$45 is the cost for this season’s snowmobile permit, $10 more than last year. The $45 fee will stay in place until 2015. This is part of the 2008 state law to incrementally increase snowmobile trail fees to help support maintenance and grooming of the Michigan snowmobile trail network.

“We have strong relationships with our partners in the snowmobile community,” said Jim Radabaugh, section manager for the DNR’s Recreation and Trails Program in the Forest Management Division. “It is because of our partnership with 68 snowmobile trail sponsors that Michigan is able to offer over 6,400 miles of designated, groomed and signed trails.”

Rising fuel, engineering services and insurance costs are part of the necessary fee increase.

“When it comes to keeping Michigan ’s trails safe and groomed, a little goes a long way,” added Lynne Boyd, chief of the Forest Management Division at the DNR. “This fee increase is a way for every snowmobiler to do his or her part toward providing season-long access to miles and miles of magical Michigan trails.”

*This article is based on the official DNR press release regarding the increased snowmobile fee*