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FEBRUARY 2018 • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • SNOWMOTION

SNOWMOTION

POWERSPORTS & RACES 2018

WEST YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA // MARCH 9 -11, 2018 A S P E C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E B O Z E M A N D A I LY C H R O N I C L E

SNOWMOTION • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • FEBRUARY 2018

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FEBRUARY 2018 • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • SNOWMOTION

SNOWMOBILE EXPO 2018 Powersports & Races Returns March 9 -11

his year marks the 28th anniversary of the annual Snowmobile EXPO, Powersports and Races, which returns to West Yellowstone, Montana, March 9-11, 2018! For the 28th Anniversary, favorite events including Vintage Oval Racing, Western Grand Championships M120 racing, and Snow Bike Racing will return to the program. The growing sport of UTV racing will also return on Saturday. On Saturday, there will be the new UTV Show & Shine, where enthusiasts can display their machines. Don’t forget about Casino Night and Calcutta on Friday evening. The vendors and exhibits will be outside at the track with free admission for all three days.

EVENTS • New snowmobile models from manufacturers for the first time anywhere in the West. Free demo rides will be held at the racetrack. • The 120 Western Grand Championships return again with racing just for kids. • Vintage Oval Racing has been expanded to include additional classes with races on both Friday and Saturday. The Western States Vintage Snowmobile Association (WSVA) Annual Show will also be taking place. • The AMA Championship Snow Bike Series Round 6 will feature plenty of knock-down, bar-banging, jaw-dropping, skito-ski action featuring really fast guys on really fast bikes! Open to all snow bikes.

EXPO 2018 TICKET PRICES: $15 per person for a weekend pass or $10 per person for individual events. Children 12 and under free. Exhibitor Area is FREE! Tickets available at the gate.

SNOWMOTION • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • FEBRUARY 2018

AMA CHAMPIONSHIP

SNOW BIKE SERIES

RETURNS TO

WEST YELLOWSTONE,

MONTANA

2017, the AMA Championship Snow Bike Series became the first races in the nearly 100 year history of the AMA to run without any kind of wheels. The AMA recently raised awareness and prestige for the sport by announcing the snow bike racing will become a full-fledged National Championship Series in 2018. Snow-biking is a relatively new form of winter recreation, where a ski and a lightweight, high-performance track are fitted to modern, off-road motorcycles. Snow-bikes are easy to maneuver, and weigh under 275lbs. and the cost of entry into this sport is relativity inexpensive, allowing a dirt bike rider to quickly and easily convert their motorcycle for use in the winter. “The AMA was excited to get involved with the new and innovative sport of snow bike racing last year,” said AMA Competition Director, Kevin Crowther. “Now we are ready to work with the industry to help take things to the next level by making this a full-blown AMA National Series.” Snow bike racing is not new; one round of the race series has run in Idaho since 2009, drawing well-known motorcycle competitors over the last eight years such as: John Dowd, Ronnie Renner, Mike Metzger, Brock Hoyer, Reagan Seig, Jimmy Jarrett, and many others. 2018 will feature the new National Championship men’s and women’s pro classes, as well as a non-cash Senior class for riders over 40. Amateur classes will also be offered for women, kids, bikes up to 350cc, and a new unlimited trophy class that will allow turbos and NOS to be utilized, providing a great platform for testing and R&D work for teams and manufacturers. “We have learned from past snow-bike events that when dirt, dust and rocks are eliminated, racing gets closer,” said Ron Dillon, series director. “Racers will be riding inches from each other, fighting for every position, and it is an absolute blast to watch them go at it. The sport continues to evolve and our tracks will be closer to Supercross than ever before with more jumps, banked turns, and rhythm sec-

tions, taking advantage of riders’ increasing skills and increasingly better equipment. We are proud to be working again with the AMA, and we have some fantastic new race venues for 2018 including the legendary World Championship Snowmobile Derby in Eagle River, Wisconsin, and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, Nevada.” For more information about the 2018 AMA National Championship Snow Bike Series, call Ron Dillon at (208) 573-4255, or visit www.snowbikeseries.com.

