Minnesota Snowmobiling – February 2025

LAKE VERMILION

Connects to the Arrowhead & Local Trails

• Snowmobile rental

available from Lake Vermilion Houseboats

• Overnight & day fish houses available at Glenmore Resort

• Many cafes & pubs

accessible by snowmobile

• Fuel available at several locations including some marinas, resorts & gas stations

ED M O O R G ILE B O M W SNO TRAILS!

Winners are posted monthly on www.mnsnowmobiler.org, MnUSA Social Media, MnUSA Member e-newsletter and Minnesota Snowmobiling magazine (Sep-Mar) Prizes will be mailed out to winners on the 1st of each month for that month’s winners.

MANY RESORTS OFFER LODGING Questions?

Please contact the officeWINTER at 763-577-0185 or office@mnusa.org

right on Lake Vermilion and are accessible to the Lake Trail which connects to the Arrowhead Snowmobile Trail System:

Forest Lane Resort • Fortune Bay Resort Casino • Gruben’s Marina & Resort • Head-O-Lakes Resort Lake Vermilion Houseboats Lake Homes • Glenmore Resort • Pehrson Lodge • Pike Bay Lodge Polly’s Resort • Spring Bay Resort • White Eagle Resort • Marjo Motel

Weekly Trail Conditions available at:

LakeVermilionResorts.com or 218-666-5850

February 2025 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).

MnUSA Executive Board President Mike Clevenger Vice President Scotty Harder Secretary Janet Widness Treasurer Gordon Heitke 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, 14000 Sunfish Lake Blvd. NW, Ste. L, Ramsey, MN 55303. Periodicals Postage Paid at Fargo, ND and at additional mailing offices.

u FEATURES & DEPARTMENTS 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 14 18 23 25 26 28

From the Editor From the President Directors From the Vice President Legislative News Legislative Priorities Take a Friend (Legislator) Snowmobiling MnUSA News Surviving An Avalanche Milestones Racing News Club News MnUSA Business Supporters

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association, 14000 Sunfish Lake Blvd. NW, Ste. L, Ramsey, MN 55303.

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 Mike Clevenger, Scotty Harder, Christian Franzen, Scott Wakefield, Doug Pike, Ross Bingham, Anthony Anselmo 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.

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 © 2025 by Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without consent of the publisher.

Non-oxy on the brain!

UPCOMING EVENTS Feb 6-9 • MnUSA Winter Rendezvous, South Shore Hotel, Bemidji Feb 15 • Veterans Appreciation Snowmobile Ride, Grand Rapids For more info on upcoming MnUSA & club events:

www.mnsnowmobiler.org

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From the Editor Scott Wakefield

Change, Change, and Hope for 2025!

When I think of what has transpired in the last 45 days, I think of the great Greek philosopher Heraclitus who said, “the only constant is change.” And boy has that been the case as it relates to Arctic Cat’s most recent announcement-press release. Then when I hear about the new Minnesota law regarding the sale of recreational motorized vehicles being banned focused on the under 12 age group, I think of the great coach Vince Lombardi and his famous quote, “What the hell is going on out here?”

Regarding Arctic Cat, we can hope a group of local investors steps up like last time and makes a deal to keep the “big green machine “going and keep those employees working. The whole sport of snowmobiling needs it.

As it relates to the PFAS ban passed by the Minnesota trifecta legislature last year, I just ask, who correlated a 12-year-old being susceptible to PFAS poisoning by sitting on a snowmobile, ATV, or dirt bike? Maybe I’m wrong and there are oodles of studies and victims that directly correlate, but at this point, I’m a little more than skeptical. Hopefully, an amendment to the law can be passed day one of the legislature convening and it was just a mistake by an overzealous group of legislators.

Speaking of hope and positivity, I want to personally thank Sen. Amy Klobuchar for her support of the boost to Federal Recreational Trails Program funding to at least $250 million. I ran into Amy, almost literally, at FarmFest this year outside the Wick building and in front of the Farmers Union Quonset, and handed her a letter from our national association ACSA encouraging her support. I did get a question in, and asked “When?” and she told me by year end. And that was the case.

Thanks to Thomas Liepold, her legislative assistant, who directed me to a more common way to address my point to the senator than my more direct way. It’s all good. I know Amy well, been to her Minnesota Breakfast Thursday mornings, and met with her a multitude of times in her office in DC. We have a picture together 4

Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Editor Scott Wakefield in front of Klobuchar’s office in D.C.

with Joe Biden, when I met with the former president and chatted a bit with him about Minnesota.

In this issue, we discuss Take a Friend (Legislator) Snowmobiling, Region 8’s continuation of the longstoried history of MnUSA’s Toys for Tots campaign, Club news, continuation of our firsthand account of the harrowing avalanche story part 2, your opportunity to help design the NEW snowmobile themed license plate, and a reminder to attend our biggest legislative event of the year, our Annual Legislative Reception at the Capitol Ridge January 28th!

If you get an opportunity look for the great story about Arctic Cat in the Star Tribune Sunday December 29th edition of the sports section, or you can email Dennis Anderson at sports@tribune.com, include Dennis Anderson in the subject line, and ask for a copy of the article. Dennis interviewed legendary Arctic Cat Dealer Tom Rowland of Thomas Snow Sports in Ogilvie.

Make sure to look at the Calendar of Events, Rendezvous, and Midwest Ride In for information on many events still going on despite a lack of snow again.

Hope….and Hope for a better 2025!

Minnesota Snowmobiling

From the MnUSA President

Thoughts from the Prez

issues resolved in ways we hadn’t thought of before. If you haven’t had a chance to ride the Tower area, you are missing out on great trails and great scenery.

Mike Clevenger

In my last article I challenged all MnUSA members to sign up at least one new member. How are you doing with this challenge? It is a trying time to gain memberships, but we need to get that one friend or fellow employee to become a fellow MnUSA member. Did you see the business members in the latest magazine? Look at how many business members we have gained! Our business members now take up 3 full pages. That in itself is a result of the Membership Committee and the E-Board contacting previous businesses that haven’t renewed in some time and the Board of Directors make a conscious effort to get business members. Whether you sign up an individual, a family, or a business, your effort shows.

Hopefully by the time you read this article there will be rideable snow on the ground which also helps with membership.

The Winter Rendezvous is quickly approaching. Region 1 would like to invite any of those individuals who have waited to register until now. Let’s show each other that even if there isn’t enough snow, we as an organization can still have a good time during the winter months and talk about those issues, whether legislative or region concerns, that challenge our sport. We would love to see all the areas of the state represented. This event is also where MnUSA’s yearly awards are presented. We have some great people that need our recognition for all they do! Let’s show our STAY IN support by being present.

BATTLE LAKE

With the new legislature having taken office in January, it is extremely important that we, as snowmobile advocates, become familiar with those representing us. Get their position on our legislative priorities by contacting them personally. Another opportunity to meet them would be the Legislative Reception on January 28, 2025. Reach out to your local legislators and invite them to the reception.

As in the past, this will be held at the Capitol Ridge Event Center, from 4:30-7:30 pm. Here is a great chance to speak with legislators and express our priorities. The MnUSA 2025 Legislative Priorities are listed on page 11 of this magazine. This is why MnUSA employs a FULL-TIME lobbyist on our behalf who is familiar with the legislature and can have private discussions with them regarding our position. Without a lobbyist our sport may or may not exist. Make those legislators know we are serious about making our sport safe and enjoyable for so many Minnesotans. The hospitality industry knows how important snowmobiling is to our economy.

Eating establishments, gas stations and lodging depend on these dollars during the winter months. Make those legislators understand this as well and ask them where many of their constituents’ businesses would be without the sport. Dedicated volunteers make all of this happen by providing miles and miles of trails. Just writing this statement reminds me of how proud I am to be President of this organization.

Hope to see you on the trails!

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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

Vice President Scotty Harder-XM 13126 Jenkins Dr. Becker, MN 55308 612-860-0606 sharder67@msn.com

Mike Boucher, 27528 230th St SW, Crookston 56716 218-280-3385 mjb86@yahoo.com

Mike Clevenger-XM 7302 NW 97th Ave Morristown, 55052 507-838-5713 cmclevenger3@gmail.com

Treasurer Gordon Heitke - XM 2270 300th Ave Mora 55051 763-234-6712 gheitke@gmail.com

Gail Friborg, 37857 Fairground Rd Bagley, 56621, 218-694-2840 pfgf@gvtel.com Jeff Lovold, 603 2nd Ave SE, Roseau 56751 218280-1941

Secretary Janet Widness - XM 43390 220th St Clitherall 56524 218-731-6126 jwstulk@prtel.com

Aaron Swanson, 10218 Beverly Dr NW, Bemidji, 56601; 218-689-6686 aaronleeswanson@gmail.com

Director-At-Large Scott Wakefield -XM 12620 Co Rd 30 Waconia 55387 612-483-5638 oliver1650@icloud.com

Region 2 Troy Johnson, 218-390-0046 tntjohnson547@hotmail.com

Committee Chairs By-Laws: Rick Johnson-XM · 612-839-0956

Cindy Hansmann, 218-301-9496 cindy.hansmann@frontier.com

Charity/Awards: Janet Widness-XM · 218-731-6126

Mike Banovetz, 218-235-9969 mbanovetz2009@yahoo.com

Elections/Nominations: Scott Wakefield-XM • 612-483-5638 Fund Raising: Scotty Harder-XM · 612-860-0606 Land Access: OPEN Legislative/DNR/Trails: Terry Hutchinson-XM · 612-581-6627 Membership/Booth: OPEN Merchandise: Dick Theis · 763-494-3838 Safety: OPEN Site Selection: Mark LaBaw-XM · 952-221-2564 Website/Social Media: OPEN

Bill Ylatupa-XM, 43 Garden Dr Silver Bay, 55614, 218-220-8189 ylatupa2@gmail.com

Dick Kuttner, 522 Shady Ridge Rd NW Hutchinson, 55350, 320-587-6536 richardk@hutchtel.net Region 5 Paul Maruska, 26276 Drexel Ave, New Prague, 56071, 952-212-2293 ptmaruska81@gmail.com

