Oneida County snowmobile trails open today

The Oneida County snowmobile trail system opens today at noon.

On Dec. 16, the county’s forestry, land and recreation department issued a public service announcement (PSA), after the snowmobile council voted that afternoon, warning that while the trails are set to open, all lake and river trails in the county are considered unsafe and dangerous until clearly marked by the snowmobile clubs.

Also, the PSA notes, Northwoods Passage Snowmobile club trail 51B will remain closed until further notice. 

“As always, the Oneida County Forestry, Land, & Recreation Department reminds riders to stay on marked trails,” the PSA states. “Off trail riding is considered trespassing and could result in closure or loss of trails and citations and finds for those who participate.”

The forestry, land and recreation department also reminded snowmobilers to exercise caution while riding on early season trails because they’re in “rough” condition still. 

For questions regarding specific trail conditions, snowmobilers are advised to call their local snowmobile clubs or check the clubs’ social media pages.

Vilas County

As for Vilas County snowmobile trails, the county’s snowmobile alliance hadn’t voted to open the trail system as of press time in the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 17.

County parks and recreation supervisor Todd Bierman told The Lakeland Times the alliance was set to vote the evening of Dec. 17 and wouldn’t know anything regarding trail openings until then. 

He said he inspected trails in the Conover area on Dec. 16. The trails there, Bierman said, were “looking good,” but said more snow would be nice.

“The snow base there ... is pretty loose,” he said, adding he thinks maybe the warm weather the area encountered in the afternoon of Dec. 16 resulted in a stronger ice base for the trails. “The thing is, they are going to get torn down pretty quick if they get a lot of traffic on them, I’m feeling, if we don’t get any more snow.”

Bierman said he doesn’t provide the alliance with any recommendations when they vote. 

“That’s all done by the alliance,” he said.

Trevor Greene may be reached via email at [email protected].