Well they got pissed over $5. The old way was 2 year registration for $30. New way for club members 3 years for $30 and $10 year trail pass. So in a 6 year period with the old method is $90 in registration, the new way is $60 in registration plus passes totaling $60 for a grand total of $120. $30 more than the old way for a 6 year period is $5 per year. Hardly a reason to leave the club. The system is set up now to encourage club growth and hopefully get some help out there. I assume you are talking mostly about out of state riders, I'm not sure how that works to be honest. Do your sleds have to be registered in Wisconsin to get the club discount?
From AWSC. Price increases
- Thread starter LoveMyDobe
- Start date
SHOOT2KILL
Active member
Dont know...I ditched my club membership back in 2014...
Stormrider
New member
There has been little to no snow the past 2 years, there should be a surplus of money. Can it be the infrastructure Projects are for the side by sides?
SHOOT2KILL
Active member
Exactly...Clubs are now submitting proposals for infrastructure repair projects, which may be waaaaay overpriced, but a new found way to generate revenue...Pancake breakfasts revenue can only pay so many bills...
I am not directing any of this criticism towards anyone so please don't take it that way, I've been in a few types of clubs through the years, was active in scouting leadership for a time. I find the clubs who seem they don't want to listen to anyone's ideas or are stuck in a rut od doing things a certain or their way or the highway are the ones who have been at the helm way too long or may be burned out because they have had to pull the weight for so long. I'm on no way condoning or supporting that way of doing things but at the same time I can kind of see how it could get that way. Even at my shop we hear all the time... "you should be doing this or that" and when I offer... it could all be yours the conversation comes to an end. In our club it is the same hand full of people who pull all the weight, and as stated our least attended meeting are the elections and most attended the Christmas party. What if.... and every club has the same do it all group all of a sudden said... "we don't want to do this anymore"? then what? We would have nothing without clubs, I understand what the discounted trail pass was supposed to do, it definitely increased club membership but didn't do much for involvement, which I'm willing to bet if you were to ask, most of them would like to see more. Our membership roster so far is down to half of what it was the year prior and I see it as both scary and sad for the sport. If someone no longer belongs to a club because they feel nobody wanted to listen, join a club and become INVOLVED, whether it involves holding an officers position, bord member or volunteering in club activities, want to make a difference? that's how. Again without them what would we have?
Let me jump in and clear some items up. I've been an AWSC director for Marquette county the last 7 years.
The first time directors heard of the rate increase was at the Fall Workshop meeting 2024. It was asked to get member feedback at that time.
My role as a director, is to communicate any of these changes to my county clubs/association. In Marquette county, we host a monthly county association meeting(6 meetings a season). I give this info to the members their. Typically each club is represented, whether it's the club's president, vp, member chair, etc. It is their responsibility to get this info out to their members. The current average age of a snowmobilier is 62! This used to be 42 at one point!
So they probably are not emailing this info out, and possibly giving info out at the meetings. Remember, majority are in the 60's or above, so email or txt is not their strong point! Communication is one big issue. As you can see from some members on here not being in the know. However, this info is posted in the AWSC magazine. Every AWSC member gets a magazine to them. It is also YOUR responsibility to read the director/meeting notes as well!
Shoot2 kill - AWSC has nothing to do with breaking counties into zones. That is the individual county alliance or association to make that call. Please do not punish the AWSC for a county or club decision. They have nothing to do with that. Your raffle tickets help the clubs, but there is no financial gain going into our trail program. The registration and passes do though! Thank you! WI is very cheap compared to other states and provinces, so a higher cost was talked about, but they still kept it low. Their was recently a $600K increase going to trail enforcement. We all would love to see more enforcement, and especially in regards to trespassing. Just hard for DNR to be available everywhere.
