My family rode snowmobiles for 10 years up around the Grayling area (1974-84). We rarely ever had a problem with lack of snow. We'd spend a week between Christmas and New Year's, and always have enough snow. From January on, we'd play in waist-deep snow out in the fields. Sold the cabin in the late '80s, and got out of the sport for the most part.
I don't know if it's just as a kid the snow seemed so much deeper, but Michigan seems to have been in a snow drought for the past 10-15 years. Living in southeastern Michigan, I've yet to purchase a snow blower in the 15 years I've owned a home. Occasional shoveling is like free exercise, and for rare blizzards, it still only costs me $50-60 per year for the guy down the street to plow my driveway (it's a big one).
Snowmobiling is an expensive sport considering the amount of riding you can do in Michigan. The U.P. is a different story, but over the past few years I know guys who have driven 7+ hours up to the U.P. in search of snow, and even then it's been marginal. At $5,000 - $10,000 a sled, it's a lot to spend to ride on bare trails. And you can snowmobile 3, maybe 4 months out of the year. With dirt bikes it's a solid 8 months, or if you're hardcore (crazy? :eek: ) it's 365 days a year! (Woodsy! :worship: )
My advice is to head out west a few times a year if you can. We've snowmobiled Yellowstone and the surrounding mountains and valleys. It is absolutely incredible. 800 miles of 8'-10' wide, immaculately groomed trails. You ride across miles and miles of virgin fields with 3'-4' of powder. You have to stop with your sled pointing downhill, and before you stop you have to circle a few times to pack down the snow. When you step off the sled, you are up to your waist or chest in powder. Coming around a mountain pass, we ran into 40-50 bison grazing. They were blocking the trail, so we had to cut trail down the side mountain. You can rent everything out there. Get a guide for the first few days, then set out and explore with your own group. The scenery and snow conditions will make it one of the best adventure trips you will have ever taken.
I know the lack of snow here really kills the ski and snowmobile businesses. My kid just got a new snowboard, drove up to Alpine Valley last night - and they were closed! And I know a dealer that had about 100 sleds left over from last season. Do you know how much it costs to store and finance 100 snowmobiles? :scream: