Minnesota Snowmobiling – March 2024

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).

March 2024 Contents

MnUSA Executive Board

President Mike Clevenger

Vice President Scotty Harder

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

From the Editor Scott Wakefield

As we wrap up the season, we reflect on how it was … (insert expletive) …just kidding; we made the best of it! The resolve of snowmobilers to still have fun, while not doing what we love to do—ride on well-groomed and signed trails—was amazing this year. Maybe a little adversity is good for the soul; it brings out our creative nature.

Case in point, Rendezvous 2024. Region 9 and all the clubs that helped put on the event really outdid themselves, considering there was no rideable snow and a bunch of changes had to be made at the last minute. It was the most fun I’ve had in years at Rendezvous! From the steaming hot jambalaya on

Thursday night to the massive amount of live and silent auction items, to a great educational tour Friday at the Lund/Crestliner Factory in New York Mills, to our hilariously funny ventriloquist Friday night, and great banquet and live auction Saturday night, with great food and libations in between, it was a blast. See more coverage in this issue.

The 2024 Legislative session is off and running, and bills are being introduced. MnUSA held its 2024 Legislative Reception at the Capitol Ridge Convention Center in St. Paul which was well attended. Many new contacts were made, and our legislative priorities were given to those legislators present. If your legislator wasn’t able to attend, contact him/her with a copy of our priorities. Additional coverage of the MnUSA Legislative Reception is in this issue. Thank you to those who that attended.

In this issue, Phil Little has a nice little ditty on SnoJet snowmobiles in the Vintage News column. Make sure to check that out.

The final spot for the best destination in Minnesota was a tie, with multiple locations, so we grabbed a bunch for you to peruse, and make plans for next year’s trips.

As we put a wrap on the 2023-2024 season, we are thankful for the many clubs and members out there doing your best to put on a good face and to continue to “tell our story” to anyone who will listen.

Although I put on 1 mile this year snowmobiling, I’d have to say it was a very fulfilling, interesting, and productive year.

We are in the process of reviewing RFP’s for Minnesota Snowmobiling, and the Board of Directors will decide where we head with this magazine at the Spring Meeting. To keep you up to date, send your email to Kelly at the office to get signed up for Newsledder, our e-newsletter, for informative and up-to-date information, as our magazine enters its “quiet time” from April through August.

A Challenging Time From the MnUSA President

Mike Clevenger

When I think about my short term as President, I think of one word—challenging. Challenging weather, challenging trail conditions, challenging third-year registration cycle, challenging time commitment, challenging circumstances that threaten our trail system, and challenging learning curve. I like a challenge, and this unexpected position has been just that. This position does give me a greater knowledge of challenges in the whole state as well as getting to know the MnUSA Board of Directors in greater depth.

Along with challenging I could also use the word rewarding. At this time of my life, I did not expect to be in this position and was expecting to learn while in the Vice President spot. Many hours have been spent learning the ropes and doing the best job I am capable of while balancing all other aspects of my life. The MnUSA office is moving forward towards modernization. Once this is in place, the office should run smoother and more efficiently. Please be patient while we move forward to reach this goal. While most of the Executive Board and State Board of Directors focus has been on the office, we also remember that our clubs are the grass roots to this organization.

When I think of the challenges local clubs are experiencing, the same issues might be facing them. How do we satisfy the membership? How do we save our trails? When will the commitment to maintaining and grooming our trails pay off and people realize that over 20,000 miles of trails are cleaned, marked and groomed by volunteers? Keep spreading the word that local clubs and associations are the reason for the trails. And that the use the snowmobile trails is a privilege and not a right. Supporting local clubs is something that must be preserved through membership. Talk to those individuals you encounter on the trail, educate them in a respectful way, listen to their concerns, and express that membership dollars are minimal per year, but go a long way to keeping the trails open.

Thank you to all MnUSA members who attended or invited their legislators to the Legislative Reception held February 21st at the Capitol Ridge Convention Center. This event was well attended by MnUSA members who came to share with our legislators how much this sport means to Minnesota’s economy and tourism. They also shared what we as a group need to help sustain the great trail system we have built, being proactive and stressing that we want laws that keep snowmobiling safe and enjoyable while helping our clubs and associations thrive. Although our requests may be relatively small in comparison to the large funding bills and a small portion of the budget, they do make a difference to the snowmobiling community.

If you were unable to attend It is not too late to still share our legislative priorities with them, call or write emphasizing these key points:

• No sales tax on material used for trails

• Increase the fines for noisy exhaust pipes.

It was great seeing so many members at Winter Rendezvous. It is my hope that you were able to enjoy the Northwest section of the state regardless of the limited trail conditions. Each quarterly meeting provides opportunity to learn from one another and to share camaraderie while enjoying the winter session. Thank you to Region 9 for the terrific job they did to make this event enjoyable in every aspect. Let’s hope we get the weather to cooperate and at least have a couple weeks to enjoy the trails we as volunteers work so hard to preserve.

Our next chance to meet will be the spring meeting. This event allows committees to meet, prepare budgets and have great conversation around expectations and discuss issues from the past snow season. This event will be back at the Arrowwood Lodge in Baxter, MN on April 26-28, 2024. When calling to make reservations please just indicate MN United Snowmobilers Association.

Hope to see you at the next MnUSA event! If you wish, please come introduce yourself and share a thought or two

MnUSA Directors

Executive Board

President

Mike Clevenger-XM

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

Vice President Scotty Harder-XM

PO Box 250 Zimmerman 55398, 612-860-0606, sharder67@msn.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

Committee Chairs

Booth:

Dean Thompson · 763-441-8555

By-Laws:

Rick Johnson-XM · 612-839-0956

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 · 612-816-5509

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

Directors

Region 1

Dale Dahlen, 2321 Pebble Beach Rd NW East Grand Forks, 56721, 218-791-6679 dodahlen@ hotmail.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

Jeff Lovold, 603 2nd Ave SE, Roseau 56751 218280-1941

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

Region 2

Jack White, 11914 Main St, PO Box 514 Northome, 56661, 218-897-5764 jwhite@paulbunyan.net

Troy Johnson, 5140 County Rd 4 Cromwell, 55726, 218-390-0046 tntjohnson547@hotmail.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

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

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

Region 4

Sheri Gades-XM, 103 5th St N Danvers, 56231, 320-760-3526 gades@fedteldirect.net

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

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

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

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

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

Brad Thacher, 55 1st Ave SW, Harmony, 55939, 586-899-0810, Brad.Biker@ATT.net

Region 6

Bill Prinsen, 5011 121 St N, White Bear Lake 55110, 651-260-8508 billprinsen@hotmail.com

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

Tim Heinen, Lakeville

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

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

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

Scott Seeley, Two Harbors 218-830-1028, srseeley1@gmail.com

Gary Vezina, Duluth 218-722-2852

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

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

Greg Strommen, 903 9th Ave SE, Barnesville, 56514, 701-212-7002, gstromm165@gmail.com

1 2 3

9 4 8 5

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MnUSA Office: 7040 Lakeland Ave N, Ste 212, Brooklyn Park 55428

ph.763-577-0185

fax 763-577-0186

From the MnUSA Vice President

Scotty Harder

I’m doing my best not to be bummed out, as the ground is still very brown and there is no snow to speak of in Minnesota, which is very depressing for late February. But on the bright side—as this is the March issue of Minnesota Snowmobiling—spring is on the way, and we can start thinking about next season.

