Snowmobile Riders, Retailers Hope For Snow

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ERIE, Pa. (Erie News Now) – Mike Galbreath loves snowmobiling, and every year, he can’t wait to get outside. But in recent years, he’s had to leave the region to find enough consistient snow.

This year, he’s going all the way to Colorado.

“We used to be able to ride here eight or nine weekends in a row, and that’s unfortunately kind of gone to the wayside,” he said.


He’s not the only one hoping for snow.

Joe Askins of Off-Road Express says snowmobile season starts in earnest in just a few days, and cold, snowy weather is great for sales.

“We’d like to see a whole foot of snow out there,” he said. “But even if we had it, until about now, there wasn’t going to be a whole lot of riding because of hunting season and the trails weren’t open, but now it’s really when we need it to happen.“



So, with the possibility of winter weather on the way, Askins says he’s keeping a close eye on the forecast, because when it snows, snowmobile sell better, and gear and equipment sell better as well.

“It all goes hand-in-hand,” he said. “When somebody is riding snowmobiles, they are usually buying snow gear or they need repairs or they’re buying oil and different things, so for everything to work properly, you need that full season of snow.“

Galbreath says he can’t wait.

Snowy, cold weather might be a nuisance to many, but for him, it’s a dream come true.



“We watch it daily,” he said of the weather forecast. “Absolutely. I hope so. When I see two feet, everyone runs and said I’m not going to be able to make it to work. I say I’ll make it somewhere.”

 

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