WSN November 2022

Dave Newman dnewman@ceas.coop

Lori Heideman racingator@wctc.net

Lauren Levey llevey17@gmail.com Sue Smedegard suesmed@gmail.com Michael Holden holdenmach@outlook.com

Wisconsin Snowmobile News

Kale Wainer - Managing Editor

6595 Edenvale Blvd Ste 180, Eden Prairie, MN 55346 Phone: 218-779-6972 Email: kale@mspninc.com

Advertising Sales

Diane Voight

Joel Mellethin

Dwain Stadie

715-957-0091 diane@mspninc.com 800-989-6776 joel@mspninc.com 847-683-0140 dwain@mspninc.com

Wisconsin Snowmobile News (USPS 683-170 ISSN 0745161X) is published seven times per year –September, October, November, December, January, February and March – by MSPN, 6595 Edenvale Blvd Ste 180, Eden Prairie, MN 55346. Periodical postage paid at Eden Prairie, MN, 55344 and additional entries.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Wisconsin Snow mobile News, c/o AWSC, 529 Trail Side Dr., Suite 200, DeForest, WI 53532.

Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available through membership to the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs for $20 per year. Enclose payment and mail to: Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs, 529 Trail Side Dr., Suite 200, DeForest, WI 53532. For questions regarding your subscription, including a change of address or multiple copies being received, please contact the AWSC office directly at 800-232-4108.

6595 Edenvale Blvd Ste 180, Eden Prairie, MN 55346 800-989-6776 / 952-473-7870 fax: 952-473-7805 info@mspninc.com

Joel Mellenthin Paula Jones Kale Wainer Corey Friesen Joel Mellenthin Diane Voight Dwain Stadie CJ Ramstad Dwain Stadie, Diane Voight, Pat Bourgeois, Joel Mellenthin, Rachyl Burzinski, Dave Newman

Contributions: Letters, manuscripts, stories, materials and photographs are welcome but cannot be returned unless sender provides a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Wisconsin Snowmobile News and MSPN are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and drawings.Submission of articles and letters implies the right to edit and publish in all or part.

Notice: The views and opinions expressed by our contributors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs or the Wisconsin Snowmobile News and MSPN staff.

Warning: Some of the photographs in this publication show action that may be potentially dangerous. We encourage safe operation of all snowmobile equipment and advise you not to attempt to duplicate any action that is seen on these pages. Let your experience and skills guide you.

Copyright © 2022 by MSPN. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher.

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In the next issue you’ll find out who the newly crowned Miss Snowflake is for the 2022-2023 season. Until then, read about the incredible list of experiences Miss Snowflake, AJ Kreager, had this past year in her scrapbook on page 13.

Groomer Prep — Are You Ready?

The Pros at Prinoth outline some Groomer Prep Tips for all brands of groomers so your club is prepared to hit the trails when the snow flies.

28 Refresher Course — Groomer Tracking Systems

AWSC President Dave Newman shares a refresher course on Groomer Tracking Systems. Currently, GTS has 679 tracker units in groomers – Is one in your club groomer(s)?

30 Interviewed — Eagle River’s Zach Herfindahl

Multi-time Cross-Country Racing Champion Pro, Zach Herfindahl, talks about riding the new CATALYST platform from Arctic Cat and outlines his race plans for the season.

Did You Know?

On the Web

Digital issues of this magazine can be viewed and downloaded for free at mspninc.com/publications/wisconsin-snowmobile-news.

Upcoming AWSC Meetings

AWSC Spring Convention March 24-26, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Deadline to Submit

Submission deadline for the December issue of WSN is 11/1/22. Please send all Club News, Club Flashback, Readers Ride and Events to kale@mspninc.com or Wisconsin Snowmobile News, 6595 Edenvale Blvd Ste 180, Eden Prairie, MN 55346.

For More Information

VISIT AWSC.ORG OR CALL the AWSC at 800-232-4108 facebook.com/AWSC-Association-of-Wisconsin-Snowmobile-Clubs

The Official Publication of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs AWSC Executive Board

3 W I S n o w m o b i l e T r a i l P a s s ( D i s c o u n t e d$ 1 0 ) O r d e r F o r m

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Please print clearly N o c a s h lp e a s e and N O R E F U N D S ! Pa ss is good July 1 , 20 2 2 June 30, 202 3 A v a i l a b l e t o o r d e r o n l i n e v i a A W S C w e b s i t e w i t h c r e d i t c a r d s ( M a s t e r C a r d, V I S A o r D i s c o v e r )

T r a i lp a s s e s a r e m a i l e d f r o m t h e S t a t e o f W I a n d c a n t a k e u p t o 2 8 d a y s f o r d e l i v e r y v i a U S m a i l o r d e r e a r ly ! !

