Please read these 2 sets of information, provided by the AWSC (Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs) regarding the new Wisconsin Sled Registration program that will be effective July, 2015. If you have questions, please visit the www.awsc.org or contact your local club or the AWSC Director or Rep for your county. Contact info can be found on the AWSC’s web site.
Change is coming… The WI Snowmobile Trail Pass
Effective July 1, 2015
The WI Snowmobile Trail Pass:
- Effective July 1, 2015, snowmobile registration will cost $30/3 year from the current $30/2 year.
- All snowmobiles operating in WI will now be required to display a WI Trail Pass (purchased separately from snowmobile registration).
- Increases the non-resident trail pass fee from current $35/year to $50/year.
- Includes a 4-year sunset clause which requires re-evaluation (2019) by the legislature prior to renewal of the WI Trail Pass program.
- The annual (yearly) WI Trail Pass will be available to members who belong to both a snowmobile club and the Association of WI Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC) for $10 through the AWSC office in DeForest, WI. for each of your WI registered snowmobiles. Snowmobile owners who don’t hold membership in these groups will pay $30 for the required WI Trail Pass through the DNR.
- Your snowmobile club will be responsible for your AWSC membership which makes you eligible for the discounted WI Trail Pass.
- The WI Trail Pass is brand new in 2015 and is a separate item from your snowmobile registration.
- Non-residents may purchase a discounted trail pass if your snowmobile is registered in WI and you belong to a snowmobile club and the AWSC.
- Revenue generated from the sale of snowmobile registrations and WI Trail Passes will be deposited into the state snowmobile segregated fund, which is used to pay snowmobile clubs to maintain and develop the trails. WI trails are made possible by snowmobile club volunteers who provide the labor to brush, sign and groom the trails and the landowners who allow trails to cross their property.
Note: Additional changes will allow resident owners of snowmobiles 35 years old and older to register them as antiques.
For more details on finding a WI snowmobile club to join or further details on the WI Trail Pass, please visit the AWSC website at www.awsc.org. For more information on the Trail Pass and snowmobiling in WI, visit the WI DNR website at dnr.wi.gov and search “snowmobile” or call 1.888.936.7463
Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs – AWSC
529Trail Side Dr., Suite 100 – DeForest, WI 53532
Phone: 800.232.4108 / 608.846.5530 – Fax: 608.846.5534
Web: www.awsc.org / Email: awsc@awsc.org
What You Need to Know About the New WI Trail Pass under WI Act 142 (CAP – Club Assistance Program)
1. When does this new law go into effect? July 1, 2015. Act 142 requires each sled operating on trails to display a WI Trail Pass to be purchased annually. This is separate from the WI snowmobile registration.
2. What is the cost of the trail pass? Once Act 142 is implemented, if your membership dues with one of the nearly 600 AWSC snowmobile clubs statewide are up to date and the club has paid your AWSC dues, the cost of the Trail Pass will be $10. If you are purchasing the new Trail Pass and are NOT an AWSC and snowmobile club member the cost will be $30 per snowmobile.
3. Do I have to join a club? No – It will be your choice to join one of the nearly 600 AWSC snowmobile clubs statewide. Please remember that without the clubs and volunteers there would be NO TRAILS! It is the club volunteers that provide and maintain the WI Snowmobile Trail System.
4. Where do the funds from the trail pass go? The revenue generated from the sale of snowmobile registrations and Trail Passes will go into the state snowmobile program’s segregated fund.
5. How do I obtain my trail pass? Those details and processes have yet to be determined by the State along with the AWSC.
6. Do I still have to register my snowmobile with the State of WI? Yes – However the registration fee structure will change to a $30/3 year registration. Currently it is $30/2 years.
7. Is the Out of State (Non-Resident) trail pass going to increase in cost? Yes – It will increase to $50 from $35 (current).
8. My snowmobile is 35 years (or older.) Do I still need a trail pass? The new law provides a free annual (yearly) Trail Pass sticker to be displayed on sleds 35 years and older. However, snowmobiles still need to be registered. Note: Change in registration fee $30/3 year registration.
9. If I don’t live in WI can I still register my snowmobile(s) in WI? Yes – If you reside in another State you can still register your snowmobiles in WI. If you chose to belong to one of the nearly 600 AWSC snowmobile clubs statewide and are up to date with membership dues and the club has paid your AWSC dues, the cost of the Trail Pass will be $10. If you do not belong to a club in WI your trail pass will cost $30. Otherwise you will have to purchase the Out of State trail pass for $50 if your snowmobile is registered in another state.
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Welcome to marinettecosnowtrails.com! We hope you’ll use this site when planning a trip to visit our trails. Trail sponsors are looking forward to seeing you too! Our county is large and this site will help you determine where you’ll find the best riding conditions for your visit. This site is provided by the 10 clubs that make up the Marinette County Snowmobile Alliance, 8 of those clubs maintain trail, 2 are riding clubs.. We are partners with www.therealnorth.com (Marinette County Tourism) and www.travelwisconsin.com in an effort to bring you up to date and accurate trail reports. This site will be updated weekly or more frequently as conditions change and require an update.
Marinette County has 8 clubs that groom and maintain 500 miles of funded snowmobile trail in far Northeastern Wisconsin. Marinette is one of the largest counties in Wisconsin resulting in snowmobile trail conditions that can vary a great deal from one end of the county to the other. The southern part may have no snow and the trails may be closed while in the northern part the trails are in excellent condition. For practical purposes, we will divide the county into thirds when reporting on trail conditions:
The Southern 1/3 is from the Oconto county line north to Marinette County Highway C (encompasses Marinette, Peshtigo, Coleman, the villages of Crivitz & Wausaukee); trails maintained by Kum-Along Sno-Riders, Bagley-Brazeau Joyriders, River Road Riders, and parts of the Iron Snowshoe and Ranger City Rider trail systems. Lots of flat, open farmland and urban trails in this area. Snow conditions are generally the lest in the southern 1/3. ATV’s & utv’s are not allowed on these trails! Winter snowmobile ONLY!
The Middle 1/3 is from County Highway C north to US Hwy 8 (Athelstane, Wausaukee, Amberg, Beecher and parts of Pembine & Dunbar); trails maintained by Near North, Iron Snowshoe, Ranger City Riders, Pemenee River Riders and Dun-Good Riders. These are mixed trails; some farm areas, urban trails and some forest land. Near North, Iron Snowshoe, Pemenee & Dun-Good’s trails are also open for winter ATV-UTV use. Ranger City Riders are snowmobile only trails.
The Northern 1/3 covers trails north from Hwy 8 to the Michigan state line and west to join the Forest and Florence county trails. This includes trails maintained by Iron Snowshoe, Near North, Pemenee River Riders and Dun-Good Riders. This northern area generally has the best early season and late season riding and exceptional mid-season conditions. Trails are mainly through the woods and on county forest land. These same clubs maintain trails for summer atv-utv use and this helps to create a smooth trail base. Trails can be in good winter riding condition with only a few inches of snowfall because of the summer grooming.