But before we get into that, what a great Winter Rendezvous that Region 9 put on for everyone, even with the lack of snow. For those who attended I’m sure we will be talking about the ventriloquist and Wade Miller from the DNR for many years to come. It was a great show and very entertaining! The tour at Brunswick in New York Mills, MN was a highlight, as well as seeing where Lund and Crestliner boats are built. The fact that they are still built mostly by hand and not robotics was very impressive! A huge thank you to Region 9 for the hard work and efforts to make this a memorable event.

We need all Regions to step up and start bidding for future Winter Rendezvous now! It takes a lot of time to put an event together, so not only should you be thinking of next year, but the following years as well. Please step up and start looking into the future and bid for this event. Send your bids to Mark LaBaw who is your site committee chair. Contact him at mlabawstillafishn@yahoo.com.

As we move on to spring and summer, don’t forget to “summerize” those machines so they are ready for next season.

At the Winter Rendezvous the Board of Directors looked at a proposal to relocate the MnUSA office to Ramsey, MN, and by a unanimous vote, the move was approved. We will be moving into our new location on April 1st. We would love to have volunteers help with the move, so feel free to reach out to the MnUSA office to be added to a list of people we can count on to help out (date to be announced later).

I attended Region 4’s meeting and the Snowbirds of Amboy raffle, and had a good time. What a nice clubhouse they have. The only thing that concerned me—which I’m finding to be very common in a lot of clubs—is that nobody asked me who I was or even said “welcome” (except for the Region Directors). So, my point is, when a club has someone new in the house or at an event, we all need to go the extra mile to make them feel welcomed and noticed, otherwise they may never come back and join the club. We need to get as many people involved as possible in order to keep our trail system alive.

The Legislative Reception will be happening before this article is published so I hope that as many of you as possible were able to attend this year, since it will be the first one since Covid hit in 2020.

The Spring Meeting is coming up in April the weekend of the 27th and 28th at Arrowood Lodge in Baxter, MN. Look for info on registration coming soon.

Hope everyone has a fantastic summer and I hope to see you at a few of the many events happening in our state in the coming months!

House Environment & Natural Resources Committee Chair Rep. Rick Hansen, MnUSA President Mike Clevenger and MnUSA Lobbyist Christian Franzen.

Terry Hutchinson and Rep. Ben Bakeberg, Jordan, MN.

Rep. Bianca Virnig, Doug Franzen and Mike Clevenger.

Snowmobilers and legislators registering for the event.

Snowmobile legislators Rep. Dave Lislegard and Rep. Andrew Myers talking strategy about MnUSA sales tax exemption for building materials bill.

Sen. Jason Rarick, Sen. Nathan Wessenberg discussing the MnUSA legislative agenda.

Legislative News

We’re Not Done Yet!

Christian Franzen

Thanks to everyone who made this year’s legislative reception such a success! February 21st we hosted House Representatives and Senators, Republicans and Democrats, as well as a couple DNR folks, in St. Paul to talk about all the important priorities we are bringing to the Capitol this year. From the loud muffler penalty increase (keeps me up at night), to the material tax exemption for trail maintenance, we will be spending the remainder of the session working to move these legislations forward. Although this session has been categorized as the do no harm year, we, along with your legislators, have that long procedural road to get there. So, despite all the successes we had with our legislative reception we still have work to do!

As an organization spread across the state from Kittson County to Houston County and from Cook County to Rock County, we take pride in our club representation. We, as a group, are on the forefront of safety and trail issues that need to be addressed each legislative session. The good part of this is that the collective advocacy of our members across the state is one that shouldn’t be ignored. For example, I had no idea that Hennepin County has the second most registrations numbers in the state or St. Louis County holds the record for most registered sleds, most used trails and is home to our house author of our sales tax exemption bill.

There are a few easy ways to make your snowmobile voice heard by your legislator. www.leg.mn.gov has a “Who Represents Me” link which simply needs an address to find the state and federal legislators representing your area. Another great resource is the Legislator’s specific page on the site. You can find your Legislator’s committees, votes taken, email/phone number, and Legislative Assistant phone number as well as district demographics and more!

Rep. Roger Skraba talking snowmobiling with Jerry Hanson.

Assistant Commissioner Bob Meier and Doug Franzen.

Laura Preus from the MN DNR and Greg Strommen talking about the White Earth State Forest land transfer.

Sen. Andrew Mathews and Scott Wakefield.

Legislative News

MnUSA 2024 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.

Support 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 grant-in-aid snowmobile trails. Everything the clubs, as agents of the state, do to maintain the snowmobile trails is for public benefit.

Support legislation that increases the penalties for loud mufflers. Thousands of miles of snowmobile trails are on private land and our landowners are tired of hearing loud snowmobiles. Many have threatened cancelation of our trail permits unless this stops. It is against the law but the current fine is not working. The penalty should be large enough to deter this illegal activity.

Protection of the unrefunded gas tax attributed to snowmobile use. The gas tax paid on fuel purchased for snowmobile use provides

Rob Abear

Jeff Alberts

Adam & Wanda Alsleben

Darren Amdahl

Mark Anderson

Keith & Michelle Anderson

Chris & Doreen Anderson

Denni Apfelbacher

Eric & Angela Bachinski

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

Keith & Heather Berndt

Steve & Carolyn Blake

Chad & Shelly Boegeman

Berdell Boraas

Tim & Karen Bothun

Mike &

Mike

approximately 1/3rd of the funding for the snowmobile program. Without such funding, trail maintenance and grooming, and enforcement and safety programs would suffer greatly. When trails are adequately funded, they can be properly maintained, creating a more enjoyable and a safer trail experience for the snowmobilers who paid for this recreational opportunity. Good trails increase tourism, generate income for local businesses, and taxes for the State.

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 across private land. These permits are essential to the interconnected trail system enjoyed by Minnesota residents

Tim & Tammy LePage

Roger & Donna Letcher

Ken Lewis

Kevin Lewison

Anders Lindstrom

Michael Lommel

Dave & Laurie Lorence

Gary & Judy Lothenbach

Brian & Janeen Lucker

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 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.

Steven & Linda Knopp

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 &

Ken Larson

Larry & Donna Larson

Levi & Kristen LaVallee

LaVallee Inc

Kevin & Lisa Leary

2024 WINTER RENDEZVOUS

Who says snowmobilers can’t have fun without snow? Well, this year’s Rendezvous showed they will…can…and did!

Wow— it was a brown year at Thumper Pond Resort in Ottertail with temps in the 20-40s at the start of the event, but we woke up with something “white” on the ground and icy roads—what, SNOW? Yes, really! But not enough snow to get the sleds out for rides. A few found enough to make snow angels with prayers for more to come. This didn’t stop MnUSA Region 9 Directors and Otter Trail Riders Club volunteers from going over and above expectations.

by Janet & Woody Widness

Friday’s venture was a trip to New York Mills for the Lund Boats tour. Over 60 members walked the buildings and learned how Lund and Crestliner boats are manufactured. The tour was very impressive—they make pretty much everything except electronics, motors and specialty accessories. Our guides explained all the stations and we couldn’t believe how clean they were. After each boat, workers are to clean up their stations in prep for the next one.

