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Snowmobiling In Southern Wisconsin Into The Wild Winter Outdoors

As of Tuesday February 18th, Dane County's Southwest region snow mobile trails were closed due to deteriorating trail conditions. The Northwest, Northcentral, Southeast, and Southcentral region trails in Dane County will remain open according to the latest condition report (1/17/2025) by the Dane County Council of Snow Mobile Clubs. In Southern Wisconsin, much of the 500 plus trails in the county wide system run across private lands. Ever notice miniaturized Stop or arrow signs on farm lands or bordering major county roads in Southern Wisconsin? Those are trail markers are for snowmobilers in our region, certainly a novel agreement between land owners

and snowmobile users. 

Trail viability is more snow dependent than of course the open frozen waters on any area lakes (certainly treacherous without any snow cover.) Lake Waubesa in the mid-late winter months is a popular destination for clubs like Waubesa Snow Birds. On any given day in February hiking the Capital Springs trail along the western shoreline of Lake Waubesa, chances are good to see someone on their snow mobile speeding across the frozen waters. The Waubesa Snow Birds recently hosted their annual Winter Festival which takes place at Christy's Landing. The event raises money for the club and maintenance of area trails, upkeep which has been challenging in previous years due to the growing effects of climate change.  "We've always had an annual Radar Run but after many years of bad ice, or no ice, we decided to have an indoor event (Christy's) regardless," says SnowBird member, Thomas Noeske.  A "Radar Run" is a snow mobile event all about speed. Participants have a chance to run their machines at full speed down a straight trail while someone holding a radar gun reads their speed.

Six years ago, the Waubesa Snow Birds club started a meat raffle and the event just grew from there.  "Some years we have good ice and include a radar run. This is the 2nd in the 6 years," says Noeske.

Changing Trail Conditions

As Madison continues to grow that impacts the local snowmobiling community trails.  "Actually, many years ago we used to have the Radar Run at the Green Lantern but with urban sprawl we no longer have a trail access in McFarland. We've been at Christy's for 15 years or so," Noeske said. Having a network of trail right-aways during the winter months on private land is paramount for access and rides. And those trails would be non-existent without a strong collective of volunteers across Southern Wisconsin.

"I would be remiss to not thank all the volunteers who marked trails so trail riding could occur in Southern WI, although for a short time, it was wonderful to again ride the trials in Dane County," says Noeske.

Can you rent snowmobiles in the area?

Snowmobiling is rather expensive activity to start up, hence the great utility of being part of a regional club. "Not that i'm aware," Snow Bird president responded when asked about renting options. A spokesperson at Engelhard Motorsports said they do not and thought that is more likely an option up in the Northwoods.  Mad City Powersports also mentioned they do not rent snowmobiles either. At Adventure North Snowmobile Tours & Rentals in Minoqua an All day tour (7 hours 10:00am- 5:00pm) will set you back $250.00 per snowmobile.

How do our snowmobile trails in Southern Wisconsin around our lakes compare to those options up north?   Noeske says we have some of the best trails right here in Southern Wisconsin. 'If snow conditions are (good) they are actually better than a lot of the trails up north," says Noeske.

Weather is fickle, one moment we have suitable trail conditions the next trails like those in the Southwest are closed. Temperatures in the area are predicted to rise into the 40s next week which will definitely impact the season.

AREA SNOWMOBILE DEALERS

Engelhart Motorsports

1589 Greenway Cross, Madison, WI 53713

PHONE: 608-274-2366

FAX: 608-274-6736

Hours: Tuesday-Friday - 9 AM to 6 PM

Saturday - 9 AM to 3 PM

Vetesnik’s Mad City Power Sports

4246 Daentl Road, Deforest, WI 53532

Hours:  Tuesday-Friday 9am-6pm
Saturday 9am-3pm
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED

Phone: 608-249-0240
Toll-Free: 888-MADCITY (623-2489)

Lakes Edition covers Winter sports like ice fishing, cross country skiing, snow shoeing. We

welcome the snowmobiling community to our pages and website, and look forward to future coverage

and partnerships.

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