Where is everyone?

[Admin]

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.

Yep you are absolutely right. I should not have said 100%. I guess the real point I wanted to make is that none of the funds from the trail permits goes into the general account for the state to use as they see fit. And yes, "Box-o-Rocks-Beauty Queen" Jenny did try and get it moved to the general fund, but lost.

-John

 

[LoveMyDobe]

I think Iowa needs to officially be removed from "The Midwest" because we don't have crap for snow, we haven't had much snow this year & we haven't had decent snow for 3 years. I keep hearing people talk about "most of the midwest" having snow so the riding is spread out but the sad reality is I am 5 hours away from anything resembling decent conditions. Jim

Now that is funny! Yes I lived in IA til 06, winters were never good, not enough snowfall to cover the chisel plowed fields. I have more snow at my place than I know what to do with!

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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.

I just talked with Jon at Woody's in Herbster, right on the Lake, he said maybe 5 or 6 inches at their bar. The Lake snow usually flies right past them and lands inland about 5 miles. Like I said , Bayfield County is not short of snow this year! I'll have to check out this website weatherunderground, Hubby is also a "trained" spotter.

 

[fireworks]

I agree, Bayfield has awesome snow. We were up there Dec 14,15,16 riding the Fire Roads.

 

[Clintondf]

I would say 75% is due to great snow conditions in many areas other than the traditional snow belts. I for one live in central Indiana. My normal regular go to place to ride is western lower michigan. I am in a location here where I can go to northern lower much or east up or west up. However, from here there are two totally different directions to travel. So for me it can be a 5.5, 8 or 11 hour drive. 350-600 miles. I've been to wellston and to toivola already this season. Plan to go to watersmeet in 9 days and then back to wells ton toward end of February. So I always buy a michigan permit, because I always plan to ride somewhere in michigan every season. I would definitely like to ride the northern wisc trails sometime but I can't justify 2 state permits at this time. I never plan to go to the up, but will if I have to and have the past several years. I can totally understand a wisc resident not wanting to travel to michigan this year, this has been a great year for snowfall, even here in Indiana we have had quite a bit, relatively speaking. The other 25% is probably economy. As far as a $45 trail permit, I think it's a bargain.....if you get your use out of it. Trails are well groomed, equipment is being added, easements being purchased, etc. I am a member of the MSA and I get the magazine they send out. Every year there is a breakdown of total costs and expenditures itemized. Also how many permits were sold. The costs to do everything the DN/clubs/volunteers accrue is eye opening. This year the costs will be even higher statewide as the most of the state has had snow which means more costs in grooming and maintenance. I know there are a wide variety of reasons why there is less traffic in the west up but I'd say most of it is due to regional snow cover. Why travel farther than you need to and buy extra permits if you are happy with what you have locally?

 

[Dsbasecamp]

People must not be reading this post ... Standing room only at the Mosquito 1pm till 9pm ..

 

[garyl62]

That's great to hear Don! Hope no one started yelling at the cook about how long it takes to get a burger in that place!

 

[Dsbasecamp]

Got my Butt kicked ... No crabby cook here ... Lots of Smiles & Hi's ...

 

[arcticgeorge]

Well I thought the same last week when the wife and I put about 100 miles looping to Lake Gogebic and back, barely anybody on the trail. Now I am working in Hurley right by the Days Inn and New Years week there were lots of trailers. The week after not so many but still several groups going in and out during the week. I'm almost certain when people have snow by them they travel less up north. I know if my friends in Il. have no snow they are really ready to come up and ride but not so much if there getting some decent riding locally. (as clintondf said at the end of his post.)

 

[meathead]

JD

Yep you are absolutely right. I should not have said 100%. I guess the real point I wanted to make is that none of the funds from the trail permits goes into the general account for the state to use as they see fit. And yes, "Box-o-Rocks-Beauty Queen" Jenny did try and get it moved to the general fund, but lost.

-John

JD<LOL...LOL.."box o rocks beauty quen"..NOW that there is FUNNY.But don't ferget your home land and all the fine GOVs we have had here.Would move up there in a minute.But job and wife say diff. HHHMMM.Sorry for the steal but this horse has been beat pretty good. LOL...MEATHEAD

 

[packerlandrider]

I'm making my 5th trip tomorrow. No stopping here...

Great meeting and talking to you for a few minutes yesterday morning Indy!

While the businesses in the Western U.P. may not be getting their maximum influx, I am sure there are plenty of businesses in Northern Wisconsin who are absolutely relishing this good start to the season, with hopefully much more to come.

For me personally, it's quite hard to complain when places that are usually quickly tracked up due to the amount of people haven't been touched in weeks, or even yet this season.

 

[Skylar]

Snowmobiling is now an expensive sport, especially if a family is riding. Its not just the cost of a 45 dollar trail permit, it is everything that is involved with snowmobiling. After the purchase of the sled, gas is now the most expensive part of snowmobiling IMO. My truck gets about 12 mpg with a sled in the back, add a trailer, and it drops way off. But, my truck is paid for, and I am not going to go finance 20-45k for a different one that gets 5-10 mpg better, that makes no sense.

I save all summer to go snowmobiling in the winter. I see no reason why someone cannot save 45-180 bucks between mid March, to the end of November, to buy trail permits. How many people will sacrifice that 12 pack of beer, or that bottle of wine, or the packs of cigarettes, or the night out, to be able to afford trail permits? Not to many is my guess, it is just easier to whine about how much a trail permit is.

The over all cost of this sport will drive some away, it already has, it will not get any cheaper, no matter what we say, want, or do. The people that love the sport, will do whatever they have to to stay in it, those that decide it's not worth it, well, that is their choice, they have to do what is right for them.

