A lack of snow and warm weather has so far kept many snowmobile enthusiasts in southern Manitoba from taking part in their favourite winter past time.

Mild weather and a lack of snow has kept groomers from hitting the trail system.

Tri-Lake Trail Busters President Allan Sampson of Wawanesa says so far it has been a disappointing season. “No, right now Tri-Lake has all trails closed because these past few warm days we lost any snow we did have so we’re back to the waiting game.”

Some snowmobilers are hauling their machines north but Sampson says not too many.

“We need at least six inches of snow before we’ll even think about sending out the groomers. As far as timing a lot of times we are just getting the trails set up by early in a new year. The lack of snow is disappointing but there isn’t anything we can do about it.”

In talking to people selling machines and dealers Allan Sampson says no doubt more people are looking to hit the trails this winter and he thinks Covid is behind some of that increased interest.

“There have been a lot of sales and if we get the trails opened up it will tell us if there are more people snowmobiling.”

---

Written by Barry Lamb