Quote:
Originally Posted by Belmont Resident
Every few years registration fees go up. And although we no longer ride in NH it seems that every state is in the same boat. Where is the money going? Cost keep going up and clubs keep asking more, yet they should be getting more.
NH resident registration is almost the same as ME none resident, higher at $94 if you elect not to join the club yet NH has a fraction of the trails ME has. Even worse in Maine, resident registrations are only $41 while none resident are $89, yet many clubs in ME consist of mainly out of state or none resident volunteers doing trail work.
I used to do a lot of volunteer work for more than one club and always asked why it is none residents pay so much more yet seem to appreciate the trails more?
I used to agree with having separate resident and none resident registrations, but now I’ve come to realize that there should be no difference in the cost. We all ride the same trails why should there be a cost difference. What they should do is come up with a means to compensate those who do put time in doing trail work and have a reduced registration rate or none at all. But there are a lot of reasons that couldn’t work as well.
It is the same FEW who do all the work and get nothing but self satisfaction for having helped out.
For the time being this snowmobiler has stopped giving his time to the clubs. If the state I ride in is going to charge the residents less then half of what I pay then let them do the trail work or raise their rates and maybe residents will appreciate the trails more and want to help out with them.
At over $100 in gas to commute back and forth I’ve given up. I’ll pay my $89 and ride those same trails that will still be there weather I help out or not.
Think snow and happy trails!
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Registration in NH had not gone up since 2004 before this most recent increase. Yes along the way joining a club became mandatory unless you wanted to pay a $30 surcharge per sled. This change may be seen as an increase by some but for those who already join a club it was not.
NH and Maine are totally different in the way trail funding goes. NH currently has dedicated funds Maine does not.
With exception of the northern most club (who need more control than having an all volunteer workforce can provide)all trail work and grooming in NH is done by Volunteers. Without Volunteers snowmobiling could not exist period.
I find it disheartening that someone who is as avid about snowmobiling as yourself would take the stance you are taking. The trails will be worse because of it. Just remember that if everyone took that stance or got tired of doing the lifting for others there would be no trails at all.
Edit: A lot more information about snowmobiling in NH including a breakdown of where the money goes can be found here:
http://www.nhstateparks.org/experien...formation.aspx