Not sure about the ATV, UTV or SxS thing - but I do know about the snowmobile thing in this area. I have been riding in this area since the late 90's. I know Adam Johnson and his family well. Our group used to rent a house from Adam's Mom for larger group weekends. I, too, used to check out Adam's "trail ride" for accurate snow conditions - he was one of the first. Adam and his wife have new careers and still live and work in the area. They are both just awesome people, as are their kids. Staying at the Skyview was cool - perfect location and open early for breakfast.
As for the sled riding in PI, the new (actually, not-so-new now) crew running the Snowbunnies are doing an incredible job. The prior Club was developed by some serious sledders and they built a great system, but the new group has really kicked things into high gear with serious work and capital investment into the Club operations and the trails. (I love the new logo and motto: "Fear the Bunnies!")
I get what people are saying about Manitowish Waters - a good friend of mine just bought property there and we have been sledding there since the late 90's as well. There are some facilities in that town that are not really for snowmobilers (like the fabulous cross-country ski trails and warming house). One could get the impression that they are all a bunch of tree-huggers and are not friendly to sledders. However, the snowmobile trail system through there is fantastic. Many of their trails are groomed twice a day on the weekends. The local businesses, including some rather "upscale" accommodations, are VERY snowmobile friendly. These include The Lodge, Pea Patch, Anglers, Little Bohemia, Aberdeen Lodge, Chippewa Retreat, The Rustic, and even the very expensive and upscale Smokeys. Manitowish Waters has a specially plowed trailer parking lot for everyone to use and the gas station in town sells both MI and WI trail passes, as well as all brands of oil, spark plugs, etc... . More importantly, the non-sledder crowd is very friendly and fun-loving when you meet them out-and-about town in the evenings. I really get the feeling that they're there -as we are - just to have fun in the great outdoors in the Wintertime.
Finally, as for Boulder Junction, I get what you're saying about some of the locals. I even know one who has lived there for generations and has always hated snowmobiles because of the noise and "exhaust fumes" - and yes, she's a liberal tree-hugger. But she, and her like-minded residents, lost that battle years ago and that isn't going to change. However, some of the local businesses have had troubles recently and were forced to close. Not really economic, either: Boulder Beer Bar had a devastating fire and they really haven't recovered even though they were covered by insurance and (I think) they rebuilt. The little old lady who ran the Outdoorsman passed away. Other establishments there are still thriving, such as the Granary, Headwaters, Gooch's - and the accommodations are still great. Yes, trail access through town is limited to marked streets and trails only, but the access trails are excellent and are well groomed - especially lately (the last few years).
To be sure, folks at this end of Vilas County are a little different from the hugely snowmobile friendly locations in some other parts of the County or in Iron County. Nevertheless, they're up here to have a good time and the few that look down their well (re)constructed noses at us sledders can go suck some Subaru exhaust. The businesses in the area really appreciate snowmobiling and what it does for the local economy - even businesses that really cater to the snowshoe crowd. I have always loved riding in this area and continue to use Manitowish Waters as our base of operations for both family and "guys" group rides.