It is disappointing to hear about negative experiences when you offer your help. That is a bad leader there. As others mentioned, it could be a combination of multiple things. I know our pres is burned out, and has been doing it for 25+, years. He does not want to see the club fold though! I just recently took over all the SNARS reporting, which he was thrilled about! I would recommend you try reaching out to another club to lend a hand. Every club needs your help! Whether it's something small as updating the facebook page, travel WI snow conditions, taking 1 day off to mark/brush, SNARS reporting, etc.
See attached for membership and trail pass info from last March meeting.
The first time directors heard of the rate increase was at the Fall Workshop meeting 2024. It was asked to get member feedback at that time.
My role as a director, is to communicate any of these changes to my county clubs/association. In Marquette county, we host a monthly county association meeting(6 meetings a season). I give this info to the members their. Typically each club is represented, whether it's the club's president, vp, member chair, etc. It is their responsibility to get this info out to their members. The current average age of a snowmobilier is 62! This used to be 42 at one point!
So they probably are not emailing this info out, and possibly giving info out at the meetings. Remember, majority are in the 60's or above, so email or txt is not their strong point! Communication is one big issue. As you can see from some members on here not being in the know. However, this info is posted in the AWSC magazine. Every AWSC member gets a magazine to them. It is also YOUR responsibility to read the director/meeting notes as well!
Shoot2 kill - AWSC has nothing to do with breaking counties into zones. That is the individual county alliance or association to make that call. Please do not punish the AWSC for a county or club decision. They have nothing to do with that. Your raffle tickets help the clubs, but there is no financial gain going into our trail program. The registration and passes do though! Thank you! WI is very cheap compared to other states and provinces, so a higher cost was talked about, but they still kept it low. Their was recently a $600K increase going to trail enforcement. We all would love to see more enforcement, and especially in regards to trespassing. Just hard for DNR to be available everywhere.
It is disappointing to hear about negative experiences when you offer your help. That is a bad leader there. As others mentioned, it could be a combination of multiple things. I know our pres is burned out, and has been doing it for 25+, years. He does not want to see the club fold though! I just recently took over all the SNARS reporting, which he was thrilled about! I would recommend you try reaching out to another club to lend a hand. Every club needs your help! Whether it's something small as updating the facebook page, travel WI snow conditions, taking 1 day off to mark/brush, SNARS reporting, etc.
This is the opposite! Due to low snow, trail passes and registration has been down. Even with no snow, every funded trail is still marked/brushed and paid, along with the grooming trackers, DNR enforcement, etc.
See attached for membership and trail pass info from last March meeting.
Attachments
Thanks for posting this. The more information we have, the better.
Wisco-MB thanks for volunteering.
Please help me out with some more info.
"Even with no snow, every funded trail is still marked/brushed and paid" - What does "paid" mean in this case, and who receives payment?
"along with the grooming trackers" - Does that mean the groomer tracking apps. that show what areas have been groomed and when?
Please help me out with some more info.
"Even with no snow, every funded trail is still marked/brushed and paid" - What does "paid" mean in this case, and who receives payment?
"along with the grooming trackers" - Does that mean the groomer tracking apps. that show what areas have been groomed and when?
I belong to Paul Bunyan Riders club in Lakewood wi. 30 + people at meetings all opinions are valued everyone helps. We just had our last trail brushing day Saturday. 28 volunteers with chainsaws utv's whatever. an 80 year old down to people in there 20's
All help is welcomed, and members help when they can. Its a well run organization.
All help is welcomed, and members help when they can. Its a well run organization.
Welcome! We all do try to do our part, big or small. Remember these are OUR funds. We fully finance ourselves(except for some small intake from Indian gaming, gas tax)!
See attached from the AWSC Oct. magazine. Dave does a good explanation of the allocations of the trail fund money. The trail money goes into a fund managed by the DNR. This fund pays the clubs to maintain the trails. Every club enters hrs into SNARS. This is how the program is managed. The County coordinator will then review and approve this. They then get checks cut to the clubs after the year. You can claim "up" to $300 per mile on funded trails(not club trails). If no grooming, you will not get the full $300. Northern county clubs usually surpass this amount, and then it gets into supplemental for additional payment. This was recently increased also!
