MONROE - Besides the children, who get to make snowmen and spend an afternoon sledding, maybe the only other people who were happy to see almost 18 inches of snow fall this week are snowmobilers.
Kathy Devoe, a member of the Stateline Trailblazers, said the 40 people in the group liked to see the white powder on the ground.
"This makes the happy," she laughed.
For the past few years, snowmobilers haven't had much to make them smile, as winters haven't produced much snow.
Not this year, Devoe said.
"December was a really good month. We lost some snow in January with the thaw, but now we're riding between storms," she said.
Devoe said there are people who come to Green County from the Chicago area to ride the trails and they're happy they only have to drive about three hours to Green County instead of nine hours to reach snow-covered trails in northern Wisconsin.
Devoe said she and her husband, Rick, and other snowmobiles also have made trips up north to take advantage of the snow.
Snowmobilers have three trails to choose from.
• The Sugar River Trail, a 26-mile trail that connects Brodhead to New Glarus.
• The Badger State Trail, a trail about 25 miles long that connects the state line with Belleville.
• The Cheese Country Trail, a 47-mile trail that connects Monroe to Mineral Point and goes through several communities along the way.
Devoe likes the Badger State Trail because it allows riders to get off their sleds and walk through the tunnel north of Monticello. She said it is one of the most scenic trails a snowmobile can ride on.
But all of the trails have something for riders, she added.
The scenes along the trails are what she likes the most about being on a snowmobile.
"You can look around and see a lot of things and it's exhilarating," she said. "It's really a good family sport."
Green county merchants like to see snow on the trails, too, Green County Tourism Director Noreen Rueckert said.
"It's beneficial to Green County," she said, since snowmobilers often look for lodging and make stops at local gas stations for supplies and restaurants for food.
Shawna Nevil, manager at the Chalet Landhaus Inn in New Glarus, said this year has been better than previous years for businesses along the trail.
"As soon as the snow comes they come back, to eat and stay overnight, she said.
Information about the trails in Green County is available at the Green County Tourism Web site at www.greencounty.org.
Kathy Devoe, a member of the Stateline Trailblazers, said the 40 people in the group liked to see the white powder on the ground.
"This makes the happy," she laughed.
For the past few years, snowmobilers haven't had much to make them smile, as winters haven't produced much snow.
Not this year, Devoe said.
"December was a really good month. We lost some snow in January with the thaw, but now we're riding between storms," she said.
Devoe said there are people who come to Green County from the Chicago area to ride the trails and they're happy they only have to drive about three hours to Green County instead of nine hours to reach snow-covered trails in northern Wisconsin.
Devoe said she and her husband, Rick, and other snowmobiles also have made trips up north to take advantage of the snow.
Snowmobilers have three trails to choose from.
• The Sugar River Trail, a 26-mile trail that connects Brodhead to New Glarus.
• The Badger State Trail, a trail about 25 miles long that connects the state line with Belleville.
• The Cheese Country Trail, a 47-mile trail that connects Monroe to Mineral Point and goes through several communities along the way.
Devoe likes the Badger State Trail because it allows riders to get off their sleds and walk through the tunnel north of Monticello. She said it is one of the most scenic trails a snowmobile can ride on.
But all of the trails have something for riders, she added.
The scenes along the trails are what she likes the most about being on a snowmobile.
"You can look around and see a lot of things and it's exhilarating," she said. "It's really a good family sport."
Green county merchants like to see snow on the trails, too, Green County Tourism Director Noreen Rueckert said.
"It's beneficial to Green County," she said, since snowmobilers often look for lodging and make stops at local gas stations for supplies and restaurants for food.
Shawna Nevil, manager at the Chalet Landhaus Inn in New Glarus, said this year has been better than previous years for businesses along the trail.
"As soon as the snow comes they come back, to eat and stay overnight, she said.
Information about the trails in Green County is available at the Green County Tourism Web site at www.greencounty.org.