Wisconsin’S Lure

Sun., Dec. 10, 2000

Staff

Snowmobiling

Wisconsin may have lost its milk production crown to California and its cheese production lead may be slipping, but there’s still plenty of the white stuff.

So much snow in fact that when it comes to snowmobiling, Wisconsin has turned its abundant natural resource to its advantage.

Among the 27 states with snowmobile trails, Wisconsin has the most extensive trail system (25,000 miles), the most snowmobile clubs and a growing share of the more than four million snowmobilers in the United States and Canada.

Wisconsin’s 215,000 registered snowmobiles is third nationally behind Michigan and Minnesota.

Rural landowners historically have been generous in granting passage, but as the state’s northern counties become more developed and land prices rise, negotiating easements through private property is tougher.

Another 43,000 snowmobilers visit Wisconsin during winter, pumping millions of dollars into the economy, much of it to mom-and-pop motels, supper clubs and taverns.

Idaho registered 38,852 snowmobiles last season. Washington registered 31,532.

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