For a full breakdown of revue and expenditures, see page 8 of this document. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/def...s/councils/snow/2025_0825_SnowAttachments.pdf
Dave references it in the bottom of the magazine article.
See attached from the AWSC Oct. magazine. Dave does a good explanation of the allocations of the trail fund money. The trail money goes into a fund managed by the DNR. This fund pays the clubs to maintain the trails. Every club enters hrs into SNARS. This is how the program is managed. The County coordinator will then review and approve this. They then get checks cut to the clubs after the year. You can claim "up" to $300 per mile on funded trails(not club trails). If no grooming, you will not get the full $300. Northern county clubs usually surpass this amount, and then it gets into supplemental for additional payment. This was recently increased also!
For a full breakdown of revue and expenditures, see page 8 of this document. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/def...s/councils/snow/2025_0825_SnowAttachments.pdf
Dave references it in the bottom of the magazine article.
Attachments
Sam Landes, does a wonderful explanation of the trail pass. This is a couple years old now! That took care of a lot of financial issues, and a way to fund new projects and trails. The low snow years really hurt, and with cost of everything going up, was the time for dues and passes increases.
Posted by Sam Landes
WHY DO I HAVE TO PURCHASE THAT BLASTED ANNUAL TRAIL PASS?
Fellow Snowmobilers:
We are now into the third year of our new trail pass program. I felt compelled to write this note after some recent conversations I have had with snowmobilers that I sure feel don’t understand the needs our program had or the reasoning behind that legislation.
In addition to your snowmobile registration, all snowmobilers are required to purchase an annual trail pass. Out of State riders are required to purchase a $50 pass obtained through the DNR. All Wisconsin riders are required to purchase an annual pass for $30 each, also available through the DNR. All current AWSC club members are eligible to purchase discounted trail passes for machines currently registered in their name through the AWSC for $10 each.
There were two main reasons for the legislation; First, to increase needed funding for our program. Many forget that in 2014, there were absolutely no program funds for any projects because our fund was depleted. Also forgotten by some was the horrible pro-rate that our organizations faced in receiving supplemental funds applied for in high-use areas. We also needed an incentive for members to join our clubs. Many still don’t understand that Wisconsin’s snowmobile trail system is provided and maintained in the form we know today, by our AWSC volunteer member clubs.
Both major goals of the trail pass legislation are taking place . . . .Our AWSC membership went from a low of around 24,000 family members a few years ago, to over 40,000 family members at present. Two years ago, in its first full season, we added approximately $2.3 million dollars to our fund. This past season, we added approximately $2.5 million dollars to it. That has been around a 23% increase! Many clubs that have put forth an effort to obtain, communicate and involve their membership have also seen increased participation. As a matter of fact, I have received additional help on my section of trail because of it.
Because of those additional dollars added to our fund received from the trail pass program, A provision in the 2017-2018 State Budget raised our base trail aids ( which our clubs can apply for) from $250 a mile on funded trails to $300 a mile, and raise our base grooming amount from $150 to $200 a mile of that amount. These rates have not been raised for nearly 20 years. It also removed the sunset on our trail pass program, so that we can continue to provide our volunteer clubs this financial help.
Also understand that all revenue collected from snowmobile registrations, annual trail passes and out of state user sticker fees (minus 75 cents apiece for printing and distribution) are deposited into our Segregated Snowmobile Trail Aids Fund. We also receive into that segregated fund the fuel tax revenues on 50 gallons of gas per registered snowmobile in our state along with an additional 55% of that figure ( in consideration of out-of-state users) as well. This fund is how the clubs get reimbursed for trail maintenance and grooming. It is also how projects and grants are awarded to clubs and county alliances that include replacing and repairing bridges and trails on our self –funded trail system. We hope to fund more of those club-provided public snowmobile trails in the future as well. These funds truly go to our clubs and trails! While the fund is administered by the DNR, only a very small portion of the money in that segregated fund goes to administration or enforcement!
