Who am I kidding, when we have 2 kids in college I'll be lucky if I can keep riding.

I don't understand why states don't do 3 day or weekly passes. There are so many people that have older machines they only get out on a few days a winter or just pull out the old machines when their kids can join them. The trail permits are a great deal for those who can ride a lot but pricey for just a few days of riding. If Michigan did a 3 day permit for $20 or a week for $30 I think it would be good for everyone. Again not a big deal to drop $48 for your main machine but when you pull out the old iron for 3 family members to ride a few days around Christmas along with your newer machine, then you're at $200 already.
 

durphee

Well-known member
As mentioned before, a multi day pass would seem logical for some. We have between 10-14 riders (too many) on our first trip and we sled Minocqua and such but never pass into the UP due to trail pass costs. I get Wisconsin and Michigan trail passes at the beginning of the year since I take extra trips to both. Personally, I don't mind the costs as its just part of the process but the cost of sledding does take away from other outdoor activities, specifically 4 wheeling. I boat in the summer and something had to go.
 

whitedust

Well-known member
As mentioned before, a multi day pass would seem logical for some. We have between 10-14 riders (too many) on our first trip and we sled Minocqua and such but never pass into the UP due to trail pass costs. I get Wisconsin and Michigan trail passes at the beginning of the year since I take extra trips to both. Personally, I don't mind the costs as its just part of the process but the cost of sledding does take away from other outdoor activities, specifically 4 wheeling. I boat in the summer and something had to go.

Yep many riders don't cross WI/UPMI border anymore stay in 1 state only. I start from Vilas so have to have both MI & WI passes. A discounted weekend pass would would help both states....no use to me but the casual rider would benefit.
 

elf

Well-known member
As mentioned before, a multi day pass would seem logical for some. We have between 10-14 riders (too many) on our first trip and we sled Minocqua and such but never pass into the UP due to trail pass costs. I get Wisconsin and Michigan trail passes at the beginning of the year since I take extra trips to both. Personally, I don't mind the costs as its just part of the process but the cost of sledding does take away from other outdoor activities, specifically 4 wheeling. I boat in the summer and something had to go.

A temp pass would be nice. If I wanted to take my family over to ride with some friends in WI right now it would cost us $200, whether we ride for 1 day or all season. Can't afford that as it would be a one time thing for us and it's not worth it. And I don't want to take the chance to ride without and get caught, I also don't think its the right thing to do.

WI does offer a 5 day non resident ATV pass for $20, we did get one of those this summer for a weekend. Not sure I would've done that if I had 4 ATV's to do it for though.
 

chords

Active member
Twice a year MI promotes Free Fishing Wkends. No license required. And once year, maybe twice, they offer a Free ATV / ORV weekend. No sticker needed. Why not expand this to include snowmobiles - No Trail Pass -Free wkend also.
 

blkhwkbob

Active member
I don't understand why states don't do 3 day or weekly passes. There are so many people that have older machines they only get out on a few days a winter or just pull out the old machines when their kids can join them. The trail permits are a great deal for those who can ride a lot but pricey for just a few days of riding. If Michigan did a 3 day permit for $20 or a week for $30 I think it would be good for everyone. Again not a big deal to drop $48 for your main machine but when you pull out the old iron for 3 family members to ride a few days around Christmas along with your newer machine, then you're at $200 already.
This is really a great idea.
 

sweeperguy

Active member
I don't understand why states don't do 3 day or weekly passes. There are so many people that have older machines they only get out on a few days a winter or just pull out the old machines when their kids can join them. The trail permits are a great deal for those who can ride a lot but pricey for just a few days of riding. If Michigan did a 3 day permit for $20 or a week for $30 I think it would be good for everyone. Again not a big deal to drop $48 for your main machine but when you pull out the old iron for 3 family members to ride a few days around Christmas along with your newer machine, then you're at $200 already.

I wish they did that. My daughter goes with me to the Soo, for the race. Only time she rides in MI. Ducks paying 48$ for 4or5 days of riding.
 

lak7

Member
It's 85 degrees out, and 2 Purple Beauties just showed up in the mail.
I'm just hoping for more than 200 miles of riding this year.
 

fireworks

New member
Be careful about not registering your sled. If you have an insurance claim and sled not registered. You will be SOL on coverage. I have totaled out 2 sleds and have had to provide proof of registration both times.

I live in Wisconsin, am I "suppose" to have my sled registered here to get a trail pass to ride in the U.P? Why pay for Wisconsin if I only ride up there?
 
G

G

Guest
3 bucks here 9 bucks there it will never stop. Super expensive oil, insanely priced belts that don't last. 15 thou for a new sled. Nothing cheap about this sport. Not hard to see why some are getting out and very few new folks getting in. Only the hard cores left.
 

shelby369

New member
This is not true....in the state of Wisconsin, you are not required to register a vehicle in order to get insurance to cover it..... If you buy a vehicle, and you can prove ownership i.e. sales receipt or ??, that gives you "insurable interest" and with insurable interest you then qualify for coverage on that vehicle..... having it registered is just another way an insurance company can verify ownership and vehicle not stolen or ?????

I'm not saying not to register, I'm just say its not the law for insurance.


Be careful about not registering your sled. If you have an insurance claim and sled not registered. You will be SOL on coverage. I have totaled out 2 sleds and have had to provide proof of registration both times.
 
Interesting.... the Fee has only gone up $38 since trail permits were put in place 22 years ago.

1994- Trail Permits established at cost of $10
2001- TP $20
2004- TP $25
2010- TP $35
2012- TP $45
2016- TP $48

2021 - TP $???? <------ next increase
 

Hoosier

Well-known member
Interesting.... the Fee has only gone up $38 since trail permits were put in place 22 years ago.

1994- Trail Permits established at cost of $10
2001- TP $20
2004- TP $25
2010- TP $35
2012- TP $45
2016- TP $48

2021 - TP $???? <------ next increase

The jump from $35 to $45 was supposed to be related to buying trail easements. The jump in 2016 and on is based on an inflation calculation (2016 compared to 2012). I haven't ridden in the UP the past couple years but it seems like there are always plenty of sleds out there. Not sure about the lower part of the state.
 

sweeperguy

Active member
Looks like some of the cost increase went into security. Got my trail pass today, there is a hologram strip on the edge of it. Depending in angle it says SECURE or GENUINE.
I know in the past some of the trail passes would say VOID if peeled off after application. 1475789580397-1221512435.jpg
 
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indy_500

Well-known member
Looks like some of the cost increase went into security. Got my trail pass today, there is a hologram strip on the edge of it. Depending in angle it says SECURE or GENUINE.
I know in the past some of the trail passes would say VOID if peeled off after application. View attachment 54237

The pre printed ones have always been like that. I always make sure to get a pre printed one rather than the ugly print off gas station one with the perforated edge on the bottom.
 

sweeperguy

Active member
The pre printed ones have always been like that. I always make sure to get a pre printed one rather than the ugly print off gas station one with the perforated edge on the bottom.

Didn't know that. Always waited till first trip into Michigan and bought the trail pass at a gas station. This is first time I've bought it in advance through MSA.
 
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