All of the above. Not to mention when people are crying about bumps and we can show 2000 snowmobiles just passed thru... LOL Its all about working smarter. Scheduling grooming runs based on use etc is big. I hate going out to groom a perfectly flat trail when we have other areas that need more attention. We try to use the dnr grant fund dollars from stickers as wisely as possible. So much opportunity to make the $ do more for the sticker buyers.
Trail conditions start with the base - DIRT
- Thread starter snocrazy
- Start date
All of the above. Not to mention when people are crying about bumps and we can show 2000 snowmobiles just passed thru... LOL Its all about working smarter. Scheduling grooming runs based on use etc is big. I hate going out to groom a perfectly flat trail when we have other areas that need more attention. We try to use the dnr grant fund dollars from stickers as wisely as possible. So much opportunity to make the $ do more for the sticker buyers.
While we were in Utah we talked to some guys from the Tug Hill club in NY. They have 4 groomers for 38 miles of trails. They did say on busy weekends they may count 10,000 sleds a day on some of their trail sections.
mrsrunningbear
Active member
Snowmobile clubs can apply for grading money with the DNR for state owned land and private land with land owner permissions and it can be during the summer months. The DNR hand book suggests late fall for the best results for winter use. Not sure why snowmobile clubs don't apply for it?? It's all reimbursable.
I'm involved with 2 snowmobile clubs and MI-TRALE who cares for the dirt trails. In 10 years I've not seen any snowmobile club in the western up except Thunder Riders in Watersmeet do any grading, MI-TRALE has been doing it all.
I'm involved with 2 snowmobile clubs and MI-TRALE who cares for the dirt trails. In 10 years I've not seen any snowmobile club in the western up except Thunder Riders in Watersmeet do any grading, MI-TRALE has been doing it all.
ddhanna
Active member
In WI, it falls under "maintenance" and is reimbursed similar to grooming. No need to apply for anything.
You need equipment to do it. It is referred to as dress grading when using a dnr snow program tractor. Fall Dress grading.
We have purchased our old snow program tractor. We purchased the grader. 30k total out the door. So no more questioning what is snow vs orv. We draw funding from both. It is a delicate balance. There are dollar limits for both. So its not like a never ending bucket of funding.
mrsrunningbear
Active member
or you apply to the DNR for a special maintenance grant which you would do this year for 2020 grading and hire a contractor
LoveMyDobe
Active member
Trails North ATV club in Iron River WI grades our trails in summer months . with 2 newer New Holland tractors and many different blades, box drags etc. Also does signing and now purchased a brusher. Trails North has contracts with County and now the National Forest. Our guys are paid employees thru the Club. The Club is paid for this from the County and Forestry. per mile and equipment used. I know this as my Hubby is the Trail Captain for the club, formally a groomer for the Bayfield Co Snowmobile Alliance. There is no longer a snowmobile club in Iron River due to lack of active members and support from the business community. We were both involved with this club before it disbanded a few years ago.
LoveMyDobe
Active member
They are but not many do.. Our local Atv/utv people are older, some go south for winter. We do have a few locals that take road routes around town.
Sad to hear this. I'll have to add this area to our list. We no longer go to any area to ride, or spend our $$$, where they allow any wheeled vehicles other than emergency on snowmobile trails. Had several trip disappointments due to this, and no more. We pay for a SNOWMOBILE TRAIL permit, that should say it all. I need to do more looking into this, as it seems there is more and more of this.
LoveMyDobe
Active member
Seriously we have had no complaints on our trails from snowmobilers on dual use trails. I have not seen one on the trail so far this year while I was out riding sled. I have takin our General on road routes and the 2 Corridor and left no damage as the temps were much below freezing.
I hear you, and appreciate it LoveMyDobe, however, no thanks. Our trips aren't taken to be disappointing. You get behind a group pf wheeled whatever, and mashed potatoes trail. The snow season is short enough.
LoveMyDobe
Active member
old abe FYI Douglas County actually puts out a snowmobile/winter atv map.
This at least this gives snowmobilers notice that wheeled vehicles are allowed, and where at. However, we still pass on it, as if they want ATV/UTV"s in the snow season, they don't need us.