FEBRUARY 2018 • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • SNOWMOTION

2018 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SNOW BIKE SERIES SCHEDULE: ROUND 1: .......... Saturday, December 9, 2017: Hill City,

Minnesota, (Quadna Mountain Resort) ROUND 2: .......... Saturday & Sunday, January 20-21,

2018: Eagle River, Wisconsin (World Championship Snowmobile Derby) ROUND 3: .......... Saturday, January 27, 2018: McCall,

Idaho (McCall Winter Carnival) ROUND 4: .......... Saturday, February 10, 2018: South Lake

Tahoe, Nevada (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe) ROUND 5: .......... Saturday, February 24, 2018: Kalispell,

Montana ROUND 6: .......... Sunday,

March 11, 2018: West Yellowstone, Montana (West Yellowstone Expo)

ROUND 7: .......... Saturday, March 24, 2018: Diamond Lake,

Oregon, (Diamond Lake Lodge)

SNOWMOTION • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • FEBRUARY 2018

SNOWMOBILE EXPO 2018 MAR 8 THU

MAR 10 SAT

WSVSA VINTAGE OVAL CHECK-IN & RACER REGISTATION @ HOLIDAY INN CONVENTION CENTER MAR 8 @ 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

VINTAGE DRIVERS MEETING @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 10 @ 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

MAR 9 FRI VINTAGE DRIVERS MEETING @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 9 @ 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM MWR VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE OVAL RACING – QUALIFYING @ RACETRACK MAR 9 @ 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM EXPO VENDOR AREA @ RACETRACK MAR 9 @ 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM EXPO VENDOR OPENING CEREMONIES @ RACETRACK MAR 9 @ 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM MWR VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE OVAL RACING – FINALS @ RACETRACK MAR 9 @ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM 120 & JUNIOR SNOWCROSS DRIVER CREW MEETING @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 9 @ 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM 120 & JUNIOR SNOCROSS QUALIFYING @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 9 @ 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM M120 & JUNIOR SNOCROSS FINALS @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 9 @ 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM WSVSA VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE ROUND UP REGISTRATION @ THREE BEAR LODGE CONFERENCE ROOM MAR 9 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CASINO NIGHT @ HOLIDAY INN MAR 9 @ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM CALCUTTA FOR THE VINTAGE RACERS @ HOLIDAY INN (AFTER CASINO NIGHT) MAR 9 @ 8:30 PM – 9:00 PM

EXPO VENDOR AREA @ RACETRACK MAR 10 @ 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM MWR VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE OVAL RACING – QUALIFYING ROUNDS @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 10 @ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM VSCA NATIONAL SHOW & WSVSA VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE SHOW @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 10 @ 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MWR VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE OVAL RACING – FINALS @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 10 @ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM M120 & JUNIOR SNOWCROSS DRIVER CREW MEETING @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 10 @ 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM WESTERN GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP M120 RACES & JUNIOR SNOCROSS QUALIFYING @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 10 @ 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM M120 WESTERN GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS & JUNIOR SNOCROSS FINALS @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 10 @ 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM WSVSA VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE AWARDS BANQUET @ HOLIDAY INN MAR 10 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM UTV RACES @ RACETRACK MAR 10 @ 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM

MAR 11 SUN SNOW BIKE RACE REGISTRATION @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 11 @ 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM AMA CHAMPIONSHIP SNOW BIKE SERIES ROUND 6 – PRACTICE @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 11 @ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM EXPO VENDOR AREA @ EXPO AREA MAR 11 @ 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM AMA CHAMPIONSHIP SNOW BIKE SERIES ROUND 6 @ SNOCROSS TRACK MAR 11 @ 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LODGING AND EXPO LODGING & TICKETS PACKAGES, CALL 406-646-7701 OR VISIT YELLOWSTONEDESTINATION.COM.

