Did you ever wonder how those snowmobile trails magically appear each year just in time for riding fun for our visitors and residents? Simple…snowmobile club volunteers spend countless hours working with landowners, putting up signs, brushing trails and getting grooming equipment ready. There are over 20,000 miles of trails across Wisconsin. With good snow conditions it is possible to ride virtually anywhere in the rural areas of the state. The trails are maintained by nearly 600 clubs across Wisconsin. Local club efforts are coordinated by the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs. More information about AWSC can be found on their website at www.awsc.org.
Safety is always on the minds of responsible snowmobilers. The AWSC encourages riders to watch their speed and drink alcoholic beverages responsibly if at all while riding. There is a nighttime 55 MPH speed limit for snowmobiles. Riders are also reminded that machines must slow to 10MPH when in the vicinity of pedestrians, dwellings or fishermen. Trails are monitored by county Recreational Officers and DNR wardens. Anyone born after January 1, 1985 must obtain a Snowmobile Safety certificate to ride legally. The course is available on line at http://www.snowmobile-ed.com/wi/ or from classes that individual clubs hold yearly. A list of upcoming classes across the state can be found at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/es/enforcement/safety/coursereq.htm
You may not know that the Snowmobile (and ATV) sports are entirely self-funded by users. All monies spent on trail placement, upgrading and maintenance comes from machine registrations and a small rebate from the state gas tax calculated by how much fuel each machine burns in off highway use. Most clubs have fundraisers and club dues to supplement the cost of maintaining the trails. Equipment, insurance and fuel are major expenses for clubs and can total hundreds of thousands of dollars when you include the cost of replacing groomers and drags.
If the snowmobile sport is to grow more people need to experience the thrill of riding our great trails. If you are an active rider make it a point anytime this winter to take someone riding who has never been on a sled or who hasn’t gone for years.
The Oconto County Snowmobile Alliance consists of 9 clubs including the Oconto Falls Snow Jokers, Bagley & Brazeau Joyriders of Klondike, Chase Sno-Chasers, Gillett Sno Riders, Lena Snow Drifters, Chute Pond Snowmobile Club, Paul Bunyan Riders of Lakewood and Red Arrow Snowmobile ATV Club of Townsend. The Iron Snowshoe Snowmobile Club of Marinette County also belongs to the Alliance as they have trails coming into the eastern side of Oconto County. These clubs spend nearly 10,000 volunteer hours each year preparing, brushing and grooming the 475 miles in the county. For example, the Bagley & Brazeau Joyriders maintain just under 100 miles of snowmobile trails. They estimate that their club members put in nearly 600 hours just getting their trails ready for the season. They also have to get permission from 59 landowners and 6 Townships every year to maintain them. Overall coordination of the county wide trail system is the responsibility of the Oconto County Parks and Recreation Department. A major Alliance project is printing a new map every two years of our entire trail system. A brand new 2012-13 map will be available at locations across the county in late November. If you would like a map mailed to you please contact the Oconto County Tourism office at P. O. Box 43 Oconto, WI 54153. Enclose $3.00 for postage and handling please.
More information about the individual clubs and links to their websites can be found at www.ocontocounty.org.
The Alliance realizes that everyone lives a busy life these days. We encourage you to join a club and get involved in keeping the trails in the shape we all expect. Tourism is a major part of our Oconto County economy and great trails keep the visitors coming back. We are only a “round trip tank of gas” away from Green Bay and the Fox Valley, making Oconto County an ideal snowmobile destination. Even if you don’t ride a sled but own a business or just want to get involved we welcome your assistance. Check the website just above for the club nearest you and volunteer to join or help…either financially or with your time.
Thanks for your support and see you on the trail!
