New in-stock sleds arriving daily! Now is the time to service your sled for the upcoming season. Call your local
dealer to schedule a maintenance appointment.
Cannon Power Sports Inc. Cannon Falls 507-263-4532 cannonpower.com
Chopper City Sports Fridley 763-572-2100 choppercity.com
Davis Motorsports Delano 763-972-5045 davismotorsportsdelano.com Hansen Sports on Bay Lake Deerwood 218-678-2051 hansensonbaylake.com
Chopper Powersports Maple Plain 763-479-3719 triksports.com
Duluth Lawn & Sport Duluth 218-628-3718 duluthlawnandsport.com
Northway Sports East Bethel 763-413-8988 northwaysports.com
Podein’s Power Equipment Stewartville 507-533-8841 podeinspowerequipment.com
WARNING: Professional rider on a closed course. Polaris® recommends that all snowmobile riders take a training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride.
January 2024 Contents Minnesota Snowmobiling is the official publication of the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MnUSA). The publication is a benefit of membership in MnUSA ($35 annual membership).
u FEATURES 22 Riding In Style Around Naytahwaush 26 Snowmobile Safety Week 28 From The Safety Committee
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S AR E 5Y
Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association MnUSA Executive Board President Mike Clevenger Secretary Gordon Heitke Treasurer Janet Widness Director at Large Scott Wakefield Past Presidents Scott Wakefield, Greg Sorenson, Rod Seibel, Mark Kavanaugh, Gayle Quistgard, Mark Steinmueller, Keith Twombly, Terry Hutchinson, Curt Berg, Harold Brace, Bob Linn, Diane Wallenta, Jeff Mausolf, Bob King, Larry Shepherd, Bill Kullberg, LeRoy Strehlo, Tom Decker, Mary Violett, Allen Eglinton, Al Lalim, Harold Tomkins Minnesota Snowmobiling (ISSN 1085-1054) is published seven times a year for $14 in September, October, November, December, January, February, and March by Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association, 7040 Lakeland Ave N., Suite 212, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428. Periodicals Postage Paid at Fargo, ND and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association, 7040 Lakeland Ave N., Suite 212, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
PUBLISHER Dan Ferris EDITOR Scott Wakefield ART DIRECTOR / COPY EDITOR Dena Gervasi ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Chuck Gekas ADVERTISING SALES Jim Gekas, Mark Hunkeler, Larry Ladowski, Roger Cormier, Greg Jones EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Christina Davies, Mike Clevenger, Doug Franzen, Scotty Harder, Valdi Stefanson, Mike Carr CONTRIBUTIONS: Letters, manuscripts, stories, materials and photographs are welcome but cannot be returned unless sender provides a SASE. Minnesota Snowmobiling is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and drawings. Submission of articles and letters implies the right to edit and publish in all or part.
30 Dangers On The Trail: Mitigating Risks on a Family Snowmobiling Outing u DEPARTMENTS 4
From the Editor
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From the President
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Directors
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Legislative News
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MnUSA News
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Vintage News
34 Club News 36 MnUSA Business Supporters
UPCOMING EVENTS
» Dec. 27 – February issue deadline for Minnesota Snowmobiling » Jan. 13-21 – International Snowmobile Safety Week » Jan. 27 – Veterans Appreciation Ride, Grand Rapids » Feb. 8-14 – Winter Rendezvous, Ottertail
ADVERTISING MWO Media Phone: 847-707-8511 chuck@mwomedia.com www.mnsnowmobiler.org Send all advertising materials to: MWO Media, 111 Shore Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527 Copyright © 2024 by Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without consent of the publisher.
Winter Rendezvous 2023
For more info on upcoming MnUSA & club events:
www.mnsnowmobiler.org
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From the Editor Scott Wakefield It’s our Annual Safety Issue and, as you are aware, all of us know safety is our number one priority at MnUSA. It’s all fun and games, but at the end of the day, we all need to get home at night and be safe in our beds to start a new day without worry or incident. Which reminds me of the old Burma Shave signs, and this one as it pertains to snowmobiling: “The unsuspecting widow sat by the phone—you had to speed on your snowmobile—and now she lives alone.”
As some of you know, I’ve been working on a reroute/new trail, with the Crow River Sno Pro’s in McLeod County since March, and am finally close to being done. Well, I’d never have gotten it done for a lot of reasons, but for three farmers willing to take a chance on a 120-day temporary permit from Dec. 1st to March 31st, it would’ve never happened. This issue is also dedicated to those farmers and landowners that make it happen and allow us to use their property. Clubs are meeting and having get-togethers. Send in your Club News and Milestones; we need to know what good things you’re doing within our “community.” Every weekend there’s a vintage show this time of year, none bigger than the Midwest Ride-In. Grab your favorite vintage ride, go to a show and wear your “colors” with pride. Take a ride to your favorite sledding destination. This issue will feature winning city #1! More favorite Minnesota snowmobile cities to come in upcoming issues. Vote now by emailing oliver1650@icloud.com
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Minnesota Snowmobiling
11/3/2023 2:20:46 PM
From the MnUSA President
Boots on the Ground Mike Clevenger By now, many of you have volunteered your manpower, equipment, and time to putting in trails. It is a misconception of those outside our organization that these trails are put in and maintained by the MN Department of Natural Resources. Boy, are they so wrong! Without club members like you, none of the 22,000 miles of trails would be in existence. How do we get the word out that it is a necessary ritual that takes People Power? At a recent MnUSA Region 5 club meeting, the Covered Bridge Riders shared a sign that thanked landowners for access to their property and establish trails on their land. Yes, we need these landowners and those who know how the trail system works. Respect for their property is a must! We have already seen the consequences of trespassing and the effect it has on your trails, whether it be a reroute or a total closure. Take the time to stop and educate those you see are jeopardizing our sport. Every little bit of education may save a trail.
My challenge for you would be to share these ideas with me, and in the upcoming issue I can provide both ideas to acknowledge landowners as well as volunteers. Email your ideas to cmclevenger3@gmail.com. Let’s see what type of response we get and what brainstorming ideas can do to help us show our appreciation. Without you, trails would not exist! Thank you for all you do!
Let’s not forget the volunteers who give so much for snowmobiling. Find some way to show your appreciation for all the endless hours individuals donate. Provide a meal, send a thank you note, personally thank them, or post a sign that shows the names of those who work so tirelessly to keep volunteer moral high. Although some of these individuals do not want this type of recognition, just a simple thank you may be sufficient. For those of you who have club houses, it may be as simple as having a coffee pot available and occasionally some type of snack. Many of you may have even better ideas and it would be great to be able to share these ideas with other clubs, should your club have come up with something that is working for you.
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MnUSA Directors Executive Board
Directors
President
Region 1 Dale Dahlen, 2321 Pebble Beach Rd NW East Grand Forks, 56721, 218-791-6679 dodahlen@ hotmail.com
Mike Clevenger-XM 7302 NW 97th Ave Morristown, 55052 507-838-5713 cmclevenger3@gmail.com
Treasurer Janet Widness - XM 43390 220th St Clitherall 56524 218-731-6126 jwstulk@prtel.com Secretary Gordon Heitke - XM 2270 300th Ave Mora 55051 763-234-6712 gheitke@gmail.com Director-At-Large Scott Wakefield -XM 12620 Co Rd 30 Waconia 55387 612-483-5638 oliver1650@icloud.com
Mike Boucher, 27528 230th St SW, Crookston 56716 218-280-3385 mjb86@yahoo.com Gail Friborg, 37857 Fairground Rd Bagley, 56621, 218-694-2840 pfgf@gvtel.com
Dick Kuttner, 522 Shady Ridge Rd NW Hutchinson, 55350, 320-587-6536 richardk@hutchtel.net
Jeff Lovold, 603 2nd Ave SE, Roseau 56751 218280-1941 Aaron Swanson, 10218 Beverly Dr NW, Bemidji, 56601; 218-689-6686 aaronleeswanson@gmail.com
Committee Chairs
By-Laws: Rick Johnson-XM · 612-935-7249
Troy Johnson, 5140 County Rd 4 Cromwell, 55726, 218-390-0046 tntjohnson547@hotmail.com
Communications: Scott Wakefield-XM · 612-483-5638 Charity/Awards: Janet Widness-XM · 218-731-6126 Elections/Nominations: Greg Sorenson · 218-393-0413 Finance/Audit: Gordon Heitke-XM · 763-234-6712 Fund Raising: Mark Steinmueller-XM · 320-679-3653 Land Access: OPEN Legislative/DNR/Trails: Terry Hutchinson-XM · 612-581-6627 Membership: Jerry Hanson-XM · 763-536-0472 Merchandise: Dick Theis · 763-494-3838 Safety: Scotty Harder · 612-860-0606 Site Selection: Mark LaBaw-XM · 952-221-2564 Website/Social Media: Mark Kavanaugh-XM · 218-330-7380
Region 5 Mike Clevenger-XM, 7302 NW 97th Ave Morristown, 55052, 507-838-5713 cmclevenger3@gmail.com Coy Borgstrom, 20 E Veterans Memorial Hwy, Kasson, 55944, 507-251-1199 coy3911@gmail.com Bill Gehn, Red Wing, 651-388-7541 william_gehn@hotmail.com Paul Maruska, 26276 Drexel Ave, New Prague, 56071, 952-212-2293 ptmaruska81@gmail.com
Jerry Kujala-XM, 4951 Spirit Lake Rd Mt. Iron, 55768, 218-735-8446 jdkujala@gmail.com De Lyle Pankratz, 7756 Ely Lake Dr Eveleth, 55734, 218-744-1375 dwpankratz@yahoo.com Steve Thomopolous, 3152 County Rd 2 S International Falls, 56649, 218-283-4025 greekman1122@ yahoo.com Randy Vannet, 28938 Arbo Rd Grand Rapids 55744, 218-244-6797 randy.vannet@gmail.com Region 3 Tom Jann, 21668 Peterson Creek Dr Deerwood, 56444, 218-839-1230 lakejann@gmail.com Allen Beumer, 10234 410th Ave Hillman, 56338, 320-355-2257 abeumer1845@gmail.com
Region 6 Bill Prinsen, 5011 121 St N, White Bear Lake 55110, 651-260-8508 billprinsen@hotmail.com
Jason Hendrickx-XM, 18539 93rd St SE Becker, 55308, 320-292-5926 jasonhendrickx@gmail.com
Brett Huneke, Hastings Ken Zak, 20629 Kenrick Ave, Lakeville, 55044, 952-469-2246 kjnbaa@frontier.net Region 7 Randy Laberge-XM, 5424 Lax Lake Rd Silver Bay, 55614, 218-353-7697 dandrlaberge@hotmail.com
Rick Johnson-XM, 4353 Briarwood Ln, Hopkins, 55343, 952-935-7249 rick@teampro.net Phillip Lockett, 218-348-9161 lockettphillip@yahoo.com Scott Seely, Two Harbors 218-830-1028, srseely@gmail.com Gary Vezina, Duluth 218-722-2852
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Region 8 Dick Theis, 20575 Co Rd 10 Hamel, 55340, 763494-3838 dickt.barbc@gmail.com Randy Baudler, 9259 FoxlineDr N Corcoran, 55340, 763-420-5526 rbslawn@gmail.com Ray Ehrlich, 23105 Larsen Rd., Corcoran, 55340, 763-354-6476 raehrlich@gmail.com Mark LaBaw-XM, 1471 Independence Ave Chaska, 55318, 952-221-2564 mlabawstillafishn@yahoo.com Region 9 Steve “Woody”Widness-XM, 43390 220th St Clitherall, 56524, 218-731-1286 jwstulk@prtel.com Jeff Alberts, 17321 Otto Zeck Rd, Detroit Lakes 56501, 218-847-1241, mtnmtrs@arvig.net Donald Hansen, PO Box 94 Cyrus, 56323, 320-795-2741 Greg Strommen, 903 9th Ave SE, Barnesville, 56514, 701-212-7002, gstromm165@gmail.com
Tim Heinen, Lakeville
Dan Hamilton, Duluth, 651-398-2461 danielhamilton@aol.com
Scotty Harder, PO Box 250 Zimmerman 55398, 612-860-0606, sharder67@msn.com
Bill Ylatupa-XM, 43 Garden Dr Silver Bay, 55614, 218-220-8189 ylatupa2@gmail.com
Jeremy Goebel 11210 7th St S, Cottage Grove 55016 651-308-0398 goebeljeremy1985@gmail.com
Ryan Boe, 5146 Jean Duluth Rd Duluth 55803, 218-349-5578 ryanboe@hotmail.com
Scott Haley, 14394 105th Ave Milaca, 56353, 612-670-6027 cody30@frontiernet.net
John Olmscheid, PO Box 160 Elrosa, 56325, 320-250-3271 johnolmscheid@frontier.com
Rodney Boesch, PO Box 337, Amboy 56010 507340-2820 rod.boesch@boeschcrt.com Jeff Kack-XM, PO Box 55 Appleton, 56208, 320-289-1069 jkack@mchsi.com
Region 2 Jack White, 11914 Main St, PO Box 514 Northome, 56661, 218-897-5764 jwhite@paulbunyan.net
Booth: Dean Thompson · 763-441-8555
Region 4 Sheri Gades-XM, 103 5th St N Danvers, 56231, 320-760-3526 gades@fedteldirect.net
Minnesota Snowmobiling
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MnUSA Office: 7040 Lakeland Ave N, Ste 212, Brooklyn Park 55428 ph.763-577-0185 fax 763-577-0186
Legislative News
Coming Together Doug Franzen Looking out my window, I see a blanket of fresh snow. It’s December 4th and our snowmobiles are ready to get out on the trails. We are ready too! Unfortunately, we must wait. This is a time of waiting (a wonderful prize for anyone who gets the reference). On the news last night, Lisa Meadows announced that the snow would be gone as we warm to the 50s this week. Yet, by the time you read this, there should be plenty of snow. While the weather folks tell us there is a chance for a brown winter, something about El Niño winds over the Pacific Ocean. I hope they are wrong. Remember the brown winter of 2012? Our season was pretty much ruined, and our dedicated fund went into a deficit. Yet somehow, snowmobilers had a lot of fun. The (brown) Winter Rendezvous in Fairmount was a gas! This remembrance leads me to a bold statement— snowmobiling with a MnUSA club is so much more than just snowmobiling. Whether it’s 50 above or 20 below, we can’t be kept inside. We walk in the woods, we raise tons of money for noble charities, we train our youth, we dream of that unforgettable ride, we support our communities, and we complain because we love to complain. In other words, we are Minnesotans.