FEBRUARY 2018 • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • SNOWMOTION

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SNOWMOTION • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • FEBRUARY 2018

SNOWMOBILING WEST YELLOWSTONE,

MONTANA

est Yellowstone is undoubtedly a snowmobiler’s paradise. With more than 143 inches of annual snowfall and 400 miles of trails through some of the most breathtaking scenery anywhere, it continues to top the list of favorite sledding destinations. The trail system begins right in town, where snowmobilers share city streets with motorists, and onto trails in the Custer-Gallatin, Beaverhead and Targhee National forests. Groomed trails provide access to off-trail powder meadows and more advanced back country riding. Local businesses provide snowmobile and clothing rentals on a daily or multiday basis. Snowmobile rentals range from two-up easy riding and trail models to high-powered sleds adapted for mountain and back country riding. Additional equipment, including avalanche beacons and shovels for back country riding, can be rented. National Forest guide service is available for snowmobilers new to the area, and who want to learn more about the trail system or for back country riding. For more information about snowmobiling, trail reports and other winter adventures, visit DestinationYellowstone.com.

THE SOUTH PLATEAU TRAIL

POPULAR TRAILS

THE BIG SKY TRAIL

THE MADISON ARM LOOP located north and west of town, is 20 miles in length. The trail is well maintained and usually provides great wildlife viewing opportunities.

HORSE BUTTE LOOP Another good trail for beginners, the 20-mile trail travels the shores of Hebgen Lake.

Runs along the boundary of Yellowstone. You can ride this trail out and back, or link it up with one of the other trails to make a great loop ride. It provides great views of the area’s mountains, following creeks and rivers away from the crowds.

TWO TOP TRAIL The most famous trail is a popular choice for its variety of terrain and 2,000-foot elevation gain. The trail is groomed, and powder fields abound. On clear days, the surrounding mountain ranges come into view, including the Teton’s, Centennial Mountains, Lionhead, and Yellowstone National Park. Constant driven winds create ghostly ice patterns plastered on the trees at the top of this mountain creating the famous “snow ghosts.” More experienced riders can access extra off-trail riding from the Two Top or Lionhead Trail.

LIONHEAD Follows the Continental Divide, the trail climbs through switchbacks to over 10,000 feet There are numerous bowls with drop offs and overhanging cliffs.

Provides some of the best backcountry snowmobiling in Montana. This challenging 110-mile trail begins just north of West Yellowstone. While the first portion is groomed, the trail quickly turns into an un-groomed powder experience. This area has open bowls, deep fields of snow, and outstanding hill climbing opportunities.

FEBRUARY 2018 • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • SNOWMOTION

15TH ANNUAL WESTERN STATES

VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATIONS WEST YELLOWSTONE ROUND-UP AND

VINTAGE OVAL TRACK RACING

ho would have thought that people would have such a fascination with looking at vintage snowmobiles for 15 years? This year marks the Western States Vintage Snowmobile Association’s (WSVSA) 15th year at the World Snowmobile Expo displaying vintage snowmobiles. The stage is set for one of the largest gatherings of vintage and antique snowmobiles in the West, with our friends from around the U.S. and the north joining in. At one time there were over 200 manufacturers of snowmobiles. Most enthusiasts can only name four. Snowmobiles that have long gone by will get a chance to once again be appreciated. Sleds with names like Chaparral, Sno-Pony, Herter’s, Evinrude, Polaron, Roll-O-Flex, and Fox-Trac will bring back memories of days gone by. The show is a chance to see the uniqueness of the different manufacturers as they were trying to figure out what a snowmobile should look like. Participant’s sleds vary in condition from fully restored to the “barn” find. As the show is on snow, this allows the participants plenty of opportunity to fire up the old sleds and take some “hot” laps around the show area. With this being the 15th Anniversary of the Round-Up, we are expecting a good showing of sleds with a lot of variety among manufacturers and models. Participants register to compete for trophies for each of the different classes broken out by year and condition. Each year WSVSA gives away the “WSVSA Sled of the Year” award at the EXPO. The winners from all the previous year’s

vintage shows in the west will compete for that title. The trophy is awarded the day of the show. The Round-Up is scheduled from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The show is hosted by the WSVSA, which is an umbrella organization for the vintage snowmobile clubs scattered throughout the western U.S. The show is located next to the EXPO Race Track on Iris Street. Participants can register their sleds the day of the show or on Friday night, March 9, at the Three Bears Lodge from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. In addition to the Round-Up, Vintage Oval Track Racing returns to the Expo. In 2013, the EXPO premiered vintage oval racing as an exhibition event. This will be the 6th year of vintage oval racing and it is expected to be better than ever. The races will be held at the EXPO track on both Friday, March 9, and Saturday, March 10. Oval racing in West Yellowstone can trace its roots back to the mid-1960’s. Factory teams would try their wares at the last race of the Western circuit. Some of those racers from the 70’s and 80’s return today to race once again. Vintage racing begins on Friday and will run through the following day. Classes include junior stock single and 340 fan, women’s stock 500 fan, master 50+ super stock 500, stock single cylinder, stock 340 fan and free air, stock 500 fan and free air, mod single cylinder, and mod 340 free air. Additionally, there are stock, fan, free air, and mod 440 classes. After the vintage races are completed, the future snowmobilers will take the track with the 120 cc class.

SNOWMOTION • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • FEBRUARY 2018

KIDS ‘N’ SNOW OFFERING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES A UNIQUE WINTER EXPERIENCE

he high mountain valley town of West Yellowstone, Montana averages over 153” of snow each year. Depending on the year, snow starts to accumulate in late October and stays on the ground through mid-April. Getting outside and engaging in winter activities is critical for the kids in West Yellowstone. However, it can be hard to try something new, find a low cost activity, or find someone to teach you a winter sport. The Kids’N’Snow program (www.kidsnsnow.org) was developed to offer all kids, both local and visitng, the chance to try new things in a safe and fun, hands-on learning environment. Hopefully, childen will be inspired to develop lifelong healthy habits along the way. The Kids’N’Snow program started with a “test” weekend in December 2010 working with strategic partners to create a program just for kids in winter. The weekend was so successful, it was expanded into to a full program featuring one Kids’ weekend each month starting is 2011. After six years, the program has expanded to 1000+ participants spanning more than ten states and several countries over the four weekends each winter. In 2012, the program received the “Tourism Event of the Year” from the Montana Office of Tourism and in 2014, was awarded an AZA Nature Grant, recognizing us as an AZA Nature Play Site. Each weekend includes a variety of outdoor activities: snowshoe hikes with a Forest Service or Yellowstone Park ranger, rides with a sled dog team, outdoor games, snowshoeing and more. Saturday evenings feature “Skating, S’mores’ and Sleddin’.” At the January event, kids have the chance to learn how to ice fish (and get a free rod) as part of the NAIFC-Cabela’s Kids Camp. In 2015, over 150 kids and their parents attended the Camp. The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center offers special learning programs including “Birds of Prey,” finding animal tracks, owl pellets and more. The West Yellowstone Snowmobile Events Committee donates three M120 snowmobiles, handled by volunteers to provide hundreds of free rides for kids (6-10 years) throughout Kids’N’Snow Weekends. The West Yellowstone Snowmobile Trail Grooming committee also contributes their time to create and maintain the track for the M120 rides at the park. For many kids, it is the first time they have ever ridden a snowmobile. We have met several families who have returned from several hundred miles away to multiple Kids’N’Snow weekends for another chance to ride. What better way to promote snowmobiling to a whole new generation? Details and registration can be found at kidsnsnow.org. For more information call the Visitor Information Center at 406-646-7701 or visit DestinationYellowstone.com/plan

FEBRUARY 2018 • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • SNOWMOTION

or those of you new to the EXPO, race events & demonstrations are held at the old airport at the western edge of West Yellowstone off Iris Street.

Parking is available close to the Racetrack. The track is also within walking distance of most lodging facilities.

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® TM Trademark of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates

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SNOWMOTION • BIG SKY PUBLISHING • FEBRUARY 2018