polarisrider1
New member
They build what we ask for. Problem is it costs money. Those who been doing this awhile remember when a pocket of plugs, belts, gallons of oil and if your sled made it 30 miles with only minor break downs , that was a good day. I remember carbs spewing gas on my chest and lap, worrying about my stocking cap getting tangled in the broken recoil. Clothing sucked and so did the non existent trail system. It all costs money. As far as where are we..... We are riding our sleds closer to home with insane snow fall in the lower part of Mi.
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firefighter1
Active member
Just got back a few hours ago from 5 days in western UP, trails were great. Rode one day around Bergland to lake of the clouds. Next morning we rode to Houghton and stayed for 2 nights making are trek around the peninsula. Then we headed for Big Bay and stayed at the Thunder Bay Inn, what a beautiful place. I would recommend the Inn and the ride over, both were fantastic. Trails again were smooth and the scenery was great with rolling hills. I agree traffic was light, which is great for riding. I do feel bad for some of the businesses. This was my 15 the year heading to the UP, I keep going back even with the increase in price. Well worth it for the trails we rode in my opinion. I do understand everybody has a different amount of disposable income and do not blame anyone for riding closer to home if you have good snow.
Firecatguy
New member
didnt have alot time yesterday to elaborate on my statement and this is what I was trying to say!!!well said firefighter....trail passes,gas ect it adds up and average working man can no longer justify 1 or 2 trips a year....and no way to go every other weekend like Wayne does or 1000$ trail passes....guess the sport is only for the rich at this point.....did you see the price of a new klim coat this year? yikes....
"so I asked at the water cooler again!!!!!and one of the sledders I work with even came over to my desk and was so worked up started poking me as he was saying" they only raised trail passes to "lighten up traffic" then he said no way he can take his wife,3 kids and himself to the Up for a sled trip" so It does look like the cost does have an impact!!!
I am not trying to take away anything from the groomers but how much of the trail pass does the state of mich really pass onto the trail sys???I will say that I grew up riding the Haward lk area and the bars would be resposable for the trails around there places and that seemed to work great for years, i do understatnd the busy areas need more grooming....In mn trail passes go into general fund for dnr and then its used to keep wolf alive and stuff like that....
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No slam on you, Pat, because this isn't your statement....but it is a ridiculous one. I completely understand this guy being frustrated over rising costs, but rising costs bite EVERYBODY. That means, among other things, just as fuel costs have risen for you and me, they have also risen for grooming operations. Not to mention associated costs such as parts, repairs, etc. Seems like most of us want and are happy to ride beautiful groomed trails, but a few balk when the price goes up, even though the quality of the trails has gone up, too.
To the best of my knowledge, the State of Michigan doesn't "pass onto" the trail system ANY money -- 100%, or very nearly so, of trail permit fees go into a fund dedicated for that purpose. The State by law cannot use the money for anything else (even though former Gov. Granholm tried to get her grubby mitts into it a few years back). I may have presented an oversimplified explanation but I think it is essentially correct; if I am mistaken I apologize and somebody please correct me!
polarisrider1
New member
good morning Pat. Its a, would you buy a Harley or a Honda Type issue. It's all based on what you value. Micro beer or Natty Light ice. I agree it has gotten very expensive. Keep in mind the consumers drove it to that. With fancy clothing requirements sled options flat trails all that adds up.
momoney2123
New member
I have not seen any sleds hardly either in the tomahawk/hazelhurst area this year. Much less than normal. I think its more related to everyone having snow this year in the midwest. But as they say YA GOTA PAY TO PLAY. Everything costs money these days, especially anything thats any fun. You cant take the money with you when u go, so what the ****.
Firecatguy
New member
By law, 100% does go back into the system, but not 100% to grooming or trail maintenance. Part of the reason for increase to $45 was to purchase land to create/preserve access for trails in the state of MI. I know that a trails commission has been created here for the very reason of determining how state funds will be used to enhance/secure our trail system.
-John
T
Team Elkhorn
Guest
Anyone that brags how much they spend always make me laugh.
Face it, the economy has changed. And theres little chance of it going back to the way it was anytime soon. The sport needs to change with the times or die. Look at Detroit. Even the companies that rely on people with unlimited funds are changing their tunes. Next thing you know (since Harley was mentioned above) HD will start building price point bikes for the masses. Oh wait, thats already happening with the new 500 and 750cc liquid cooled (GASP!) HD motorcycles for less than $7000.
And please, no one mention the cost of owning a boat!
Face it, the economy has changed. And theres little chance of it going back to the way it was anytime soon. The sport needs to change with the times or die. Look at Detroit. Even the companies that rely on people with unlimited funds are changing their tunes. Next thing you know (since Harley was mentioned above) HD will start building price point bikes for the masses. Oh wait, thats already happening with the new 500 and 750cc liquid cooled (GASP!) HD motorcycles for less than $7000.
And please, no one mention the cost of owning a boat!
xsledder
Active member
So their building sleds for a bunch of middle-aged men?
Look at the selection the manufactures are offering us. Yes, there is a lot to choose from, but if you really investigate the models there all the same. The sleds are really the same considering that they general range in price from $11,000 to $13,000. The real difference is the engines and shocks. The engines don't really very that much in HP either, 120 HP to 160 HP. (Please note I am focusing on the mass market, and not the outliers. So don't split hairs.) My wife is basically getting out of snowmobiling because there isn't a sled for a 5' 2" petite women. My daughter doesn't want to ride because the sleds are to big too, and she's 5' 3" size one. My son, at 14, is finally big enough to handle his '07 Phazer with confidence. They need to build a mid-size sled with some bells and whistles in order to not alienate the women and teenage kid crowd. They have the 120 and then you go to the 120 HP trail racer. Yes, you can get a low-price machine if you want 10 year tech; but, there still big.- - - Updated - - -
How much easement purchasing have they done?
the way I look at it is if alot of people are not going to the UP because of the increase in trail permits it results in is less traffic. If you keep the price low it will = more permits purchased-more revenue and more money pumped into the economy. Win-Win right? Just my thought.
momoney2123
New member
Whats the trail permit in michigan? $45? if thats the make or break descsion for people, they may be in the wrong sport.
polarisrider1
New member
bingo
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take those 5 family members skiing or boating and see what that cost or even golf.
I woke up this morning reading the snow report for Bayfield area 12-16 inches overnight and another 3" today. We have MI trail permits and leave tonight for UP. However, I did consider cancelling UP and riding Bayfield this weekend. So I guess good snow conditions closer to home are a factor in making a decision for us. The pictures from 2 weeks ago in UP were a factor as well.
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LoveMyDobe
Well-known member
Not sure where you got your report, but Iron River got maybe 10 inches and it is done snowing for today, maybe 1 to 3 for the rest the weekend, Up by Corny and Herbster they had more. Trust me, we have More than enough for you to come and play in!!! Not a lot of traffic either. ENJOY!
The snow reports from weatherunderground.
01/17/2014 0632 am
Herbster, Bayfield County.
Snow m16.0 inch, reported by trained spotter.
01/17/2014 0632 am
Herbster, Bayfield County.
Snow m18.0 inch, reported by trained spotter.
x2
I think the selling agent get something out of selling the permit (say .50 / fifty cents). Then there might be a little bit of administrative fees also. I would be willing to bet 95% does got toward the trail system.