SNOWMOBILE USA

It’s all in the family, a show and sale that’s become the largest in the nation.

Twenty-nine years ago, 1991, in Novi, MI is where it all started for Michigan SNOWMOBILE USA Show & Sale. At the hour of 5 o’clock on that Friday afternoon the show oor opened to 4,210 eager snowmobile enthusiasts! What was rst used as a liquor warehouse was transformed into what is now the World’s Largest Indoor Snowmobile Show & Sale event in the country.

If you attended that show 29 years ago you will remember the feeling of something great happening. Very quickly the show saw massive growth and needed to nd a larger venue. Fortunately, the owners of the Novi Expo Hall also saw growth in their business, and in 2005 nished building the rst-class Suburban Collection Showplace that is now home to the World’s Largest Indoor Snowmobile Show.

How did it begin you might ask? Well, Tom Anderson, owner and producer of the shows got his start in the snowmobile industry in a unique way. It started with the bedtime of his oldest child, Scott. Who ironically has worked for Tom along with his two siblings Lisa & Lori, for 30+ years.

You see, as an infant Scott was just getting to sleep, when along came the neighbor on his 1965 and very noisy sled, racing through the

Dubie. Looks like the trails will be kept in great shape this winter.

As for the Trail situation, Martin noted that the stretch between the Soo and Kinross has improved greatly. They have fixed most of the problems in that area. As you may recall, there viral a couple years ago featuring an SSA groomer sunk in that area. Then, there are a couple of culvert projects. Which, if they work out, should go un-noticed by most sledders. And, a reroute in the Raco area. Moving a bit of Trail just a bit. Maybe this year. Probably

Anyhow, as of June, the SSA is looking good. Good membership. Good leadership. And, a good plan to keep the Trails groomed and open. Also, they keep reSeptember, 2019 - MICHIGAN SNOWMOBILER 11 Arrowheads and one membering the NumDubie. Looks like the ber One Rule: When trails will be kept in great shape this winter. you have a summer picnic, you have to in-

As for the Trail situ- vite the reporter. ation, Martin noted Thanks again guys. As that the stretch between the Soo and Kinross has improved always… What Martin said, “Good food. greatly. They have Good fun. Good comfixed most of the prob- radery.” lems in that area. As you may recall, there was a photo that went viral a couple years ago featuring an SSA groomer sunk in that area. Then, there are a couple of culvert projects. Which, if they work out, should go un-noticed by most sledders. And, a reroute in the Raco area. Moving a bit of Trail just a bit. Maybe this year. Probably

corn elds just outside of Scott’s nursery. As you can imagine, the sounds of snowmobiles made back next year. Anyhow, as of June,then are much different than they are the SSA is lookingtoday. Quiet was not the way one good. Good member-would describe an old sled. Needship. Good leadership. And, a good plan toless to say, the baby crying did not endure Tom to like sleds. keep the Trails groomed and open.A year later Tom was invited to take Also, they keep remembering the Num-a ride on a snowmobile in the Northber One Rule: Whenwoods of Wisconsin. That was all it you have a summer picnic, you have to invite the reporter. took to convert him. He was infected by what Edgar Hetten once said Thanks again guys. Asabout snowmobiling, “it’s a disease always… What Martin said, “Good food. Good fun. Good comwith no cure.” And, more importantly, he enjoyed the feeling he got riding radery.”and taking in all the beauties that Mother Nature in the Winter offered.

continued on page 34 Alexa Peterman & Grandfather, Al Cottle shar a moment over Smores. Yum Yum. SAULT STE MARIE

Alexa Peterman & Grandfather, Al Cottle shar a moment over Smores. Yum Yum.

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September, 2019 - MICHIGAN SNOWMOBILER 11 September, 2019 - MICHIGAN SNOWMOBILER 11 September, 2019 - MICHIGAN SNOWMOBILER 11

Arrowheads and one Dubie. Looks like the trails will be kept in great shape this winter.

As for the Trail situation, Martin noted that the stretch between the Soo and Kinross has improved greatly. They have fixed most of the problems in that area. As you may recall, there was a photo that went viral a couple years ago featuring an SSA groomer sunk in that area. Then, there are a couple of culvert projects. Which, if they work out, should go un-noticed by most sledders. And, a reroute in the Raco area. Moving a bit of Trail just a bit. Maybe this year. Probably

Arrowheads and one next year. Dubie. Looks like the Anyhow, as of June, trails will be kept in the SSA is looking great shape this win- good. Good memberter. ship. Good leadership.

As for the Trail situ- And, a good plan to ation, Martin noted keep the Trails that the stretch be- groomed and open. tween the Soo and Also, they keep reKinross has improved membering the Numgreatly. They have ber One Rule: When fixed most of the prob- you have a summer lems in that area. As picnic, you have to inyou may recall, there vite the reporter. Thanks again guys. As always… What Martin said, “Good food. Good fun. Good comradery.”

was a photo that went viral a couple years ago featuring an SSA groomer sunk in that area. Then, there are a couple of culvert projects. Which, if they work out, should go un-noticed by most sledders. And, a reroute in the Raco area. Moving a bit of Trail just a bit. Maybe this year. Probably

Arrowheads and one next year. Dubie. Looks like the Anyhow, as of June, trails will be kept in the SSA is looking great shape this win- good. Good memberter. ship. Good leadership.

As for the Trail situ- And, a good plan to ation, Martin noted keep the Trails that the stretch be- groomed and open. tween the Soo and Also, they keep reKinross has improved membering the Numgreatly. They have ber One Rule: When fixed most of the prob- you have a summer lems in that area. As picnic, you have to inyou may recall, there vite the reporter. Thanks again guys. As always… What Martin said, “Good food. Good fun. Good comradery.”

was a photo that went viral a couple years ago featuring an SSA groomer sunk in that area. Then, there are a couple of culvert projects. Which, if they work out, should go un-noticed by most sledders. And, a reroute in the Raco area. Moving a bit of Trail just a bit. Maybe this year. Probably next year. Anyhow, as of June, the SSA is looking good. Good membership. Good leadership. And, a good plan to keep the Trails groomed and open. Also, they keep remembering the Number One Rule: When you have a summer picnic, you have to invite the reporter. Thanks again guys. As always… What Martin said, “Good food. Good fun. Good comradery.”

Book Your Rooms Early! 53rd Annual I-500, Feb. 5, 2022 Alexa Peterman & Grandfather, Al Cottle shar a moment over Smores. Yum Yum. Alexa Peterman & Grandfather, Al Cottle shar a moment over Smores. Yum Yum. Alexa Peterman & Grandfather, Al Cottle shar a moment over Smores. Yum Yum.

®

® Chippewa Motors Inc. Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm

CHIPPEWA MOTORS INC. ® 3107 S. M-129 Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783 CHIPPEWA MOTORS INC. 906-632-6651

Sales, Service & Accessories

Mon. - Fri 8:00 - 5:30 ~ Sat. 9:00 - 1:00

3107 S. M-129 ~ Sault Ste Marie, Mi 49783 ~ www.chippewamotors.com We sell Aluma, Sport Haven & Midsota Trailers

CHIPPEWA MOTORS I 906-632-6651 NC. Journey Onward Heated Pool Whirlpool/Sauna ~ WiFi Sales, Service & Accessories Complimentary Breakfast

Close to

Mon. - Fri 8:00 - 5:30 ~ Sat. 9:00 - 1:00 Snowmobile Trails 3107 S. M-129 ~ Sault Ste Marie, Mi 49783 ~ www.chippewamotors.com 1-906-632-6000 We sell Aluma, Sport Haven & Midsota Trailers 3525 I-75 Business Spur Sault Sainte Marie, MI www.super8.com

®

CHIPPEWA MOTORS I 906-632-6651 NC. Journey Onward Heated Pool Whirlpool/Sauna ~ WiFi Sales, Service & Accessories Complimentary Breakfast

Close to

Mon. - Fri 8:00 - 5:30 ~ Sat. 9:00 - 1:00 Snowmobile Trails 3107 S. M-129 ~ Sault Ste Marie, Mi 49783 ~ www.chippewamotors.com 1-906-632-6000 We sell Aluma, Sport Haven & Midsota Trailers 3525 I-75 Business Spur Sault Sainte Marie, MI www.super8.com

CHIPPEWA MOTORS INC. ® 906-632-6651 Journey Onwar Sales, Service & Accessories Heated Pool Whirlpool/Sauna ~ WiFi Complimentary Breakfast

We sell Aluma, Sport Haven Close to Snowmobile Trails

Mon. - Fri 8:00 - 5:30 ~ Sat. 9:00 - 1:00 & Midsota Trailers 1-906-632-6000 3525 I-75 Business Spur 3107 S. M-129 ~ Sault Ste Marie, Mi 49783 ~ www.chippewamotors.com Sault Sainte Marie, MI www.super8.com