Brad Thacher, 55 1st Ave SW, Harmony, 55939, 586-899-0810, Brad.Biker@ATT.net Bruce Wemette, 18379 Marie Dr, Houston, MN 55943, Bwemette@gmail.com, 507-450-8802 Region 6 Bill Prinsen, 5011 121 St N, White Bear Lake 55110, 651-260-8508 billprinsen@hotmail.com

Ken Eckel, 612-910-5363 Region 3 Tom Jann, 21668 Peterson Creek Dr Deerwood, 56444, 218-839-1230 lakejann@gmail.com

Ken Zak, 20629 Kenrick Ave, Lakeville, 55044, 952-469-2246 kjnbaa@frontier.net

Scott Haley, 14394 105th Ave Milaca, 56353, 612-670-6027 cody30@frontiernet.net Jason Hendrickx-XM, 18539 93rd St SE Becker, 55308, 320-292-5926 jasonhendrickx@gmail.com

Region 7 Randy Laberge-XM, 5424 Lax Lake Rd Silver Bay, 55614, 218-353-7697 dandrlaberge@hotmail.com Ryan Boe, 5146 Jean Duluth Rd Duluth 55803, 218-349-5578 ryanboe@hotmail.com Dan Hamilton, Duluth, 651-398-2461 danielhamilton@aol.com Rick Johnson-XM, 4353 Briarwood Ln, Hopkins, 55343, 612-839-0956 rick@teampro.net

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Region 8 Dick Theis, 20575 Co Rd 10 Hamel, 55340, 763-494-3838 dickt.barbc@gmail.com Randy Baudler, 9259 FoxlineDr N Corcoran, 55340, 763-420-5526 rbslawn@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 Greg Strommen, 1112 62nd Ave N, Moorhead, 56560, 701-212-7002, gstromm165@gmail.com Tim Pommier, 1683 Sage Lane, Shakopeee, MN 55379, 612-801-3250 tpommier@comcast.net

Jeremy Goebel 11210 7th St S, Cottage Grove 55016 651-308-0398 goebeljeremy1985@gmail.com Brett Huneke, Hastings

Allen Beumer, 10234 410th Ave Hillman, 56338, 320-355-2257 abeumer1845@gmail.com

John Olmscheid, PO Box 160 Elrosa, 56325, 320-250-3271 johnolmscheid@frontier.com

Jeff Kack-XM, PO Box 55 Appleton, 56208, 320-289-1069 jkack@mchsi.com

Mike Brandt, 2600 6th Ave NW, Austin, 55912, 507-460-2002 brandtmj@live.com

Nicole Pankratz, 218-780-3853 pankratz.nicole@yahoo.com

Scott Seeley, Two Harbors 218-830-1028, srseeley1@gmail.com Gary Vezina, Duluth 218-722-2852

Coy Borgstrom, 20 E Veterans Memorial Hwy, Kasson, 55944, 507-251-1199 coy3911@gmail.com

Jerry Kujala-XM, 218-750-2234 jdkujala@gmail.com

Phillip Lockett, 218-348-9161 lockettphillip@yahoo.com

Rodney Boesch, PO Box 337, Amboy 56010 507-340-2820 rod.boesch@boeschcrt.com

Bill Gehn, Red Wing, 651-388-7541 william_gehn@hotmail.com

Randy Vannet, 218-244-6797 randy.vannet@gmail.com

Communications: Scott Wakefield-XM · 612-483-5638

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: 14000 Sunfish Lake Blvd. NW, Ste. L, Ramsey, MN 55303 ph.763-577-0185 fax 763-577-0186

From the MnUSA Vice President Scotty Harder

Well, I was wrong last month as I stated we would be grooming by now. I should have been a meteorologist, that way I could be wrong about the weather all the time and still have a job, LOL…. As a reminder, Winter Rendezvous is coming up this month and, even though we are past the discount registration timeline, you can still register for the event and come hang out with all of us and talk about snowmobiling. Last year we had a fabulous time without snow then too! In my mind snowmobiling is all about the comradery and those of us that attend Rendezvous are very passionate about Snowmobiling even when we have a bad year of snow or even multiple years. So, let’s get together and tell stories about great rides we have had and Pray for Snow in hopes of being able to ride.

that participated in the calendar raffle this year! Winners are being announced on the 1st of each month, and obviously later in January as we did the drawing on Jan. 9th at the MnUSA office in Ramsey. Make sure to submit your calendar photos before the spring meeting so we can vote on the top 13 at the spring meeting. We plan to have the 2026 calendars printed and available by the MnUSA summer meeting for pick up as we would like to cut down on shipping costs this next year.

There will be some more minor changes to the program for next year to help with conserving costs and making sure that we are following all the rules set forth by the MN Gambling Control Board. We will discuss those changes at winter rendezvous in February during the fundraising committee seminar. THANK YOU one more time to ALL of you that participated!

Hope to see you at Winter Rendezvous!

Since becoming the Chairman of the Fundraising committee, I’ve had to learn so much about what it takes to run a calendar raffle, still learning every day when new issues arise. But we did get through it and now to recognize some special groups for their efforts.

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the raffle calendar program this year; we could not have done it without each and every one of you. The top 3 selling groups were: first place – Sno-Trails, Inc. with 592 calendars; second place – Crookston Driftbusters / Warren Sno Cat Riders with 260 calendars, and third place – Lords of London with 250 calendars…an awesome job by everyone!

ESCAPE THE FAST LANE

There are several clubs that sold between 100 and 250 calendars, and I can’t say it enough. I thank all of you

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February 2025

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Legislative News

The Storm in St. Paul Christian Franzen

The legislative session is now underway. 2025 will be a historical political year- no matter what. We will encounter a legislature with razor thin partisan divide. In other words, there is a low to no vote margin in both the House and the Senate. Additionally, ongoing special elections and court cases have the potential to cause more changes. Will there be partisan gridlock or will one party enjoy a majority? Here’s where we stand at the time of this writing.

2025 is a budget year in which the legislature must determine its ongoing spending. The amount of money available will be based on the fiscal forecast released in late February. This will all cumulate to make for a colder and stormier winter for our own legislative La Niña. Lucky for us these are the conditions upon which we thrive!

In the 2024 election, only candidates for the State House of Representatives were elected but in the next few weeks there will be one special election and a court case which could sway the Senate majority. Senator Dziedzic (DFL, Minneapolis) passed away after her long battle with cancer and governor Walz has called for a special election to fill that seat. Another DFL Senator, Senator Mitchell (DFL, Woodbury), has a court case scheduled in late January which could plausibly impact the Senator’s time to vote on the floor, or even maintain the seat, if convicted.

Go Digit a l !

Too much mail and on the move without time to sit down and read Minnesota Snowmobiling magazine, but still want to be informed?

Contact the office and we can send you the magazine digitally. The same as a printed version but without the paper and postage.

Contact the office TODAY!

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Multiple leaders within the DFL including Governor Walz have requested the Senator’s resignation to no avail.

The House of Representative’s was up for election which ended in a 67-67 tie. To pass a bill on the House floor a 68-vote majority is needed. Currently a house seat in Roseville/Shoreview is up for another special election.

This special election revolves around the candidate, Curtis Johnson’s, letter to the Governor not accepting the seat after the court questioned the candidate’s district residency. At the time of this writing, this special election (along with the vacant senate seat) will have a primary on January 14th and the election itself on January 28th.

Another House race that has drawn attention is Shakopee’s district where 20 absentee ballots were reported missing in a race which was decided by 14 votes. There was also a formal complaint about duplicate votes. At this time, it has been determined the suspected duplications were not votes counted twice but address changes. The missing ballots portion has yet to be ruled on, but the decision is expected soon. Currently if the House begins with Republicans holding a one vote margin but not reaching 68 votes means they could elect a Speaker of the House but not pass a bill.

To move forward in the legislative process these seats in questions must be resolved. This is the first year of the legislative biennium which means the legislature has a constitutional duty to enact a budget bill. The past year of forecasts project large deficits in the coming few years.

So, it’s quite possible that we encounter stormy weather at the legislature. Yet, as snowmobilers, we are accustomed to work in stormy weather. This year, we will be working on a sales tax exemption for building materials used to repair, maintain and develop snowmobile trails. the protection of our dedicated account, and the consideration of legislative authority for a special snowmobile themed auto license plate to name a few. Snowmobile clubs work across the state partnering with not only state and local governments, but businesses and other nonprofit organizations, to create a complex system which facilitates not only a state revenue but a Minnesota cultural staple that brings the whole state together, literally. Most people hunker down and stay in for a big storm...we get excited.

Minnesota Snowmobiling

Legislative News

Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association 2025 Legislative Priorities Protection of the integrity of the Snowmobile Dedicated Account – protect against raids on the account for non-snowmobile related uses.

The snowmobile dedicated account is funded by snowmobile registration tax, snowmobile trail fees and unrefunded gas tax attributed to snowmobile use.

Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association believes funds in this account should only be used to provide the snowmobile opportunity in Minnesota.

across private land. These permits are essential to the interconnected trail system enjoyed by Minnesota residents and out of state visitors alike. The Legislature should promote prudent policies to support and encourage landowners to permit public recreational use on their land.

Support of legislation that provides a sales tax exemption on building materials and supplies purchased by non-profit clubs to construct, reconstruct, or maintain or improve state or grantin-aid snowmobile trails. Everything the clubs, as agents of the state, do to maintain the snowmobile trails is for public benefit.

Support of legislation to create a snowmobile Minnesota automobile license plate that will provide funding to the volunteer clubs for snowmobile trail grooming and maintenance payments / grant-in-aid trail funding.

Protection of the use of snowmobiles on public land.

Snowmobiles have been allowed on state owned land since their inception. Land sales and subdivisions have a significant impact on the 22,000 mile snowmobile trail network in Minnesota, a trail network which generates millions of tourism dollars to Minnesota.

Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association supports the continued responsible use of snowmobiles on State land and on easements purchased by the State, and will oppose legislation that prohibits or limits such use.

Support of programs and policy that encourage continued access to private land for public use.

Landowners permit public use for snowmobile trails to allow for thousands of miles of snowmobile trails

Support of the use of a portion of the Parks and Trails Legacy Funds and other state funding sources for capital improvements on trails that benefit snowmobiling. Again, when trails are adequately funded, they can be properly maintained, creating a more enjoyable and a safer trail experience. Good trails increase tourism, generate income for local businesses, and taxes for the State.