Afterwards, those who signed up for the VIP lunch, traveled north of Lund to the New York Mills VFW for scalloped potatoes/ham, etc. The staff was very friendly and welcomed snowmobilers with smiles.

continued on next page »

MnUSA News

That evening over 130 enjoyed the build-your-own taco buffet with a welcome from MnUSA Region 9 Lead Director Woody Widness, President Mike Clevenger and Ottertail City Mayor Ron Grobeck. A big hit and favorite of the event was local ventriloquist/comedian James Wedgwood who had audience and participants almost falling off their chairs with so much fun and laughter.

Since there were no rides, the host had a 50/50 Split Fun Run raffle where you purchased a card and ventured out to all the participating establishments that were going to be stops on the rides to show their support. Participants commented, “We had so much fun meeting the locals and other snowmobilers” and “Great idea for checking out the area for future trips.”

Saturday was also the Fun Run, but in the afternoon, there was a Puzzle Palooza to test skills in putting 300-piece puzzles together. Five teams competed, with the winning team of Erin Borgmann, Alan Chouinard and Nancy Jerve finishing in one hour. All the others finished with one team having a very difficult puzzle, so others came to the rescue to help put in the pieces.

As the evening drew closer to the main banquet, about 200 attendees were welcomed with many one-of-a-kind and clothing items for the silent auction and live auction.

Minnesota Snowmobiling

Top: “Elvis,” “Queen Elizabeth” and “Gorilla” entertaining the audience under comedian James Wedgwood’s direction.

Bottom: Greg Strommen, Earl Anderson, Wade Miller, comedian James Wedgwood, Brenda Gagnon and Sheri Gades participating in a song.

First Puzzle Palooza winners.

Attendees touring Lund Boats with guides.

MnUSA News

The meal was an Italian-style buffet with delicious desserts. MnUSA awards were presented to Groomer of the Year, Dan DeRosier of Fort Ripley; Young Snowmobiler of the Year, Reed Beumer of Hillman; and Snowmobiler of the Year, Charles Chadbourne of Detroit Lakes. Not present were Snowmobile Family of the Year, Brett and Tammy Simon Family of St. Thomas, and Unsung Hero, Dave Hanson of Wabasha. The DNR also presented the Douglas Area Trail Association with the Trail and Charity

Team Members Award. The live auction followed with some unique items and a good bidding war.

Sunday morning ended the event with MnUSA General Membership meeting very well attended and Board of Directors meeting.

Overall, several attendees asked MnUSA Region 9 and Otter Trail Riders to do it again in 2025! Thanks to everyone for making this Rendezvous such a huge success and one for the books!

Remember…“Everything is Fine in Region 9” and welcome you to ride our trails or just come for a visit.

Dan DeRosier, Groomer of the Year.

Charles Chadbourne, Snowmobiler of the Year. Reed Beumer, Young Snowmobiler of Year.

DATA members accepting the DNR Trail and Charity Team Members Award.

MnUSA News

Notice of General Membership Meeting & Proposed Changes in By-Laws

The quarterly General Membership meeting of Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association will be held on April 27, 2024, 9:30 a.m., at Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, Baxter, Minnesota. All MnUSA members are welcome to attend. To accommodate upgrade of MnUSA’s banking and office practices, the membership will vote on the following proposed bylaws change to Article V, Section 7:

Section 7. The Treasurer shall keep the accounts of MnUSA and have charge of its funds; shall keep all of MnUSA funds in a bank account approved by the State Board of Directors and in the name of MnUSA Funds shall be subject to withdrawal by checks signed in such manner as may be designated by the State Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of MnUSA under the direction of the State Board of Directors, and shall receive all membership applications and shall supervise the maintenance of a membership roster. Six months prior to an event which has monies

coming from the manufacturers, the host region will be issued a check amounting to the total received from the MnUSA manufacturers for this event. The treasurer will automatically become a member of the Finance Committee upon election. The treasurer will provide an accounting method using a double entry balance sheet/ income/expense. All persons handling cash, including, but not limited to the Treasurer, Administrative Assistant, Merchandise and Raffle Committees, and signers on any bank accounts of Regions using MnUSA’s tax identification number, shall be bonded under the laws of the State of Minnesota. Anyone authorized to have a separate checking account is required to submit a written report, which will be attached to the Treasurer’s Report, for each Board of Directors meeting. Any certificates of deposits purchased by MnUSA require the signature of the Treasurer and one (1) member of the Executive Board. A balance of $1500 will be maintained in the MnUSA office account and will be dispersed under the direction of the Treasurer as designated by the Board of Directors. All travel expenses will be paid within fifteen (15) days of receipt and all other bills will be paid per contract or per bill. (Amended 4/24/16)

MnUSA Raffle Calendar Winners

Prize Winner City

$25 Denny Kissner Redwood Falls

$25 Jerry Novack New Prague

$50 Shawn Brinkman Plato

$50 Libby Mallery Shafer

$25 Kayla Grotheer Bertha

$25 Jill Medgaarden Austin

$25 Jill Mickelson Frazee

$25 Mechelle Theis Burnsville

$25 Murray Srock Austin

$50 Dan Tufte Albert Lea

$50 Wade Quam Albert Lea

$25 Brad Buchner Grand Forks ND

$25 Kyle Hague Chanhassen

$250 James R Hoppe Freeport

$25 Gary Jacobs Faribault

$25 Melvin Hinnenkamp Melrose

$50 Ben Allrich Grand Forks ND

$50 Shaun Rodeberg Montevideo

$250 Justin Offutt Fargo ND

$25 Kim Monnens Shakopee

$25 Ted Wallin Zimmerman

$25 Alex Hartman Remer

$25 Robert B Konsor Aitkin

$50 Frank Mitchell Rush City

$50 Larry Goslee Austin

$25 Shaun & Kassie Gaebel Albany

$25 Bert Bendickson Bejou

$25 James Tuve Cloquet

$25 Andrew Felber Brooklyn Park

Prize Winner City

$25 Tom Wilson Glyndon

$50 Joe Thielen Redwood Falls

$50 Brian Lee Ulen

$25 Samantha Gordon Kabetogama

$25 Jerry Velishek Faribault

$25 Mike Berns Richville

$25 Harper Stenerson Sabin

$25 Derek Gagner Plummer

$50 Duane Charnecki Austin

$50 Mike Williams Detroit Lakes

$25 Cristina O’Reilly Bloomington

$25 Ruth Westphal Belle Plaine

$25 Dwight Kohout Albany

$25 Greg Holland Moorhead

$25 Charlie Miller Henderson

$50 Kevin & Jean Bouma Kabetogama

$250 Jason Kilpatrick Dawson

$25 Tonie & Eric Mader Upsala

$25 Dan Borgerding Sauk Centre

$25 Josh Bettin Park Rapids

$25 Jennie Eastman St. Bonifacius

$25 Duane Schmitz Boyd

$50 Austin Sundby Argyle

$50 Scott Lindegard Hallock

$25 Dennis Reis Bowlus

$25 Sam Chisholm Manuel ND

$25 Mitch Ballard Ogema

$25 Mike Bergh Willmar

$25 Kristie Edelman Park Rapids

$50 Max Berscheit Staples

$250 Jake Sirek Webster

MnUSA News

A Message from ASCA

by Bert Miller, President of the ACSA

ACSA is the national organization that was formed to unite the snowmobile community. Because snowmobiling is enjoyed by millions of individuals across the United States, it was imperative that a strong national organization be formed. ACSA is the eyes and ears for snowmobiling in Washington, DC and the voice for snowmobiling on national issues.