There are some rules that must be followed to receive a discounted pass. A family membership is defined as a legally married couple and children under the age of 19 years old and must be paid and current with the AWSC office. This group DOES NOT include significant others, siblings, friends and neighbors. To receive your discounted pass, you need to provide the following; Your registration number, which needs to be current and the machine needs to be registered in the member’s name. You will also need your current AWSC member number. The club you join must meet regularly, be in good standing with the AWSC, and have a minimum of 10 members. To obtain your discounted passes, you can apply on line with a valid credit card or you can print out and send an application with funds to the AWSC Office. The stickers are then sent out by the DNR Vendor. Please note that the AWSC Office does stock stickers at the office.
All need to understand the importance of joining or renewing your club membership with enough time to you receive your membership number and being able to apply and receive for your passes before you ride. It can up to a week to 10 days to process a membership during the height of the season. You then will have to be able to provide a copy of your receipt to officials if stopped, instead of having the sticker on your sled. It is also critical that your local club sends in your dues promptly to the AWSC when you sign or renew your membership so we have electronic record of it to provide your member number. I cannot believe the number of riders that think they can join a club one day and have passes to ride the next day.
Yeh, there have been a few bumps in the road with the new trail pass program… BUT….The bottom line is, The trail system in Wisconsin you ride on and the clubs you belong to are receiving some pretty substantial gains by having to purchase that 3”x3” sticker and slapping on your sled…..
Think about it…
Posted by Sam Landes
WHY DO I HAVE TO PURCHASE THAT BLASTED ANNUAL TRAIL PASS?
Fellow Snowmobilers:
We are now into the third year of our new trail pass program. I felt compelled to write this note after some recent conversations I have had with snowmobilers that I sure feel don’t understand the needs our program had or the reasoning behind that legislation.
In addition to your snowmobile registration, all snowmobilers are required to purchase an annual trail pass. Out of State riders are required to purchase a $50 pass obtained through the DNR. All Wisconsin riders are required to purchase an annual pass for $30 each, also available through the DNR. All current AWSC club members are eligible to purchase discounted trail passes for machines currently registered in their name through the AWSC for $10 each.
There were two main reasons for the legislation; First, to increase needed funding for our program. Many forget that in 2014, there were absolutely no program funds for any projects because our fund was depleted. Also forgotten by some was the horrible pro-rate that our organizations faced in receiving supplemental funds applied for in high-use areas. We also needed an incentive for members to join our clubs. Many still don’t understand that Wisconsin’s snowmobile trail system is provided and maintained in the form we know today, by our AWSC volunteer member clubs.
Both major goals of the trail pass legislation are taking place . . . .Our AWSC membership went from a low of around 24,000 family members a few years ago, to over 40,000 family members at present. Two years ago, in its first full season, we added approximately $2.3 million dollars to our fund. This past season, we added approximately $2.5 million dollars to it. That has been around a 23% increase! Many clubs that have put forth an effort to obtain, communicate and involve their membership have also seen increased participation. As a matter of fact, I have received additional help on my section of trail because of it.
Because of those additional dollars added to our fund received from the trail pass program, A provision in the 2017-2018 State Budget raised our base trail aids ( which our clubs can apply for) from $250 a mile on funded trails to $300 a mile, and raise our base grooming amount from $150 to $200 a mile of that amount. These rates have not been raised for nearly 20 years. It also removed the sunset on our trail pass program, so that we can continue to provide our volunteer clubs this financial help.