Support of legislation that will ensure any new laws protect and accommodate recreational trail alignments and crossings for new development, specifically for any new publicly funded rail developments for both light and heavy rail.

Support of legislation and/or policy that will allow Grant in Aid trails to remain and/or be added to all existing or new WMA/AMA’s.

Support of legislation that requires all snowmobiles, including collector snowmobiles not in a registered event, have either a current registration or a trail pass to operate on a designated state or grant-in-aid trail.

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February 2025

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Take a Friend (Legislator) Snowmobiling Week Feb 8-17, 2025

by Scott Wakefield

Using a play on words, engaging with your Legislator is very important as well as anyone who is your friend.

Don’t get me wrong about that, having been working with legislators for more than 35 years, comes with it some very interesting education on what is effective and what is just dust in the wind.

Growing up in the business of advocating to the members of the legislature to get legislation advantages to my father’s endeavors, be it agriculture, real estate, conservation, insurance, or banking, at a young age I quickly learned you leverage your assets (strengths) particular to those in power, or the ability to make change, that helped me in my 35 years of advocacy efforts.

Let me start off by saying, advocacy for your cause, is for everyone. Not just the one with the biggest mouth or loudest voice; everyone should be involved in the process.

The process is a formulated idea on how to tackle your cause. The old saying was, “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the table,” or, “If you don’t tell your story, someone else will and you may not like what they say.”

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The first step in this is to educate yourself on the issue, or issues, that can work to your favor or cause concern, learning what types of certain legislation will affect you, either positive or negatively. We are all citizens of this state; we are part of what goes on in governance and only comes from being involved and knowledgeable and educated about what’s going on.

Second, engage with your local officials, especially those that are committee chairs, or are on a committee. If you’re advocating for something your local legislator has nothing to do with, you’re wasting your time and he or she will have little impact. You will need to get out of your comfort zone, and look up and engage with legislators outside your district because of where their power is advantages.

Next, meet face to face, be it at a fundraiser or public event; introduce yourself, give some background on yourself, make small talk. They want to hear from you.

Once you feel you have a good rapport, and maybe it’s not the first time you meet them, but maybe a second, or third, or in a different setting, but once you’ve made

Minnesota Snowmobiling

the introduction, if they are a good legislator, they will remember you. Then it’s time to advocate for your cause and take them for a snowmobile ride. Invite them out, make it easy and not on the coldest day of the year. Get your whole club involved; go to a shanty, have some hot chocolate and hot dogs, etc.

Next, be willing to share a personal story connected to your cause. Your cause should be something you’re passionate about, and this should come easy. How does this legislation directly impact you, and your well-being, or convictions? A direct story is going to be way more impactful than a message from a lobbyist, (although they play an important part in this process too). Speaking of process, remember to stick to the process you identified at the start.

Last thing, LET’S DO THIS! Being an advocate can be intimidating to start, but you won’t regret making your voice heard. If you are not advocating for your position, I can guarantee you, after growing up in it and then using it for the last 35 years, someone is advocating for the opposite position and you are not going to like the outcome. So, let’s get to know who our legislators are and TAKE A LEGISLATOR SNOWMOBILING.

THE ALL-NEW 858 IS HERE

The Model Year 2025 reinvents riding, one sled at a time.

Country Cat Sauk Centre 320-351-4481 countrycat.com

MnUSA to Host Legislator Reception JANUARY 28, 2025

Lighthouse Motorsports Rosemount 651-322-4420 lighthousemotorsports.com

MINNESOTA UNITED SNOWMOBILERS ASSOCIATION cordially invites you to join us in honoring our friends at the State Capitol

Legislators’ Reception Tuesday, January 28, 2025 4:30 – 7:30 P.M.

MotoProz, Inc. Mazeppa 507-843-2855 motoproz.com

Capitol Ridge Event Center (Former Kelly Inn) 161 St. Anthony Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota MnUSA’s members are invited to contact their legislators and invite them to meet you at MnUSA’s 2025 Legislators’ Reception to talk about snowmobiling and its importance to you. With the redistricting and recent elections, many members have new legislators. To find “Who Represents Me” and your legislators’ contact information, go to www.leg.state.mn.us and enter your address.

Olson’s Outdoor Sports Mahnomen 218-935-2355 olsonsoutdoor.com

On the top of the MnUSA priority list is protection of the dedicated fund and the sales tax exemption for trail maintenance materials.

Always wear a helmet and don’t drink and ride. ©2021 Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. All rights reserved.

February 2025

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MnUSA News Southwest Trails – Trail Work Weekend

Can’t ride. Might as well work!

One, and only one, good thing with snowfall this season so far, has been the opportunity to continue to work on signage, or trail work like brushing or mowing of trails. With cold weather locked in, the swamps should be firming up nicely to breakthrough a path, if needed. Here is an example of making hay while the sun shines.

MnUSA Region 8 Trail Association Southwest Trails, which is located in the Southwest Metro of Minneapolis and St. Paul, is a trail association consisting of clubs in Carver, Hennepin, and Scott Counties, just west of the city of Cologne, MN, next to the city water/sewer treatment facility, and next to a large cell phone tower.

It seems like it was just brushed out, but here again with warmer wetter weather, trees are growing every year, hence the continued maintenance factor of maintaining trails. Thanks to all the volunteers, and a big thank you from the groomer operators.

2026 Raffle Calendar Reminder Reminder to start to gather up all your great photos from current or past snowmobile adventures and stops, for the BRAND NEW NEXT UP 2026 annual raffle calendar. That’s right, it’s time to start working on NEXT year’s calendar, NOW thru April 15. Please forward your jpeg photos to Sharder67@msn.com, or bring to Rendezvous.

Committee Members will be voting on the top 13 photos to be in NEXT year’s 2026 raffle calendar.

WANTED-WANTEDVENDOR MnUSA is looking for a vendor for trail associations or clubs to enhance current DNR caution signs with more specific language. If words can be purchased in volume vs one club or one association, what discount(s) may be available?

If you know of a business that can produce multiple words on a reflective material for affixing to the existing DNR provided caution signs, please contact Scott Wakefield at oliver1650@icloud.com 14

Left to right: Sno-Hawk Mark LaBaw, Editor Scott Wakefield and Snoblazer Ross Bingham.

Region 8 Toys for Tots For over 25 years, MnUSA has supported Toys for Tots with many regions and clubs participating from bringing pickup boxes full of toys to the KARE 11 studios in Golden Valley, to picking up overflowing Toys for Tots boxes, sometimes more than once, and delivering to the Marines from dealerships and businesses around the state. MnUSA Region 8 has continued that tradition. This year Region 8 clubs gathered up 451 toys and provided $1,285 in cash.

Toys for Tots, and their connections with Target, Walmart and various other partners, can purchase toys at discount great enough that their buying power is eight times what a normal snowmobiler can support.

So, cash is King in the discounted toy purchasing arena but the collection of toys by members still brings a smile to all involved.

Minnesota Snowmobiling

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITy! Help design a brand-new snowmobile-themed state license plate to support snowmobiling!

Your design could appear on a Minnesota state license plate!

!

USE THE SPACE TO THE LEFT TO SHOW YOUR DESIGN

February 2025

Cut out and mail to: MnUSA Communications c/o Scott Wakefield 12620 Co Rd 30 Waconia, MN 55387

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NEW FRONT END TO STAY IN FRONT

BUILD YOURS AT SKI-DOO.COM The new RAS RX front suspension adds race-proven geometry reducing body roll for flatter, more predictable cornering. Paired with the new stepped keel design of the Pilot RX skis, riders can confidently choose — and hold — their line in any snow conditions, putting them further ahead of the pack.

VISIT YOUR LOCAL DEALER

®

©2024 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. , TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the USA, products are distributed by BRP US Inc. †All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BRP reserves the right to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring obligation. Some models depicted may include optional equipment. Product performance may vary depending on weather, temperature, altitude, driving ability and driver/passenger weight. Carefully read the operator’s guide and safety instructions. All adult snowmobile models are meant to be used by drivers of age 16 and older. Observe applicable laws and regulations. Always wear appropriate protective clothing, including a helmet. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix.

Always ride responsibly and safely. See your authorized BRP dealer for details and visit https://www.ski-doo.com.

Surviving an Avalanche PART 2

by Doug Pike

Danny and Brandy were well prepared for trouble and they immediately got out fire starters, hand warmers, and a thermal blanket. Paul was getting cold, so I gave him my jacket and gave him my bomber hat and mittens from my sled. Things were a blur after that. I got a saw from my sled and we found wood for a fire and cut pine boughs to lay on the snow. It was dark and really cold by then and I was freezing without my jacket, so I started digging out his sled to stay warm. I don’t remember how we found the sled, but it wasn’t far from where we found him. As I dug at the sled, I was amazed how the snow had turned to liquid and completely filled around the chaincase, motor, and track. I knew we couldn’t leave it in the woods and any weight we could shed would be helpful. The hood was trashed, but it was a memorable moment when I followed the cable to the silver Powder Special hood and saw the odometer had 200 miles on it!

Even with a fire, it was obvious Paul wasn’t creating enough heat to stay warm, and I needed my jacket back.

That’s when it was decided that I would sit behind him so he could lean into me and not the snow and that is 18

how it was until help arrived. The Search and Rescue crew were amazing people, but I can still remember the disdained reactions as they each realized we were riding without avalanche beacons. Danny later told me that beacons are as much for body recovery as they are for saving lives. He told me stories of guiding families every weekend until spring as they dug through the snow to find a lost parent, child, or sibling and how finding those bodies should be left to the volunteers.