We sell Aluma, Sport Haven & Midsota Trailers

Journey Onwar 906-632-6651 Sales, Service & Accessories Heated Pool Whirlpool/Sauna ~ WiFi Complimentary Breakfast Mon. - Fri 8:00 - 5:30 ~ Sat. 9:00 - 1:00 Close to

3107 S. M-129 ~ Sault Ste Marie, Mi 49783 ~ www.chippewamotors.com Snowmobile Trails

We sell Aluma, Sport Haven & Midsota Trailers 1-906-632-6000 3525 I-75 Business Spur Sault Sainte Marie, MI www.super8.com

Journey Onward Heated Pool 906.632.6651 Whirlpool/Sauna ~ WiFi Complimentary Breakfast Close to Sales, Service & Accessories www.chippewamotors.com 1-906-632-6000 3525 I-75 Business Spur Snowmobile Trails Sault Sainte Marie, MI www.super8.com Journey Onward

Heated Pool • Whirlpool/Sauna WIFI • Complimentary Breakfast Close to Snowmobile Trails 1-906-632-6000

3525 I-75 Business Spur • Sault Sainte Marie, MI www.super8.com

Sault Ste Marie is Calling

Tom was invited to take a ride on a snowmobile in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. That was all it took to convert him. He was infected by what Edgar Hetten once said about snowmobiling, “it’s a disease with no cure.”

SNOWMOBILE USA continued from page 33

That and the great people he came to know in the sport. He was hooked…!!

Tom soon became enthralled with all things snowmobiling. With this fascination and years of riding came the creation of a snowmobile magazine called, The Hummer in 1973. He was, for the most part, a one-man show in the beginning wearing all the hats. From the photographer, writer, editor, salesperson, ad design, layout, he did it all.

To sell his magazine, his wife, Bev, in tow with their children, would attend snowmobile races and small shows selling and promoting the magazine. It was soon chosen as the “official publication of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs” with a circulation of over 21,000.

Then a light bulb went off. He wanted his very own show. With Tom’s gift of entrepreneurship, in 1983 the doors opened in Oconomowoc, WI to the very first SNOWMOBILE USA Show & Sale. It was attended by 3,160 snowmobile fans.

The shows have been in many of the Midwest states, but the two anchors are Milwaukee, WI and Novi, Mi. The shows also offer Swap meets (Milwaukee only) and Safety Classes (both shows) and seminars ranging in avalanche training to race school info. It is a place for snowmobilers to come see “all things snowmobiling, under one roof.”

The shows took a hit last year, with both show hall facilities hosting hospitals for COVID-19 patients. After many attempts to locate a venue large enough to host both shows, and keeping safety as a priority for the customers, the displayers, and staff, it was the first time since 1983 that those beloved show doors did not open.

That is not the case this year! The shows are back on and ready to fill that 200,000 square foot, 125+ exhibitors show floor in Milwaukee and 220,000 square foot, 155+ exhibitors showfloor in Novi. See 2022 sleds along with special prices and discounts on accessories, performance parts, belts, oil, decals, clothing accessories, resort packages, magazines, lodging, tours, trail maps, and the list goes on and on! Gather trip information from snowmobile resorts and destination locations from several Midwest and Western states, along with Canadian Provinces. They will be on hand to show off their trail systems and lodging facilities. SNOWMOBILE USA Show & Sale events offer unique insight to products and services you just can’t get from internet searches.

When asked why people attend the shows, Tom said, “The show gives a wide range of snowmobile-oriented products and services in front of thousands of dedicated customers, all within days’ time and in one building. Booth sizes range from 100 square feet all the way up to 4,000 square feet”!

So, whether you are a consumer or want to display, check out www. snowmobileusa for more information. Snowmobile USA Show & Sale is your Snowmobile Superstore!

On a closing question, when asked what the one thing is missing from the show, Tom said, “Quiet”. Once the doors open and the throngs of snowmobilers rush in, the floor is alive with the sounds of sales, reminiscing, laughter, and people enjoying the new season. I guess we just love the sounds that snowmobiling gives us. Both on and off trail. We can’t escape that sound, that smell and that love of the sport.

Here’s to seeing you at SNOWMOBILE USA! It truly is your one-stop snowmobile superstore. Remember, this is a family friendly show. So, bring the kids! That stroller sure does make for a nice “shopping cart” at the end of the show. And don’t forget to check out the Mr.Snow booth for some free kids games!

Snowmobile USA show hours Friday from 5-10, Saturday 10-7 and Sunday 10-4. Admission is $12.00, children 12 and under free. Get a jump on the season with special deals and big savings at Snowmobile USA. Come to see, shop, and save at SNOWMOBILE USA Show & Sale! •