Snowmobilers Required To Buy A Trail Pass To Ride

Snowmobilers may have to pay a little bit extra this year to ride in Wisconsin, buying a pass this year before hitting the trails.

The trail pass is part of a new law that took effect in July.

Cathy Burrow, of the state Department of Natural Resource, said snowmobilers now have to pay $30 each year for a trail pass and $30 once every three years for snowmobile registration. Burrow said the fee provides more money to the state’s snowmobile grant program that awards money to counties. She said counties then pass on the money to snowmobile clubs who maintain the trails.

“The problem is there’s not enough money to cover all the expenses so these clubs have to foot the bills themselves for things,” Burrow said.

Now, the state has just under $5 million available for basic trail maintenance. Burrow said antique snowmobile owners are exempt from the new law. Other snowmobilers who ride without proof of buying the pass may face a $200 fine. Wisconsin has roughly 19,000 miles of snowmobile trails.