As they loaded Paul on the sled the first man with the badge told me, if there’s any reason you can give your friend to live you might want to say it now. I was speechless; like I said, I barely knew him. I knew Paul was a drivetrain designer, and I had seen the sled with a prototype he was selling to Big Green at the time, so I think I said something about designing a better safety sled after this ride? It was a feeble attempt at best, and as they closed the canvas, I wondered if I would be the last person to talk to him. I’m sure he was praying to a higher power, but I think his heart and lungs were kept beating by the misery and pain of the ride he was about to take. The toboggan they used was no different than

Minnesota Snowmobiling

the ones used at the ski resorts in Minnesota, except for a hitch tongue on the front and no handles. There was no suspension, just straps to hold you in and a canvas cover over the top. The guy driving the pull sled was named Steve and he was riding a wide track Polaris XLT with a triple, so it had lots of power, but limited deep digging capability. Thankfully enough, 25 sleds will pack down a trail you can ride almost any sled on. As we left the hill, I remember looking at Paul’s sled laying in the hole as the fire was put out. I could have never known that in two days we would still be getting the sled off this mountain!

The trip out was almost an out-of-body experience—26 snowmobiles make a long line snaking through the mountains, and I remember the red taillights washed with headlights made me think again about the stories of waking the dragon in the mountain and it was like living out a movie. The hills were huge, and Steve driving the tow sled had no choice but to hit them with all the speed he could get!

The toboggan was bouncing like a can behind a newlywed’s car. I’ve had dreams since about how

helpless it was to watch that, and it only got worse as we had to navigate some of the chutes through the woods.

Some of the ruts were so deep from all the sleds that my only way to get traction was to let a ski fall in the rut and chew my track at the side. Steve did this somehow while pulling a person in a toboggan and that was a site! We had to ride about halfway out like this until we hit a snowed-in logging road and met another group of rescuers. This group had a toboggan sled with them that had skis and some type of suspension. They transferred Paul over to this sled. I could see his breath before they moved him and took off, so I knew he was still alive.

I don’t remember any conversation with me, and I felt like I was watching this from the outside. The logging road seemed to take us the rest of the way out until we met an ambulance on a paved road. A friend of Paul’s at the ambulance and told me they were headed for Idaho Falls. It was a blur from there to Danny and Brandy’s home where I pulled my sled inside.

Danny gave me a ride into town. Low and behold, he pulled up to the motel Paul had walked out of that morning, and he told me he owns it and we could stay

Great Trails.

continued next page »

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19

there for the night. He told the gal at the desk to set us up and said he’d call me in the morning. I’m sure he was as tired as I was and wanted to get home. The third member of our party had ridden through the park and was waiting there in the bar when we walked in. He told me Paul’s son had flown into Bozeman and would be there soon. At this time, I called my wife to let her know I was ok, and we got to our room. Everything hit me after we got to the room, so I took the longest shower of my life and cried the stress out of my body. Paul Jr. rolled into town shortly after that, and we had to head to the police station so he could get his dad’s truck keys, wallet, and personal items. I hadn’t eaten anything since early in the day, so we all stopped to get some food, but the place was abuzz with people talking about the accident and I just wanted to eat and be left alone so I didn’t say much.

The next morning, we still had to get the Powder Special off the mountain. We headed to a dealer so Jr. could rent a sled and buy some gear. I was kind of on autopilot about this time so I don’t remember how we got to Danny’s but I think we rode double so I could get my sled. Brandy had found some old beacons for us to use

20

that would transmit but they wouldn’t have been as easy if we used them for searching. Steve who had pulled the toboggan the night before showed up and helped us the next two days getting the Powder Special out of the mountain. Steve was an interesting guy. He had raced some snowcross in Minnesota and he thought we were all nuts the way we drive through ditches with no snow and jump driveways while keeping up with cars on the highway. This is coming from a guy who took his sled down a blind drop in the dark while pulling a toboggan!

I guess everybody’s idea of nuts is a little different!

Danny gave me some fuel for my sled and the six of us took off into the woods to bring Paul’s sled home.

The ride out to the avalanche site was relatively easy, but the daylight has a way of helping with that. When we got to the sled, Jr pulled up to it with the Bear Cat he had rented and the winch it had mounted on back made short work of pulling the sled out of its hole. From there, it wasn’t so easy, the damaged sled was so heavy that the Bear Cat could hardly move it. Jr had rented an ice fishing type sled to put it on, and that slowly got destroyed as the day went on. We chipped snow from under the sled, but the track was stuck and it was just

Minnesota Snowmobiling

heavy! It took two sleds to pull it up the big open hills, and we had to pull it by hand up the chutes through the woods. That was miserable work. We would do a one, two, three, pull, kind of thing and move it two feet at a time. We had five people pulling at a time and one person holding it with a rope around a tree. Three of us were also flat landers so our lungs weren’t accustomed to the altitude either. If there was an enjoyable part, it was at those hills too steep to safely pull the sled down, on these hills we would push the Powder Special over the edge and watch it go! We got it about halfway out that first day and left it to try again the next day.

That night was a little better back in town, but I still felt foolish and was glad to let Jr tell people about our adventure. The next day he rented a RMK 700 and that had much better luck pulling by itself. We eventually reversed the skis on the Powder Special and pulled it backwards and that seemed to work better. We hooked Danny’s Ski-Doo Summit in front to get up the biggest of the hills, and I thought Ski-Doo Industries would have enjoyed that site. There were still some chutes we had to do the hard way, but we got it back to the truck before dark. After two long days, we were able to say

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.

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21

goodbye and thank you to Danny, Steve, and Brandy and head for home. When I got home, I hugged my wife and kids and parked my sled in the garage and didn’t care if I ever rode again. I felt that way for most of the summer, but as winter rolled around, I was itching to get back on my horse!

As for Paul, he had internal injuries, and he thanked me when he called to give me back my bomber hat and square up on my share of the fuel from the trip. I’m not • On-site restaurant • Airport shuttle • Swimming pool/hot tub • Meeting room • Adjacent Trail Access

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superstitious, but I can’t think of wearing that hat and it still sits in a drawer in my shop! I know Paul went on to sell his design to Big Green and some of the highperformance parts we use today are his designs, but he hasn’t contacted me in the last 24 years. I did see his class reunion picture was in the paper, so I know he’s still kicking. They say you own part of a person’s future when you save them from imminent death, and I often hope he’s done good deeds with his added time.

As for me, I rode in the mountains a number of times after that and made it back to that spot a couple times.

That hill was nothing like you’d expect when thinking of an avalanche, so I’m still amazed it let go the way it did. I’ve always worn an avalanche beacon and backpack with basic safety gear on future trips, and I make sure I know my own way out just in case. I did end up riding to Old Faithful again, but I took my family on a guided tour and enjoyed every minute of it! As far as I know, there were 30 people involved with that rescue and one volunteer damaged his sled dropping off the back of Tiger’s Paw—I will always be thankful to that group!

Club News Submission Form Please use this form as a guideline when submitting your club news for publishing in Minnesota Snowmobiling. It is not necessary to use this form (emails gladly accepted) but please make sure to include all pertinent contact information. Club News should be items of interest to the snowmobile community as a whole—sharing ideas about successful events held, trail projects and improvements, ways to promote membership growth, etc.

To accommodate all clubs wishing to submit their news, we ask that you submit a Club News article no more than two times a year, keeping the length of your article to around 250 words or less with a photo, and 500 or less without a photo. We encourage you to send high-resolution photos (300 dpi or greater) of your club’s activities, including captions describing the event and/or the people shown. If you have questions, please contact Scott Wakefield.

All submissions due by 4 p.m. of deadline date.

Club Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Town/City and County:___________________________________________________________________ Written by/Title: _______________________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________ Email:__________________________________________________ Photo Caption (if photo is being submitted):_____________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ Club News (Please submit on a separate page):

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Minnesota Snowmobiling

Send Club News submissions to: Editor, Scott J. Wakefield Oliver1650@icloud.com 12620 Co. Rd. 30, Waconia, MN 55387 Phone: 612-483-5638 (text) Email: mnusa@mwomedia.com FINAL DEADLINE: March issue

2/16/25

Milestones MnUSA Region 9 Former Director

Don “Say” Hansen Donald Hansen, 90 years old, of Cyrus, Minnesota, a longtime MnUSA Region 9 Director for about 40 years, passed away peacefully February 22, 2024, with his family by his side.

Don was known for his famous words ... “Say, do I have a deal for you…” and most of us heard that for farm machinery to snowmobiles. He grew up in in Gutches Grove near Long Prairie on a dairy farm. While growing up and helping with farming, he started pulling pranks around the countryside. He attended country school, Long Prairie School District (where he also pulled pranks) and attended the School of Agriculture at the St. Paul campus for 2 years (with more pranks). So, this was the start of Don’s pranks and continued all his life.

In 1965 they moved to Cyrus. He served the Cyrus Community as a volunteer fireman, fire chief and he was a member of the town council for several years. He enjoyed camping and snowmobiling with his family, which created a bond for future generations—and yes, there were a few trips with “the guys” snowmobiling out West.

In the fall of 1954, he received a letter from Uncle Sam saying, “I want you.” He answered the call and was in the 547th Trans. Co Vehicle Mechanic Division. His basic training was at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. then later shipped out to Germany to serve his country. While in the Army, Don received National Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Army of Occupation Medal – Germany. He served from 1954-1956, while the love of his life, Thelma waited for him to come home.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma Hansen of Cyrus; children: Barb (Benj) Hill of Jamestown, ND; Bev (Jon) Larson of Herman, Daryl Hansen of Cyrus and Charlene (Steve) Larson of Rockford; seven grandchildren; 13 greatgrandchildren; and two brothers: Kenny Hansen of Bloomington and Dennis (Jan) Hansen of Plymouth.

After serving his country, Don and Thelma tied the knot August 18, 1956. His salesman career started with Swenson Implement in Morris, then Modern Tractor in Hancock and finished with West Central Implement in Morris included an Arctic Cat dealership which he was proud of.

Later in life he got roped into a few fishing trips with family and friends, even though he hated the water. Not to mention the daily gossip with the Breakfast Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rudolph and Lydia Hansen, his uncle Harold Schroeder, and aunt Lillian Hansen.

MnUSA and snowmobiling will miss Don along with his pranks and “Say!”.

Adventure starts here.

www.visitcranelake.com February 2025

23

JANUARY

RAFFLE CALENDAR

WINNERS

N E W AD D R E S S : MINNESOTA UNITED SNOWMOBILERS ASSOCIATION

14000 Sunfish Lake Blvd. NW, Ste. L, Ramsey, MN 55303

PROUD TO BE YOUR TRAIL GROOMING PARTNER IN MINNESOTA

REACH OUT TO YOUR LOCAL SALES REP Bob Wolf bob.wolf@prinoth.com (612) 251-4094

24

SCAN THIS CODE TO LEARN MORE!

