Being the Northwoods is the birthplace of snowmobiling, (SAYNER, WIS.) it’s no surprise Northern Wisconsin is considered one of the best places to sled. How many people snowmobile? Not including out of state, over 200,000 snowmobiles registered in Wisconsin. How many trails are there in Wisconsin that are ridden on? There are over 25,000 miles of snowmobile trails across the state. Who doesn’t get enough credit for these snowmobile trails? SNOWMOBILE CLUBS.

When riding on the trails, do snowmobilers think about who builds and maintains those trails? That would be snowmobile clubs. Do snowmobilers ever wonder who pays for the maintenance of the snowmobile trails? One would think the state taxes, but it does not. So where does that money come from? Wisconsin has 600 snowmobile clubs, and each club gets 30 to 50 % from a portion of sled registration, trail passes and a gas tax formula.

So, where do snowmobile clubs get the other 50 to 70% of their money? Club memberships, fund raisers, donations and support from local business. From the money they receive and raise, the snowmobile clubs must perform maintenance and pay operating expenses and repairs on this equipment groomers and drags, but it doesn’t stop there.

Snowmobile clubs the FROSTY SNOWMOBILE CLUB in (Land O Lakes) hold safety classes (BORN AFTER JAN 1, 1985, IS MANDATORY)
Ages 12 to 15 must complete the safety course to ride a lone, and it is suggested that first time snowmobilers (no matter age) take this course.

Then during the summer, snowmobile clubs perform brushing, widening or build new trails to connect with other trails/towns or even build/repair  bridges, cut down limbs that could cause interference on the trail, purchase and replace trail signs, such as stop signs, directions, distance to gas, or other destinations and talk to property owners (NOT EASY) to secure the land that crosses through their property. All this work is done by SNOWMOBILE CLUB VOLUNTEERS, and this is why EVERY SNOWMOBILER that rides in Wisconsin should join and support local snowmobile clubs.

Here’s another good reason. Trail passes (MANDATORY) cost $30 for residents and $50 for nonresidents but become a member of the FROSTY SNOWMOBILE CLUB and get AWSC (ASSOCIATION of WISCONSIN SNOWMOBILE CLUBS) membership and you get your trail pass at a discount price. Being a member of AWSC, you also get a subscription to Wisconsin Snowmobile Magazine and I (HOPE YOU NEVER USE IT) a $3000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance policy.

So, if you don’t belong, join a snowmobile club in the area that you ride on their trails and support the business that supports them and their, (check each club’s website for upcoming) fundraisers.

                                                                                     BOTTOM LINE, SUPPORT LOCAL CLUBS