There are over 230,000 miles of snowmobile trails in North America, many of which interconnect to form a vast network of trails, allowing snowmobilers to travel to other towns, states and provinces. Other trails lead to winter destinations, festivals and resorts. The marked and groomed trails provide the highest level of riding enjoyment for snowmobilers.
North America's trail system is maintained by the snowmobilers themselves through area snowmobile clubs and councils (groups of clubs). Organized snowmobilers see a need for a trail, plan its creation, and through fees paid by snowmobilers, make it a reality. But the work doesn't end once the trail is built.
Trail maintenance is an ongoing process for the snowmobile clubs throughout the northern U.S. and Canada. The clubs take on the responsibility and the financial obligation to maintain the trails throughout the year.
Volunteers offer their time to level snow and clear debris, using sophisticated grooming machines or simple equipment pulled across the snow with their sleds. Trail maintenance is a constant, year-round job; heavy sled traffic, snow falls and storms all increase the need for continuous attention. With approximately 80 percent of North America's three million snowmobilers riding on snowmobile trails, maintenance is a must. The club volunteers are dedicated to keeping the trail system well-maintained and well-marked to ensure the safety of snowmobilers.
Each state or province has its own method of funding the trail system; in each instance, the snowmobiler pays to keep the program going. In addition to paying trail permits, gasoline taxes and registration fees, they also work together as a snowmobile club to raise funds for trail maintenance.
In Wisconsin, according to Dave Smith, of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobilers, there are 19,000 miles of snowmobile trails. The cost to maintain 13,000 miles of the trails is covered by registration fees and gas taxes; the remaining 6,000 miles are paid for by the snowmobile clubs. As in other states and provinces, a large portion of the fees are paid through the volunteer efforts of the individual snowmobile clubs.
Bob Meyers, executive director of the Maine Snowmobile Association, says that clubs raise about 40 percent of the funds needed to build and maintain trails in Maine. The clubs raise money by holding raffles, planning winter festivals or summer picnics and sponsoring snowmobile events, races and other snowmobiling activities.
North America's snowmobile clubs are hard at work to keep the trail system well-maintained for the enjoyment of snowmobilers. The system would not be possible without the efforts and financial contributions of their volunteers.
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