Date 1/1/25 1/2/25 1/3/25 1/4/25 1/5/25 1/6/25 1/7/25 1/8/25 1/9/25 1/10/25 1/11/25 1/12/25 1/13/25 1/14/25 1/15/25 1/16/25 1/17/25 1/18/25 1/19/25 1/20/25 1/21/25 1/22/25 1/23/25 1/24/25 1/25/25 1/26/25 1/27/25 1/28/25 1/29/25 1/30/25 1/31/25

Minnesota Snowmobiling

Prize $500.00 $25.00 $25.00 $50.00 $50.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $50.00 $50.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $50.00 $50.00 $250.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $50.00 $50.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00

Winner Doug Suronen Gail Friborg Jeff Meyer Chelsea Thielen Skip Weber Don Grover Charlene Hillmyer Mark & Jelene Johnson Aaron Swanson Brian Brinkman Mark Dauwalter Mike Schulz Jason Martin Donald Hanson Chris Lindberg Adam Mattson Harold Toenyan Matt Peltier Dave Guenther Nathan Lund Austin Howard Steve Heller Garrett & Shannon Ongalo Lee Brewer Cindy Thompson Brent Mergen Brittni Johnson Linda Marotzke Steph Schanus Dan Pohl Jim Schutlz

City/State Thief River Falls, MN Bagley, MN Shakopee, MN Webster, MN South Haven, MN Amboy, MN Cokato, MN Belle Plaine, MN Bemidji, MN Proctor, MN Carver, MN Mound, MN Greenfield, MN Pelican Rapids, MN Detroit Lakes, MN Howard Lake, MN Melrose, MN Chisago City, MN Pequot Lakes, MN Shakopee, MN Crookston, MN Stacyville, IA Iron Junction, MN Brooklyn Park, MN Oakdale, MN St Joseph, MN Thief River Falls, MN Marine on St Croix, MN Lonsdale, MN Hastings, MN Lakeville, MN

Racing News Midwest Snocross Series Exciting news from the Midwest Snocross Series of racing with an Arctic Shootout at the McLeod County Fairground in Hutchinson, Minnesota, March 1-2, 2025. Live music will follow the events on Saturday night. All proceeds from the race will be go to the local Schools. Tickets are $20 a day or $35 for a weekend pass. This is just one stop on the Midwest Snocross Series. See the schedule of other races throughout the Midwest.

XM Members:

Thank You!

Rob Abear Jeff Alberts Adam & Wanda Alsleben Darren Amdahl Mark Anderson Keith & Michelle Anderson Chris & Doreen Anderson Denni Apfelbacher Terry Baar Eric & Angela Bachinski Mitchell Bahr Deb Pomroy & Ray Barnes Edward Barnick Wally Barry Tony & Val Barthel William R Barthold Troy Beckers Thomas Behm Bruce Bekkerus Michael Belanger Randy Benson Richard & Lilly Berg Jake Berger Keith & Heather Berndt Steve & Carolyn Blake Chad & Shelly Boegeman Josh Boettger Gretchen Bonik Berdell Boraas Tim & Karen Bothun Mike & Joelle Boucher Scott & Lorrie Beth Bradt Mike Brandt Jill & Randy Brandt John & Linda Braunwarth Gordon Brekken Brian Brown Charlie & Carol Brown Kelly & Toni Brown Ken Brown Jim Bryant Richard Buresh Jill Erickson-Buresh Jim & Laura Bush Gary Butz Jim Carlson

Robert Carney Tom Chamberland Tim & Linda Clark Dale & Sonya Clementson Mike & Cheryl Clevenger Michael Clevenger Mark & Lori Coleman Phil Colwell Elmer Cone J. A. Connelly Chuck & Jacqueline Coryell Tim & Nancy Coughlin Steve Cowing William & Kelly Cox Randy Demmer Charles & Sandy Doherty Trent Dore Bill Douglas Raymond Driver Wade & Melissa Dykema Mike & Chris Eck Art Ehde John Ehlert Rusty Eichorn Brad Eldred Mark & Patti Eldred Jill Erickson-Buresh Rick & Shelley Evenson Rolf Flaig Jim & Belinda Folz Paul Fossum Joe Frederick Kyle Fredrickson Sheri & Russell Gades Mark Garcea Joe Gerrits Bill Gibson Shay Godse Alex Gould Larry Grabanski John & Patty Grausam Myk Greenfield Ed & Judy Grelson Grudell Family Allen & Michele Gruidl Jeremy D Haak Troy Halvorson Donald & Thelma Hansen

The following members have paid an extra fee to protect our trails! Join them by doing your share.

Contact the MnUSA office today.

Scotty Harder Dan Hartel Dane & Barb Hasbrouck Logan Haueter Brian & Rosanne Hauge Arne & Sharon Heggedal Joseph & Katie Heidelberger Dennis Heimerman Kason Heinecke Glen & Jane Heino Gordon & Diane Heitke Bob Hellerud Bob Hennenfent Jack & Julie Hensley Daniel Herberg Troy & Kelly Hesli Kent & Laurie Hicks Robert & Gayle Holt Rex & Arlene Holzemer Jason Huerkamp Bruce & Lee Ann Hughes Terry & Debbie Hutchinson Jon Jacobson William & Sherri Jarvis Kevin & Julie Jergenson Richard & Judith Johnson Terry Johnson Charlie & Sue Johnson Todd Johnson Jeff Jones Jeff & Louise Kack Kathy Karkula Steve & Terri Kast Jerry Kastner Mark & Susan Kavanaugh Ed Kedzierzawski Chris & Michele Keyport Paul Kirscht Bob & Stacy Klemetson Earl Klersy Brent Klomps Steven & Linda Knopp David Koehn Dustin Knutson Marlys Knutson Neva Kueffer William Kuehn Jerry Kujala

Kenny Kukacka Greg Kunz Mark & Kathy LaBaw Randy LaBerge Mark Langevin Orv & Dee Langohr John & Karen Larsen Scott & Cindy Larson Brian & Paula Larson Ken Larson Larry & Donna Larson Levi & Kristen LaVallee LaVallee Inc Kevin & Lisa Leary Tim & Tammy LePage Roger & Donna Letcher Ken Lewis Kevin Lewison Anders Lindstrom Jay Loeffler Michael Lommel Dave & Laurie Lorence Gary & Judy Lothenbach Joe Lucas Brian & Janeen Lucker Nathan & Angela Lund Brian & Penny Lund Barbara Lyall Paul & Barb Maki Mike Manderfeld Mike Manthei David & Dianna Martin Mark & Laurie Martinson John Matejcek Joel Matter Shawn Mayer Jon & Tawni Maynard zTrace & Lisa McCoy Nate McNeilly Peter McTie Steve Meier & Brittni Meier Jeff & Terri Jo Melo James & Janet Merzenich Richard Meyer Jim & Barb Mickow Rick Miller Michael Milner

February 2025

Paul Molohon William Moreland Dave & Patti Myers Eli Nelson Bill & Sharyn Nepsha Martin Newberg Doug Nigon Robert Nistler Mike & Judy Nodsle Brent & Jenny Oberdieck Karen Opp Jeff Orth Daniel Osterkamp Brian & Cathy Pazzelli Walter & Connie Petersen Lowell Peterson Ron Peterson Terry & Dianne Peterson Craig & Yvonne Peterson Douglas Peterson Lowell Peterson Roz Peterson Timothy Peterson Petschl Family Scott & Lisa Pichette Matt & Amy Plautz Bill Plombon Jeffrey Price Ramie Ramsden Brian Reckow Mike & Peggy Reis Joe & Cindee Reis Steve & Kim Renslow Scott Riggs Mark & Sue Ringham Mark Sampica Grant Scheibe Kevin & Ann Schield Richard & Barbara Schmidt Kurt Schmidt Chuck Schreiber Dean Seeck Patrick Shea Gregory Shepard Larry & Judy Shepherd Tom Shurson Stuart & Jennifer Simek

Rob Sipe Brian Sjerven Bob Skoglund Jim Skoglund Rod & Jennifer Skorich Mark & Wendy Slagle Nick & Gretchen Slavicek David & Rebecca Slininger Dan Snee & Barb Snee Steven & Jane Spaeth Mark & Sue Steinmueller Russell Stolen Shannon Tatro John & Melanie Tevik Mike & Vicki Thelen Mark & Karen Thompson Mark Tiede Chad Timonen Jeffrey & Jolene Trippe Keith & Jennifer Twombly David Van Wie Kyle Voelz Todd & Abby Volden Paul Vranish John Wade Scott & Lisa Wakefield Ron Warhol Merle Weidemann Ryan Weidemann Dan & Jen Wenzel Kim Werkmeister Rick & Ruth Whitcomb Rob White Steve “Woody” & Janet Widness Randy Windsperger Dave & Tammy Wolf Don Kline & Paula Worts Bill & Fran Ylatupa Danny & Fay Yochum Rich & Ruth Zeman Craig Zweber

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Club News

Westonka Snoblazers Toys for Tots Submitted by Ross Bingham

The Westonka Snoblazers collected Toys for Tots during our holiday party where we shared stories and enjoyed a very filling pasta dinner. As a club we feel it is important to give back to the community and raise awareness for our sport. We have also donated to the Westonka food shelf, sponsored scholarships, donated to the Chaska Sno Hawk fundraiser and the MnUSA veterans ride over the years.

Recently our club formed a marketing committee for the purpose of raising awareness and visibility via social media. The goal of the committee is to get the message out to the community that we are there, and as snowmobilers we have a positive influence and give back to communities in our area. One of our club members made a video that we

shared on our Facebook page that has had thousands of views, and we are planning on submitting an article about our club in our local newspaper. With our aging demographic in our club, finding creative ways to reach younger snowmobilers and attract them to our clubs and sport is a high priority for us. We encourage other clubs across our state to consider creative ideas to reach out to the community.

Itasca Driftskippers Annual Christmas Party this year, demonstrates the club’s dedication to making the holiday season magical for everyone.

