here where we ride the trail is wide enuff for both and we dont have a problem with it.
and if we see someone comming on a sled we give them lots of room to go buy.
the few thet do have problems with atvs dont own atvs so thats why there crying.
thay think that the snow is just for them.
well i dont agree i ride all year around and if sombody dosent like it to bad for him.
maybe he should buy an atv and come out riding with us.
and get over it.

 

I enjoy blasting WARP speed on my sled but I also love wheeling so I'm torn.....and in my opinion....we need separate trails....

Bluethumb, if it were possible for the atvs to stay on only 48" of a trail I don't think there would be a problem sharing the trails....but you know as well as I do that it is highly unlikely.....so that's really a ridiculous assumption.
And as for the suspension of modern sleds....yes, they are great....but not everyone owns a brand new sled. You are right about excessive speed but skiers or hikers should not be on designated snowmobile trails. And lastly, trashing snowmobile trails on purpose is a pretty **** poor solution to the problem. Snowmobile clubs work extremely hard to maintain good relationships with land owners to keep trails open. It's hard enough with the irresponsible snowmobile riders and when you add in atvs....forget about it....nobody rides.

But to be real honest with you....in the area that I ride there really isn't a problem with atvs on the trails.
There are plenty of lakes to ride on. And most atvers respect the snowmobile trails.

 

Same up here! We have sled trails and atv trails. But the atvs are treaing up our sled trails [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img] But I still love 4wheelers

 

This has been an issue here in NB, Canada for years and personally I can see snowmobilers point of view when trails do get a bit softer, the 4wheelers can make ruts on the trails but as far as months like January and Febuary when everything is frozen solid and trails are extremely hard packed, there are no issues with 4 wheelers digging ruts. I've been riding trails in winter and we would go out in groups of 5 to 10 ATV's everytime and theres no way other than seeing our tire tracks that it would make one bit a difference as far as smoothness of the trails. I agree that ATV's shouldn't be allowed on trails during months of March/April unless it stays really cold but then again, if its to warm, its not that great for a snowmobile either. I guess it all comes down to being smart enough to know when and when not to ride the trails depending on weather.

Now, ATV clubs are forming in every little town, and they are gathering money to cut our own trails which is great. Only thing I'm starting to see is that now that the gov't seems to be getting more and more involved, the cost of owning your machine is getting steeper and steeper. I mean, before it was an option to insure your ATV, now if you get stopped and don't have any, its something like a $500 fine! I just hope that it doesn't get too rediculous for trail pass fee's, insurance, etc in the future because if so, it wouldn't be worth it and you'll see a lot of people turn away. That, in some cases might be a good thing, keeping only serious ATVer's on the trails.

The main thing is that people be responsible when out on trails and respect others properties and each other, whether on an ATV or snowmobile. Its really all these yahoo's on either machine that really ruin things for everyone. Either there riding to fast or ripping up trails and not giving a rats *** about others. These are the people that should be heavily fined and kicked off trail systems when caught. These are the people you hear about eventually running into a tree because they were going to fast and weren't able to make the turn. Problem with that is, its not always a tree but sometimes another trail user they run into.

Thats my 2 cents worth [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Sorry if I rambled on and on, but its how I see it!