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Great meeting and talking to you for a few minutes yesterday morning Indy!

While the businesses in the Western U.P. may not be getting their maximum influx, I am sure there are plenty of businesses in Northern Wisconsin who are absolutely relishing this good start to the season, with hopefully much more to come.

For me personally, it's quite hard to complain when places that are usually quickly tracked up due to the amount of people haven't been touched in weeks, or even yet this season.

View attachment 44801 View attachment 44802

It's awesome isn't it?

 

[russholio]

Snowmobiling is now an expensive sport, especially if a family is riding. Its not just the cost of a 45 dollar trail permit, it is everything that is involved with snowmobiling. After the purchase of the sled, gas is now the most expensive part of snowmobiling IMO. My truck gets about 12 mpg with a sled in the back, add a trailer, and it drops way off. But, my truck is paid for, and I am not going to go finance 20-45k for a different one that gets 5-10 mpg better, that makes no sense.

I save all summer to go snowmobiling in the winter. I see no reason why someone cannot save 45-180 bucks between mid March, to the end of November, to buy trail permits. How many people will sacrifice that 12 pack of beer, or that bottle of wine, or the packs of cigarettes, or the night out, to be able to afford trail permits? Not to many is my guess, it is just easier to whine about how much a trail permit is.

The over all cost of this sport will drive some away, it already has, it will not get any cheaper, no matter what we say, want, or do. The people that love the sport, will do whatever they have to to stay in it, those that decide it's not worth it, well, that is their choice, they have to do what is right for them.

Bingo bango! While I still think Michigan should at least consider the use of temporary permits, you hit the nail squarely on the head here.

 

[Skylar]

Bingo bango! While I still think Michigan should at least consider the use of temporary permits, you hit the nail squarely on the head here.

I agree 100 percent on a weekend/temp pass.

 

[indy_500]

Great meeting and talking to you for a few minutes yesterday morning Indy!

While the businesses in the Western U.P. may not be getting their maximum influx, I am sure there are plenty of businesses in Northern Wisconsin who are absolutely relishing this good start to the season, with hopefully much more to come.

For me personally, it's quite hard to complain when places that are usually quickly tracked up due to the amount of people haven't been touched in weeks, or even yet this season.

View attachment 44801 View attachment 44802

Nice talking to ya too! Where did you guys drop? Stopped at cliffview and vansville bar but I think we beat you there trails were so smooth!

 

[bayfly]

For me anyway the cost of a season trail pass is one of the lower cost parts of this sport over the course of a season. But I definitely believe it has risen to the point of discouraging the once a season riders from coming up when there are other options for snow outside of the UP. Case in point, 6 of us took a day trip out of Iron River. 3 of the guys had never ridden in the UP and were hesitant to trailer 2 hours to ride for one day sine it would cost an extra $45. Two of us loaned them sleds with stickers to use. All 3 said it was the most amazing trails they had ever ridden (iron River to Sidnaw to Mass City to Iron River). Now they will likely be UP riders and probably tell a few people as well. I don't know what portion of UP riders fit this but I do believe the infrequent riders may not come, so that they may never become the future UP riders needed to frequent the businesses, by more passes, etc. I do think a 3-day pass would be helpful. Not sure how it could be set up to know when it is expired once its on a sled.

 

[arcticgeorge]

and a trail pass at $45 is a little steep but its good for 3 years no? I bought mine last year and it expires sept. of 2015....What I think is a rip is $13 for a quart of oil. I need to find gallons at a good price.

 

[polarisrider1]

and a trail pass at $45 is a little steep but its good for 3 years no? I bought mine last year and it expires sept. of 2015....What I think is a rip is $13 for a quart of oil. I need to find gallons at a good price.

You need an award for this post. Lol

 

[Skylar]

and a trail pass at $45 is a little steep but its good for 3 years no? I bought mine last year and it expires sept. of 2015....What I think is a rip is $13 for a quart of oil. I need to find gallons at a good price.

I think you have trail pass and sled registration confused. The 45 dollar trail pass is good for one winter, you have to buy a new one every winter.

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I think you have trail pass and sled registration confused. The 45 dollar trail pass is good for one winter, you have to buy a new one every winter.

Your sled registration is good for 3 years, at 30 bucks, the trail permit is an extra 45 every year.

 

[highhertel]

Without going into details, what I'm getting while talking to people, and I tend to agree, is snowmobiling has lost the family friendly vibe. Everyone we used to ride with has all but gotten out of the sport because of it. They would just as soon take the family to an indoor water park, or fly out to Vegas for the weekend. Oh well, better for the hardcore guys, eh?
We've been going up in the summer to get our northwoods fix. This winter though we're trying to plan a trip with the grandkids, leaving the sleds at home. Looking into taking them to see some winter waterfalls and do some light hiking. My snowmobile trailer hasn't left my driveway for a few seasons. But I still get my winter fix by concentrating on my vintage sled, my evil fat bike and ride my Catillac when we get enough snow down here. And the sun still rises and it sets.....

Proof in the pudding, figures out of SnowWest magazine volume 40 no. 6:

Snowmobile unit sales United States:

2000 136,601
2001 140,629
2002 134,082
2003 114,927
2004 109,750
2005 100,899
2006 91,670
2007 79,815
2008 79,552
2009 61,593
2010 48,599
2011 51,796
2012 48,689
2013 48,536

Snowmobile sales up dramatically in Europe and Russia, 37% yoy.

HH

 

[snoeatr]

Snowmobiling has always been expensive nothin new. $45 is not a big deal. Alot of work goes into trails and u can ride them all season for one fee. If it was free I would donate 45 in appreciation of all the work that people do so out of town folk can have a nice groomed trail and bunch of fun.