The event’s main goal is straightforward but profound: to bring smiles to the faces of children with special needs. Each year, the children get to meet Santa, experience the magic of sleigh rides, and receive carefully selected presents. These thoughtful touches ensure every child feels seen, valued, and celebrated.

With its rich history and strong ties to the Grand Rapids area, the club has built a reputation for giving back in meaningful ways.

by Anthony Anselmo, Herald Review On Thursday, December 12, the Itasca Driftskippers Snowmobile Club hosted their annual Christmas party at the snowmobile clubhouse off Highway 169 in Grand Rapids. The thermometer read 11 below zero, but that didn’t stop the 84 children who attended from enjoying sleigh rides with Santa Claus in the frigid air.

For over 50 years, the Itasca Driftskippers Snowmobile Club has brought joy and holiday cheer to the community by hosting their annual Christmas party for special needs children. This tradition, held once again 26

As the Itasca Driftskippers celebrate more than five decades of this tradition, the event stands as a testament to the power of community and the timeless spirit of the holiday season. It is a reminder that acts of kindness, no matter how small, can make a big difference in the lives of others.

Minnesota Snowmobiling

Feb 6-9 • MnUSA Winter Rendezvous Calendar of Events Bemidji, SouthShore Hotel on Lake Bemidji www.mnsnowmobiler.org

Jan 23-26 • ACSA Riding Area Roundtable / 2025 Trail Ride – Fortune Bay Casino, Tower (mention ACSA or ID #2535 for room rate) www.snowmobilers.org

Feb 8-17 • Take A Friend Snowmobiling Campaign – www.snowmobile.org

Jan 24-25 • Midwest Vintage Snow Shows Midwest Ride-In • ERX Motor Park, Elk River Featured: Yamaha • www.mwvss.com

Feb 7-8 • Blast from the Past Vintage Snowmobile Weekend – Lutsen lutsentrailbreakers@gmail.com

Jan 25 • New Market Snomads Vintage Snowmobile Show The Doublewide, New Market

Feb 15 • Veterans Appreciation Snowmobile Ride • Grand Rapids, MN Pre-registration required – www.mseaf.org

Feb 28 • Deadline to submit grant applications for the Federal Recreational Trail Program www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/recreation/ trails_federal.html Mar 1 • Chaska Sno-Hawks Benefit for Harper Snetting • Ride, Auctions, Raffles Dahlgreen Golf Course, Chaska 612-709-3163 or 612-369-1789 For more events: www.mnsnowmobiler.org/ get-involved/our-clubs/club-events

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February 2025

27

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 JAG Body Shop Bagley, MN 218-694-6095 Pinks Repair Bagley, MN 218-694-6575 Gerbracht Logging Baley, MN 218-694-2132 Adrian’s Resort Baudette, MN 218-634-1985 Border State Bank Baudette, MN 218-634-3300 Cyrus Resort Baudette, MN 218-634-2548 LOW Passenger Service Baudette, MN 218-395-0414

√ Bann’s Bar & Restaurant McGregor, MN 218-426-3450

The Old Muni Cook, MN 218-780-8242

Trails Inn Quadna Mountain Motel & RV Park Hill City, MN 218-506-8030

√ Big Sandy Lodge & Resort McGregor, MN 218-426-5040

Riverside Pub Aitkin, MN 218-927-3915

Vermilion Hotel Cook, MN 218-666-2272

Arrowhead Ultra 135, Inc. International Falls, MN

Dependable Demolition McGregor, MN 218-820-0174

Boondocks Bar & Grill Ray, MN 218-875-2700

Up North Power & Sports Park Rapids, MN 218-237-5670

Security State Insurance Aitkin, MN 218-927-3712

True North Excavating LLC Cotton, MN 218-576-2547

Fisherman’s Bay McGregor, MN 218-426-4662

Swan River Redeye Swan River, MN 218-492-4512

Wehrs AG Group Park Rapids, MN

The Glen Store and Grill Aitkin, MN 320-684-2229

Effie Country Service Effie, MN 218-743-3616

Floe International Inc McGregor, MN 800-336-6337

City of Tamarack Tamarack, MN 218-768-0975

The Landing Aitkin, MN 218-927-9998

Dan’s Garage Ely, MN 218-235-1625

Glen’s Sign Dezine McGregor, MN 218-426-4009

Meld Electric Tamarack, MN 320-267-8918

Tire Barn Aitkin, MN 218-927-1444

Joe’s Marine & Repair Inc. Ely, MN 218-365-6264

Grand Timber Bank McGregor, MN 218-768-2410

Ash Trail Lodge Ash River, MN 218-374-3131

Lindsey Keen State Farm Ins. Ely, MN 218-365-5104

√ Fortune Bay Resort Casino Tower, MN 218-753-6400

Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber Park Rapids, MN

Northern Automation Aitkin, MN 218-670-0315

Shorty’s Place Gully, MN 218-268-4199

√ Pine Cone Lodge and Vacation Rentals Park Rapids, MN 320-491-6952

Paulbeck’s Country Market Aitkin, MN 218-927-6919

Royal Bar Park Rapids, MN 218-732-9443

Side Track Tap Bar & Grill Leonard, MN 218-968-2304 Anchorage Inn Longville, MN 218-363-2236

Knob & Kettle Restaurant & Lounge Laporte, MN 218-699-3403

Docksider Longville, MN 218-363-2565 Longville Campground Longville, MN 218-363-2610 Longville Lakes Bottle Shop Longville, MN 218-363-3249 Longville Turtle Town Café Longville, MN 218-363-3333 Motorheads of Longville Longville, MN 218-363-3499 Musky House Marine Longville, MN 218-363-2044

Northern Sports Baudette, MN 218-634-1089 Sportsman’s Lodge Baudette, MN 218-634-1342

Olson’s Outdoor Sports Mahnomen, MN 218-935-2355

Walleye Capital Sanitation Baudette, MN 218-634-3151

Frontier Sports Marcell, MN √ Lonesome Pine Rentals Naytahwaush, MN 218-935-5855

Zorbaz in Park Rapids Park Rapids, MN 218-237-1969 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 Carrot’s Auto Body Waubun, MN 218-473-2417

Ash-Ka-Nam Resort Ash River, MN 218-374-3181 Frontier Resort Ash River, MN 866-950-2986

Hoot Owl Resort Waubun, MN 218-734-2245

Big Falls Liquor Store Big Falls, MN 218-276-3333

Rainbow Resort Waubun, MN 218-734-2241

Pritchards Corner Big Falls, MN 218-276-3400 Golf on the Edge Bigfork, MN 218-743-3626 REGION

2

40 Club Restaurant & Bar Aitkin, MN 218-927-7090

Loon Point Resort Bigfork, MN 218-245-1470 Powell Auto Sales & Service Bigfork, MN 218-743-3795

√ Lake Vermilion Resort Association Cook, MN 218-666-5850

Paddle Inn Motel Ely, MN 218-365-6036 Rock Country Masonry Ely, MN 218-235-3471 5 Seasons Sports Center Inc Eveleth, MN 218-744-5874 At Your Convenience Eveleth, MN 218-744-1509 BoomTown Woodfire Grill & Brewery Eveleth, MN 218-248-8381 √ Iron Range Tourism Bureau Eveleth, MN 218-969-1755 Margies Roosevelt Bar Eveleth, MN 218-744-2121

Aitkin Flyers Aitkin, MN

The Shop Bigfork, MN 218-743-3666

Block North Brew Pub Aitkin, MN 218-928-8090

Rons Korner Market Bovey, MN 218-247-7351

Sunset Lodge Resort Oak Island, MN

DataComm Aitkin, MN 218-927-7019

Tanner ASV Inc. Bovey, MN

Timber’s Edge Bar & Grill Eveleth, MN 218-744-2627

Visit Bemidji Bemidji, MN 218-444-6081

TJ’s Tavern Oklee, MN 218-796-5153

Mainline Station Floodwood, MN 218-476-2222

Becker’s Resort & Campground Bena, MN 218-665-2268

Cedar Shores Lodge & Resort Park Rapids, MN 218-732-4626

Farm Island Repair & Marine Aitkin, MN 218-927-6395

Bill Wilde Alignment & Auto Repair Calumet, MN Calumet Saloon Calumet, MN 218-247-3137

√ Jig Rock Ranch Grand Rapids, MN 218-244-6797

Lewis Insulation North Aitkin, MN 763-772-2730

Cloquet Pines Retreat Cloquet, MN

North Country Hardware Clearbrook, MN

Dorset Corner Liquor Park Rapids, MN 218-732-1770

Northland V-Twin & Offroad Grand Rapids, MN 218-326-0545

Emmaville Inn, Inc. Park Rapids, MN 218-732-8544

Midwest Machinery Co. Aitkin, MN 218-927-2140

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Bemidji Bemidji, MN 218-751-3600 √ Midnight Sun Pools ‘n Spas Bemidji, MN 218-759-8518

Sportsman Lodge Gonvick, MN 218-487-5295 Roseau County Coop Greenbush, MN 218-782-2117 28

Pinehurst Resort Naytahwaush, MN 218-935-5745 Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge Oak Island, MN 218-223-8411

Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association

Visit Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, MN 218-326-9607

Wahl Bros. Racing Inc. Greenbush, MN 218-782-2295

One Stop Convenience Store Longville, MN 218-363-2252

Bemidji Sports Centre Bemidji, MN 218-751-4477

“√” Denotes Show Your Card Member Discount New Business Supporter highlighted in yellow

Farm Island Store Aitkin, MN 218-927-3791

Mudflats Bar & Grill Aitkin, MN 218-678-3122

Nelson Funeral Care Cloquet, MN 218-879-3225 Reliable Insurance Agency Cloquet, MN 218-514-7705

Super 8 - Eveleth Eveleth, MN 218-297-0782

Rapid Roof Truss LLC Grand Rapids, MN 218-326-1777 Ray’s Sport & Cycle Grand Rapids, MN 800-799-7297

