Paging Ms. La Niña, Ms. La Niña pickup line 998....

[Simplespeed]

Well, mid January, I have maybe 1.5" of snow on the ground. Had -7F this AM and a warmup coming later this week with a couple of days above freezing. No snow or snow storms on the Horizon in the forecast either. Not looking good, hope February looks better or it will be another shutout like last season. This was supposed to be an above average, (colder and snowier) winter with La Niña. So far its been a bust for us in southern MN. Very disturbing to have a 2023 machine I've only put 60 miles on, not sure I can keep the faith much longer if this keeps up. Sounds like the UP is getting trafficked heavily and not much fun to ride depending on where you are at. I think only the lake effect zones are getting hit and still sketchy on snow conditions, I don't have the ambition to trailer and go ride anymore like I did in my earlier years. In other words, I seem to be running out of hope & steam to ride snowmobiles....

I may have to move to Canada for any hopes to stay in this sport. Would they even take us old retired farts? Yep, I even just retired hoping to take advantage of the La Niña snow season, well that and spend more time with family and the grandkids and doing the things I love. LOL!

Congrats on your retirement and snowmobiles are in your blood and it would be a shame to lose a guy like you with all your knowledge and your now in a good position to go ride when the snow does come. Who cares about miles, its about the quality of fellowship, friendship and laughs along the way. Its about getting out and seeing things that you would never have the opportunity to see otherwise. Even when you get cranky your still big asset to the sport and to this site.. Mother nature exists in cycles and changes often just take the good and bad and make the best of it.. After all its all we can really do with things we can not control..

 

[journeyman]

I think they kinda one up'd the oxygen helmet.
Some people think these heated Shields are designed to clear ice. Lol.
They're just meant to help with fog. In my opinion based on everything I've read, you probably don't need a heater with that particular helmet. The mouth area seems to be completely cut off & vented out from the rest of the helmet. I've had my eye on it. Beautiful piece. Due to cost, I try to find ways to tell myself I don't need it.
I'm so brainwashed into needing a heated shield that I've been running with them since the 90s. As a matter of fact I can't remember even fogging up since the '90s?!?!
The freezing rain sticks to everything like glue immediately.

Understand your valid point in the complication of the additional cable.

All along I had my heart set on a matte black one or the carbon black. Those are hard to find deals on. Dennis Kirk had only certain colors on closeouts during Black Friday. I picked up a gray/white/orange one for $293 on BF.

 

[journeyman]

I have had a Mission with a heated shield for a few seasons now . If the freezing precip is light the shield will keep clear better then any other helmet I have owned, but as the freezing precip gets more severe nothing can keep up.

My good friend Don Thompson VX1R (rest his soul) had a Mission and loved it. I believe he and his wife both had them and he wore glasses with it.

 

[journeyman]

Well, mid January, I have maybe 1.5" of snow on the ground. Had -7F this AM and a warmup coming later this week with a couple of days above freezing. No snow or snow storms on the Horizon in the forecast either. Not looking good, hope February looks better or it will be another shutout like last season. This was supposed to be an above average, (colder and snowier) winter with La Niña. So far its been a bust for us in southern MN. Very disturbing to have a 2023 machine I've only put 60 miles on, not sure I can keep the faith much longer if this keeps up. Sounds like the UP is getting trafficked heavily and not much fun to ride depending on where you are at. I think only the lake effect zones are getting hit and still sketchy on snow conditions, I don't have the ambition to trailer and go ride anymore like I did in my earlier years. In other words, I seem to be running out of hope & steam to ride snowmobiles....

I may have to move to Canada for any hopes to stay in this sport. Would they even take us old retired farts? Yep, I even just retired hoping to take advantage of the La Niña snow season, well that and spend more time with family and the grandkids and doing the things I love. LOL!

Will Canada even take us? In the past they were quite picky on letting people in unless you have lots of money or a special skill that is needed.