Looking forward, snowmobiling is facing many challenges in Washington, DC. “30x30” is a Biden program that aims to have 30% of all federal public lands and waters protected/ conserved by 2030. We are currently at about 12% of public lands that meet that criteria.

Many National Forests are beginning Travel Management Planning across the country. It is very important to have snowmobilers actively engaged in this process. You can always count on the non-motorized communities to be well represented. This can be a long and boring process, but one that is vitally important to maintaining our access.

What other tools are this administration going to use to help them in their land grab across the US? As we ended 2023, we saw the new Endangered Species listing of the Wolverine and the Canadian Lynx. We are also hearing there will be new Endangered Species Act language proposed by spring.

ACSA will keep the snowmobile community updated on current legislative and/or regulatory threats through the weekly E-News. To sign up go to www.snowmobilers.org.

If you are currently caught up in some access issues and are looking for resources with science to back them up, visit www.snowmobileinfo.org. This website provides a wealth of knowledge and very valuable resources for your use.

If you are a member of a snowmobile club, your state association and/or ACSA – Thank You! The more you learn –the more valuable you are when snowmobile issues end up in your back yard.

Thank you for volunteering,Your hard work is appreciated! I look forward to working with you as we take on the issues that may impact snowmobiling and to protect snowmobiling for our kids and grandkids in the future. Hope to see you out riding…

IT’S ALWAYS A TRIP

AIRTEC SPORTS ROBERTS 801 WAGNER DR., ROBERTS, WI AIRTECSPORTSROBERTS.COM

BEMIDJI SPORTS CENTRE 1826 ANNE ST. NW, BEMIDJI, MN BEMIDJISPORTSCENTER.COM

BROTHERS MOTORSPORTS

MOTORSPORTS OF WILLMAR

4970 HWY 71 NE, WILLMAR, MN MOTORSPORTSOFWILMAR.COM

NEXTGEN POWERSPORTS CLEAR LAKE

235 US HWY 63, CLEAR LAKE, WI

NEXTGEN-POWERSPORTSCL.COM

NEXTGEN POWERSPORTS WEBB LAKE

TOUSLEY MOTORSPORTS

1400 EAST COUNTY RD. E, WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN

TOUSLEYMOTORSPORTS.COM

TRUEMAN WELTERS TRACTOR AND EQUIPEMENT

1600 HWY 55 E, BUFFALO, MN

TRUEMAN-WELTERSTRACTOR.COM

LEO’S SOUTH DEALER # 692244

7915 HWY 210, BAXTER, MN BROTHERMOTORSPORTS.COM

CENTRE POWERSPORTS & MARINE 43164 COUNTY RD. 112, SAUK CENTRE, MN CENTERSPORTS.COM

DULUTH LAWN & SPORT 4715, GRAND AVE., DULUTH, MN DULUTHLAWNANDSPORTS.COM

HILMERSON SPORTS CENTER 14731 IRIS RD., LITTLE FALLS, MN HILMERSONSPORTSCENTER.COM

JAYCOX POWERSPORTS

1861 OXFORD ST., WORTHINGTON, MN JAYCOXPOWERSPORTS.COM

LOSSING’S POWER SPORTS 30 NORTH DR., BABBITT, MN LOSSINGS.COM

MILLER SELLNER POWERSPORTS 22024 STATE HWY 4 S., SLEEPY EYE, MN MILLERSELLNERPOWERSPORTS.COM

MINNEAPOLIS MOTOR SPORTS 801 LOUISIANA AVE. S., MINNEAPOLIS, MN MOTORSPORTSMN.COM

30336 COUNTRY RD. H, WEBB LAKE, WI NEXTGEN-POWERSPORTSWL.COM

NEXTGEN POWERTSPORTS CHIPPEWA FALLS

9443 HWY 124, CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI NEXTGEN-POWERSPORTSCF.COM

OLLIE’S SERVICE

111 DONNA AVE., ALEXANDRIA, MN OLLIESSERVICE.COM

OLSON POWER AND EQUIPMENT

38560 14TH AVE., NORTH BRANCH, MN OLSONPOWER.COM

POWER LODGE ONAMIA

33972 US HWY 169, ONAMIA, MN POWERLODGEONAMIA.COM

POWER LODGE RAMSEY

6781 HWY 10 NW, RAMSEY, MN POWERLODGERAMSEY.COM

RAY’S SPORT & CYCLE

20890 US HWY 169 SO, GRAND RAPIDS, MN RAYSSPORTSANDCYCLE.COM

ST BONI MOTORSPORTS

4120 STEINER ST., ST. BONIFACIUS, MN MOTORSPORTSMN.COM

16375 KENRICK AVE LAKEVILLE LEOSSOUTH.COM

HAYWARD POWERSPORTS DEALER # 697406

12305 W. STATE RD. 77, HAYWARD, WI HAYWARDPOWERSPORTS.COM

NATHE’S MARINE AND SPORT CENTER DEALER # 692266

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

MnUSA News

Cancelation of our 2024 Veterans Appreciation Ride

By Terry Hutchinson, President MSEAF

As everyone is aware, after two attempts to have our 16th annual Veterans Appreciation Ride, one in January and another in February, the event hosts, the Minnesota United Snowmobile Association and the Minnesota Snowmobile Education and Advancement Fund and all their volunteers, had to face the hard decision to cancel it. We must have safe trail conditions and sufficient snow to have this event with almost 200 snowmobilers enjoying a day of payback for their service. This was a disappointment beyond imagination for us and our veterans who look forward to this event and the new riders who were looking forward to trying snowmobiling for the first time.

VETERAN PLATINUM SPONSORS

(Sponsor of 8 or more Veterans)

Veterans 4 Veterans

Sno-Ghosts Snowmobile Club

MnUSA Region 6

VFW Post 4046

Flags and Honor of Minnesota

North Country Snowmobile Club

American Legion Post 2

Foxtailers Snowmobile Club

VFW Post 1791

VETERAN GOLD SPONSORS

(Sponsor of 4 or more Veterans)

Copeland Buhl and Company

Marshall County Driftskippers

Prior Lake Lions

Shakopee Lions

Burnsville/Savage Lions Club

Prior Lake Rotary

Ridge Runners

VETERAN SILVER SPONSORS

(Sponsor of 2-3 Veterans)

American Legion 0142 Kraft-Ostrom

Appleton Ridge Runners

Hastings Snomos

RVTB Club

Savanna Drifters Inc

Benevity/Am Giving Foundation

CC Riders Snowmobile Club

Charlies on Prior

Country Climbers

Driftbusters

Elrosa Baseball Club Inc

Larry & Judy Shepherd

Low Plains Drifters

Marlys Knutson

MG Design Center

MnUSA Region 8 Inc

New Prague Snow Drifters

Robert & Judith King

Rum River Sno Riders Inc

Snowbirds of Amboy

Warren Sno-Cat Club

Waterford Warriors Snowmobile Club

West Central Trailblazers

Babes Place Inc

Big Bend Snow Riders Inc

Country Snow Cruisers Inc

Dakota Trails Association Inc

Dalton Snowthrashers

Douglas Area Trail Association

Joseph Frederick

Lincoln Lakes Area Snowmobile Club

Minnesota Commercial Railway Co

MnUSA Region 5

Prior Lake Snowmoblle Assn

Reservoir Riders Inc

Rice Creek Trails

Savage Sno-Pacers

St. Boni Motorsports

Tamarack Sno-Flyers

ULTRA

VFW Paul F Donart Post 2853

Wells Creek Riders

Whitewater Trail Blazers

Mike & Cheryl Clevenger

VETERAN

BRONZE SPONSORS

(Sponsor of 1 Veteran)

Jordan Commercial Club

Eden Prairie Snowdrifters Inc

Earl Klersy

Lonsdale Sno-Wizards

Otter Trail Riders Snowmobile Club

We are very appreciative of all the snowmobile clubs, other organizations, and private individuals who have again stepped up to financially support and make this event possible. All funds that have been donated for this year’s event will be held in trust and will be used to fund our 17th annual ride which will be February 15, 2025. The support we receive from our donors is the only way we can have this event and pay for two nights’ lodging, requiring up to 90 rooms per night, the Friday evening reception, Saturday morning breakfast, trail lunch, and evening banquet which are all a part of this event and funded by our donors.