Minnesota Snowmobiling

International Falls CVB International Falls, MN 218-283-9401 Rainy Lake One Stop International Falls, MN 218-286-5700 Ranier Municipal Liquor International Falls, MN 218-286-3343 The Junction International Falls, MN 218-283-3339 Thunderbird Lodge International Falls, MN 218-286-3151 Up North Builders, Inc. International Falls, MN 218-285-3635 VFW Post 2948 International Falls, MN 218-283-8777 Jensen Concrete Pumping & Services LLC Jacobson , MN 651-230-4663 √ Arrowhead Lodge Resort & Outfitters Kabetogama, MN 218-875-2141

Hillcrest Resort McGregor, MN 218-426-3323 Mark’s Bar McGregor, MN 218-426-8040 McGregor Ace Hardware McGregor, MN 218-419-2920 McGregor Realty McGregor, MN 218-244-7242 Meyer’s Service McGregor, MN 218-426-0026

Border Guide Service Kabetogama, MN 218-324-2430

Minnesota National Golf Club & Resort McGregor, MN 218-426-4444

Kec’s Kove Resort Kabetogama, MN 218-875-2841

Northland Parts McGregor, MN 218-768-3132

Sandy Point Lodge, Inc Kabetogama, Mn 218-875-2615

School House Café/The Country House McGregor, MN 218-768-2403

The Rocky Ledge Kabetogama, MN 218-875-3481 Kennedy Trucking Little Fork, MN 218-278-4342 Mel’s Corner Service Littlefork, MN 218-278-6670

Ukura’s Big Dollar McGregor, MN 218-768-2666 Willeys Marine & Sports McGregor, MN 218-426-4350 City of Mizpah Mizpah, MN

√ Oveson’s Pelican Lake Resort & Inn Orr, MN 218-757-3613 MJ’s Lodge & Resort Pengilly, MN 218-885-1093

Lake Vermilion House Boats Inc Tower, MN 218-753-3548 √ Pike Bay Lodge Tower, MN 218-753-2430 Tavern in the Bay Tower, MN 218-753-8888 Vermilion Club Tower, MN 218-753-6277 Edwards Oil Virginia, MN 218-741-9634 Steve’s Auto Body Wright, MN 218-357-3701

REGION

3

Brothers Motorsports Baxter, MN 218-829-6656 Ewing Farms Inc. Big Lake, MN 763-263-2270

Sue’s Bait Malmo, MN

Mizpah Community Events Mizpah, MN

√ Cragun’s Resort Brainerd, MN 800-272-4867

Edge of the Wilderness Realty Marcell, MN 218-832-4000

Fisher’s Petroleum, Inc. Northome, MN 218-897-5249

Green Lantern Bar & Grill Brainerd, MN 218-764-2323

Northland Progressive Inc. Northome, MN

√ Kavanaugh’s Resort Brainerd, MN 218-829-5226

Lakeside Lumber & Hardware Marcell, MN 218-832-3300 North Star Lake Resort Marcell, MN 218-832-3131 202 Tavern McGregor, MN 218-770-3161

Northome Grocery Northome, MN 218-897-5261 Northome Municipal Liquor Northome, MN 218-897-9501

Motors-N-More Brainerd, MN 218-824-2277 The Barn Inn at Solid Rock Browerville, MN

MnUSA Business Supporters Canvasworks Inc SnoCaps Cokato, MN 320-559-0165 2 Tall Tavern Cushing, MN 218-575-3013 Anchor North Cushing, MN 218-575-2089 Lincoln Area Business Association Cushing, MN 800-462-0203 Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge Deerwood, MN 218-678-2885

√ West Side Recreation Little Falls, MN 320-632-6547 The Trailer Center Long Prairie, MN 320-732-6161 Friendly Inn of Lincoln Motley, MN 218-575-3295 Re/Max Results - Denise Beneke Outing, MN 612-269-3490 Reds Storage Outing, MN 218-513-3635

Anderson Carpet Service Elk River, MN

Village Inn Outing, MN 218-792-5186

Darins Home Improvements Elk River, MN 763-218-9310

√ KC’s Saloon Pillager, MN 218-746-3328

ERX Motor Park Elk River, MN 763-722-4977

Waste Partners Pine River, MN 218-587-8727

Emily Ace Hardware Emily, MN 218-763-2691

RE/MAX Results - Alex Hartmann Remer, MN 651-334-5000

Frank’s Resort Emily, MN 218-763-2246

Lund Manufacturing / Sledbed Royalton, MN 320-584-4800

Lake Country Foods Emily, MN 218-763-7700 Log Cabin Bar Emily, MN 218-763-2591 Redding’s Sports & Spirits Emily, MN 218-763-2191 Ryder Loon Lodge LLC Emily, MN 612-801-9687 The Pickled Loon Saloon Emily, MN 218-763-4402 √ Wigwam Motel Emily, MN 218-763-2995 Lake Country Properties Emiy, MN 218-763-3800 Castaways Bar, Restaurant & Camp Isle, MN 320-684-2380 Fishers Resort Isle, MN 320-684-2221 Nitti’s Hunters Point Isle, MN 320-676-3227 Zorbaz on Gull Lake Shore, MN 218-963-4790 √ Hilmerson Sports Center Little Falls, MN 320-632-4408

√ AmericInn of Sauk Centre Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-2800 BEAM Electric Sauk Centre, MN 320-761-1042 Centre Power Sports & Marine Sauk Centre, MN 320-351-7669 Country Cat Sauk Centre, MN 320-351-4481 Phil Polipnick Insurance Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-6171 Winters Recreation Sauk Centre, MN 320-351-7533 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 Westside Sports Wadena, MN 218-631-1113 √ Power Madd Wyoming, MN 651-462-8465

REGION

“√” Denotes Show Your Card Member Discount New Business Supporter highlighted in yellow Best Western Plus & Willmar Conference Ctr Willmar, MN 320-235-6060

4

Holiday Inn Fairmont, MN 507-238-4771 Visit Fairmont Fairmont, MN 507-235-8585 Thunder Bar & Restaurant Good Thunder, MN 507-278-4488

Mauers Bros. Tavern Altura, MN 507-932-9957 Caledonia Lumber Caledonia, MN 507-725-3381 Elba Valley Express Elba, MN 507-932-5489

S&A Petroleum Lanesboro, MN 507-467-2121

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 New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce New Ulm, MN 507-233-4300 Halbur Trucking Inc Slayton, MN 507-836-8183 √ Nelson Tours Spicer, MN 320-894-5839 √ Spicer Sports & Marine Spicer, MN 320-796-2185 Dranttel Sales & Service, Inc. St Peter, MN 507-931-1363

Do North Sportsmen’s Edition Duluth, MN 218-721-3568 6

United Employees Credit Union Albert Lea, MN 507-377-1616

Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Hutchinson, MN 320-587-5252

Deals & Steals Mankato, MN 507-380-0272

Breeze Inn Duluth, MN 218-525-2883

REGION

Tony’s Saloon Elba, MN 507-932-4969

Southern MN High Pressure Piping Madelia, MN 507-621-0177

Cedar Valley Resort & Outfitters Whalan, MN 507-467-9000

5

C & A Pro Skis Hutchinson, MN 320-587-7707

Fahey Flooring Le Sueur, MN

Billy’s Bar & Grill Duluth, MN 218-525-4720

REGION

Grover Farm Amboy, MN 507-381-7385 Flying Goose Campground Fairmont, MN 507-235-3458

√ D & M Body Shop Inc Waseca, MN 507-835-5480

Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Anoka, MN 763-421-7130 Reefer Storage Rentals Inc Blaine, MN 651-604-0014 Caliber, Inc. Burnsville, MN 952-985-9999

√ Motoproz Inc. Mazeppa, MN 507-843-2855 St. Patrick’s Tavern & Restaurant New Prague, MN 952-758-2380 Union Hill Bar & Grill New Prague, MN 952-758-4239 √ Sette Sports Center Inc Owatonna, MN 507-451-6922 M&M Lawn & Leisure Pine Island, MN 507-356-4155 Preston Equipment Co. Preston, MN M&M Lawn & Leisure Rushford, MN 507-864-7781 Dana Heger Ins & Financial Services St. Charles, MN 507-932-3750

Brewskies Bar & Grill Utica, MN 507-932-3485

√ Marshall Hardware Duluth, MN 218-525-3638 Pequaywan Inn Duluth, MN 218-848-2201

Story Agency Inc. Farmington, MN 651-463-3334

Four Seasons Restaurant & Bar Finland, MN 218-353-7371

√ Chopper City Sports Fridley, MN 763-572-2100

Friends of Finland Finland, MN 218-353-0300

Togo Motorsports Ham Lake, MN 763-284-3234

Trestle Inn Finland, MN 218-830-0523

√ Leo’s South Lakeville, MN 952-435-5371

Wildhurst Lodge & Campgrounds Inc Finland, MN 218-353-7337

King’s Bar & Grill Miesville, MN 651-437-1418

√ Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail Grand Marais, MN 218-388-2265

Prinoth, LLC Minneapolis, MN

Johnson Supply Co. Hermantown, MN 218-722-1717

√ Lighthouse Motorsports & Marine Rosemount, MN 651-322-4420 √ Century Power Sports Stillwater, MN 651-439-2035

Weis Eye Center, PA Hermantown, MN 218-625-1917 Moose Country Tile & Stone Lutsen, MN

√ MSPNinc.com Eden Prairie, MN 952-473-7870

Black Beach Inn by GrandStay Silver Bay, MN 855-455-7829

Idea Builders LLC Golden Valley, MN 612-245-8040

LaBerge Logging & Contracting Silver Bay, MN

Kassbohrer ATV Pisten Bully Jordan, MN 952-345-3330

√ AmericInn by Wyndham Tofte Tofte, MN 218-663-7899 American Legion Post 109 Two Harbors, MN 218-834-4141 √ AmericInn by Wyndham - Two Harbors Two Harbors, MN 218-834-3000 Auto Value Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2191

Erickson-Larsen, Inc Maple Grove, MN 763-535-0055 Ox Yoke Inn Maple Plain, MN 763-479-2522 Friederichs Auctions Minneapolis, MN 763-591-1642 √ Minneapolis Motor Sports Minneapolis, MN 763-634-0244

Blackwoods, Inc. Two Harbors, MN 218-834-3846

Minnesota Snowmobile Education & Advancement Fund Minneapolis, MN 763-560-8281

Castle Haven, Inc Two Harbors, MN 218-834-4303 Cooperative Light & Power Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2226

