30
Dec
More Snow, Better Conditions
We’ve had all our snowmobiles out Monday, Tuesday, and today, and have gotten largely positive reports back from the riders and other guests we have this week. With about 6 inches of new snow this week and 10+ inches on the ground, the poor conditions of Christmas day are mostly covered up and gone. There are some icy or dirty corners around, and a bit of snirt here and there. The groomers are all running, though, and we’re much happier with the base of snow than we were just before Christmas.
Traffic has been fairly heavy, with the Christmas break bringing a lot of people to the area. This may pick up quite a bit with more people coming up for a long New Year’s weekend.
The weather forecast calls for continued cold temperatures, and lake effect snow off and on through the next week. Good news!
Phazers
We’ve begun renting the new Phazers we’re trying out this year, with a mostly positive response. A typical conversation goes like this:
- Renter: “I have to ride that ugly thing? It looks like a bug!”
- Us: “I know, just try it out. Oh, and slow down for the corners, and lean into the turns to prevent tipping.”
- Renter: “OK, whatever…” (now renter goes off for the day).
- (… time passes … Renter returns…)
- Renter: “Wow, that was fun! This little bug runs great! Hey, you really have to lean into the corners, though.”
- Us: “Yeah, we know, glad you had fun.” (and we’re glad the machine came back in one piece…)
So, the Phazer is a different machine than the traditional, sit-down-low sort of sled. With a higher center of gravity and much more suspension travel, it’s great in a straight line or cruising down the trail. Aggressive cornering requires the rider to get off the seat and lean into the turn, though, to prevent lifting the inside ski or worse. But you wouldn’t perform any ‘aggressive cornering’ on a rental machine, would you?
Also, Since the Phazers are new and have a higher purchase price than the Supersports, we strongly encourage renters to buy the new insurance we’re offering.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Great to hear that the conditions are improving. Very disappointed that I didn’t get to make it up there this morning. My riding partner backed out and I’ve been dealing with car issues. Hope to get up there soon though, and can’t wait to ride the new Phazer Rob !!
Lets hope for additional snow all week or a blizzard so when I do come up it will be a memorable day.
December 30th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
great news rob that you guys got snow
it’s good that the machine came back in one piece, is that the new sleds you guys are renting in the pic
December 31st, 2009 at 8:51 am
Gary,
Yes, the photo above is one of our two new Phazers, while I was out doing break-in miles on it. They needed 200-300 break-in miles before renting. Tough job, but someone had to do it. Actually I only rode one machine 250 miles, Norm from our place rode the other one.
By the way, that photo above was taken last week on the Lakes of the North trail, southwest of Gaylord. That ugly mess in the background is an active logging project. I was a bit surprised to see active logging this late, especially since the logging trucks were using about 1/2 mile of the snowmobile trail for access to the site. That was an UGLY 1/2 mile — I hope they stop soon for the season.
January 2nd, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Any updates? I see tons of LES for TC and the surrounding area. Has any of the LES made it to Grayling and Frederick?
When I come up I want to go the bar out west for a burger, come back, and then take a run east on the lovells section.
See ya soon
January 4th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Hey Rob,
Any updates? I see 2″ of snow is predicted for Tuesday the 5th. I’m hoping more falls, as I plan to be there with my friend John to ride on Wednesday 6th or Thursday 7th. See you soon, and lets all keep doing the snow dance.
January 7th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Getting close to 6 inches here in SE Michigan. At least 4 inches have fallen in the last 4 1/2 hours. Too bad the storm wasn’t hitting up there !!!!!
January 8th, 2010 at 9:23 am
That would be nice up here, unfortunately it’s only been an inch or two total this week…