Please support and thank everyone who has donated and is listed here….

Red Wing Riverview Riders

Tish Scheffler Insurance Agency LLC

Adam Schuster Family

Bayport Pathfinders

Blizzard Snowmobile Club

Byron Snow Bears

Carver County Snowrunners

Clay County Trail Blazers

Clearwater Trailblazers

Cliff & Coulee Climbers

Cottage Grove SSS

Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trail Assn

Drift Toppers Snowmobile Club

Faribo Sno-Go Club Inc

Forest Lake Snowmobile Club

Good Time Riders

Goodhue Bellechester Rail Riders

Hennen’s Auto Service

Henry G Hammers

Hillman Swamp Stompers

IHG Snowmobile Club

Itasca Driftskippers Snowmobile Club

Itasca Snow Rangers

James & Belinda Folz

Jig Rock Ranch

Jordaness Lions

K-M Snowdrifters

Kubes Realty Inc

LaCanne’s Marine

Madelia Snohawks

Mark Martinson

Matthew Tuttle

MnUSA Region 4

New Market Bank

O’Brien’s Public House

Palmer Powder Hounds SC

Pequaywan Area Trailblazers

Richard & Lynne Schleicher

Rockford Ridge Riders

Sakatah Trail Sno-Cruisers

Sauk Center Sno-Cleats Inc

Schwieters Construction Inc

Shakopee Valley Lions Club

South Tonka Sno-Mobilers

Terrance & Dianne Peterson

Thomas & Patricia Hecker

Westonka Snoblazers

CONTRIBUTORS

(Cash &/or Merchandise)

Gene Ovsak

James Miesbauer

Sette Sports Center

Kim Monnens

Jerry & Nancy Hanson

Caliber

Randy LaBerge

Jerry Kujala

Sly Dog

Dennis Kirk

Heinen’s

Back Country Access

Yamaha

Klim

DSG

TOBE

Chicken Coop

Powermadd

LaValle Inc

All American Hero’s

Minnesota Twins

Shepherd’s Automotive

MN Horse & Hunt Club

MnUSA News

DNR Rendezvous Report

Presented by Wade Miller

• The attachment shows FY24 revenue as of 2/1/24 and as you can see income is down approximately $2 million as where we would typically be in a “normal” year.

• FY24 is the low year in the 3-year registration cycle, which means it’s better for the account to have the lack of snow this year instead of last FY where it is the high year for registration renewals.

• There are no concerns for funding the remaining of FY24 for GIA grants. All benchmarks will be paid in full.

• PAT may hold or delay trail improvement grant applications this year due to the lack of revenue.

• The attachment also shows the recipients of the FY24 trail improvement grants which funded $750,000 for trail projects.

• With the lack of snow and grooming, clubs should have available funding for work that in most years don’t have the time, money, or access to complete (brushing, signing, bridge repairs etc.).

• Some clubs stockpile large amounts of signs as some think that one day DNR will not provide signs. Completely not true. PAT will always provide GIA signs and clubs should understand:

– Money that pays for the signs comes from the GIA account.

– The more money spent on signs, the less money that goes out for maintenance and grooming grants.

– Stockpiling signs can cause signs to stick together and not be useable.

– If there are changes in signs, it makes old signs obsolete.

– Please remember to be prudent with spending as we don’t know the future of funding. Clubs are expended to save money in low snow years, so they have the funding available in high snow years and also to bridge gaps in case there are multiple low snow years.

Here are a couple other items for your information.

1. The new “Widescape” snowmobile currently has not been determined by DNR enforcement to meet the definition or requirements to be registered as a snowmobile in MN.

2. The DNR Directors Award was presented to the Douglas Area Trails Association (DATA)- Trails and Charity Teams for their work and dedication to snowmobiling in the Douglas County Area. The original members put a mortgage against their home to purchase their first groomer as they saw the importance and benefits to groom trails in their local community.

DNR is currently finalizing the dates and locations for the spring snowmobile meetings.

Safety Committee News

by Scotty Harder, Safety Committee Chair

I am truly at a loss as to what to report at this time. With the lack of snow there has not been much going on for this year. I will have numbers at the fall meeting hopefully but not expecting a whole lot of anything.

Some information on last year (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023); all info is strictly DNR CO’s:

• injuries – 102

• fatalities – 13

• property damage incidents – 20

www.mnsnowmobiler.org

Don’t be a Todd.

Verbal warnings:

• speed – 78

• modified exhaust – 25

• trespassing – 23

• registration violations – 25

• no safety certificate – 2

Written citations:

• speed – 110

• modified exhaust – 19

• trespassing – 11

• DUI/DWI – 4

registration violations – 31

• no safety certificate – 1 With the lack of snow, I would expect much lower numbers this year.

A concerning point is that some of the officer’s notes pointed out that a lot of people, even a club member, supposedly did not know that the speed limit on a trail in the right of way of a road follows the speed limit on the road, with the exception of 50 mph max.

Safety billboards for the safety committee ran on Clear Channel media’s digital billboards all of January. We focused on speed but with the lack of snow, we switched gears to a “Ice Safety” campaign for the month of February.

As a quote from an old TV show that I used to watch: “Let’s be careful out there,” and have a safe and enjoyable summer. The Safety Committee will have a short meeting at the spring conference and again at the fall conference. Hope to see you then!

MINNESOTA UNITED SNOMOBILERS ASSOCIATION

2023 Volunteer Snowmobile Safety Instructor of the Year

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has named Merwyn Larsen, who has been a snowmobile safety instructor with the St. Francis Sno-Ghosts for 47 years, the 2023 volunteer snowmobile safety instructor of the year.

As part of the club, Larsen has taught snowmobile safety each year since he was first certified as an instructor in 1976. An avid snowmobile rider himself, Larsen is the longest-standing member of the Sno-Ghosts and, along with other instructors. Merwyn spent many years presenting to classes as large as 100 kids as he walked through the Rules and Regulations of snowmobiling. He always had stories to tell and examples to share that gave the kids clear understanding of what to do in some situations and what not to do in others.

Trail building and club roles

Merwyn was a driving force in creating snowmobile trails in Anoka County, doing everything from working with landowners to provide access across their properties to clearing trees. In 1974 Merwyn started working with the Grant and Aid program getting funds to help build the trail in northern Anoka County. Through the years leading up to today, Merwyn has continued to manage the Grant-andaid funding for the club. In his time with the club, he’s served in every officer capacity in the club that is available from the President, Vice President, Secretary, treasurer as well on the board of directors.

