Hit The Trails: It's Snowmobile Season!

Outdoor recreation is a big reason we love living in Northern Michigan, and one of the favorite activities is revving up the sleds in Kalkaska County!

You don't have to travel to have access to well-marked and well-maintained ORV trails near Kalkaska. The village just east of Traverse City has the reputation has a true mecca for sledheads, and with plenty of snow on the ground and more in the forecast, we're seeing (and hearing!) more and more enthusiasts hitting the trails. For many, getting out means simply opening the garage and rolling along the powerlines, trails, and oil field roads that criss-cross Kalkaska County and serve to link other systems in neighboring counties. 

Michigan is home to over 6,500 miles of groomed and marked snowmobile trails, supported by dozens of grants and a grooming badge system. The Michigan DNR has found that it costs over $5 per mile of groomed trail, and the support of thousands of snowmobilers through the permit system make supporting this trail network possible. 

Users are also required to register their machines, and are also encouraged to take snowmobile safety courses to ensure a fun, safe experience for all motorized trail users. The current system has created a truly remarkable opportunity for Michigan residents that we don't take for granted. The sport also does a lot to support small towns all over Northern Michigan through the long and cold winter months. Tourists in the area to snowmobile support hotels, restaurants, bars, and gas stations during a lull in tourism, and offer even more support for the trails with more permit sales. 

What's your favorite winter activity? What gets you excited for snow and makes you happy to call Northern Michigan home? Let us know, and let us help you find the perfect home to walk into after a fun day out of doors. 

For more information on snowmobiling in Northern Michigan, check out the Michigan Department of Natural Resources site for all things outdoors.