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County Executive's Office

Select Snowmobile Trails May Open This Weekend with Snow in the Forecast

January 10, 2020
Darren Marsh, Mark Stephens, Tom Sankey
Land & Water Resources

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Darren Marsh, Parks Director (608) 224-3730

Mark Stephens, President, Council of Snowmobile Trails (608) 455-1358

Tom Sankey, Sargent, Dane County Sheriff’s Department - Marine and Trail Enforcement Bureau (608) 333-5547

 

Select Snowmobile Trails May Open This Weekend with Snow in the Forecast

As of now all trails remain CLOSED. Be the first to know if they open using these helpful resources!

 

MADISON, WI – January 10, 2018 – With snow predicted for this weekend, the Dane County Council of Snowmobile Clubs is keeping a close eye on the weather. The Club monitors trail conditions and decides when conditions are safe to open Dane County Snowmobile Trails for the season. In addition to snow, the group also monitors the trails for standing water, unfrozen ground and other conditions that would prevent the trails from opening.

 

“When trails open, snowmobile enthusiasts are eager to take their first ride of the season,” said Mark Stephens, President of the Dane County Council of Snowmobile Clubs. “It is important to wait until there are adequate snow conditions to open the trails. If some trails do open this weekend, we want to remind riders to use caution as there will likely be uneven terrain, snow cover icy sections and the potential for open water in the marshes and waterways.”

 

Within Dane County, there are over 500 miles of snowmobile trails including Badger, Glacial Drumlin and the Military Ridge State Trails. For trails to be open, there must be at least 6 inches of snow and steady below freezing temperatures.

 

A State Snowmobile Trail Pass is required to ride on the snowmobile trail system. According to Tom Sankey, Sargent, Dane County Sheriff’s Department, “The majority of snowmobile trails are located on private land and users must stay on the designated marked trails.” Sankey reminds snowmobilers that venturing off the trails is considered trespassing and riders may be issued citations.

 

To receive up-to-date information on trail openings and closing, visit the Dane County Council of Snowmobile Clubs website or sign up for their text updates. For up-to-date information on Dane County Parks trail closures and conditions visit the Dane County Parks Closures & Trail Conditions webpage.

 

 

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