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Snowmobilers maintain the trails
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ed Klim
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There are over 225,000 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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