I was born and grew up in Iowa. Grandparents retired in NW WI. Spent my whole life recreating at "the cabin". NW WI is pretty good snow country most years. I still live in central IA but still recreate 4-5 trips north each winter. Central Iowa is not considered "snowmobile" country.
Since 2002, there have been 3 "poor" snow years. 3-4 "typical" years. and 4-6 above average snow. The best being 2013 and 2014. 2012 literally had 3-5 days of trail riding snow available. Yes- it seems things are more boom and bust in recent years. But, I've also looked at the WI climate data and "big storms" seem to occur in the past also. Not sure much has changed. I dunno, I'm not a weather historian.
At any rate, this year the snow is poor. But, for me, on the down years, I spend more time ice fishing and tinkering. And, I spend more time looking for folks selling their sleds. It is a buyers market, eh.
By the way dandb7: Neat story about the '70s storm. As for "global warming", keep in mind vintage 2-strokes were made long before we coined the phrase "global warming". I'd say the sport, and culture in general, has come a long way already as it pertains to that subject. Still, that subject does not stop me from firing up the old 2-smokers as often as possible. I do not spend any time worrying about making it worse. I spend all my time waiting for it to snow...which is what this is about, eh.