This is the worst start to a season...in a longtime

whitedust

Well-known member
Well, this is not really as much a complaint as it is a wonderment. As I have in my AL Cam page, I have the least amount of snow on the ground outside my door in a 400 mile radius, even more than 400 miles if you go east, north, west and SW. That pretty much almost NEVER happens. What hurts even more is we were actually off to a pretty good start in the 5-6 day following Thanksgiving.

It is still early and things can change in a big way in a short time up this way and I know we will get our snow sooner or later. Just an amazing thing to have the least amount of snow on the ground for 400 miles around me.

Sorry to hijack your thread Attack man.

-John

X2 the lack of snow in Phelps Eagle River,WI area this year is what I notice most even from last year at this time. Lake ice seems about right took a walk on our lake ice on Friday. 1 decent snow & we are back in the game.:)
 

98panther

New member
Guess I have remember / seen worse years.
Depends where you are sitting, I guess
 

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mezz

Well-known member
Attack man, things can change BIG & quick this time of year. As stated in another post today, I have seen winters here in the Keweenaw that did not actually hit & stay until New Years Eve! December is a roll of the dice. At this time of year, every snow lover is chomping hard at the bit to get out & play. All I can say is take a deep breath & exhale, enjoy the anticipation of what is yet to come, it alway's does. Think of it as a prolonged Christmas Eve back when you were a kid it's all good in the end. In the attached picture(s) you will see what happens in 4 day's time, from green grass to this..... 12-21-08 - First Ride #2.jpg 12-21-08 - First Ride.jpg December, 21 2008.:cool:-Mezz
 

coldfront

Member
@ attak man...Well be happy you didn't get 15 inches of snow then. What a disappointment that would be if you got snow before ice....errr what about too much ice before snow....what if no snow no ice...or what if snow and ice but think last year when we got too much snow and it was too heavy for the groomer to get through and there was people on here complaining about not being able to ride their sleds in that stuff and on and on it goes....Please just ride. Oh wait the the lakes arn't froze and we dont have a well established railroad grade so lets complain about that!! Human nature is just great isn't it. Back to work then riding tonight. But wait--Before you respond, if you so choose, understand there are small arguments and differing opinions for every statement made. Including this one. However, there is snow. You can ride your snowmobile... just not across a stretch of frozen H20 in a straight line for as fast as you can go. We live and die by mother nature. The storm hit, it hit roughly 100 miles to the south of where John predicted but like all predictions there always is room for error and the margin of error that should be given in a profession like this should hopefully be quite evident to ya'll. Oh and lets not forget he predicated his prediction by saying this storm is unlike normal storms that take shape. Ahhh any competent individual should know that this means that the margin of error was just given a little more latitude or allowable deviation from the projected prediction. I for one can read between the lines in his weather predictions and understand that this isn't an exact science. I like the honesty based off of objective analysis with just enough information to ascertain our own prediction if need be.

Side note...this isnt all directed at you attak man. Referring also to the post how john dropped the ball on his storm prediction. Love the site when looking for resourceful information and hearing peoples success stories on the trail, in the garage, reviews etc....just not the complaining done about the weather when we have no control over it anyways (cue the global warming discussion...lol). I don't care what "it used to be like" because what happened is not today and all I know is today there IS rideable snow for people in the midwest and it appears several people are enjoying the chance to just ride their snowmobiles. The season has just began. Eat it up....Out!!
 
D

Deleted member 10829

Guest
He said it was the worst start "in a long time." He didn't say ever.
 

xcsp01

New member
I guess I'm looking at it like this. If there is no snow on the ground for the holiday meltdown, the meltdown won't seem to hurt as bad!
 

Attak man

New member
@ attak man...Well be happy you didn't get 15 inches of snow then. What a disappointment that would be if you got snow before ice....errr what about too much ice before snow....what if no snow no ice...or what if snow and ice but think last year when we got too much snow and it was too heavy for the groomer to get through and there was people on here complaining about not being able to ride their sleds in that stuff and on and on it goes....Please just ride. Oh wait the the lakes arn't froze and we dont have a well established railroad grade so lets complain about that!! Human nature is just great isn't it. Back to work then riding tonight. But wait--Before you respond, if you so choose, understand there are small arguments and differing opinions for every statement made. Including this one. However, there is snow. You can ride your snowmobile... just not across a stretch of frozen H20 in a straight line for as fast as you can go. We live and die by mother nature. The storm hit, it hit roughly 100 miles to the south of where John predicted but like all predictions there always is room for error and the margin of error that should be given in a profession like this should hopefully be quite evident to ya'll. Oh and lets not forget he predicated his prediction by saying this storm is unlike normal storms that take shape. Ahhh any competent individual should know that this means that the margin of error was just given a little more latitude or allowable deviation from the projected prediction. I for one can read between the lines in his weather predictions and understand that this isn't an exact science. I like the honesty based off of objective analysis with just enough information to ascertain our own prediction if need be.

Side note...this isnt all directed at you attak man. Referring also to the post how john dropped the ball on his storm prediction. Love the site when looking for resourceful information and hearing peoples success stories on the trail, in the garage, reviews etc....just not the complaining done about the weather when we have no control over it anyways (cue the global warming discussion...lol). I don't care what "it used to be like" because what happened is not today and all I know is today there IS rideable snow for people in the midwest and it appears several people are enjoying the chance to just ride their snowmobiles. The season has just began. Eat it up....Out!!

