Don't park that snowmobile just yet.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division says it has notified trail grant sponsors that the snowmobile trail grooming contract season will be extended through the weekend, under certain conditions.
Typically, grooming contracts with local snowmobile clubs are in effect each winter from Dec. 1 through March 31, the MDNR said Thursday in a news release.
“In some parts of the state, trails are covered with snow sufficient for snowmobiling and grooming,” said Tim Novack, DNR state trails coordinator.
“This extension will allow for another weekend of snowmobiling in some places.”
Snowfall forecasted for the Upper Peninsula may also impact whether trails will be groomed in some places. If the storm arrives as predicted, for example, trails will be groomed in Marquette County up to Big Bay and in some other areas.
Snowmobilers should check with local clubs where they plan to ride, or the club's social media pages, to confirm whether grooming will be taking place in specific areas.
Parameters to be met by grant sponsors to continue grooming over the weekend include:
- There is enough snow on the ground to groom
- The club is fully insured
- The club has adequate unused grooming funds remaining in its 2022-2023 snowmobile grant
- The club has landowner permissions that extend into April 2023
Grant sponsors were also notified that more money for grooming will not be added to grants as contract amendments. Clubs were asked to consult surrounding clubs to see if their trail sections have sufficient snow on the ground and whether they also plan to continue grooming throughout the weekend.
Find out more about snowmobiling in Michigan at this link, including where to ride, safety tips and more.