Warning: Off road vehicles can be hazardous to operate. Always wear a helmet and take a safety training course.
320-764-1000
720 Hwy 55 West, Watkins, MN 55389
320-253-7878
3653 32nd Street SE, St. Cloud, MN 56304 www.miesoutland.com
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There are things that snowmobilers have taught me: 1. MnUSA members are at their best in a crisis. We band together for our common good, and act decisively. We overcome the challenges and win the day. Conversely, when everything is fine, we get bored and a bit lazy. To occupy our time, we argue about stuff. 2. We have strong opinions about most everything. We disagree and yet, somehow, we come back together. Simply, we care. 3. Under sometimes gruff and argumentative exteriors, we are kind and generous. When somebody needs help, snowmobilers are there to help, regardless of any differences we may have. From time to time over the years, I’ve found myself in heated disagreement with a couple of people. I didn’t like them, and they didn’t like me. That’s only human. Yet, necessity forced us to find solutions to the issues. We needed to compromise. Eventually we learned to overcome our disagreements and personality issues. We became close friends. One of the most important things you have taught me is that opponents can become friends and allies. That’s transcendent.
January 2024
320-764-1000
720 Hwy 55 West, Watkins, MN 55389
320-253-7878
3653 32nd Street SE, St. Cloud, MN 56304 www.miesoutland.com
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MnUSA News Thank a Minnesota Farmer by Scott J. Wakefield
If you have ever had to re-route a trail or start a new trail, you know the consternation of having to go out and “cold call” landowners, to let our smelly, loud, wandering snowmobiles on their property. Well, not anyone reading this but those “other guys,” right? That’s right, the 2% of the snowmobilers out there that must ruin it for the rest of us. Well, thank goodness we have landowners and farmers that are willing to give us a chance. Thank goodness for our farmers. We would be lost, with a good majority of our trails in the middle and southern Minnesota areas without our great Minnesota Farmers. And so, it’s with great appreciation we honor them in this issue of Minnesota Snowmobiling magazine. If you see a farmer that has allowed your club to put a trail on their property, thank them. Go out of your way to thank them, wave when you see them out on the road, walk over to them as your leaving church on Sunday and thank them, ask them how’s it going, if you see them at the gas station, say hi, if they have an open house, for some reason, attend, make a donation, send a card. Going out of your way to make an impression goes a long way to help bond that relationship. If there’s an issue, call right away and follow up with a stop. The county made me go door to door to
residents affected by a new reroute—the good ol’ cold calling days. And if they didn’t answer or were not home, I had to leave a door hanger with my contact info. So, a lady had a concern and contacted me via email, and was quite upset, so I emailed her back. But I got a sense in my gut it didn’t satisfy her. So, I asked her what time she got home from work, and I stopped over. We hit it off and we are what I would consider “good.” Even if you have the right to go in the right of way by the road authority, let the landowners know what you’re doing. They will appreciate it more than if they wake up one morning to sleds in “their” front yard. I know if it wasn’t for three farmers giving me a chance, my reroute wouldn’t have made it through, so thanks Mike S., Tim Z, and Jim N., much appreciated.
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• Roller saves you time and fuel. • Easy to operate. • Sideways-slide protection for side-hill trails. • Hydraulically controlled blade in front of the roller drags snow along and levels bumps before the roller packs the trail surface. • Roller is made of 3/8” thick x 36” diameter pipe.
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Minnesota Snowmobiling
MnUSA Region 9 hosting at Thumper Pond Resort in Ottertail • Feb. 8-11, 2024
Registration Form & Hotel Info We’re keeping costs down by generous donations from area businesses and clubs! No Snow Event - Tours, Games, Fun Surprises being planned.
– Hotel Information • Blocked until January 25 – Thumper Pond Resort (host) $99.95 per room Call 1-877-294-7981 toll free or 218-367-2000
The Otter Hotel $75 per room ... Call 218-308-9182
Must call to get discount! Blocked under MnUSA! Other close hotel Grand Stay in Perham
– Registration Form • Early Bird until January 4 –
Includes the whole weekend and meals except VIP Ride Lunch! Name(s) ________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ City/State/Zip_____________________________
Cell No. ____________
Email __________________________________________________ Club Your With ___________________________________________ MnUSA Region you or club are from _____________
Add $20 per registration January 5-20 for just Adults. No. of Adults (13 & Up): _____________ @ $50 each = $ ____________
–0– No. of Kids (12 & Under): _________ @ Free each = $ ___________ VIP Ride Lunch – extra funds from lunch will be donated to Vet’s Ride No. For Lunch:
_____________ @ $20 each = $ ___________
Total Amount Paid: Check # ___________
$ _____________
Confirmation will be texted or emailed. Special Food or Allergies, please note on registration
Make check payable to: MnUSA Region 9 Memo: Winter Rendezvous Mail to:
MnUSA Region 9 43390 220th St.
c/o Steve Widness Clitherall, MN 56515
Questions: Woody 218-731-1286 or Janet 218-731-6126
Follow MnUSA Region 9 Facebook Page for updates and some special surprises!
January 2024
• Events So Far •
Thursday - On your own - Due to everyone having different arrival times. Local establishments have food and beverages. Friday - VIP Ride with Lunch Social Hour Loaded Taco Buffet
Ventriloquist James Wedgewood and friends Saturday Guided Rides • Social Hour Banquet and Awards • Auctions Italian-Style Buffet, Dessert Sunday General/BOD Meetings Friday-Sunday Mornings Pastries, Coffee and Juice Somethings may change as we get closer to event and we will let you know.
To order shirts/sweatshirts, check MnUSA website - upcoming events. Logo shown in upper left corner
Register by January 4 for discount, guaranteed food! 9
MnUSA News An Invitation from RIDE COMMAND
As the new riding season kicks off, RIDE COMMAND® invites all Minnesota snowmobile clubs to make sure their trails are up-to-date and accurate on the snowmobile map for the RIDE COMMAND website, mobile app and in-vehicle display. Clubs that already have a RIDE COMMAND trail manager are able to make revisions on their computers, which go live the next day, creating real-time accuracy for the trails they manage. Accurate trails improve rider navigation. They also help riders stay on designated trails, prevent trespass issues, and improve rider safety. Clubs can also create Premium Points-of-Interest on the map for their business sponsors, providing them free of charge or at a fee to raise club funds.
MnUSA Donates to Toys for Tots
Region 8 of MnUSA has donated to Toys for Tots for nearly 20 years. This year’s group included Dick Theis, Lead Director; Scott J. Wakefield, Director at Large; Mark LaBaw, Site Selection Chairman; Jerry Hanson, Membership Chairman. Not pictured: Nancy Hanson, MnUSA Executive Coordinator.
To have your club join RIDE COMMAND, appoint a club member to be the designated RIDE COMMAND trail manager. To submit an application, they can go to ridecommand.polaris.com, scroll to the bottom of the home page and tap “Club/Trail Manager.”
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Stay connected with Polaris’ Ride Command.
Minnesota Snowmobiling
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January 2024
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MnUSA News ALS Circle Tour—Join the Mission Experience the incredible journey that led to the start of the Black Woods Blizzard Tour. From the humble beginnings of the initial ALS Circle Tour in 1999, the team of riders has come a long way. Five days before their first tour around the lake in 1999, team member and former MnUSA president Greg Sorenson learned that his dad had been diagnosed with ALS. He and the other riders were already planning to raise money for ALS, but now it suddenly became not just a ride but a mission! From January 31 through February 7, 2024, six riders will be revisiting history as they set out on a mission riding snowmobiles around Lake Superior to raise $100,000 and spread awareness for ALS. You are invited to be a part of this meaningful cause. Feel the determination and passion that fuels the team as they strive to make a difference. Go to their web page www.alscircletour.com to discover the stories behind the success, the challenges faced, and the incredible moments that shaped them.
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All donations received will go directly towards ALS. This includes patient care, in addition to research and development for a cure. All donations are tax deductible.
Buy America FRTP Waivers Available
The next round of Federal Recreational Trail Program grants will be open in December with the instructions and application form on the DNR website at www.dnr.state. mn.us/grants/recreation/trails_federal.html The application deadline is February 23, 2024. Snowmobile related trail projects are needed, especially those with multiuse motorized/non-motorized users. After much communication with government officials regarding the need to reinstate waivers, for equipment, bridges, etc., this year there is now a waiver for iron and steel so you are not limited to products that comply with Buy America. FRTP applies the “user-pay/user-benefit” philosophy of the Highway Trust Fund, returning a portion of the federal tax on fuel used for non-highway recreation to the states for trail projects. Presently the FRTP program receives $84M from an approximate $270+M paid in federal gas tax by off highway recreational users per year. Minnesota receives $2.7M from those funds with $2.1M going to the grant program.
Minnesota Snowmobiling
The Snow NEWS Report (Snow News is Good News!) A UNITED SNOWMOBILE ALLIANCE PUBLICATION
improve organized snowmobiling at USA Mission Statement the national level along with sharing The United Snowmobile Alliance, Inc, is dedicated ideas and programs from our to the preservation and promotion of environmember states. We have several mentally responsible organized snowmobiling and places to keep up with the latest! the creation of safe and sustainable snowmobiling You can find us on Facebook: in the United States. @Unitedsnowmobilers and on our website at • Objectives: An active national advocate for www.unitedsnowmobilealliance.com snowmobiling. You can reach us via eͲmail at • To promote the orderly development of all snowmobiling in the United States through info@unitedsnowmobilealliance.com. the cooperative efforts of the member states. • To encourage the safe, courteous, lawful, and We Support Sustainable responsible use of snowmobiles. Trails • To act as a medium for the exchange of information and ideas between the participating We are working with other OffͲRoad State Associations, InternationVehicle Organizations to work with al Organizations, Government Officials / the U.S. Forest Service to create a Agencies and other organizations. sustainable trail strategy. For more • To promote the exchange of information and ideas among the members of the Alliinformation, please visit our news ance and between this Alliance and other page located Here. snowmobile organizations of the International Snowmobile Council, the International Upcoming Events Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, and any other organization, governmental or priThe 56th International Snowmobile Congress will be held in Green Bay, vate, involved with snowmobiling in any way. Wisconsin at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, June 13—15, 2024. • To join with and support other organizations Congress is a gathering of leaders from across the world of snowmobiling concerned with motorized and nonͲ countries to discuss issues facing our sport. Also, there will be educational motorized outdoor recreation in the United classes, guest speakers and fun activities! Come and meet the leaders of States and elsewhere. organized snowmobiling and make your voice heard (and have fun doing it)! • To promote responsible access to public land You can find more information at their website, www.snowmobilers.org/isc and forge trust and respect for private landowners who allow access to their land for USA, Inc. Corporate Officers snowmobiling. TAKE Greetings to all our fellow snowmobilers in the U.S. and friends from around the world! We hope you enjoy this new publication designed to be a dropͲin for your state snowmobile association newsletters or magazines. Our intent is to publish news of interest to our members on a regular basis. This will allow members to understand what their national organization is doing to
Jeff Miller, Chairman, 413Ͳ522Ͳ0796 Scott Jones, Vice Chair. 518Ͳ281Ͳ5810
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Janelle Kukuk, Treasurer, 718Ͳ580Ͳ0799
FRIEND
Marcia Miller, Secretary, 413Ͳ522Ͳ2650
RIDING WEEK!
Contact:
Feb. 10Ͳ19 2024
info@unitedsnowmobilealliance.com
November 2023 Vol 2, Issue 1 January 2024
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MnUSA News Sponsor the Veterans Appreciation Ride
Minnesota Snowmobile Education and Advancement Fund (MSEAF) and Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MnUSA) will be hosting the 16th annual snowmobile ride for the Veterans and Active Duty Military personnel in January of 2024 in recognition and appreciation of our veterans who have given part of their lives to serve all of us.
The event is for both experienced snowmobilers and those who would like to give it a try. We are seeking donations to help defray the costs of lodging, meals, sled rental and fuel. Donations in any amount are welcome or you may Sponsor a Vet for $225. Donations may be sent payable to MSEAF at 7040 Lakeland Ave. N. #212, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428. With a donation or sponsorship, you will be recognized at the event, in our publication and on our web site. All funds designated “Veterans Ride” will be segregated for that purpose only. The IRS has recognized MSEAF as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donors will receive a card recognizing their donation and tax deductibility of donations. MSEAF and MnUSA thank you for your assistance and sincerely appreciate your support! For more information or to be part of this great event, go to www.mnvetsnowmobileride.org. Registration is now open.
NEW SNOWMOBILE RENTALS
Open early on the weekends for breakfast, cappuccino and lunch and dinner everyday. Multiple airbnb style lodging units available and have 12 Polaris 2024 sleds to rent. Come visit our friendly staff and enjoy our world class trails. Visit our website or Facebook page for more details.
www.pequaywaninn.com
www.facebook.com/pequaywaninnmn
8744 Pequaywan Lake Road Duluth, MN 55803
mps New 24/7 Gas Pu ts uc od pr il so and Am available! 14
(right off of the state trail)
218-848-2201 Minnesota Snowmobiling
MnUSA News Limited-edition T-shirts & Hats
We have limited-edition 45th Anniversary T-shirts in all sizes, and numerous colors of hats. We have a plethora of items we can customize with the MnUSA logo. Contact Merchandise Chairman Dick Theis at 763-3509351 or email him at dickt.barbc@gmail.com.
THE WAIT IS OVER
MnUSA 45th Anniversary t-shirts and hats.
What’s Happening at MnUSA? Go to our website and look under events. Also, past issues of the magazine are available to view on the website...check them out!
mnsnowmobiler.org
The Model Year 2024 reinvents riding, one sled at a time.
e c r u o for Clutch Tuning S E TH Components!
Country Cat Sauk Centre 320-351-4481 countrycat.com
Dalton’s “Quick Adjust” Flyweights Our most popular, where the grams can be added or subtracted without even removing the flyweights from the primary. Designs for Arctic, Polaris, Yamaha. NEW! All new designs for the 22+ Arctic Adapt clutch Arctic and the Polaris P22.
Pro Tuner Series Flyweights -for Skidoo pDrive primaryDPT-902, 903 versions for 850 clicker type primary, and DPT-900-T, and 901-T, 901-TM series for the 900 Ace Turbo models pDrive. Models for 900 Ace Turbo primary clutch. DPT-901-T 900-T/901-TM series also feature some of the adjustability in the Dalton “Quick Adjust” method, which allows some DPT-902 fine tuning without having to remove the flyweight from the clutch. See website for details and gram ranges. Note: We, of course, still have plenty of versions of pins, springs, etc., for earlier Skidoo TRA! Springs We continually develop more springs for tuning. There are primary and secondary springs for most models, including some new versions for Polaris Team pDrive secondary, more Arctic versions, more versions for Skidoo, including pDrive Skidoo primary springs. Helixes We manufacture helixes for all brands, the list is always growing. See website for details of high quality construction, and available angles list. Choose a helix from our website, it most often gets cut and shipped within the next day or two. Fast Shipping! FedEx standard air shipping (2-3 business days) is $19 anywhere in North America, excluding Alaska. Priority overnight available in most areas of Canada and USA. Contact us for details and Alaska/international rates.
Dalton daltonindustries.com January 2024
Lighthouse Motorsports Rosemount 651-322-4420 lighthousemotorsports.com Moorhouse Motorsports New Germany 507-491-6217 moorhousemotorsports.com MotoProz, Inc. Mazeppa 507-843-2855 motoproz.com Always wear a helmet and don’t drink and ride. ©2021 Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. All rights reserved.
15
Vintage News
Coffin racer.
Winning awards at the Midwest Ride-In is the best of the best.
Boa Brotherhood Attends Midwest Ride-In by Valdi Stefanson Last January at ERX Motor Park in Elk River one of the “brand loyalty” groups in attendance was the Boa Brotherhood. Their passion is the small-run 1968-77 Quebec manufacturer—Boa Ski.
imagine, it took some creativity to plumb these massive engines within the narrow engine bay and squat hood. The “coffin” racer was so named How’d you like to meet these two on the trail? because the hood opened sideways, and the seat top was rounded. Its steering shaft had to run over the engine first, before a U-joint jutted the shaft downward to the bell crank & tie rods. The second racer demonstrates a model where the hood and chassis had no room for three exhaust pipes. What could they do? The answer was the triple “bagpipe” mufflers that pointed upwards and just plain fogged the driver’s face. Operators report that at first, they felt a stinging in their eyes. Followed soon thereafter, the report was of a “woozy feeling” …
Check out these two most unusual models—both racers and both powered by triple-cylinder Hirth “Honker” engines. As you might Big Hirth “Honker” engines in these Boa Skis.
Book Your Room Today & Relax With Us.
48153 Highway 59 Pelican Rapids, MN 56572 218.863.8000 “I’d highly recommend Lakes Inn at Dunvilla. The staff provides a great guest experience. We will be back!” ~ Ken Larson, President, Up North Technologies
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• Large Parking Lot • Free Wi-Fi Access • Complimentary Hot Breakfast • Exercise Facilities • Indoor Saltwater Pool • Whirlpool Spa • Lounge • Lobby Fireplace • Meeting / Party Room Tammy Kinsella Graphic Design & Marketing, LLC
16
Minnesota Snowmobiling
2024 MIDWEST RIDE-IN JANUARY 26-27, 2024 ERX Motor Park, Elk River, MN
World’s Largest Antique, Vintage and Classic Snowmobile Event
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FUN! THE JOIN COME ERX Motor Park 21591 US Hwy 169 Elk River, MN 55330 January 2024
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Rob Abear Jeff Alberts Adam & Wanda Alsleben Darren Amdahl Keith & Michelle Anderson Mark Anderson Chris & Doreen Anderson Mitchell Bahr Deb Pomroy & Ray Barnes Edward Barnick Wally Barry Tony & Val Barthel William R Barthold Troy Beckers Bruce Bekkerus Michael Belanger Randy Benson Richard & Lilly Berg Jake Berger Trent Bernatz Keith & Heather Berndt Steve & Carolyn Blake Berdell Boraas Tim & Karen Bothun Mike & Joelle Boucher Mike Brandt Jill & Randy Brandt Gordon Brekken Brian Brown Charlie & Carol Brown Kelly and Toni Brown Ken Brown Jim Bryant Richard Buresh Jim & Laura Bush Gary Butz Jim Carlson Robert Carney Tom Chamberland
Tim & Linda Clark Dale & Sonya Clementson Michael Clevenger Mike & Cheryl Clevenger Mark & Lori Coleman J. A. Connelly Chuck & Jacqueline Coryell Tim & Nancy Coughlin Steve Cowing Randy Demmer Michael & Mary Denker Charles & Sandy Doherty Trent Dore Bill Douglas Raymond Driver Wade & Melissa Dykema Mike & Chris Eck Pat Eilen Mark & Patti Eldred Brad Eldred JP Elsenpeter Jill Erickson-Buresh Rick & Shelley Evenson Ron Feist Jim & Belinda Folz Christian Franzen Joe Frederick Tom & Jill Furrer Sheri & Russell Gades Mark Garcea Joe Gerrits Bill Gibson Alex Gould Larry Grabanski John & Patty Grausam Myk Greenfield Ed & Judy Grelson Grudell Family Allen & Michele Gruidl
XM Members
Jeremy D Haak Marlys Knutson Donald & Thelma Hansen Neva Kueffer Scotty Harder William Kuehn Dan Hartel Jerry Kujala Dane, Barb & Rebekah Hasbrouck Kenny Kukacka Logan Haueter Greg Kunz Arne & Sharon Heggedal Mark & Kathy LaBaw Joseph & Katie Heidelberger Randy LaBerge Dennis Heimerman Mark Langevin Kason Heinecke Orv & Dee Langohr Glen & Jane Heino John & Karen Larsen Bob Hellerud Brian & Paula Larson Jeff & Catherine Hendricks Ken Larson Jack & Julie Hensley Larry & Donna Larson Troy and Kelly Hesli Levi & Kristen LaVallee Duane Hiemenz LaVallee Inc Rex & Arlene Holzemer Kevin & Lisa Leary Bruce & Lee Ann Hughes Tim & Tammy LePage Terry & Debbie Hutchinson Roger & Donna Letcher SledDad Isaak Ken Lewis William & Sherri Jarvis Kevin Lewison Kevin & Julie Jergenson Anders Lindstrom Todd Johnson Jay Loeffler Richard & Judith Johnson Michael Lommel Terry Johnson Dave & Laurie Lorence Charlie & Sue Johnson Gary & Judy Lothenbach Paula Jones Brian & Janeen Lucker Jeff & Louise Kack Brian & Penny Lund Kathy Karkula Nathan & Angela Lund Steve & Terri Kast Paul & Barb Maki Jerry Kastner Mike Manderfeld Mark & Susan Kavanaugh David & Dianna Martin Ed Kedzierzawski Mark and Laurie Martinson Jim & Ellen Keesling Joel Matter Paul Kirscht Shawn Mayer Bob & Stacy Klemetson Jon & Tawni Maynard Earl Klersy Trace & Lisa McCoy Brent Klomps Nate McNeilly Steven & Linda Knopp Peter McTie
Steve, Brittni, Skylar, Sven & Serenity Meier Jeff & Terri Jo Melo Jim & Barb Mickow Rick Miller Paul Molohon William Moreland Dave & Patti Myers Eli Nelson Bill & Sharyn Nepsha Martin Newberg Mike & Judy Nodsle Brent & Jenny Oberdieck Karen Opp Jeff Orth Daniel Osterkamp Brian & Cathy Pazzelli Douglas Peterson Lowell Peterson Roz Peterson Craig & Yvonne Peterson Terry & Dianne Peterson Timothy Peterson Ron Peterson Petschl Family Bill Plombon Jeffrey Price Ramie Ramsden Eric Reierson Joe & Cindee Reis Mike & Peggy Reis Steve & Kim Renslow Scott Riggs Mark & Sue Ringham Matthew Rottmann Mark Sampica Grant Scheibe Richard & Barbara Schmidt Kurt Schmidt
Lance Schoenberger Chuck Schreiber Dean Seeck Patrick Shea Larry & Judy Shepherd Stuart & Jennifer Simek Rob Sipe Brian Sjerven Bob Skoglund Rod & Jennifer Skorich Nick & Gretchen Slavicek David Slininger Dan & Barb Snee Steven & Jane Spaeth Mark & Sue Steinmueller John & Melanie Tevik Mike & Vicki Thelen Mark & Karen Thompson Mark Tiede Chad Timonen Jeffrey & Jolene Trippe Keith & Jennifer Twombly Todd & Abby Volden Paul Vranish Scott & Lisa Wakefield Ron Warhol Merle Weidemann Dan & Jen Wenzel Larry Wenzel Kim Werkmeister Kip West & Leon Wessels Rick & Ruth Whitcomb Rob White Dave & Tammy Wolf Don Kline & Paula Worts Bill & Fran Ylatupa Rich & Ruth Zeman Craig Zweber
WISCONSIN’S LARGEST WILDERNESS LAKE! chippewaflowage.com DOWNLOAD A FREE MAP HERE
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THUNDERBIRD LODGE On Beautiful Rainy Lake
Explore miles of beautiful groomed trails, a full-service community and snowmobileaccessible lodging.
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A SNOWMOBILE DESTINATION
Excellent Winter Rate Cabins Perfect for Large Groups Legendary Bar & Restaurant Open Everyday, All Day Gas & Oil On Site with Helpful Attendants Connected to 100s of Trails Snowmobile Rental & Guided Tours Available
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Minnesota Snowmobiling
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Prize $250 $25 $50 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $50 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $50 $25 $25 $25 $250 $25 $25 $50 $500 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $50
December
MnUSA Raffle Calendar
Winners
Winner LeAnne Howard Garry Johnson Karson Dahl Mary Kay Herkenhott Joe Decker Mike Konickson Andy Morris Melissa Gregory Carol Salus Paul & Mary Pepera Jenna Thull Brittany Baldwin Aaron Cedergren Eugene Faue Wayne Brenny Josh Beatty Charlie Johnson Kevin Knudson Byron Snow Bears Craig Schiffler Steven Pruder Greg Rugg Natalie Zelernule Jaclyn Robertson Bill or Jeanne Hemze Charles Kochmann Kim Woites Larry Thielen Bill Gupthil Darwin Johnson Nicole Ulrich
City Barnum Fargo, ND Crookston Freeport South Haven Thief River Falla Silver Bay Minneapolis Silver Bay Tamarack Freeport Melrose Appleton Bigfork Delano Nickerson Saginaw Granite Falls Rochester Melrose Cokato Austin Duluth Coon Rapids New Market Mahnomen Hayward Granite Falls Chanhassen International Falls McGregor
Great Trails.