“Merwyn really was a visionary when it comes to riding opportunities in Anoka County and is directly responsible for teaching many hundreds of students how to enjoy riding safely,” said Conservation Officer Bruce Lawrence, the Enforcement Division’s recreational vehicle coordinator. “He’s consistently gone above and beyond, sets the bar high for all of our volunteer instructors, and is extremely deserving of this honor.”

Dream Destinations

by Mike Carr

Our final Minnesota Destination City was a tie, so our Editor selected these places for you to visit next year...

ALEXANDRIA MINNESOTA

TRAIL TOWNS: Waukon, Lansing, Harper’s Ferry, New Albin

HIGHLIGHTS: Hilltop and bluff views toward the Mississippi River INFO: Region map – http://www.iowasnowmobiler.com/regions/ trailmaps/northeastiowamap.pdf. For a county trail map, call the Allamakee County Tourism Office 563-568-2824

Tucked into Iowa’s northeast corner and bordering both Minnesota and the Mississippi River, Allamakee County offers snowmobilers a real up-and-down riding experience—and that’s a good thing. This sparsely populated region is part of the “Driftless Area” that was untouched by glaciation, so that means lots of hills and valleys to enjoy, as well as plenty of rolling farmland. The center of the county features a sizable loop, with trails veering off in three directions—north to New Albin and the Minnesota border, west to Decorah and south to McGregor and Marquette. Just to the north is Minnesota’s Houston County where the trail network is even more amazing.

NOPIMING PROVINCIAL PARK MANITOBA

TRAIL TOWNS: Alexandria, Brandon, Kensington, Miltona, Garfield, Evansville, Osakis

HIGHLIGHTS: Runestone Museum, Central Lakes Trail, Lake Carlos State Park

INFO: Call 320-763-0102 for a trail map, for tourism info online visit ExploreAlex.com

Alexandria couldn’t be more easily accessible, lying along Interstate 94 in west central Minnesota, where snowmobilers enjoy riding through a combination of open flatlands, rolling hills and scattered woodlands. Lakes are all around, so there’s plenty of scenery to enjoy while cruising the 365-mile network of the Douglas Area Trails Association, including the multiuse Central Lakes Trail, a former rail line. In town, you can visit the Runestone Museum to see the legendary Kensington Runestone, a purported Viking artifact that was “found” locally in 1898 (and later deemed a hoax), and the 28-foot-high statue of “Big Ole” the Viking.

ALLAMAKEE COUNTY IOWA

TRAIL TOWNS: None

HIGHLIGHTS: Nopiming Lodge, Tulabi Falls

INFO: Nopiming Sno-Mads club website, www.nopimingsnomads.com/home

Nopiming Provincial Park is located east of Lake Winnipeg in southeastern Manitoba along the Ontario border, where vast forests, large bogs and countless lakes dominate the terrain. The southern portion of the park features a deep woods riding experience on routes maintained and groomed by the Nopiming Sno-Mads club. These include the Moose, Wolf, Bear, Deer and Cougar Trails, all of them connecting to the area’s only outpost of civilization, the Nopiming Lodge. Nearby are Tulabi Lake and scenic Tulabi Falls, a trail accessible cascade that is popular with park visitors.

Photos: Mike Carr

Youth News

By Scott J. Wakefield

Recently I had the pleasure to visit the Tri-County Snow Czechers, one of our MnUSA youth clubs, at their meeting at the New Prague Fire Station in New Prague, MN. Although, like all of us, struggling without any snow has been tough, but the Snow Czechers have made the best of it, including having a bowling event, and selling Heggies pizzas for a fundraiser. And like us adults, they have spent the time putting in trails, and then now will have the unenviable task of taking them back out without having a chance to ride on them. Some members were able to trailer and get some riding in, but most members have been hanging close to home. I gave them a “Math is Difficult” math formula regarding the DNR breakdown formula for registration, which the youth really got a good learning experience from and a better understanding of the funding part of the trails. I

Milestones

saw a lot of familiar faces, attending my second meeting of the Snow Czechers, and some new ones. The club is growing and continues to have fun.

The End of an Era—Lakeside Ballroom Waconia, MN

The last dance held at the Lakeside Ballroom was a long time ago, but now it’s truly the “last dance” for the Waconia, MN venue. Henning Excavating out of New Germany, MN won the bid to remove the once famous snowmobile mecca’s home, to mere rubble. Henning made short work of the building with its large excavator taking down the “New” (in 1973) woodwork and materials. They were required by the county to separate the material into specific piles of wood, steel, porcelain, copper, electrical, etc., via skid steer, which took most the time.

on some of the most rare and extensive collection of snowmobile memorabilia in the industry. It also provided the rare opportunity to get an autograph of your hero, right there in front of you. Even though the ballroom is gone, those memories never go away!

The World’s Largest Vintage and Antique snowmobile show called the Lakeside Ballroom home for 25 years, before moving to ERX in Elk River a few years back. The ballroom wasn’t just famous for its many snowmobile legends to walk its wooden floors or bid

At one of the last live auctions in the ballroom, Jimmy John Liautaud—owner of the Jimmy John’s sub shop franchise—bid on a 1974 Ski-Doo RV 250 with 100% of the proceeds going to Autism Minnesota and is now the proud owner. But the list of celebrities to enter the ballroom and play is extensive. The Monkees—Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork— played there, along with the Four Seasons, Lawerence Welk, Suburbs, Slave Raider, Butch Automatic, Steppenwolf, and many more. What the fire of Dec. 10th, 1971 didn’t take down of the original building, the excavator took care of in 2024. And so, it goes.

by Phil Little

Before the Thunder Jet

Vintage News

The Great Chicken

In 1964, Maurice Fillion and Paul- Émile Roy were making fiberglass parts from a small shop in Thetford Mines, Quebec—a city of about 26,000 people in the hinterlands south of Quebec. They started making snowmobiles because production did not require a large building and snowmobiles were relatively easy to make. Most components were supplied by OEMs. Engines were easy to find. Tracks, bogies, drive shafts, clutches, and more were available from Arctic Cat and other companies. The real costs of tooling a new sled was the fiberglass cowl and copying existing tunnel/chassis layouts.

The growing popularity of snowmobiles was not lost on the Sno-Jet owners. Armand Bombardier seemed to be doing quite well with his Ski Dogs, (later Doo). They received funding from two locals and Quebec’s Economic Development Department. A year later in 1965, their small team made and sold 25 units. By the 1967 season, they had 100 employees and moved 4,400 snowmobiles. The two owners and two investors realized that to keep pace with an expanding industry they would have to expand or sell. They chose to sell. Fillion and Roy plus the investors walked away with fat pockets. Their timing was superb as would be revealed later.

New owners

In 1956, a talented entrepreneur, Bob Hammond started the famous line of Glastron Boats in Texas. Hammond and a partner merged Glastron into the Conroy Company for fresh capital and a listing on the American Stock Exchange. Conroy was expanding into recreational products by acquiring marine companies and Sno-Jet. Conroy assigned Glastron to manage

For some unknown reason

Sno-Jet’s competitors and detractors used the term “Thunder Chicken” for the new-concept Thunder Jet racer. The sled had a rounded design like an egg but chickens don’t lay blue eggs. This is Paul Bellefeuille’s 1972 Thunder Jet 650, brand new and never started.

Sno-Jet in June of 1968. With fresh capital, Sno-Jet/Glastron was on a tear. Sno-Jet sales jumped to 9,000. By 1971, sales were 31,181 units. Increasing sales did not tell the entire story.

