For many business owners, the seasonal influx of snowmobilers can be a gust of wind, filling financial sails through the slower season, before the rush of summer visitors. After two seasons of questionable snowfall and excessive winds, winter 2013 has been a great boon to many. Kyle Blank, owner of Peninsula Pub, just outside of Bailey's Harbor is grateful for the healthy snowfall the area has experienced over the past two months…
Photo Credit: (Top & Above) Doug Jorns/Door Pioneer Trailblazers
Blank has owned Peninsula Pub since May 2009 and says this is the first winter with enough snow to keep the Door and Kewaunee snowmobile trail systems open for a beneficial amount of time. Located alongside a heavily traveled stretch of trail, on the intersections of Highways A and E, Peninsula Pub counts this as a blessing for their business during the slower season…
Looking beyond the immediacy of this seasons snowfall, Steve Sohns, President of the Door County Trails Association and owner of Hammersmith T.V. in Sister Bay, sees the potential to bolster dwindling club membership numbers…
In addition to the financial stress the lower number of riders on trails may bring to the area, lack of snowfall also discourages many riders from contributing to the clubs and organizations that help maintain the elaborate trail system throughout both counties…
Sohns stresses the importance of snowmobile clubs working together with the state and their fellow organizations to attract younger riders. Doug Jorns, President of the Door Pioneer Trailblazers club says this resonates within his group as well. Citing poor winters and many younger riders not understanding how the trail system works.
According to Jorns, the nearly 250 miles of trails in Door County alone are maintained currently by around 40 people. Most clubs require annual dues for membership, but are in the neighborhood of $20 for the entire year.
For more information on how you can contribute or join some of the clubs in the area: Door Pioneer Trailblazers: (920) 743-5900, Door Central Snow Goers: (920) 743-2439, Villagers: Steve Sohns, Sturgeon Bay Door Drifters: (920) 743-7523, Top O' The Thumb: (920) 839-5054, Southern Door Sno-Travelers: (920) 837-2117, Red River Riders: (920) 493-1707.
Photo Credit: Map.Co.Door.Wi.US/Parks