Rideable snow in the midwest??? Maybe in minnesota...and far western wisconsin...but not here, nor the U.P. .....I made an observation...nothing more nothing less...many people have asked about conditions...I posted what we have. Nice barb about last years big storm too....the clubs (at least in my area) admitted they got caught with their pants down, and there was little they could do..simply out manned, or outdated equipment...too much for them to handle..it happens....MANY people were pissed...I regretted telling people to come up here, and ride...it was a mistake ( and believe me I heard about it)...I was just excited to see sooooo much snow, after a lean january and february...many businesses up here that rely on snowmobilers have had a rough time the last 5 years...we have started out well, but the season has ended early every year......so this late start has me a little nervous..I know...I worry too much...but...that's me...I am a worry wort...lol

AND the main reason I posted this...was because....without solid ice...you can go nowhere...3/4 of our trails cross water here...Do you want new or unexperienced riders crossing unsafe ice???

IMO people check this site to figure out WHERE to ride, and I believe they want to know how thick the ice is, and how much snow is here...and I will tell them....what they decide to do after that, is up to them.

OK??
 

Attak man

New member
Well, this is not really as much a complaint as it is a wonderment. As I have in my AL Cam page, I have the least amount of snow on the ground outside my door in a 400 mile radius, even more than 400 miles if you go east, north, west and SW. That pretty much almost NEVER happens. What hurts even more is we were actually off to a pretty good start in the 5-6 day following Thanksgiving.

It is still early and things can change in a big way in a short time up this way and I know we will get our snow sooner or later. Just an amazing thing to have the least amount of snow on the ground for 400 miles around me.

Sorry to hijack your thread Attack man.

-John

No problem John...I too was surprised how thin the snow was up there last week...I don't believe you could ride even in twin lakes last thursday.
 

Attak man

New member
Attack man, things can change BIG & quick this time of year. As stated in another post today, I have seen winters here in the Keweenaw that did not actually hit & stay until New Years Eve! December is a roll of the dice. At this time of year, every snow lover is chomping hard at the bit to get out & play. All I can say is take a deep breath & exhale, enjoy the anticipation of what is yet to come, it alway's does. Think of it as a prolonged Christmas Eve back when you were a kid it's all good in the end. In the attached picture(s) you will see what happens in 4 day's time, from green grass to this..... View attachment 36289 View attachment 36290 December, 21 2008.:cool:-Mezz

TRUE....I was over near Alston ...that exact date...lol
 

polarisrider1

New member
He said it was the worst start "in a long time." He didn't say ever.

True......... Same here as every year at this time........no useable snow. No sense in anybody getting their "panties" in a bunch! remember good panties run over $20 a pair and the best of the season is still a few weeks away. As long as folks are not golfing on Christmas we should be fine!
 
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Skylar

Super Moderator
Staff member
I have more snow in my yard than John does right now. I can honestly say that in the almost 20 years I have lived here, that has never happened. The last time the U.P. did not have good enough snow for me to ride before Christmas was 1998, I went to Cooke City that December! LOL.
 

polarisrider1

New member
I have more snow in my yard than John does right now. I can honestly say that in the almost 20 years I have lived here, that has never happened. The last time the U.P. did not have good enough snow for me to ride before Christmas was 1998, I went to Cooke City that December! LOL.

What did you ride for a sled at Cooke in 98?
 

whitedust

Well-known member
Phelps had about 20" inches last year this year maybe 8" if that to date. Trouble was last year it got warm & melted. Still time 1 biggie & game on.
 

scottiking

Super Moderator
Staff member
I'm kind of PO'ed! our snow here in the twin cities has settled down to 10-11 inches!
supposed to go to my shack tomorrow in Twin Lakes and there is like 2'' on the ground there!
Its just wrong, wrong wrong!
No big deal! it will be azz deep up der in no time!
Dec off trail riding is almost never any good anyways and its only the 11th!
Maybe next week,or the week after it will recover!
I do feel bad for all the businesses that need our support up there!
Soon we will all be back spending our money up there!
I'm just one of the lucky ones that have it good "this week" in my backyard here at home!
The lack of snow helps the lakes freeze better right?
I'm trying to have my glass half full of an Ice Cold Coor's!
Later
Scottiking OUT
 

007_bond

Member
I'm kind of PO'ed! our snow here in the twin cities has settled down to 10-11 inches!
supposed to go to my shack tomorrow in Twin Lakes and there is like 2'' on the ground there!
Its just wrong, wrong wrong!
No big deal! it will be azz deep up der in no time!
Dec off trail riding is almost never any good anyways and its only the 11th!
Maybe next week,or the week after it will recover!
I do feel bad for all the businesses that need our support up there!
Soon we will all be back spending our money up there!
I'm just one of the lucky ones that have it good "this week" in my backyard here at home!
The lack of snow helps the lakes freeze better right?
I'm trying to have my glass half full of an Ice Cold Coor's!
Later
Scottiking OUT

Scottiking,
I like your optimism. Want to go ride up by my cabin? Chippewa and Rusk County got about 12". I'm heading up tomorrow afternoon to get my sled until Friday.
 

scottiking

Super Moderator
Staff member
I would love to Travis but I have a ton of stuff to do and bring up to the shack so if I go anywhere it needs to be there!
Thanks tho!
SK OUT

Scottiking,
I like your optimism. Want to go ride up by my cabin? Chippewa and Rusk County got about 12". I'm heading up tomorrow afternoon to get my sled until Friday.
 

durphee

Well-known member
post what you want attak man, its an open discussion thread. If people don't like what you said then the dumbest thing they can do is respond back - thats what causes the debate. Heck, i disagree with half the stuff posted on here but I just move on, I mean whats the point of getting into an argument online, nothing gets accomplished. Keep posting, i like what you say, or maybe i don't but you wont hear me complaining about it. Think cold, Think snow!
 

Maxx

New member
I know what your saying Attak man, I ride in northern MN and we have had years where the swamps don't ever really freeze. I am numb to the late starts, what kills me is the January thaws and rain that ruin riding conditions after we get rideable snow, that is hard to take.
 
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