Perfect Location! World’s largest single owner of trail grooming equipment!! For lodging, trail reports, maps and area information www.haywardlakes.com • 715-634-4801 715-634-0700 AN IHG® HOTEL
Pool, Whirlpool & Sauna Free Hot Breakfast Located on Lake Hayward & Trail #31 15586 County Road B Hayward, Wisconsin 54843
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Offering: Indoor Pool/Whirlpool Restaurant/Lounge
On Snowmobile Trail #31
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Need a Place to Stay on Your Weekend Getaway? Relax & Play Right Here in Wisconsin’s Vacationland!
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www.haywardlakes.com T 800-724-2992 January 2024
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NATHE’S MARINE AND SPORT CENTER DEALER # 692266
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HILMERSON SPORTS CENTER
OLSON POWER AND EQUIPMENT
14731 IRIS RD., LITTLE FALLS, MN
38560 14TH AVE., NORTH BRANCH, MN
HILMERSONSPORTSCENTER.COM
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JAYCOX POWERSPORTS
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1861 OXFORD ST., WORTHINGTON, MN
33972 US HWY 169, ONAMIA, MN
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MILLER SELLNER POWERSPORTS
RAY’S SPORT & CYCLE
22024 STATE HWY 4 S., SLEEPY EYE, MN
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MINNEAPOLIS MOTOR SPORTS
ST BONI MOTORSPORTS
801 LOUISIANA AVE. S., MINNEAPOLIS, MN
4120 STEINER ST., ST. BONIFACIUS, MN
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MOTORSPORTSMN.COM
© 2023 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. 2021 Products in the United States (U.S.) are distributed by BRP US Inc. Always ride responsibly andNovember safely.
30133 HWY 55, PAYNESVILLE, MN NATHESMARINE.COM
VAN’S POWER CENTER, LLC 517 BROWN ST | HULL, IA VANSPOWERCENTER.COM
LAKES AREA POWERSPORTS 8322 STATE HWY 371 NW, WALKER, MN LAKESAREAPOWERSPORTS.COM/SHOP-BRP
2BROTHERS POWERSPORTS 905 OAK AVE S ONAKASKA, WI 2BROTHERSPOWERSPORTS.COM
UMOTORS 18457 US-59, DETROIT LAKES, MN UMOTORSINC.COM
21
by Mike Carr
RIDING IN STYLE A R O U N D N AY TA H WA U S H
When you’re an avid snowmobiler and you look out your window in the middle of winter and see nothing but bare ground, it’s time for a road trip. I happen to live in southeastern Wisconsin where there is a wonderful network of trails covering numerous counties, but we don’t always get enough snow to bring those trails to life. That was the case in February of last season, when conditions across the southern half of the Badger State made us look north, not only to great locales within our own borders, but also beyond—to Minnesota. I’m a native of Saint Paul and a longtime member of MnUSA, so I’m well acquainted with many of the outstanding places to ride in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. After researching conditions in various locales, I focused on Detroit Lakes, one of the few areas I had never visited before. 22
Over the phone, I reached two very helpful gentlemen— Chuck Kochmann of the Naytahwaush Nightriders and Wayne Schlauderauff of the Detroit Lakes ULTRA (United Lakes & Trail Riders Association) club. With a midweek weather system of rain and snow approaching the region, I was concerned about the potential precipitation before making the long journey there. After the troublesome storm passed, both reported that the rain had fallen to the east and their area received two inches of fresh snow. The trip was on! A look at the local snowmobile map revealed several options for trailside lodging. I chose the Pinehurst Resort near Naytahwaush, which sits astride the isthmus between the North and South Twin Lakes. This well-located establishment—with cabins of various sizes plus a store, bar and restaurant—turned out to be an ideal choice with lots of trails nearby. That decided, my friend Tracy Ramsey and
Minnesota Snowmobiling
I were on our way. We arrived on Thursday evening, February 16th, unloaded our sleds and settled into our eminently comfortable cabin. After a hearty Friday breakfast, we set off to the east where the map showed a web of trails to explore within the White Earth State Forest. In minutes we were exploring a network of nicely groomed loops and connecting trails, rambling through the woods on a beautiful sunny morning. Some single track options took us off the beaten path, where we cruised in leisurely fashion, dodging branches bent over by an accumulation of snow. With lunch in mind, we headed south from the state forest on a trail that took us across or past a series of frozen, snow covered bodies of water—Elbow, Little Bemidji, Many Point and Round lakes. We had the Wisconsinites Mike Carr & Tracy Ramsey Pause for a photo at Elbow Lake. trail all to ourselves and enjoyed the ride to Ice Cracking Lake and its delight for the eyes, ears and nose. Snowmobiles of all sizes, eponymous lodge, where we refueled designs and colors were chugging around to their designated and enjoyed a delicious pizza for lunch. places and the aroma of two-stroke exhaust wafted through the air. A cacophony of sounds added to the atmosphere, from After our midday repast, we began our return trip back through the woods over a succession of nicely groomed trails the pop-pop-pop of ancient one-lungers to the brap-brapbrap of classic muscle sleds—and everything in between. and forest roads, culminating in an 18-mile circuit of the Buckboard and Waptus trails, running over roads of the same Wayne Schlauderauff, my prior contact, was one of the names. We returned to the Pinehurst Resort just as the sun organizers of this on-ice extravaganza, so we were able was setting with smiles on our faces and 108 miles on our to meet and thank him for his pre-visit suggestions. After odometers. viewing this motley assortment of old iron—that even included a Model T type truck with tracks—we bid our Saturday was a full day and a good one. It began with a trip farewells and headed back to the Pinehurst Lodge for an by truck to the 20th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show at afternoon of riding. City Beach in Detroit Lakes, where there were well over one hundred classic sleds displayed on the ice, organized by model year. For dedicated enthusiasts, this exposition was a continued on next page »
Your one-stop place for
LODGING • DINING EVENTS • RENTALS
Near Park Rapids, MN
Many miles of nearby snowmobiling trails! Three state forests & miles of beautiful trails through towering pines!
www.jackpinesresort.com | (218) 573-6600 January 2024
23
Ice Cracking Lodge.
The day’s other highlight was the Fun Run fundraiser for the Naytahwaush Nightriders club, so on our way back to the lodge, we visited several pit stops to get our cards stamped. After suiting up, we boarded our machines and headed north for a late lunch at another Fun Run stop—the Ruffed Grouse Roadhouse, 26 miles distant. The route was over a variety of terrain that included woods, agricultural fields, roadsides and pathways marked as ‘minimum maintenance forest roads.’ All good!
White Earth State Forest Trail.
When we pulled into the parking lot at the Grouse and saw a large array of cars and snowmobiles, it was obvious that the lunch crowd was there in full force. After getting our cards stamped and finding an open table, we enjoyed tasty cheeseburgers that perfectly sated our hunger.
PROUD TO BE YOUR TRAIL GROOMING PARTNER IN MINNESOTA
Our planned loop route was stymied by a closed trail, so we backtracked for the return trip to the Pinehurst. When we arrived, the place was full of Fun Runners turning in their cards and watching the bingo wheel spit out their five balls for a combined numerical score. Tracy and I were hopeful, but our totals were insufficient to earn a prize. For consolation, we went to the dining room and enjoyed a
REACH OUT TO YOUR LOCAL SALES REP Bob Wolf bob.wolf@prinoth.com (612) 251-4094
24
SCAN THIS CODE TO LEARN MORE!
Minnesota Snowmobiling
delicious supper. When some local riders at the bar noticed that we were from Wisconsin, they invited us to join them and we swapped favorite trail stories.
2024
Sunday was our final day of riding and it couldn’t have been better, with smooth trails and temperatures again in the 20s. We embarked on a loop to the south, which took us over a variety of rolling glacial terrain on a succession of forest roads, ditches and a couple of delightful single track trails. Our route took us over the ice of Elbow and Little Elbow lakes and eventually we arrived at our lunch destination, the Cedar Crest Resort on White Earth Lake. The bustling crowd told us that this was another popular pit stop and the food was as tasty as we hoped.
Snowmobile Trail Grooming Equipment and Training
Wednesday January 10th 9:00-4:00 and Thursday January 11th 9:00-2:00 McQuoid's Inn - Isle, MN
We returned to our resort with 69 miles to show for our leisurely tour and we wrapped up our visit with plenty of memories and a great feeling about riding around the Naytahwaush area.
Operators - This event is for you!!
What’s Happening at MnUSA? Go to our website and look under events. Also, past issues of the magazine are available to view on the website...check them out!
mnsnowmobiler.org
Drive the vehicles, test the drags, ask questions, and GET ANSWERS from the equipment vendors. Socialize, swap stories with peers, and enjoy a free lunch on us as a thank you!
Paul Scanlon 952-345-3330
Questions? 952-888-7372
pscanlon@pistenbullyusa.com
January 2024
25
INTERNATIONAL SNOWMOBILE
SAFETY WEEK January 13-21, 2024
The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has announced the snowmobile community will sponsor the 28th annual International Snowmobile Safety Week. This is a special event for the snowmobile community, including State and Provincial Snowmobile Associations, Visitors and Convention Bureaus, Chambers of Commerce, Snowmobile Clubs and local and state and provincial agencies joining together to recognize the importance of safe, responsible snowmobiling. All of their efforts highlight the key positions which include: • Snowmobiling and alcohol don’t mix – Don’t drink and ride. • Smart riders are safe riders – Take a snowmobile safety training course. • When night riding slow down – Expect the unexpected. • Know before you go – Always check local ice conditions.
LAKE VERMILION Connects to the Arrowhead and local trails.
• Cross with care • Know the risks and be prepared – Make every trip a round trip. • One is the loneliest number – Never ride alone. • Ride safe, stay on the trail – Respect private property.
SAFETY TRAINING
Minnesota Statutes require that any Minnesota resident born after December 31, 1976, must have a safety certificate to operate a snowmobile in Minnesota. Minnesota offers two options to promote snowmobile safety and to train snowmobile operators. Both courses will lead to a Snowmobile Safety Certificate upon successful completion of the course. Traditional Snowmobile Course is an introductory course of approximately 8 hours designed primarily for the snowmobile rider with little or no experience in snowmobile operation. The course includes two or more classes and a hands-on riding performance course. Although the course is designed for youth ages 11-15, it may be taken by anyone who desires to take an introductory snowmobile course. The certificate becomes valid at age 12. Online Snowmobile Course is offered for both youth and adults. The online courses are available at snowmobilecourse. com. Upon completion of the online course, youth ages 11-15 are then required to attend a one day classroom review and hands-on riding performance course to receive a certificate. These courses are provided by volunteer instructors from snowmobile clubs across the state. Upon successful completion of the online course, students will complete selfcertification procedures to print their snowmobile certificate.
CHIPPEWA NAT’L FOREST/LEECH LAKE
Great Rates for Snowmobilers!
Visit VermilionTrails.com Call 218-666-5850
Trail map available at lakevermilionresorts.com 26
218-547-1400 www.walkercountryinn.com
Minnesota Snowmobiling
• Downtown Walker Bars & Restaurants Nearby • Easy Access to Heartland Trail System & Leech Lake • Clean, comfortable rooms and whirlpool suites
A Snowmobile Safety Certificate is issued to graduates of both snowmobile safety courses. For more information see www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/vehicle/snowmobile.
TRESPASS
ICE SAFETY
This year ISMA and its partners are continuing the effort that all snowmobilers must respect private landowners and public land and the land managers. We highlight the need to protect land use privileges and to stay on the trail and if you don’t know – don’t go. Remember to Take the Pledge at https:// snowmobilerspledge.com
MOUNTAIN RIDING
Snowmobile clubs and associations are encouraged to invite local representatives from the business community to go snowmobiling and show them our known, safe riding standards. There is information available from the ISMA Office to help support your efforts. That information includes the Safe Rider video chapter series, with 13 videos, located on the www.snowmobile.org and www.gosnowmobiling.org websites. All the videos are free and can be downloaded and used at local events. There is a Safety Week manual available to download, from www.snowmobile.org, with ideas on how to set up a Safety Week event and get the International Snowmobile Safety Week recognized in your community.
Ice is never 100% safe. The DNR does not measure ice thickness on Minnesota lakes. Your safety is your responsibility. Don’t “overdrive” your snowmobile’s headlight. At even 30 miles per hour, it can take a much longer distance to stop on ice than your headlight shines. Many fatal snowmobile through-the-ice accidents occur because the machine was traveling too fast for the operator to stop when the headlamp illuminated the hole in the ice. Many MnUSA members travel west during the season to ride in the mountains in avalanche terrain. In addition to taking an avalanche course and getting the proper gear, when riding in the West, it is also very important to KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. Check the avalanche forecast before heading out no matter where you ride in the West. You have the training (Are You Beeping?) and the tools but did you check the avalanche forecast? Very easy to do: go to www.avalanche.org and click on the state you are going to ride in. If you get buried in an avalanche, it takes about ten minutes to die. Why not use 10 minutes before you go, and make an informed decision on where to ride? KNOW BEFORE YOU GO, and live to ride another day.
During your campaign activities, we encourage you to take photos and share them with others on the ISMA Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GoSnowmobiling . Snowmobiling is a fun family activity where we must keep safety as a top-of-mind awareness issue.
For special rates visit WWW.BRANDINIRON.COM 201 Canyon St | West Yellowstone, MT | 800.217.4613 | info@brandiniron.com January 2024
27
Officer Cole Petroski speaking to students at the Elk Lake Easy Riders Safety Certification Training.
