Since the inception of MSA, 2,500 miles of quality trail have been added to our state trail system that now boasts of over 6,500 miles of marked and groomed trails and over 30,000 more miles of undeveloped trails in state and federal forests where snowmobiling is permitted.

To further your voice in Lansing, MSA has a full-time legislative consultant and a full-time office staff, all working on snowmobile-related issues -- locally, statewide and in Washington, D.C. MSA has a large presence on the Snowmobile Advisory Committee (SAC), a state board that makes recommendations on our trail program

In case you did not know!

The Michigan snowmobile trail network is officially open on December 1st through march 31st.

What does the Michigan snowmobile trail system look like?

The Michigan snowmobile trail system has just over 6500 miles of marked groomed trails.

Our trails start at the Indiana border up the west side of the state to about us 10 and then extend east and north to the mackinaw bridge in the Lower Peninsula. In the upper peninsula the trails run east to west near lake superior with another east west route to the south near the us 2 corridor. We do have some issues getting around the Grand Rapids area and in the lower and are still trying to expand the system into more towns and villages in the lower.

What are the groups that support our trails?

Our trails are maintained by 68 not for profit snowmobile clubs, business groups, combinations of both, and two county recreation departments. (Alcona and Iosco)

Our funding is unique that the Michigan snowmobile trail system is 100% user pay. The users pay through registrations, trails permits and a small portion of gasoline tax. Not only do we pay for all trail maintenance we also pay for our DNR law enforcement and we fund sheriff‘s and local law enforcement programs over $1.5 million dollars a year. The total dollars raised and expended in snowmobile program is just over $12 million annually.

What lies ahead in the coming years for our trail system?

Our focus in the coming years will be on a permanent trail system. Currently over 50% of the Michigan snowmobile trails are on private land, our goal in the coming years will be to purchase easements for our trails across these parcels of private property.

Are there opportunities to collaborate with other trail interests to improve Michigan’s trail systems?

I think all trail users need to keep an open mind when it comes to other users. Right in the snowmobile law it states that when we build a new trial on state property we must take into consideration other off season users. Trail builders should always keep that philosophy in mind when planning new trial routes. All the different trail groups need to share their trail plans and coordinate together as many as possible.
 

Summary of Snowmobiling Facts for Michigan   

December 2008

Preface: Information used in this summary was provided by the Michigan Secretary of State Office; the Michigan Department of Natural Resources; the Michigan Snowmobile Association’ the Michigan Land Resource Project; and the International Snowmobile Manufactures Association. Figures used in this summary were verified accurate at time of acquisition but may change several time between reports from contributing agencies.

·   There are 1.69 million snowmobiles in the United States

·   Michigan is ranked first in North America with 359,374 registered snowmobiles.

·   Snowmobiling is the second most popular sport in Michigan, outranked only by golfing.

·   Oakland County alone has more registered snowmobile (28,204) than some states, including Alaska and Washington.

·   Michigan has over 6,500 miles of marked and groomed snowmobile trails with over 30,000 more miles of undeveloped trails (two track roads) in state and federal forest where snowmobiling is permitted.

·   There are currently 68 grooming grant sponsors, mostly snowmobile clubs, chamber of commerce, or visitor bureaus that maintain Michigan snowmobile trails.

·   The snowmobile program is unique, being funded 100% by user pay. This revenue comes from registrations, trail permits, and a portion of our gasoline tax. The snowmobile program is now over a $12 million dollar per year program.

·   The average snowmobiler spends $150 per day and the average snowmobile trip is more than 100 miles from home, lasting 2 ½ - 5 days. Snowmobilers spend approximately $45 each (double occupancy) for lodging, $55 each, for fuel and oil; and $40 per person on meals each day.

·   The most recent economic impact study shows over $1 billion dollars per year is generated within Michigan from snowmobile use each year.  This winter economic engine drives the northern Michigan economy. There are on average over 10,000 new & used snowmobiles sold each year along with related equipment, clothing and accessories. Over 7080 jobs created by the snowmobiling industry.

·   Through the efforts of organized clubs and associations, snowmobiling has become the most popular of winter-time family sports, and has instrumental in energizing residents who previously either left the state for a warmer climate or restricted their activities to the indoors and waited for Spring.

·   As the large corporate landowners in the Upper Peninsula divest themselves of unproductive lands, snowmobiles trails are in great peril. MSA members have formed the Snow Country Trail Conservancy to purchase permanent snowmobile trail easements. MSA’s goal is to make permanent, all of the snowmobile trails in MI.