Sno-Jet’s new owners knew that to become the ‘next Bombardier’ they would have to leapfrog the status quo. They also knew that a positive racing reputation was necessary for a major company. It was hard to entice talented R&D and marketing personnel to the small town of Thetford Mines. Sno-Jet needed premier players.

They moved R&D into old drafty cavalry stable in Burlington, Vermont, where they could attract high-quality talent. The headhunters took over from there. They found a chief engineer Duane Aho from a marine engine manufacturer. Bob Mackin was signed on as the mechanical designer. Harland Lipker became the prototype builder/tuner/mechanic. This was the core of the Advanced Development Team. This small three-man team created the most revolutionary sled in the world.

Thunder Jet from scratch

By management decree, they started with a blank sheet of paper in 1971. The tiny team was lightly budgeted and operated out of a small old building. You would expect this to be a disadvantage against multi-million dollar resources of Ski-Doo, Polaris and Arctic Cat. However, there was no huge corporate entity to wade through; advanced designs could be proposed and approved on the same day. There was no

The 1966 Sno-Jet model was essentially a copy of other brands.

Thunder Jet started in this WWI era army cavalry stable in Burlington, VT.

Vintage News

waiting for bean counters, skeptics, and marketing people to add their two cents and take an extra year to dilute a perfectly good idea.

Sno-Jet engineer Duane Aho, tasked with building a worldbeating sled, had an immediate obstacle. Sno-Jet’s engine supplier was Yamaha. A good choice, but Yamaha was also heavily into racing. This meant Sno-Jet only received yearold performance engines. To compensate for slower engines, Aho became obsessed with a power-to-weight ratio as their advantage over faster competitive machines. Aho knew Sno-Jet couldn’t win in the straights, so he focused on faster cornering.

In time, the group discovered performance resources and people to deal with the engine power issue. The team designed a lightweight sled. Instead of common aluminum, they chose tempered thin gauge aluminum, which is impossible to weld. Major chassis components were supplied by a Texas company in Kerrville who was a respected resource for the aircraft industry. The Thunder Jet team riveted the components together.

Thunder-Jet design

Jim Poirie from Quebec designed the 1972/73 racers. The ’72 was called the Shark Shape and by others the Shark Mouth. The 1974+ stock racers were designed by Bill Wayland. Historically, the industry was impacted by two developments from this period—Sno-Jet for chassis and rear suspension designs and Yamaha for its non-leaf front suspension.

Sno-Jet’s other secret

Here’s where they went completely outof-the-box. The team dropped the engine as far down as it could go. They moved it forward and then they offset it over the left ski. No other company had ever done this. The result was a small creature that weighed only 280 pounds with 650 engine. The 295, 340 and 440s weighed less. Measured from the spark plugs, the machine was just under 2 feet from the snow! The 295 was a single in a short chassis. The 340 twin used the same chassis. 440 and 650 were twins and used a longer chassis. The T-Jet used tapered tunnels to help shed the weight of snow build up. This was probably a first too because it took at least five years for Ski- Doo and Polaris to catch up.

By 1972, just a year later, they had a complete and tested machine thanks to an unusual fellow. Jim Adema was a brilliant racer/designer/mechanic and had the last word on many dimensional specifications. The first time a Thunder Jet raced was at Thunder Road Speed Bowl, in Barre Vermont. Observers in the pits were stunned. Down by their toes was a tiny sled that could have been a toy but was obviously a serious racer. As they watched the team work on the sled, they were intrigued how the fiberglass side panels were hooked together with a bungee cord. When unfastened, both sides flopped to the snow for unhindered engine workspace. During the heats competitors watched intently. After the heat races the word spread like wildfire—the blue egg was more than awesome.

Soon the factories knew they had a problem. Probably one of the most startling victories was in Peterborough Ontario, in a five-lap race. Jim Adema lapped everyone once. Did you get that—just five laps and he passed all other riders. He was so far out front that he passed them all from behind. Not long after, at one prestigious event, the likes of Duane Duhamel and Bob Eastman were seen hovering around the little sled like doctors trying to divine Thunder Jet secrets.

continued on next page »

Photo: Paul Bellefeuille

Photo: Paul Bellefeuille

295 Thunder Jet in short chassis.

Photo: Blake Read

Jim Adema was not only a brilliant racer but as a mechanical genius who contributed ideas for the first and subsequent Thunder Jets.

Vintage News

From 1971-72, the new concept Thunder Jet snatched many victories all over the country in races large and small. It was not long before several other race teams were ‘borrowing’ heavily from Sno-Jet’s revolutionary chassis. Their first year was not the most successful, they still had some bugs to work out. In their second year, Thunder Jet just took over the racing circuit in the 295, 340, 440, and 650 classes.

Fourth team member

Peter Morris’s relentless weekly appeals to Duane Aho finally resulted in his ‘dream job’ with the team, as a draftsman. Once the team realized he had additional skills, he was placed in the styling group as an assistant stylist to Bill Wayland. He worked for Sno-Jet from early 1972 to 1976 and arrived to help finish the 1972 Thunder Jets. Peter was sent to Quebec to work with Harland Lipker, supervising the T-Jet assembly line for the 1974 and 75 models. Peter left when Kawasaki took over. He was the primary source for this story and told me that the credit for Thunder Jet’s success was due to Aho, Mackin and Lipker.

Sno-Jet, no factory team

Management could not handle the staggering costs of a factory race team. In 1973, they established the Sno-Jet Million Dollar Racing Incentive Program. They sold Thunder Jets to independent racers. Sno-Jet paid their entrance fees and paid again for wins. This program was a huge incentive for racers. Many switched brands to Sno-Jet. The company fielded a greater number of racers and limited their costs to a million bucks.

Sno-Jet hit hard in 1973

Firstly, the United States Snowmobile Association pronounced SnoPro, a professional race circuit for modified sleds in 74/75. To compete each factory had to manufacture a required number of sleds. Sno-Jet could not produce the needed quantity. Instead Sno-Jet developed 700 new 1975 Thunder Jet F/A high-performance 340cc models to race in stock classes.

Secondly, the OPEC oil embargo caused higher gas prices and reduced sled sales. At this point Conroy/Glastron wanted out of the snowmobile business.

The Kawasaki era

Kawasaki wanted to get into the market and bought Sno-Jet. Kawasaki did not have to build a snowmobile dealership network, they used Sno-Jet’s. And, they had their own motorcycle dealerships. Most Sno-Jet dealers sold Sno-Jets rebranded as Kawasaki and Kawasaki’s own models. Sadly, it was then that Sno-Jet and Kawasaki snowmobiles became a part of history.

Story by Phil Little (Phil Little Racing.com) with tremendous help from forth member Peter Morris. Thanks too to Blake Read for his input as one of the few Sno-Jet experts. And lastly thanks to Paul Bellefeuille for his smashing photos.

Retraction: In the last issue I asserted the SnoPro circuit was killed in 1974. In fact, it started in 1974.

Calendar of Events

Mar 30 – Ski-Doo 2025 Spring Tour

10am-5pm, Forgotten Star Brewery, 38 Northern Stacks Dr, Fridley

https://ski-doo.brp.com/us/en/ski-doo-feeling/events.html

Apr 26-28 - MnUSA Spring Meeting

Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, Baxter

https://www.mnsnowmobiler.org

June 12-16 – International Snowmobile Congress

Green Bay, WI

https://www.snowmobilers.org/isc/

July 13 - MnUSA Summer Event, Battle Lake

https://www.mnsnowmobiler.org

Left: 1974/75 340 Thunder Jet was designed for stock racing. It won in 340 and 400 classes. It often jumped into the 440 class and won there too. Right: 1973 Thunder Jet.