From the MnUSA Safety Committee Well, here we are. I’m sitting in my home office staring out the window, wondering what to write in my first safety issue of Minnesota Snowmobiling since becoming the chairperson for the Safety Committee. I was told three days ago that “Hey, you have less than a week to get this in, so what’s happening?” My response, “I’ll do my best to get this together for the Dec. 7th deadline.” I don’t back down from challenges, so here is what I started doing, thinking about how I can make a safety issue non-boring. All I can think about is here it is December 5th, trails should have opened late last week but we do not have any snow or actually much frost in the ground at all. So that brings up a whole new aspect to safety on the trails. Last year we had 13 snowmobiler deaths in Minnesota which to me is 13 too many. A lot of people I’ve spoken to over the summer were all under the assumption that alcohol was the leading cause of those deaths, and it was not; the most common factor was speed and inexperience. Ever since 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people bought powersports equipment to get out and enjoy the outdoors more. I think it’s great for all the sports, whether it’s snowmobiling, ATV, watercraft, etc. But with that we 28
all need to step up and help educate those new riders in all aspects of outdoor motorsports, no matter what their age is. On most of Minnesota’s 22,000+ miles of snowmobile trails we do not post speed limit signs, but how many people realize that the trail speed limit in Minnesota is 50, unless riding in a road right of way with a lower posted speed for the road itself, which in turn becomes the speed limit on the trail as well. Example: road speed limit drops to 30 mph, then so does the trail speed limit. It is up to all of us to help spread the word to slow down and enjoy the ride. I personally used to race snowmobiles and love to go fast…but there is a time and place for that, and it’s not on a groomed snowmobile trail anywhere. Enough of my preaching on “ride right, slow down, stay sober and enjoy the ride.” In other great news, the MnUSA Safety Committee signed a contract with Clear Channel Media for five digital billboards floating around the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, which will be posting safety messages during January and February this year. We hope that this becomes a yearly agreement with Clear Channel Media.
Minnesota Snowmobiling
Wherever the trail leads, there’s an AmericInn nearby waiting to offer you friendly service, a comfortable and quiet night’s sleep, and always a place to park your sled. Officer Cole Petroski and club member Jay Swanson speaking to students at the Elk Lake Easy Riders Safety Certification training.
To add on some more great news, clubs around the state have been doing Minnesota snowmobile safety training over the last few months, and I would like to take this time to thank all the volunteer instructors across the state for their efforts. Remember, any Minnesota resident born after Dec. 31st, 1976, must possess a Minnesota Safety Certificate to ride on grantin-aid trails anywhere in Minnesota. In the ‘22-’23 season, instructors taught 9598 students. Of those, 9369 took the new hybrid class, and 292 took the traditional course. Again, thank you to all the instructors for their time and efforts. So finally, I’m concerned that we are going to have a challenging year with the trails and especially any water crossings. Everyone is eager to ride but as I look into the future, I’m not seeing a lot of freezing temps during the months of December and January, nor do I see much in the form of moisture. So once the trails do get enough snow, please ride respectfully, safely and with a lot of caution. Let’s try to have a death toll of zero for this riding season and all seasons to come. It takes all of us to work together on creating a safe and enjoyable sport for all. Hope to see as many as possible at Winter Rendezvous, and look for the safety committee and join us. Scotty Harder Safety Committee Chair, Region 3 Director
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29
Dangers on the Trail:
Mitigating Risks on a Family Snowmobiling Outing A follow-up article to “On the Trails with a Family of Six”
As the years have gone by, we have been able to extend those limits, though we still take into consideration how easily help can be accessed. So far, the most remote area we have explored with the children was Voyageurs National Park. Thankfully, everything went smoothly, but we were prepared with a plan if we needed assistance in the Park. When we are further out, we map bailout routes and ensure someone knows where we are riding and our planned route. For us, our parents enjoy following us on Ride Command. They can watch where we are going and afterwards view the Ride Command fly-over. This also keeps our family involved and starts the conversations about the fun trip when we return. If needed, they would have a general idea of where we were.
Photo: Wayne Davis, ISMA
by Christina Davies During the MNUSA Safety Seminar in October 2023, I provided a breakout session on snowmobiling with a young family. I based this session on an article I wrote for Minnesota Snowmobiling on the same subject. A question asked by a session participant sparked a lively discussion about mitigating risks. Naturally, we all want to stay safe when out on the trail, but when we are responsible for young or inexperienced riders, an added level of responsibility rests on our shoulders. How have we mitigated risks with our four children? How have we kept a 3-, 5-, 7-, and 9-year-old safe? How have we reduced my stress level, as moms tend to have a vivid imagination when it comes to anything that could potentially harm their children!
Location also means that there may be places or times that we do not ride. Is it an evening with trails that cross over multiple lakes with busy fishing houses and possible encounters with those who have had too much to drink? Is it an area with no speed limits that has a reputation for reckless snowmobilers? Is it just a time of day where the trails are exceptionally busy? These are questions we ask ourselves when preparing to go out with the children. We can never totally eliminate risk, but we do need to make sure we think through how to decrease that risk for our young children or new riders.
In this article, I will address the five keys to ensure a family snowmobiling adventure is as safe as possible: location, weather, boundaries, communication, and equipment. Location When we started riding with our young children, we always rode where we were within 5-10 miles of “civilization.” It was not worth taking the chance that we could break down in a remote area. We wanted to be able to easily access help—whether that meant remaining in cell phone coverage or on main trails where other snowmobilers would pass. 30
Photo: Wayne Davis, ISMA
Minnesota Snowmobiling
Photo: Wayne Davis, ISMA
Weather If you were to look at all our snowmobile pictures (and we have a lot of them), you would see sunshine and pleasant weather. This is on purpose. Besides being more comfortable to ride in, good weather increases our safety margin significantly. We can see the trails, each other and the surrounding area well. If the wind is calm, the children stay warmer and can enjoy their time on the trails for longer. We cannot always predict the weather, but to the best of our ability we aim for good weather windows. If weather changes significantly while we are out on the trails, we will make our way back to our base as quickly and as safely as possible. Does this mean we are fair weather snowmobilers? Yes! Does this give us “cool points” with the snowmobile pros? No. Are our children safe and enjoying themselves? Yes. And the answer to the last question is paramount. Boundaries We set personal limits ahead of time as to how far to push the sleds and determine when trails are too rough. When we were riding in Ely, we had planned a day that had a bridge across a river that led to where we would stop and eat. Everyone was excited. When we got within two miles of our planned stop, the trail broke down. It was a logging road and with warmer temperatures and logging trucks back on the road, it had turned into a gravel mess. I was devastated—we had come so far and I was looking forward to our lunch near the
bridge. We saw multiple riders come past, standing up on their sleds with overheated engines. I turned to my husband and asked, “Can’t we just push through this short area to get there? The kids can do it.” Thankfully, my husband reminded me of what we agreed to ahead of time—that we would not push the limits of the sleds (in the warm weather and with a terrible trail) or the children (being bounced around for two miles on a gravel bumpy trail with minimal snow). As much as I wanted to get there, we adhered to our limits and turned around. Communication We want to make sure the sleds are running well and if they aren’t, we want everyone in the family to be comfortable speaking up and saying, “Hey, this doesn’t feel right or this isn’t comfortable.” We don’t want an environment where someone is embarrassed to ask or feels the need to just “keep up” with the group. This applies to me stopping my husband with a concern or one of our boys saying something sounds different—we always take the concerns seriously and acknowledge the courage of the person for saying something. For example, my sister was visiting us last winter. She had never been on a snowmobile but was excited to try it out with us. My husband went out with her and our older boys for an inaugural ride. After riding for the morning, they stopped for lunch and then headed out again. My husband noticed my sister waving at him and he rode back to her. She said
January 2024
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“Something doesn’t feel quite right.” When he looked at the sled, he noticed the parking brake sign was on—it was stuck. With the tiny parking brake light and her inexperience, she had no idea what the problem might be. But, my husband had created an environment where she was not afraid to stop everything for something that just didn’t feel right. That is what we want our children or our inexperienced riders to learn about–being bold and articulating a concern. Equipment When we ride with our family, we have two snowmobiles and a snow coach. I would not go out on the trails with one snowmobile and the children—I want to know there is an option to get them out if one of the snowmobiles broke down. We do not ride our sleds in a way that is going to damage them or increase the likelihood of something going wrong. We are riding at a “kid” level. We are not speeding over moguls or testing the limits of our sleds. We are traveling at a sensible pace and taking our time. Because we are not mountain riding in Wyoming, we travel with minimal safety equipment. We have tow straps and a basic first aid kit as well as the small tool kit that came with our sleds. We also have plenty of snacks and drinks. All of the children know where each of those items are located on the sleds and could grab them for us if there was an emergency. When they were little, we made it a game to find each kit as well as point out specific parts on the snowmobile–now they could do it with their eyes closed. Our oldest boys are now 11 and 13 and we have added an older sled (1986 Polaris SS) for them to take turns riding between us. Because of the older sled, we have added a spare belt, spark plugs, and a pull cord to our travel kit. With those new additions to what we carry, my husband took the time to educate the older boys and me on what those pieces are, what they do, and how they work. I am not a mechanical person and am easily overwhelmed with the technical aspects of machines. A simple explanation and demonstration goes a long way to decrease my anxiety. I now know that with the right tools in our small tool kit, no physical strength
is required to replace those three pieces. I have learned that a repair can be done in only a few simple steps. That knowledge makes me more comfortable as we head out with a “new” sled in our entourage. Have we had issues on the trail? Thankfully, only minimal events. The worst being a broken ski about five miles outside of town where our truck and trailer were parked. We piled everyone on my sled and the snow coach and my husband rode the sled back, leaning over on the remaining ski. When we got everything on the trailer and the children in the truck, our son turned to us and said, “Well that was cool.” In his mind, it had been a successful trip despite a minor hiccup that dad was able to address. At the seminar, I was asked what we would do if we had a catastrophic engine failure. Basically, this is a situation where we are not concerned about the sled, but our family’s safety. We would leave the sled and get everyone back from the trail and then worry about getting the sled back. This might take two trips to ferry everyone back to the trailer with the working snowmobile. But remember, we are not pushing our sleds to the limit (not even close). The likelihood of that happening with how our family currently rides (and how you should be riding with children or inexperienced riders), is thankfully very slim. Conclusion Many of these safety steps we know cognitively, but the reality of actually making sure we put them into practice is harder. We become comfortable…we know our sleds… everything has gone well in the past…the kids are all smiles…and we start making small compromises on our family’s personal limits. Or, it is easy to decide that it is just too much extra work and we want to just jump on the sleds and go like we would with our buddies. That is when we need to stop and remember–this is about our children learning to love snowmobiling, ride the trail, respect the environment, not be afraid to speak up and take care of their equipment. Yes, everything takes longer and includes more planning, but it is worth the effort when everyone has a positive experience, remains safe, and is ready to go back out again.
Adventure starts here.