I hear you on wondering where we are going with this sport. I have went round and round wondering whether to just say the heck with it. My dad and his twin brother hung it up 12 years ago, they are 88 years old today. My friend ride group in the metro area has dwindled to almost nothing. Then of course we lost Don last year who I rode with occasionally. I have my retired former work buddy Doug in Winter, Wisconsin that always welcomes me if I trailer up, but he has no snow either. Remember he bought that 2021 SRX and has not but 3-4 miles on it across his lake one time.


Last but not least, currently it looks like we might be down to two manufactures left in the sport. ugh......

 

[jonlafon1]

Congrats on your retirement and snowmobiles are in your blood and it would be a shame to lose a guy like you with all your knowledge and your now in a good position to go ride when the snow does come. Who cares about miles, its about the quality of fellowship, friendship and laughs along the way. Its about getting out and seeing things that you would never have the opportunity to see otherwise. Even when you get cranky your still big asset to the sport and to this site.. Mother nature exists in cycles and changes often just take the good and bad and make the best of it.. After all its all we can really do with things we can not control..

I have been trying to think like this for almost 3 full seasons here. Even the UP has not been good since 2022. Last year complete bust..... The year before was 1-2" of rain mid February. Its as if early season riding is in mid to late January as of late. Like conditions in mid January are what you used to get in early December. ONE good thing this year is we got great ice and driving frost now. Where is the damn snow? We finally get cold and cant get the snow now..

 

[Doc Harley]

I moved to Florida 2018-23?!?! Something like that. But was able to come back once or twice to ride. This has actually helped my mind to transition into this new frustrating reality.
Upon coming back I've decided to mod my sled. Lower miles, a radar run here & there is for the best. I mean, do I really have a choice?
My goal is never to be the fastest, but to continue to fuel my passion.

 

[sideshowBob]

How are the UP trails right now? Friend of mine and his riding group heading there on Thurs.

 

[74Nitro]

Lots of trails opening up in my area to the east of lake Huron. Hope the cold stays.

 

[Simplespeed]

Up in most area’s are good, with some pretty good Lake effect falling in many areas yesterday. Not sure all area’s are great but all area’s are rideable. More area’s getting better and better but its going to get pretty cold so be ready for that… Sleds can now spread out and not be so congestive especially cause lower snow belt also got some Good Lake effect….

 

[Doc Harley]

How are the UP trails right now? Friend of mine and his riding group heading there on Thurs.

Which day are you asking about? Right now they're mint. Friday/Saturday....lol. he's going to come home sore.
Just too many riders heading for the same parcel of property.

 

[1nc 2000]

How are the UP trails right now? Friend of mine and his riding group heading there on Thurs.

Marquette (central UP) has little base. But has been snowing. Drive 30 miles to the East.
Munising area and East of Munising north of hwy M28 has plenty of snow and base.

Trails are good. Plenty of good trails to get 200 mile days in if desired.

Groomers do groom night and day.
So expect to see a groomer around any corner or hill with a 14 foot wide drag.
One pass grooms the whole trail in many areas.
If gas tank is below 1/2 tank don't pass up a gas stop.
Enjoy

 

[Simplespeed]

I have been trying to think like this for almost 3 full seasons here. Even the UP has not been good since 2022. Last year complete bust..... The year before was 1-2" of rain mid February. Its as if early season riding is in mid to late January as of late. Like conditions in mid January are what you used to get in early December. ONE good thing this year is we got great ice and driving frost now. Where is the damn snow? We finally get cold and cant get the snow now..

i would have to agree that conditions the last two or three years have been terrible but I really think that bad cycle is going the other way in next few years.. Hopefully Iam right about this.. Our area got 8” yesterday and they forcasted very little or none at all prior to this last Lake effect dump… Some area’s on east side of UP are getting a good amount of snow on a regular basis now.. Hope your area gets a good dump and snow comes your way …