Wrico Stamping Company of MN Minneapolis , MN 763-559-2288

√ Country Inn of Two Harbors Two Harbors, MN 218-834-5557

The Doublewide New Market, MN 952-461-3682

Harbor Insurance Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2114

√ Dent Werks PDR Plymouth, MN 612-599-7719

Judy’s Café Two Harbors, MN 218-834-4802

Charlie’s on Prior Prior Lake, MN 952-226-5253

KAZ Contracting Service Two Harbors, MN 218-576-7759

Doherty’s Tavern Prior Lake, MN 952-447-9010

Lovin’ Lake County Two Harbors, MN 218-595-2800

Hennen’s Auto Service Shakopee, MN 952-445-2478

Sonju Two Harbors Sports Center Two Harbors, MN 218-414-7639

O’Brien’s Public House Shakopee, MN 952-217-5490 √ St. Boni Motor Sports St Bonifacius, MN 877-385-0339

TH Auto Inc. Two Harbors, MN 218-834-6167

Hollywood Sports Complex Watertown, MN 952-955-2424

Two Harbors Federal Credit Union Two Harbors, MN 218-834-2266

Trailside Lounge & Grill, Inc Meadowlands, MN REGION

BJ’s Bar & Grill Theilman, MN 507-534-3590

Hi Banks Resort Duluth, MN 888-924-3355

Crooked Lake Resort Finland, MN 218-220-0211

√ Northway Sports East Bethel, MN 763-413-8988

Millers Market St. Charles, MN 507-932-3760 Pearson & Stemper Electric St. Charles, MN 507-208-1968

Fish Lake Storage Duluth, MN 218-721-4243

Sheet Metal Solutions Duluth, MN 218-721-4424

Max Steininger Inc. Eagan, MN 651-454-6620

Rail 19 Bar & Grill Lonsdale, MN 507-744-5528

Duluth Lawn & Sport Duluth, MN 218-628-3718

Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association

7

Smiling Loon Restaurant & Bar Rice Lake, MN 218-600-7300

√ Beaver Bay Sports Beaver Bay, MN 218-226-4666

Caywood Country Store Saginaw, MN 218-729-8200

Hugo’s Bar Brimson, MN 218-848-2220

Hoss Construction Saginaw, MN 218-393-4261

February 2025

REGION

REGION

9

8

Belle Plaine Equipment Sales Belle Plaine, MN 612-902-2773

Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center Alexandria, MN 320-762-1124

Snow Goer/EPG Brand Acceleration Bloomington, MN 763-383-4400

Brothers Market Alexandria, MN 320-762-8121 29

MnUSA Business Supporters Ollie’s Service Alexandria, MN 320-763-4455

Battle Lake Inn Battle Lake, MN 218-862-2500

Winning Edge Graphics Alexandria, MN 320-763-7953

Richwood Offsale Callaway, MN 218-847-6380

Alsager Meats LLLP Audubon, MN 218-439-6909

Aune Farm Bureau Financial Services Dent, MN

Pit 611 Audubon, MN 218-439-6121

Bleachers Sports Bar & Grill Detroit Lakes, MN 218-844-6820

Spud’s Small Engine Service & Repair Barrett, MN 320-528-2299

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 T.S. Recreational, Inc Detroit Lakes, MN 218-844-3033 Venom Products, LLC Detroit Lakes, MN 218-844-3283 Donnelly Co-Op Donnelly, MN 320-246-3555

“√” Denotes Show Your Card Member Discount New Business Supporter highlighted in yellow AgCountry Farm Credit Elbow Lake, MN 218-685-5311 Farmers Agency Elbow Lake, MN 218-685-6880 Grant County Lumber Elbow Lake, MN 218-685-5321 Haley Oil Company Elbow Lake, MN 218-685-4466 Midwest Machinery Elbow Lake, MN 218-332-0550

IT DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!

THUNDERBIRD LODGE On Beautiful Rainy Lake

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

CALL TO BOOK: 218-286-3151

√ Lakes Inn at Dunvilla Pelican Rapids, MN 218-863-8000

Cajun Tie Downs Inc Crowley, LA 866-794-9932

New Horizons Realty Perham, MN 218-346-7767

AmericInn of Calumet Calumet, MI 906-934-6115

Wagner Company Herman, MN 320-677-3000

Perham Area Chamber of Commerce Perham, MN 218-346-7710

Stud Boy Traction Ravenna, MI 231-853-2323

DHS Grain Ltd. Hoffman, MN 320-986-2467

Steve’s Sanitation Perham, MN 218-346-4834

Runestone Telecom Association Hoffman, MN 320-986-2013

United Community Bank Perham, MN 218-346-5700

Frontier Marine & Powersports Fergus Falls, MN 218-998-4386 Lakeside Seed Company Herman, MN 320-677-8008

Duane Rau Trucking Kensington, MN

Ruther Excavating Inc. Richville, MN 218-298-1477

Tender Hearts Home Care New York Mills, MN 218-385-3466

Farmers Cooperative Oil Association Wendell, MN 218-685-4491

Warner Garage Door New York Mills, MN 218-385-2853 54K LLC Norcross, MN Ottertail Aggregate Ottertail, MN 218-367-2581 Voltedge Electric Ottertail, MN 218-637-3725

OTHER MEMEBERS V & V Insurance Agency Inc Cresco, IA 563-547-2161 MWO Media Burr Ridge, IL 630-887-7722

ArcticFX Washington, MI 586-786-9851 √ Brandin’ Iron Inn West Yellowstone, MT 406-646-9477 Nick’s Motorsportz Edgeley, ND Simonson Station Stores, Inc. Grand Forks, ND 701-772-3971 Texas Crossing Bar & Grill Wahpeton, ND 701-642-1991 Absolute Insurance West Fargo, ND 701-365-0515

Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association

Ultimate Snow Groomer Drags Galesville, WI 608-539-4600 Lake Chippewa Flowage Resort Assn.

Hayward, WI Lulich Implement Mason, WI 715-746-2477 Arrowhead Groomers/ Hamblen Equipment St Germain, WI 715-479-4200 Marsh’s View Point Resort Wascott, WI 715-466-2447 Union Pass Rentals Dubois, WY 307-709-8231 √ Wyoming High Country Lodge Lovell, WY 307-529-0914 LaVallee Inc Mississauga, ON 905-670-1588

Custom Manufacturing Clinton, WI 608-676-2282

THUNDERBIRDRAINYLAKE.COM

Honor and Ride!

Join MnUSA for the 16th Annual Veterans Appreciation Ride

SPECTACULAR

Sledding

Explore miles of beautiful groomed trails, a full-service community and snowmobileaccessible lodging.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2025 GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA All veterans are welcome to enjoy a day snowmobiling, including lodging and meals. Bring your own sled or if you don’t have equipment, there will be snowmobiles, helmets, and clothing available.

Co-sponsored by MSEAF and MnUSA Contact MN Snowmobile Education & Advancement Fund (MSEAF), PO Box 28486, Minneapolis, MN 55428 763-560-8281; mnveteransride@gmail.com www.mseaf.org

www.rainylake.org || cvb@rainylake.org | 218.283.9400 www.rainylake.org cvb@rainylake.org | 218.283.9401 30

Minnesota Snowmobiling

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

WHY JOIN THE

MINNESOTA UNITED SNOWMOBILERS ASSOCIATION?

JOIN TODAY

FOR ONLY $35!

Call 1-866-811-7669 or go online to www.mnsnowmobiler.org

FOR THE FUN OF IT! • Family recreation • Trail rides & club trips • Discover new trails & destinations

• Events, picnics and parties • Create new friendships & camaraderie • Share your passion with us

FOR THE GOOD OF IT!

• Working at the Capitol and with governmental agencies to protect our trails • Paying a full-time lobbyist to protect your sport • Providing full-time office staff that only works on snowmobile-related issues locally, state and nationwide • Supporting dedicated local clubs who volunteer their time and effort • Providing adult & youth safety training (MnUSA Volunteer Instructors) • Insuring the growth and future of Minnesota snowmobiling

Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association

FOR MORE PERKS!

• A subscription (7 issues) to Minnesota Snowmobiling • Exclusive invites to events and rides • Discounts on lodging and at snowmobile retailers • Informative website • Official membership card and decals • Minnesota Snowmobiling Rider Assist Directory (MNSNOWRAD) For when you need assistance on the trail, road, or planning a ride.

MnUSA Application for Membership

(Please check appropriate boxes.)

Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association

14000 Sunfish Lake Blvd. NW, Ste. L, Ramsey, MN, 55303 INDIVIDUAL / FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

$35 ONE $65 TWO YEAR YEARS

$95 THREE YEARS

$50 EXTRA MILER - 1 year ($30 Dues + $20 Donation)

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP

$75.00 a YEAR

Dues include ($14) subscription to Minnesota Snowmobiling magazine. Payments to MnUSA are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal tax purposes.

NAME (Please Print) __________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________________________

EMAIL ___________________________________________

CITY ________________________________________ COUNTY______________________ STATE _________ ZIP_______________ Number of Family Members____________________ Number of Snowmobiles______________

MRM Number_____________________

Payment method: ___________ Check Enclosed Mail to: MnUSA, 1_ 4000 Sunfish Lake Blvd. NW, Ste. L, Ramsey, MN 55303 Bill my ________ Visa________ MasterCard Card Number____________________________________________ Expiration Date__________________________________________ Signature______________________________________________ Fill out the application and mail in or go to www.mnsnowmobiler.org to pay by credit card.

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.

Chopper Powersports Fridley 763-572-2100 chopperpowersports.com

Chopper Powersports Maple Plain 763-479-3719 chopperpowersports.com

Duluth Lawn & Sport Duluth 218-628-3718 duluthlawnandsport.com Podein’s Power Equipment Stewartville 507-533-8841 podeinspowerequipment.com

Davis Motorsports Delano 763-972-5045 davismotorsportsdelano.com

Hansen Sports on Bay Lake Deerwood 218-678-2051 hansensonbaylake.com

Ray’s Sport & Cycle Grand Rapids 218-326-9355 rayssportandcycle.com

Stacy Hardware & Powersports Stacy 651-462-4342 stacyhardware.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.