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32
Minnesota Snowmobiling
Calendar of Events Jan 14 – Greenway Snowmobile Club Fun Day at the Phone Booth https://www.facebook.com/GreenwaySnowmobileClub/
Feb. 3 – River Valley Dutchmen Snowmobile Club Snowmobile Hill Climb, Golden Gate Campground, 15 mi NW of New Ulm on Hwy 29, www.facebook.com/RVDSC or Rvdsc@live.com
Jan 20 – New Market Snomads Vintage Snowmobile Show, The Doublewide, New Market, MN https://www.facebook.com/groups/713391763425887
Feb. 7-10 – Blackwoods Blizzard Tour for ALS https://www.neversurrenderinc.org/
Jan. 26-27 – Midwest Ride-In Vintage Show, ERX Motor Park, Elk River, MN https://www.mwvss.com/
Feb. 8-11 – MnUSA Winter Rendezvous, Thumper Pond Resort, Ottertail https://www.mnsnowmobiler.org
Jan. 27 - Veterans Appreciation Snowmobile Ride https://mnvetsnowmobileride.org
Feb. 17 – 21st Annual Detroit Lakes Vintage Rally& Swap Meet, Detroit Lakes city beach, Detroit Lakes, MN, http://ultradl.org/
Jan. 28 – Greenway Snowmobile Club Trail Stop at Blackberry Shelter https://www.facebook.com/GreenwaySnowmobileClub/
Feb. 17 – Wadena County Trailbreakers & Archies Old Time Ride, noon at 33597 Co Rd 23, Menahga, MN, all ages & sleds welcome, lunch, bonfire & groomed trails, 218-539-1139
Jan. 31-Feb 4 – Northland 300 Ride for Special Olympics Feb. 3 – St. Stephen River Runners 6th Annual Vintage Show & Ride, Trobec’s Bar & Grill, St. Stephen, MN, stsrrsc@gmail.com
For more information on club events see https://www.mnsnowmobiler. org/get-involved/our-clubs/club-events
January 2024
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Club News Southwest Trails Association The Southwest Trails Association in Carver County was hit with a major reroute into the city of New Germany the last week of November, three days before the trails were to open in 2022. A landowner purchased farmland from a long-time landowner and started to erect a fence on the trail. By the last week of November, the wooden fourboard fence was up, and the club had to scramble for the coming season. Previously the Crow River Sno Pro’s, a McLeod County club adjacent to Carver County, requested connecting the two counties together via a tarred multi-use trail. Southwest Trails representatives started meeting with Crow Marking a trail on a county-owned tarred trail takes a lot of help to fit within the rules of the permit. River Sno Pro’s representatives to start the process in mid-March of 2023. With meetings with townships, cities, park boards and ultimately the county commissioner boards for both counties, a permit was issued to Southwest Trails and the Crow River Sno Pro’s to put in the trail between the two counties on Nov 14th, some eight months later, but not before Carver County requested an additional $2 million in insurance coverage from the traditional $1 million; a complete stud ban; reduced The county permit requires rubber matting be installed during the permit period and removed there speed limit; and curfew. Above: Local high school shop class students after each year. were asked to help weld nuts on rebar for the new Signage had to reflect their county permit signs. Left: The finished product— wishes and was ordered; now the signs can be mounted on the rebar. also bridge decks needed a rubber matting material placed on it for the temporary 120-day permit from Dec. 1st to March 31st. In addition, club members had to go door to door and tell affected landowners about the proposed trail on the tar trail, and ask them if it were for, neutral or against the trail and document the residents’ address, name, and decision. Those decisions were presented to the county park board and with working with landowners and their set of demands, the park board ultimately agreed. But accomplishing this still didn’t solve the issue of not getting into town past the farm with the brand new green treated wood board fence. Members ended up contacting a half a dozen landowners only to get denied access for a re-route. Ultimately two landowners relented, and the trail has been marked and is ready to circumnavigate from the north of the city of New Germany and get into town to support those businesses on the trail system. Those businesses also testified at the park board meeting on how important snowmobiling was to their businesses. Now the hard work needed to get done with new signage required by the county and bridge decks covered. With long weekends and long days to assemble signs and attach bridge abutment signs, the trail is now finally ready for snow. 34
Minnesota Snowmobiling
Club News Carver County Snowrunners The Carver County Snowrunners Snowmobile Club celebrated its 33rd annual Christmas Party. Besides a great meal and collection of toys for Toys for Tots, a welcome from the President and an update on the club and its activities planned for the coming season, the club had fun with a gift exchange game and an opportunity to win gift cards. The first one is a gift Peel the plastic ball game for embedded gift cards. exchange where members are asked to purchase a $10-$15.00 gift to share with a fellow member. Members assemble in a circle, and each is given a gift; a Christmas story is read with the words “Left” and “Right” embedded in the story. When members hear the word Left or Right repeated many times through the lengthy story, they hand the gift to either the left or the right, and when the story on Lake Kabetogama is done, that’s the gift you end up with.
Attendees patiently wait their turn to pass a gift left or right.
Kec’s Kove
Members also have the plastic ball game, where a ball is wrapped in clear plastic wrap with gift cards to various club business sponsors embedded in the plastic. Roll some dice to get doubles, you’re up to unwrap until the next person, or persons roll doubles as two sets of dice are rotated around the circle. After the games are over, then we start with the door prizes and winners, and by the end of the evening most, if not all, attendees head home with something. The evening ends with a salutary toast to all the members who attended, and the wish for much snow throughout the snowmobile season.
Another Day in Paradise All Trails Lead to the Kove
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www.kecskove.com January 2024
35
MnUSA Business Supporters
REGION
1
Young’s Bay Resort Angle Inlet, MN 218-223-8031 Galen’s Fresh Food Market & Hardware Hank Bagley, MN 218-694-6212 Gergracht Logging Bagley, MN 218-694-2132 JAG Body Shop Bagley, MN 218-209-8024 Solid Bottom Bagley, MN 218-694-6940 Ballard’s Resort Baudette, MN 218-634-1849 Baudette L/W Area Chamber Baudette, MN 218-634-1985 Boreal Builders LLC Baudette, MN 218-766-9963 Cenex Co-op Services Baudette, MN 218-634-1313 Darin & Shonna Dahl Baudette, MN 218-634-1038 Cyrus Resort Baudette, MN 218-634-2548 Howard’s Oil Co Baudette, MN 218-634-2550 Northern Sports Baudette, MN 218-634-1089 Sportsman’s Lodge Baudette, MN 800-862-8602
Walleye Capital Sanitation Baudette, MN 218-634-3151 Bemidji Sports Centre Bemidji, MN 218-751-4477 Midnight Sun Pools ‘n Spas Bemidji, MN 218-209-7973 Beckers Resort & Campground Bena, MN 218-665-2268 Hoot-N-Holler Blackduck, MN 218-659-9225 North Country Hardware Clearbrook, MN 218-776-3615 Sand Castle Lake Homes Dorset, MN 320-232-8297 Lengby-Fosston Knightriders Fosston, MN 218-280-9614 Sportsman Lodge Gonvick, MN 218-487-5295 Roseau County Coop Greenbush, MN 218-782-2117 Wahl Bros. Racing Inc. Greenbush, MN 218-782-2295 Farmers Union Oil of Grygla Grygla, MN 218-294-6117 Lost River Trails Kelliher, MN 218-647-8142 Side Track Tap Bar & Grill Leonard, MN 218-968-2304 Anchorage Inn Longville, MN 218-363-2236 Docksider Longville, MN 218-363-2565
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Lavallee Inc Longville, MN Longville Campground Longville, MN 218-363-2610 Longville Lakes Bottle Shop Longville, MN 218-363-3249 Longville Snowmobile Club Longville, MN Longville Turtle Town Café Longville, MN 218-363-3333 Motorheads of Longville Longville, MN 218-363-3499 Musky House Marine & Arctic Cat Longville, MN 218-363-2044 One Stop Convenience Store Longville, MN 218-363-2252 √ Lonesome Pine Rentals Naytahwaush, MN 218-935-5855 Naytahwaush Nightriders Naytahwaush, MN Pinehurst Resort Naytahwaush, MN 218-935-5745 Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge Oak Island, MN 218-223-8411 Sunset Lodge Resort Oak Island, MN 218-223-8211 TJ’s Tavern Oaklee, MN 218-796-5153 √ Osage Schoolhouse Osage, MN 612-618-5846 Clancy’s on Island Lake Park Rapids, MN 218-732-5270 Dorset Corner Liquor Park Rapids, MN 218-732-1770 Emmaville Inn, Inc. Park Rapids, MN 218-732-8544 Lobo’s Bar & Grill Park Rapids, MN 218-266-3611 Optic Connections Park Rapids, MN 612-599-0500 Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber Park Rapids, MN 218-732-4111 √ Pine Cone Lodge & Vacation Rentals Park Rapids, MN 320-491-6952 Spike’s Park Rapids, MN 218-699-3222
“√” Denotes Show Your Card Member Discount Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association
Two Inlets Country Store Park Rapids, MN 218-732-5235 Up North Power & Sports Park Rapids, MN 218-237-5670 Wehrs AG Group Park Rapids, MN 218-867-6194 Zorbaz of Park Rapids Park Rapids, MN 218-237-1969 Rock Harbor Lodge Roosevelt, MN 218-442-7215 Visit Thief River Falls Thief River Falls, MN 218-686-9785 √ Country Inn - Walker Walker, MN 218-547-1400 Lakes Area Power Sports Walker, MN 218-547-1558 Tyler Crow Walker, MN 218-820-4588 Carrot’s Auto Body Waubun, MN 218-473-2417 √ Cedar Crest Resort Waubun, MN 218-473-2116 Hoot Owl Resort Waubun, MN 218-734-2245 Kent Concrete LLC Waubun, MN 218-204-1670
REGION
2
40 Club Restaurant & Bar Aitkin, MN 218-927-7090 Aitkin Flyers Aitkin, MN 218-927-2527 Barnacle’s Resort & Campground Aitkin, MN 218-678-3122 Block North Brew Pub Aitkin, MN 218-513-1210 Castaways Bar, Restaurant & Camp Aitkin, MN 320-684-2380 DataCom Aitkin, MN 218-927-7019 Farm Island Repair & Marine Aitkin, MN 218-927-6395
Farm Island Store Aitkin, MN 218-927-3791 Grill of Glen Aitkin, MN 320-684-2229 Lewis Insulation North Aitkin, MN 763-772-2730 Midwest Machinery Co Aitkin, MN 218-927-2140 Northern Automation Aitkin, MN 218-670-0315 Paulbeck’s Country Market Aitkin, MN 218-927-6919 Riverside Pub Aitkin, MN 218-927-3915 Security State Insurance Aitkin, MN 866-929-3712 Sue’s Bait Aitkin, MN 320-209-9451 The Landing Aitkin, MN 218-927-9998 Tire Barn Aitkin, MN 218-927-1444 Ash River-Kabetogama Snow Drifters Ash River/ Kabetogama, MN 218-875-2841 Ash Trail Lodge Ash River, MN 218-374-3131 Ash-Ka-Nam Resort Ash River, MN 218-374-3181 Frontier Resort Ash River, MN 218-374-3311 Babbitt ATV & Snowmobile Club Babbitt, MN 218-393-6853 Big Falls Liquor Store Big Falls, MN 218-276-3333 Antler Lake Stores & Motel Inc. Bigfork, MN 218-245-2369 Bigfork Wilderness Bar Inc. Bigfork, MN 218-929-9307 Golf on the Edge Bigfork, MN 218-360-9191 Loon Point Resort Bigfork, MN 218-245-1470 Powell Auto Sales & Service Bigfork, MN 218-743-3795
Minnesota Snowmobiling
The Shop - Gordy Kinn Bigfork, MN 218-742-3666 The Lodge at Giants Ridge Biwabik, MN 218-865-7170 Ron’s Korner Market Bovey, MN 218-256-9755 Britt Lounge Britt, MN 218-741-2035 Trails End Resort Buyck, MN 218-993-2257 Bill Wailde Alignment & Auto Repair Calumet, MN Dawghouse Bar & Grill Canyon, MN 218-345-8830 Nelson Funeral Care Cloquet, MN 218-590-7657 Reliable Insurance Agency Cloquet, MN 218-390-1161 √ Rox Speed FX, Inc Cohasset, MN 218-326-1794 √ Lake Vermilion Resort Assn Cook, MN 800-648-5897 The Landing Cook, MN 218-666-0221 Vermilion Hotel & Country Store Cook, MN 218-666-2272 VFW Post No 1757 Cook, MN 218-666-0050 Melrude Whistle Stop Cotton, MN 218-969-5632 True North Excavating LLC Cotton, MN 218-576-2547 Wilbert Café Cotton, MN 218-482-3318 Mag 7 Transport Crane Lake, MN 507-514-0385 Scotty Sanborn Crane Lake, MN 218-235-9189 Cromwell Sno-Gophers Inc. Cromwell, MN 218-390-0041 Eagle Lake Plumbing Cromwell, MN 218-821-0267 Bowstring Store Deer River, MN 218-832-3123 Riley’s Cannibal Jct Deer River, MN 218-832-3656
Effie Country Store Effie, MN 218-743-3616 Neighborhood Tavern Effie, MN 218-743-3286 Christian Cavalier Ely, MN 218-820-7119 Ely Chamber Of Commerce Ely, MN 218-365-6123 Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club Ely, MN √ Grand Ely Lodge Ely, MN 218-365-6565 Jerry Skubic Ely, MN 605-237-2565 Joe’s Marine & Repair Ely, MN 218-365-6264 Lindsey Keen State Farm Insurance Ely, MN 763-923-4066 Ojala Heat & Refrigeration Ely, MN 218-235-7562 Paddle Inn Motel Ely, MN 218-365-6036 R&R Transfer Ely, MN 218-365-2701 Rock Country Masonry Ely, MN 218-235-3471 Roger Skraba Guide Service Ely, MN 218-235-1609 Your Boat Club Ely, MN 218-235-7100 At Your Convenience Eveleth, MN 218-744-4005 5 Seasons Sports Center Inc Eveleth, MN 218-744-5871 √ Iron Range Tourism Bureau Eveleth, MN 800-777-8497 Margie’s Roosevelt Bar Eveleth, MN 218-744-2121 Super 8 - Eveleth Eveleth, MN 218-744-1661 Timber’s Edge Bar & Grill Eveleth, MN 218-744-2627 Mainline Station Floodwood, MN 218-476-2222
