2011 - 2012 Grooming Badges now

available for only $100

The Vasa Pathway and Leelanau Trail are groomed regularly for both classic and skate style skiing.

To support grooming of the trails, GET YOUR 2011-2012 GROOMING BADGE! Your $100 Grooming Badge is tax deductible. If you ski 20 times a season this is an average cost of only $5 per ski.  New this year - with your badge you will receive a discount on the daily pass rate at Timber Ridge.

We have established a Snowy Day Fund to save for the major expenses of equipment repair and replacement. Please consider an additional contribution to the Snowy Day Fund to help ensure world-class grooming of the Vasa and Leelanau Trail for years to come. TART appreciates your support of the grooming program!

Frequently Asked Grooming Questions

• What exactly is a TART Trails Season Grooming Badge? This Grooming Badge is TART's way of recognizing donations that make grooming on our trails possible. The grooming 'badge' is a car window cling that shows your support of the Grooming Program. Yup, no buttons this year.
• Do you provide trail-grooming updates? Absolutely. With your grooming badge, you can sign-up to receive e-mailed grooming reports, complete with grooming details and the latest conditions. Just be sure to include your e-mail on the reply form.
• Who does the actual grooming? All grooming is done by dedicated TART Trails contracted groomers and volunteers, who work year-round to prepare the trail for winter use. Our groomers are trained and equipped to provide the best possible grooming conditions for the program. For everyone involved, it truly is a labor of love, and is done by people who share your passion for cross-country skiing.
• What is the future for grooming on trails within the TART system? Our primary focus is on grooming the Vasa Pathway, and that will not change. We also groom the Leelanau Trail, and are always exploring ways to make other trails accessible for winter activities. We are dedicated to making your skiing experiences as safe and enjoyable as possible, and constantly strive to make it better.
• How much does it cost for grooming on TART trails per season? There is yearly fluctuation due to weather, fuel costs, insurance, equipment and maintenance issues, and other factors, but we budget approximately $40,000 annually for grooming expenses for the Vasa Pathway and Leelanau Trail.
• Is it true that grooming is also supported by the DNR? Yes, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has provided some expense reimbursement for grooming on the Vasa Pathway. The grooming badge proceeds supplement DNR funding to provide the kind of skiing conditions that are expected on the Vasa - world class.
• Are you saving money for new equipment? Each year, we set aside funds in a Snowy Day Fund, which is a restricted grooming equipment fund. We have used those funds to purchase attachments for the groomer and a new snowmobile. We are also saving money in this fund for the anticipated expense of needing to replace the current LMC Snowcat at some point in the future (estimated to cost more than $100k).