Also understand that all revenue collected from snowmobile registrations, annual trail passes and out of state user sticker fees (minus 75 cents apiece for printing and distribution) are deposited into our Segregated Snowmobile Trail Aids Fund. We also receive into that segregated fund the fuel tax revenues on 50 gallons of gas per registered snowmobile in our state along with an additional 55% of that figure ( in consideration of out-of-state users) as well. This fund is how the clubs get reimbursed for trail maintenance and grooming. It is also how projects and grants are awarded to clubs and county alliances that include replacing and repairing bridges and trails on our self –funded trail system. We hope to fund more of those club-provided public snowmobile trails in the future as well. These funds truly go to our clubs and trails! While the fund is administered by the DNR, only a very small portion of the money in that segregated fund goes to administration or enforcement!
There are some rules that must be followed to receive a discounted pass. A family membership is defined as a legally married couple and children under the age of 19 years old and must be paid and current with the AWSC office. This group DOES NOT include significant others, siblings, friends and neighbors. To receive your discounted pass, you need to provide the following; Your registration number, which needs to be current and the machine needs to be registered in the member’s name. You will also need your current AWSC member number. The club you join must meet regularly, be in good standing with the AWSC, and have a minimum of 10 members. To obtain your discounted passes, you can apply on line with a valid credit card or you can print out and send an application with funds to the AWSC Office. The stickers are then sent out by the DNR Vendor. Please note that the AWSC Office does stock stickers at the office.
All need to understand the importance of joining or renewing your club membership with enough time to you receive your membership number and being able to apply and receive for your passes before you ride. It can up to a week to 10 days to process a membership during the height of the season. You then will have to be able to provide a copy of your receipt to officials if stopped, instead of having the sticker on your sled. It is also critical that your local club sends in your dues promptly to the AWSC when you sign or renew your membership so we have electronic record of it to provide your member number. I cannot believe the number of riders that think they can join a club one day and have passes to ride the next day.
Yeh, there have been a few bumps in the road with the new trail pass program… BUT….The bottom line is, The trail system in Wisconsin you ride on and the clubs you belong to are receiving some pretty substantial gains by having to purchase that 3”x3” sticker and slapping on your sled…..
Think about it…
SHOOT2KILL
Active member
I never directly blamed the AWSC...It doesnt matter to me WHO came up with the decision to implement chopping counties into zones...But some of these counties have gone a bit overboard...Waushara is chopped into 6-7 zones...LOL...Might be a good teaching tool for other counties to learn how 1 club down here in no snow Rock County has somewhere in the vicinity of 400 members...What are they doing, that others aren't...
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Sam is a great guy, I have much respect for him. It would be hard to find another person that has done more for the sport in Wisconsin. But, I was against the trail pass from the start and don't like it now. It's just another tax. Right from the start it should have just been an increase in registration, period.
The county receives the payment. This money is then used to buy the equipment from the Groomer machines and drags on down to chain saws and everything in between. Very similar to the app Groomer Tracking Systems but private. It's called Snars and all time and workers are run through SNARS so the county can get paid.
I disagree with this. If 75% of snowmobilers were in clubs this would be fine. Just the fact that the AWSC membership went from 24,000 to 40,000 is a huge bonus. Unfortunately, in our society with such division we not to play politics and do it well. A strong AWSC with large membership helps in Madison. As long as there are people in this state who brew beer, make money, and spend it on anti-motorized lawsuits to keep snowmobiles out of State Parks and other state-owned trails it's a game we have to play. I still don't understand how I see snowmobilers at pit stops drinking New Glarus. You are shooting yourself in the foot!
Stormrider
New member
The DNR is fund by the state, is it not? You spin the facts well. The DNR needs training, in how to deal with people. The Law Officers need to be present to keep the DNR under control, has been my experience.
Some of those same people probably stop in Minoqua at a, so called brewery, and spend money also.
Of those 16,000ish new AWSC members, how many have joined a club and participated? I would be that number is minimal. It's good that they are now receiving the WSN and getting educated, but the number of involved new members is minimal, at best. The new members are only members to get the reduced trail pass.