Savanna Drifters Floodwood, MN 218-590-0572 Eveleth Trailhawks Snowmobile Club Forbes, MN 218-780-5207 The Old Muni Gheen, MN BoomTown Woodfire Grill & Brewery Gilbert, MN 218-248-8381 √ Jig Rock Ranch Grand Rapids, MN 218-244-6797 Ray’s Sport & Cycle Grand Rapids, MN 218-326-9355 Visit Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, MN 218-326-9607 Jim LaFavor Heating LLC Hibbing, MN Arrowhead Ultra 135 International Falls, MN Boise / PCA International Falls, MN 218-285-5312 Boyum Performance International Falls, MN 218-324-0566 CH Consulting Group International Falls, MN Howards Cenex East International Falls, MN International Falls CVB International Falls, MN 218-283-9400 The Junction International Falls, MN 218-283-3339 Koerter’s Fuel International Falls, MN Rainy Lake Oil International Falls, MN Rainy Lake One Stop International Falls, MN 218-286-5700 Richard Schaff International Falls, MN Thunderbird Lodge International Falls, MN 218-286-3151 VFW Post 2948 International Falls, MN 218-283-8777 √ Arrowhead Lodge Resort & Outfitters Kabetogama, MN 218-875-2141 Kec’s Kove Resort Kabetogama, MN 800-777-8405 The Rocky Ledge Kabetogama, MN 218-875-3481 Fat Tire’s Main Dry Keewatin, MN 218-778-6344
MnUSA Business Supporters Mel’s Corner Service Little Fork, MN 218-278-6670 Cedar Point Resort Marcell, MN 218-832-3808 Edge of the Wilderness Lodging Assn Marcell, MN 888-754-0011 Edge of the Wilderness Realty Marcell, MN 218-832-4000 Lakeside Lumber & Hardware Marcell, MN 218-832-3300 North Star Lake Resort Marcell, MN 218-832-3131 202 Tavern McGregor, MN 218-770-3161 √ Bann’s Bar & Restaurant McGregor, MN 218-426-3450 Dependable Demolition McGregor, MN 218-820-0174 Fisherman’s Bay McGregor, MN 218-426-4662
Floe International Inc McGregor, MN 218-426-3563 Grand Timber Bank McGregor, MN 218-768-2410 Hillcrest Resort McGregor, MN 715-505-8854 Jack’s Shack McGregor, MN 218-768-3848 Mark’s Bar McGregor, MN 218-426-8040 McGregor Ace Hardware McGregor, MN 218-419-2020 Meyer’s Service McGregor, MN 218-426-0026 School House Cafe The Country House McGregor, MN 218-390-6525 Ukura’s Big Dollar McGregor, MN 218-768-2666 Willeys Marine & Sports McGregor, MN 218-426-4350
Moose Lake Implement & Sport Moose Lake, MN 218-485-4486 Anderson Auto Service Mountain Iron, MN 218-290-2192 Fisher’s Petroleum, Inc. Northome, MN 218-897-5249 Northland Progressive Northome, MN Northome Municipal Liquor Northome, MN 218-897-9501 Ridge Runner’s Snowmobile Club Northome, MN 218-897-5764 √ Oveson’s Pelican Lake Resort Orr, MN 218-757-3613 Clayton Godwin Pengilly, MN 218-256-6421 Dozer’s Bar & Grill Pengilly, MN 218-885-1896 MJ’s Lodge & Resort Pengilly, MN 218-838-0651
“√” Denotes Show Your Card Member Discount Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association
Swan Lake Marathon Pengilly, MN 218-885-3805 √ Cantilever Distillery & Hotel Ranier, MN 218-540-1932 Loony’s Brew Ranier, MN Ranier Municipal Liquor Ranier, MN 218-286-3343 Boondocks Bar & Grill Ray, MN 218-875-2700 Joe Kapsch Side Lake, MN 218-235-0266 Swan River Redeye Swan River, MN 763-442-8012 Hayslips Corner Talmoon, MN 218-832-3516 Little Turtle Lake Store Talmoon, MN 218-832-3804 City of Tamarack Tamarack, MN 218-768-0975 Jackson’s Hole of Lawler Tamarack, MN 218-768-2162
Meld Electric Tamarack, MN 320-267-8918 Tamarack Sno-Flyers Tamarack, MN √ Good Ol Days Tower, MN 218-753-6097 √ Pike Bay Lodge Tower, MN 218-753-2430 Vermilion Club Tower, MN 218-753-6277 Northern Pine Riders Snowmobile Club Willow River, MN 218-372-4077
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Stearns County Snowmobile Assn. Albany, MN 320-250-4800 Ponto Knight Riders SC Backus, MN 218-587-3929
Brothers Motorsports Baxter, MN 218-829-6656 Crow Wing Cty Snowmobile Trail Assn. Baxter, MN 218-829-8922 Cub Foods Baxter, MN Ewing Farms Inc Big Lake, MN 612-219-8844 Green Lantern Bar & Grill Brainerd, MN 218-764-2323 √ Kavanaugh’s Resort Brainerd, MN 800-562-7061 Motors-N-More Brainerd, MN 218-824-2277 St Augusta Blizzard Busters Snowmobile Club Clearwater, MN 320-558-6158 Canvasworks Inc.SnoCaps Cokato, MN 320-559-0165 Cokato Ridge Runners Cokato, MN 612-220-4793
The Cedar Chest Crosslake, MN 218-692-2657 Anchor North Cushing, MN 218-575-2089 Hansen Sports on Bay Lake Deerwood, MN 218-678-2051 Anderson Carpet Service Elk River, MN 763-286-2770 Angell’s Hideaway Resort Emily, MN 612-290-3528 Diners Chicken Shack Emily, MN 218-763-3555 Emily Ace Hardware Emily, MN 218-763-2691 Emily/Outing Snowbirds SC Emily, MN 763-350-8987 Frank’s Resort Emily, MN 218-763-2246 Lake Country Foods Emily, MN 218-763-7700
Lake Country Properties Emily, MN 218-792-5200 Log Cabin Bar Emily, MN 218-763-2820 Moritz Excavating Emily, MN 218-763-7000 The Pickled Loon Saloon Emily, MN 218-763-4402 Trailside Rental Emily, MN 612-670-6919 Redding’s Sports & Spirits Emily, MN 218-763-2191 √ Wigwam Motel Emily, MN 218-763-2995 Hillman Swampstompers Foley, MN 320-355-2370 Harding/Lastrup Snowdusters Hillman, MN 320-277-3515 Fishers Resort Isle, MN 320-684-2221 Merrifield Marathon Merrifield, MN 218-821-6208
Become A Friend of ISHOF TODAY!
Snowmobile Clubs - $50 USD
State/Provincial Associations - $250 USD www.ishof.com/donate.html Mailing Address:
International Snowmobile Hall of Fame
1521 N. Railroad Street ● Eagle River, WI 54521 715-479-2186 or email: info@ishof.com
www.ishof.com
Individual donations are welcome in any amount.
THANK YOU FOR THANK YOU FORYOUR YOUR SUPPORT! SUPPORT! January 2024
37
MnUSA Business Supporters Nitti’s Hunters Point Isle, MN 320-676-3227 218-575-3295 2 Tall Tavern Lincoln, MN 218-575-3013 Friendly Inn of LIncoln Lincoln, MN 218-575-3295 Lincoln Lakes Snowmobile Club Lincoln, MN 218-575-2282 √ Hilmerson Sports Center Little Falls, MN 320-632-4408 Rich Prairie Trailbusters Club Little Falls, MN 320-630-4108 West Side Recreation Little Falls, MN 320-632-6547 Rum River Sno-Riders Milaca, MN √ PTWLUBES.com Monticello, MN 612-501-8992 Nickerson Bar & Motel Nickerson, MN 218-496-5613 Fowler Parts Service Ogilvie, MN 952-884-5401 RE/MAX Lake Area Realty Outing, MN 612-269-3490 Village Inn Outing, MN 218-792-5186 √ Nathe’s Marine & Sport Center Paynesville, MN 320-243-4517 Pequot Brush Pilots Pequot Lakes, MN 218-568-4343 √ KC’s Saloon Pillager, MN 218-746-3328 Hinckley/Pine City Flames Snowmobile Club Pine City, MN 320-515-0156 Mavericks Saloon Pine City, MN 612-860-7448 Waste Partners Pine River, MN 218-824-8727 RE/MAX Results Remer, MN 651-334-5000 Country Snow Cruisers Richmond, MN √ AmericInn Sauk Centre, MN 877-352-1199 BEAM Electric Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-5641
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√ Centre Powersports & Recreation Sauk Centre, MN 320-351-7669 Country Cat Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-3534 Phil Polipnick Insurance Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-6171 Winters Recreation Sauk Centre, MN 320-351-7533 Benton County Snowmobile Club Sauk Rapids, MN Antique Snowmobile Club of America Stacy, MN 651-462-4497 ATV Minnesota Stacy, MN 800-442-8826 Timberlake Hotel Staples, MN 218-895-1300 Ross Seelhammer Plumbing Wadena, MN 218-371-1623 Trail Breakers Inc. Wadena, MN 218-6319-4766 Westside Sports Wadena, MN 218-631-1113 √ Power Madd Wyoming, MN 651-462-8465
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Linda’s Place Amboy, MN 507-674-9790 Snowbirds of Amboy Amboy, MN 507-340-2820 Appleton Ridge Riders Appleton, MN Blue Earth Snow Rovers Blue Earth, MN 507-893-4679 Blizzard Snowmobile Club Fairmont, MN 507-238-2190 Flying Goose Campground Fairmont, MN 507-235-3458 Holiday Inn Fairmont, MN 507-238-4771 Visit Fairmont Fairmont, MN 507-235-8585
Thunder Bar & Restaurant Good Thunder, MN 507-278-4488 Steve & Glenna Fries Henderson, MN 507-469-0281 Brent & Megan Bramstedt Heron Lake, MN 507-830-1926 C & A Pro Skis Hutchinson, MN 888-321-6789 Crow River Sno-Pros Hutchinson, MN 320-327-2380 Hutchinson Area Chamber & Tourism Hutchinson, MN 320-587-5252 Stateliners Snowmobile Club Kiester, MN 507-294-3174 Grover Farm Trucking LLC Lake Crystal, MN 507-720-8120 Fahey Flooring Le Sueur, MN 612-501-6400 County Line Ag Madelia, MN 507-381-5017 Madelia Snohawks Madelia, MN 507-642-3563 Riverside Trail Association Madelia, MN 507-642-8891 Southern MN High Pressure Piping Madelia, MN 507-621-0177 Deals & Steals Mankato, MN 507-380-0523 Kaduce Tire Mapleton, MN 507-524-4999 Pfeffer Tree Service Mapleton MN 507-317-0595 Action Sports Inc Marshall, MN 507-532-9649 Marshall Machine Shop Marshall, MN 507-532-3613 The Great Escapt Minnesota Lake, MN 507-462-3500 New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce New Ulm, MN 507-233-4304 Halbur Trucking Inc. Slayton, MN 507-220-4843 Dranttel Sales & Service, Inc. St. Peter, MN 507-931-1363
“√” Denotes Show Your Card Member Discount Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association
D Bar Vernon Center, MN 507-549-3153 Best Western Plus & Willmar Conference Ctr Willmar, MN 320-235-6060
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United Employees Credit Union Albert Lea 507-377-1616 Cannon Power Sports Cannon Falls 507-263-4532 J&M Parts Supply Chatfield, MN 507-867-4200 Elba Valley Express Elba, MN 507-932-9957 Mauers Bros Tavern Elba, MN 507-932-9957 Harry Brown’s Family Automotive Faribault, MN 507-332-7441 Jeff Schwichtenberg Lanesboro, MN S&A Petroleum Lanesboro, MN 507-467-2121 Lake Front Bar & Grill Le Center, MN 507-357-4401 Little Dandy Sports Bar Le Center, MN 507-357-6062 Brewsters Bar & Grill Lonsdale, MN 507-744-2370 √ Motoproz Inc. Mazeppa, MN 507-843-2855 Le Sueur County Snowmobile Trails Montgomery, MN 507-491-6184 St. Patrick’s Tavern & Restaurant New Prague, MN 952-758-2380 Coborn’s Superstore New Prague, MN 952-758-2556 Union Hill Bar & Grill New Prague, MN 952-758-4239 M&M Lawn & Leisure Pine Island, MN 507-356-4155 M&M Lawn & Leisure Rushford, MN 507-864-7781
√ Lighthouse Motorsport & Marine Rosemount, MN Lettertech Saint Paul, MN 651-292-0738 Stillwater Snowmobile Club Stillwater, MN Washington County Star Trail Stillwater, MN 651-430-3175
Dana Heger Ins & Financial Services St. Charles, MN 507-932-3751 Millers Market St. Charles, MN 507-932-3760 Pearson & Stemper Electric St. Charles, MN 507-208-1968 Brewskies Bar & Grill Utica, MN 507-932-3485 Cedar Valley Resort & Outfitters Whalen, MN 507-467-9000
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Anoka Area Chamber Anoka, MN 763-421-7130 Bayport Pathfinders Bayport, MN 651-439-8795 Sno Barons Snowmobile Club Blaine, MN Caliber, Inc. Burnsville, MN 952-540-4709 JBS Remodeling & Roofing Cottage Grove, MN 651-755-8519 Northway Sports East Bethel, MN 763-413-8988 Jill Berger Farmington, MN 715-441-5816 Story Agency Inc. Farmington, MN 651-463-3334 Prinoth LLC Fridley, MN 612-251-4094 Togo Motorsports Ham Lake, MN 763-284-3234 Midwest Extreme Snowmobile Challenge Hugo, MN 651-392-7185 Danner Sales Inver Grove Hts, MN 651-451-0121 √ Leo’s South Lakeville, MN 952-435-5371 Top Priority Lawn & Landscaping Oakdale, MN 651-325-6606
Minnesota Snowmobiling
Clip Joint Tavern Alborn, MN 218-345-6266 Hugo’s Bar Brimson, MN 218-848-2220 Country Corner Bar Brookston, MN 218-391-5661 Billy’s Duluth, MN 218-525-3465 Blue Max Duluth, MN 218-721-4255 Boom Town Brewery & Woodfire Grill Duluth, MN 218-722-0977 Breeze Inn Duluth, MN 218-525-9752 Bruce & Melissa Illsley Duluth, MN 218-251-6443 Duluth Drift-Toppers Snowmobile Club Duluth, MN Duluth Lawn & Sport Duluth, MN 218-628-3718 Fish Lake Storage Duluth, MN 218-721-4243 Hi Banks Resort Duluth, MN 218-428-1902 Johnson Supply Co. Duluth, MN 218-722-1717 Lake Effect Restaurant & Bar Duluth, MN 218-721-2034 √ Marshall Hardware Duluth, MN 218-525-3638 The Other Place Bar & Grill Duluth, MN 218-733-0214