Side connecting bungee cord in front of the engine.

Club News

Foxtailers Snowmobile Club Donates to Veterans Groups

The Foxtailers Snowmobile Club presented checks to two veterans organizations in January.

Magnus Veterans Foundation and the MnUSA Veterans Appreciation Snowmobile Ride each received $2,250 from the Foxtailers.

The St. Michael-based club raised the money at its Trail Opener event, which is the club’s annual snowmobile season kickoff celebration. Held the first Saturday in December, the Trail Opener includes a silent auction that, in 2023, raised more than $4,000.

Magnus is a clinic and wellness campus in Dayton, Minnesota, that provides no-cost healthcare for veterans. The annual veterans ride is provided as a

ULTRA Members Honored for 40 years of Snowmobile Safety Training Service

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources presented service recognition awards to two ULTRA member volunteers for 40 years of safety training.

Jacob Swedberg, DNR Conservation Officer, presented the award at the annual United Lakes & Trail Riders Safety Training on December 2nd.

The award was presented to Brian Lund and Mark Damey for 40 years of volunteer youth safety training. The United Lakes & Trail Riders Association (ULTRA) is an all-volunteer snowmobile club in the Becker County area which manages more than 140 miles of snowmobile trails. ULTRA hosted 52 students this year at the annual safety training led by Kent Reisenauer at M State.

token of appreciation to veterans and active-duty personnel. Unfortunately, the ride was cancelled for 2024 but the donation will carry over to the 2025 ride.

Left to right: ULTRA members Brian Lund and Mark Damey, and DNR CO Jake Swedberg.

Club News

Amboy Snowbirds, Region 4

by Scott J. Wakefield

Recently I was invited to the Region 4 meeting to be held at the Amboy Snowbirds’ clubhouse in downtown Amboy. Region 4 President Dick Kuttner led the meeting of the attending Region 4 clubs and asked for a refresh from the Fall Workshop regarding my presentation of Kim Raap’s trail signage PowerPoint. Thanks to Vice President Scotty Harder and to Region 4 Director Rod Boesch for retrieving a HDMI cable from home so we were able to present the PowerPoint.

In addition, Scotty Harder did an excellent job

presenting his Safety Committee meeting from Rendezvous for those not able to attend. After elections for Region 4 officers and adjournment, we joined the Amboy Snowbirds for their annual Daytona 500 raffle party, with great door prizes including a Green Mountain grill donated by Blackhawk Equipment and a Blackstone 22” griddle. But everyone was there for the money—$5,000 for first, $1,000 each for second and third, and $250 each for fourth and fifth place prizes. This year was a great year for selling tickets as they set an all-time record for selling 2010 tickets. I guess I should’ve bought one more, as I left empty handed. But it was yet another way of enjoying comradery with our snowmobiling brethren in a limited snow year, and I left very fulfilled.

MnUSA President Visits Itasca Driftskippers Annual Picnic

Snowmobiling

MnUSA President Mike Clevenger and Itasca Driftskippers President Rusty Eichorn.

The Driftskippers clubhouse.

The club’s newest groomer.

MnUSA Business Supporters

Sand Castle Lake Homes Dorset, MN 320-232-8297

Lengby-Fosston Knightriders Fosston, MN 218-280-9614

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

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

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

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

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

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 218-390-0046

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

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

MnUSA Business Supporters “√”

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

Northwoods Recreational Rentals Moose Lake, MN 218-626-5175

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

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

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

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

Harding/Lastrup Snowdusters Hillman, MN

320-277-3515

Fishers Resort Isle, MN

320-684-2221

Merrifield Marathon Merrifield, MN

218-821-6208

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

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

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

√ 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

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

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

√ Power Madd Wyoming, MN 651-462-8465

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

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

D Bar

Vernon Center, MN 507-549-3153

Best Western Plus & Willmar Conference Ctr Willmar, MN 320-235-6060

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MnUSA Business Supporters “√”

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

√ 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

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 218-390-1136

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

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

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

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 LodgeGunflint 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

Two Harbors Federal Credit Union Two Harbors, MN

218-834-2266

Voyageur Snowmobile Club Two Harbors, MN 218-830-8089

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

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

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

Stone Mountain Landscape and Masonry Inc

Norwood Young America, MN 612-518-4682

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

Belle Plaine Equipment Sales

Belle Plaine, MN 612-490-2387

Minnesota Snowmobile Education & Advancement Fund Brooklyn Park, MN 763-577-0185

The Cologne Corral Bar and Grill Cologne, MN 651-373-0892

Pounder’s Bar and Grill Cologne, MN 612-735-1266

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

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

Battle Lake Inn

Battle Lake, MN

Richwood Offsale Callaway, MN 218-847-6380

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

WestView Rental Lodge & Bunkhouse Dubois, WY 715-529-0898

Dalton Industries Brookside, Nova Scotia 902-897-3333

BEE LINE SPORTS CENTER, INC. 8805 RIDGEWOOD CT SAINT JOSEPH, MN BEELINEYAMAHA.COM

BELLE PLAINE MOTORSPORTS 908 E MAIN ST BELLE PLAINE, MN BPMOTORSPORTS.COM

BEMIDJI SPORTS CENTRE 1826 ANNE ST NW BEMIDJI, MN BEMIDJISPORTSCENTRE.COM

CENTURY POWER SPORTS 5920 MEMORIAL AVE N STILLWATER, MN CENTURYPOWER.COM

DAVIS MOTORSPORTS OF DELANO 471 BABCOCK BLVD E DELANO, MN DAVISMOTORSPORTSDELANO.COM

DRANTTEL SALES & SERVICE INC. 41311 OLD MINNESOTA AVE SAINT PETER, MN DRANTTELSALESANDSERVICE.COM

ECOFUN MOTORSPORTS 9269 LAKE DR NE COLUMBUS, MN ECOFUNMOTORSPORTS.COM

MOON MOTORSPORTS 3613 CHELSEA RD WEST MONTICELLO, MN MOONMOTORSPORTS.COM

MOTOR SPORTS OF WILLMAR 4970 HWY 71 NE WILLMAR, MN MOTORSPORTSOFWILLMAR..COM

QUALITY HOME & SPORTS CENTER 1910 COUNTY HWY 61 SANDSTONE, MN QUALITYHOMESPORTSCENTER.COM

R J SPORT & CYCLE 4918 MILLER TRUNK HWY HERMANTOWN, MN RJSPORTANDCYCLE.COM

RAY’S SPORT & CYCLE 20890 US HIGHWAY 169 GRAND RAPIDS, MN RAYSSPORTANDCYCLE.COM

RAY’S SPORT & MARINE 941 MARKET ST PERHAM, MN RAYSMARINE.COM

SETTE SPORTS CENTER INC. 2299 AUSTIN RD OWATONNA, MN SETTESPORTSCENTER.COM

TOUSLEY MOTORSPORTS, INC. 1400 EAST COUNTY ROAD E WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN TOUSLEYMOTORSPORTS.COM

U MOTORS INC. 18457 US HIGHWAY 59 DETROIT LAKES, MN UMOTORSINC.COM