KALKASKA -- Area business operators are primed for the start of snowmobile season.
Recent years did not bring enough snow for riders to hit the trails before Christmas, so this season's early snowfall has created hope among local business owners. Snow and lower gas prices could make for a stellar year.
"We never have snow this early," said Ryan Ascione, co-owner of Lakes and Trails Powersports in Kalkaska. "Everybody is optimistic about it. We've been let down so many times, though. We're all waiting for it to go away."
Snowmobile riders frequently dine at the Breakfast and Burgers Express restaurant in Kalkaska.
"They're saying it should be good and we should have a good winter," said cook Chris Coughlin.
Good snow and falling gas prices may draw snowmobilers and their dollars back to town, despite the poor economy, he said.
"Low gas prices will certainly help, but with the state of the economy and the shape it's in today, all we can do is hope for things to improve. You hope for good snow and hope some people get back to work," said Dale Roggenbeck of Village Gas, a filling station north of town where snowmobilers typically pull in and fill up throughout the winter.
Lori Sheridan, owner of the Green Lantern bar in Alba, already saw 30 or more snowmobile riders show up for food and drinks, she said.
"As far as I can see, I'm encouraged by all the calls I'm getting. They all wanted to come up this weekend because we've got snow," Sheridan said. "The phone's been ringing since we first got snow. They are all geared up."
It's the same in Mancelona, where reservations are pouring in at Snowblitz, a snowmobile rental business.
"If the trails would have been open over Thanksgiving, we had plenty of people wanting to come. When the trails open, I'm sure we're going to be busy, busy, busy," said Denelle Fleet, who takes reservations for the company.
Riders thus far have purchased more than 2,300 state trail permits, up slightly from the same period as last year, said Steve DeBrabander, trail manager with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Snowfall is expected to continue over the next week, forecasters say.
"Snowmobile trails should be pretty good for opening day," said Scott Rozanski, meteorologist at the National Weather Service station in Gaylord.
About a foot of snow is on the ground in Alba, Mancelona and Kalkaska, he said. More will fall in those areas Sunday through next week, with temperatures expected in the lower 30s, he said.
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