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Snowmobilers hoping to hop some drifts and catch some crisp, winter air will find Northeast Michigan a winter sportsman's wonderland. Alpena Snowdrifters President Bob Eller said the club maintains 93 miles of snow trails predominately located in Alpena County.

Eller said the club is 100 percent volunteer, has 85 members and has year-round activities for its members to participate in. Eller said the trails are open beginning Dec. 1 until it ends, April 1, or earlier if there isn't any snow. During the winter, the club maintains and grooms the trails, partake in numerous rides and hosts its annual trail stop.

"We take one or two overnight rides a year," he said, adding that the club also does several day rides.

At the annual trail stop, usually held the first weekend in February, club members will set up at a location on its trails and serve free food and refreshments to those out and about that day. The groomers also are available for the public to check out if they haven't seen or been in one before. Members of the club are happy to meet and greet those traveling on the trails.

The club also is active throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons. Eller said the group does highway cleanup through Michigan Department of Transportation and it is involved in making trail repairs, brushing as well as putting up and taking down signing.

Promoting snowmobile safety and education is something important to the club and its members. Youth who are without a drivers license and are between the ages of 12 and 17 are required to take a snowmobile safety class in order to operate the machine. The club has two certified instructors who will teach the course, which is free of charge, two to three times a year. Eller said around 60 area youth were certified last winter.

He said the winter sport is extremely popular and has been especially so with the amount of snow the area has been receiving.

Eller said more and more people from downstate and out of state are beginning to discover the eastern side of the state. He said as more trails are developed in the area, more traffic and commerce comes, which has been extremely positive.

Eller warned that riders do need to be aware though that some parts of these trails are on private property.

"(Snomobilers) just need to respect the land owners property and stay on the trails," Eller said.

Alpena Snowdrifters is funded through a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural resources which is supported by money from snowmobile permits. For more information on the organization visit www.alpenasnowdrifters.org.