The Outpost at Island Lake Duluth, MN 218-391-7569 Pequaywan Area Trailblazers Duluth, MN 218-591-3574 Pequaywan Inn Duluth, MN 218-848-2201 Reservoir Riders Snowmobile Club Duluth, MN Scott & Lisa Pichette Duluth, MN 218-590-2967 Shamrock Landing Duluth, MN 218-753-4455 Sheet Metal Solutions Duluth, MN 218-391-6582 Sportsmen’s Inn Duluth, MN 218-721-3568 Crooked Lake Resort Finland, MN 218-220-0211 Finland Snowmobile Club Finland, MN 218-353-7337 Friends of Finland Finland, MN 218-353-0300 Trestle Inn Finland, MN 218-830-0523 √ Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail Grand Marais, MN 218-388-2265 √ RJ Sport & Cycle Hermantown, MN 218-729-5150 Weis Eye Center PA Hermantown, MN 218-625-1917 Lutsen Trailbreakers Lutsen, MN 218-663-7305 Duke’s Towing Proctor, MN 218-950-2508 Hartel’s Disposal Proctor, MN 218-729-5446 Hoss Construction Saginaw, MN 218-591-3829 Jeff & Anna Wies Saginaw, MN Bri-Esa’s Convenience Store Silver Bay, MN 218-226-4694 LaBerge Logging & Contracting Silver Bay, MN 218-226-3586
Silver Sledders Trail Authority Silver Bay, MN 218-220-8189 Silver Trail Riders Silver Bay, MN 218-226-4608 √ AmericInn by Wyndham Tofte Tofte, MN 218-663-7899 American Legion Post 109 Two Harbors, MN 218-834-4141 √ AmericInn by Wyndam Two Harbors, MN 218-834-3000 Auto Value Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2191 Blackwoods, Inc Two Harbors, MN 218-834-3846 Cooperative Light & Power Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2666 √ Country Inn of Two Harbors Two Harbors, MN 218-834-5557 Danny’s Auto Two Harbors, MN 218-834-4524 Harbor Insurance Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2114 Haugan Construction Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2876 Judy’s Cafe Two Harbors, MN 218-834-4802 Lake County Chamber of Commerce Two Harbors, MN 800-777-7384 Lovin’ Lake County Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2600 Sonju Two Harbors Sports Center Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2181 Superior Hiking Trail Assn Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2700 TH Auto Inc. Two Harbors, MN 218-834-3089 Two Harbors Federal Credit Union Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2266 Voyageur Snowmobile Club Two Harbors, MN 218-830-8089
MnUSA Business Supporters
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Belle Plaine Equipment Sales Belle Plaine, MN 612-490-2387 Minnesota Snowmobile Education & Advancement Fund Brooklyn Park, MN 763-577-0185 MSPN Inc. Eden Prairie, MN 952-473-7870 Franzen Law & Policy Group Edina, MN Joe Silitz Golden Valley, MN 612-245-8040 Erickson-Larsen Inc. Maple Grove, MN 763-535-0055 Ox Yoke Inn Maple Plain, MN 763-479-2522 Carver County Snowrunners Mayer, MN 952-466-2673 √ CorTrust Bank Mayer, MN 952-657-2500 √ Minneapolis Motor Sports Minneapolis, MN 763-634-0244 Westonka Snoblazers Mound, MN 612-309-5882 Fat Boyz Bar & Grill New Germany, MN 507-353-2520 Moorhouse Motorsports New Germany, MN 507-491-6217 The Doublewide New Market, MN 952-461-3682 Alta Technologies Inc. Plymouth, MN 763-475-5375 Dent Works PDR Plymouth, MN 612-237-9026 Snow Goer/EPG Brand Acceleration Plymouth, MN 763-383-4400 Charlie’s on Prior Prior Lake, MN 952-226-5253 Doherty’s Tavern Prior Lake, MN 952-292-5886 Johnny & Nichole Olson Prior Lake, MN 612-232-0177
Prior Lake Snowmobile Assoc. Prior Lake, MN 952-484-3534 Fractional Toys Rogers, MN 763-273-4619 Savage Sno-Pacers Savage, MN 612-567-6691 Hennen’s Auto Service Shakopee, MN 952-445-2478 Obrien Development & Holding Company Shakopee, MN 612-741-3945 O’Brien’s Public House Shakopee, MN 612-741-3945 River Valley Trailblazers Shakopee, MN 952-393-4093 √ St Boni Motor Sports St Boni, MN 952-446-1554 Hollywood Sports Complex Watertown, MN 612-581-1352
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Ollie’s Service Alexandria, MN 320-763-4455 Winning Edge Graphics Alexandria, MN 320-763-7953 Audubon Liquor Store/A.L.S. Audubon, MN 701-367-1291 Absolute Insurance Audubon, MN Pit 611 Audubon, MN 218-439-6121 DHS Grain Ltd Barrett, MN 320-815-1043 Spud’s Small Engine Service & Repair Barrett, MN 320-528-2299 Richwood Offsale Callaway, MN 218-847-6380 Bleachers Sports Bar & Grill Detroit Lakes, MN 218-310-4105 Boats Inc. Detroit Lakes, MN 218-847-0324
Dairy Queen Detroit Lakes, MN 218-847-5154 Detroit Lakes Express Inc Detroit Lakes, MN 218-847-8049 Detroit Lakes Tourism Bureau Detroit Lakes, MN 218-847-9202 Okeson Offtrail Sales Detroit Lakes, MN 218-847-9304 ULTRA Snowmobile Club Detroit Lakes, MN Venom Products LLC Detroit Lakes, MN 218-844-3283 Donnelly Co-Op. Donnelly, MN 320-246-3555 Sand Castle Lake Homes Dorset, MN 320-232-8297 AgCountry Farm Credit Elbow Lake, MN 218-685-5311 Farmers Agency Elbow Lake, MN 218-685-6880 Farmers Cooperative Oil Association Elbow Lake, MN 218-685-4491 Grant County Herald Elbow Lake, MN 218-685-5326 Grant County Lumber Elbow Lake, MN 218-685-5321 Haley Oil Company Elbow Lake, MN 218-685-4466 Midwest Machinery Elbow Lake, MN 218-685-4438 Frontier Marine & Powersports Fergus Falls, MN 218-998-4386 Otter Country Trail Assn. Fergus Falls, MN 218-739-3708 AJ’s Gas & Grocery Herman, MN 320-677-2300 Runestone Telecom Association Hoffman, MN 320-986-2013 Brian Woodle Trucking Kensington, MN 320-815-3992 √ A-1 Automotive Service Moorhead, MN 218-233-6161 West Central Trailblazers Morris, MN 320-589-3445 Tender Hearts Home Care New York Mills, MN 218-385-3466
“√” Denotes Show Your Card Member Discount Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association
Warner Garage Door New York Mills, MN 218-385-2853 54K LLC Norcross, MN 320-815-9720 Low Plains Drifters Snowmobile Club Norcross, MN 320-284-2269 Jack Pines Resort Osage, MN 218-573-6600 √ Osage Schoolhouse Vacation Rental Osage, MN 612-618-5846 Ottertail Aggregatge Ottertail, MN 218-367-2581 Thumper Pond Resort Ottertail, MN 218-367-2000 Volt Edge Electric Ottertail, MN 218-371-6830 √ Grandstay Hotel & Suites Parkers Prairie, MN 218-338-3380 Lakes Inn at Dunvilla Pelican Rapids, MN 218-863-8000 √ Grandstay Hotel & Suites Perham MN 218-346-2033 Otter Tail Riders Perham, MN 218-385-3991 Perham Area Chamber of Commerce Perham, MN 218-346-7710 United Community Bank Perham, MN 218-346-5700 Ruther Excavating Inc. Richville, MN 218-298-1477 Mark & Nadine Heit Rochert, MN 701-540-2680 Snow Thrashers of Dalton Wendell, MN 218-458-2265 OTHER MEMBERS V&V Ins. Agency, Inc. Cresco, IA 563-547-2161 MWO Media Burr Ridge, IL 630-887-1941 Cajun Tie Downs Inc. Crowley, LA 337-783-0385 Border Guide Service Antelope, MT 218-324-2430 Brandin’ Iron Inn West Yellowstone, MT 800-217-4613
Ken & Katie Russell Fargo, ND Simonson Station Stores, Inc. Grand Forks, ND 701-772-3971 Texas Crossing Bar & Grill Wahpeton, ND 701-642-1991 Custom Manufacturing Clinton, WI 608-676-2282 Lake Chippewa Flowage Resort Assoc. Hayward, WI 715-945-2511 Lulich Implement Mason, WI 715-746-2477 Track Inc.-Tucker Sno-Cat Dealer Monico, WI 715-487-2035 Stud Boy Traction Ravenna, WI 231-853-2323 Cor PowerSports LLC Somerset, WI 651-387-5880 Arrowhead Groomers/ Hamblen Equipment St. Germain, WI 715-479-4200 The Next Trail Summit Lake, WI 715-432-6074 WestView Rental Lodge & Bunkhouse Dubois, WY 715-529-0898 Dalton Industries Brookside, Nova Scotia 902-897-3333
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation 1. Publication Title: Minnesota Snowmobiling. 2. Publications Number: 1085-1054. 3. Filing Date: 12/06/2023. 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly Sep-Mar. Number of Issues Published Annually: 7. 6. Annual Subscription Price: n/a. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 7040 Lakeland Ave. N #212, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428; Contact Person: Scott Wakefield; Telephone: (763) 577-0185. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 7040 Lakeland Ave. N #212, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher, Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association, 7040 Lakeland Ave. N #212, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428; Editor, Scott Wakefield, 7040 Lakeland Ave. N #212, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428; Managing Editor, 7040 Lakeland Ave. N #212, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428. 10. Owner, Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association, 7040 Lakeland Ave. N #212, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months. 13. Publication Name: Minnesota Snowmobiling. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Below: 11/10/2023. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run): 11,058. b. Paid Circulation (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 10,271. (2) Mailed In-County Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 32. (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mail Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS: None. (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: None. c. Total Paid Distribution [Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)1: 10,303. d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (1) Free or Nominal Rate OutsideCounty Copies Included on PS Form 3541: 358. (2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541: None. (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS: None. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distributed Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means): 347. e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution [Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3) and (4): 705. f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): 11,008. g. Copies not Distributed: 50. h. Total (Sum of 15f and g): 11,058. i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15c / 15f x 100): 93.6%. 16. Electronic Copy Circulation: a. Paid electronic copies: 705; b) Total paid print copies (15c) + paid electronic copies (16a): 10,303; c) Total print distribution (15f) + paid electronic copies (16a) 11,008; d) Percent paid (both print & electronic copies) (16b divided by 16c x 100): 93.6%. No. Copies of Single Issues Published Nearest to Filing Date a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run): 10,850. b. Paid Circulation (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 10,297. (2) Mailed In-County Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 36. (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mail Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS: None. (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: None. c. Total Paid Distribution [Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)1: 10,333. d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541: 371. (2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541: None. (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS: None. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distributed Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means): 121. e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution [Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3) and (4): 492. f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): 10,825. g. Copies not Distributed: 25. h. Total (Sum of 15f and g): 10,850. i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15c I 15f x 100): 95.45%. 16. Electronic Copy Circulation: a. Paid electronic copies: 10,825; b) Total paid print copies (15c) + paid electronic copies (16a): None; c) Total print distribution (15f) + paid electronic copies (16a) 10,825; d) Percent paid (both print & electronic copies) (16b divided by 16c x 100):. 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership: Publication required. Will be printed in the January 2024 issue of this publication. 18. Signature and title of editor, publisher, business manager, or owner: Scott Wakefield, Editor, 12/6/2023.
Experience the Trails of St. Germain, Wisconsin Welcome Snowmobilers! – Open-concept 2-acre lake home – Sleeps 15, 7 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths – 120’ of shoreline on Lake Content – Connected to Big Saint Germain Lake – Just 100 yds from the Bo-Boen Trail Immediate access to 4 trailheads linking 500+ miles of groomed trails in Vilas Visit Our Property at: County stretching into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Large Groups Welcome! hillervacationhomes.com/blue-jay-getaway
January 2024
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Blue J Getaway Book by Phone 1-800-445-5370 Or Scan Code
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FOR EVERY RIDER 2024 YAMAHA SNOWMOBILES FAMILY I FRIENDS I FUN
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©2023 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Product and specifications subject to change without notice. Professional rider on closed course under controlled conditions. Model shown with optional accessories. Always wear an approved helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Ride responsibly and always ride within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvering, and respect others around you. Know the conditions. Observe all state and local laws. Don’t drink and ride.