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g i s t r a t i o n s # ’ s R e q u i r e d ! ! (Example of WI Registration #: 4 N u 7 ___________________

website www.awsc.org or by calling the AWSC office during business hours 608.846.5530/800.232.4108)

8 T O T A L R e ig s t r a t i o n ’# s ( x $ 1 0 . 0 0 P a s s ) = M e t h o d o f P a y m e n t : Check #_____________ (or Money Order p a y a b l e t o A W S C ) Credit card orders are placed through the AWSC

to report undelivered /lost trail passes to the AWSC office. Any trail p ass order reported outside of 60 days will be have to be re ordered at members cost

order date

from

P l e a s e N o t e : You have 60 days

Computer>Reception>AWSC Shared Files>Trail Pass>2019 2020 Trail Pass Order Form

By: Dave Newman

’ve had another busy fall that included spending time with the AWSC trailer at outdoor events like Hay Days and the Wausau Grass Drags and Swap Meet. What a great way to get excited about snowmobile season. Hay Days had, what looked like, one of the largest crowds in recent years. I spent most of my time there in the AWSC booth where we were able to talk snowmobiling with many club members. We also visited with a lot of snowmobilers from all over the Midwest and all were excited about the upcoming winter. Many of those from other states indicated they do most of their riding in Wisconsin and were complimentary about our great trail systems. Some even inquired about how to join a club in Wisconsin.

While the weather wasn’t quite as nice two weeks later in Wausau for their event, they still had a good turnout and a huge swap meet as always. If that doesn’t get you excited, I just read multiple long term weather forecasts all predicting a snowier than normal winter.

INTERNATIONAL SNOWMOBILE HALL OF FAME

Between Hay Days and Wausau, I attended the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame inductions in Eagle River. Once again they had a very deserving class of inductees. Wisconsin was honored by the recognition of this year’s International Club of the Year (Rome Sno Bandits) and Dealer of the Year (Trackside in Eagle River).

One of the inductees was Ed Klim who has represented the snowmobile manufacturers as president of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) since 1995. We have had Ed speak at our convention a couple of times and if you’ve

attended an ISC, chances are, you’ve also listened to him give his state of snowmobiling report. Many don’t realize everything he has done for the sport of snowmobiling and the time spent traveling around the world to ensure government’s officials understand snowmobiling.

SAFETY INSTRUCTOR RECERTIFICATION

The DNR Outdoor Skills Trainers were not able to hold a Safety Instructor recertification class at Workshop this year. But they are holding recertification classes around the state. If you want to schedule a safety course and have not been recertified, please contact your Outdoor Skills Trainer and they will work with you.

CONTACT LANDOWNERS

This is a good time to remind clubs to make sure you have proper permission from your landowners leading up to the new season. If it is necessary to relocate a trail on someone’s property make sure you have permission before cutting any trees or changing anything else that may be an issue. Every fall you should be checking on the property you cross to make sure you haven’t had any changes in ownership since last winter. Most counties have a GIS system that lets you look at the current owners for each parcel. A new feature this year on the Polaris Ride Command app also allows you to view the owners of the property your trails cross.

TRAIL PASSES

One more reminder, don’t wait until it snows to order your trail passes and make sure your membership is renewed and your registration is current before you place your order. THINK SNOW!

Each year American Council Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) and International Snowmobile Congress (ISC) compile a national charity report. Included in this report are the type of hours it takes to operate a trail system. Some statistics in the report (ONLY 131 clubs responded) include:

Between 131 Clubs - 92,267 trail miles brushed and 3,338 volunteers were needed to accomplish this. 83,610 miles of trail groomed by 301 groomer operators and mechanics.

Can you imagine what the figures would be if every club and every volunteer were accounted for in this survey? It would be staggering. We need all of you clubs to respond to this charity survey so we can see what the real numbers are.

This survey comes out in the spring and is compiled before International Snowmobile Congress in June. The surveys go out to every club president in Wisconsin. Only 21 clubs in Wisconsin responded. Not only do the clubs contribute volunteer hours to the snowmobile program, they contribute many dollars to their favorite charities. The 21 clubs that responded for Wisconsin, in 2021 contributed $11,749 to national charities and $19,094 to local charities for a total of $30,843. Can you imagine what over 600 clubs contribute? I am asking each and every club to make sure you send in your charity surveys in this coming spring.

According to the survey, some of the national charities include: the American Red Cross, Special Olympics, the ACSA legal defense fund and honor flights. Local places benefitting from snowmobile clubs are the fire departments, schools, scholarship funds and youth snowmobile organizations. Some very important charities in many communities.

Many association members, including Miss Snowflake, also participate in the MS ride each year. They have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars for MS research over the years. Since it is a snowmobile ride, it only makes sense that snowmobilers contribute. Another ride that gets much attention are the Pink Ribbon Riders. They fundraise for breast cancer patients needing assistance in paying for treatments. These are just two organizations I know of who get a lot of attention thanks to snowmobilers.

One of my clubs has decided to make the Children’s Miracle Network their charity of choice this year. On December 1st and 2nd, 2022 club members will be taking pledges over the phone to raise funds for Children’s Hospitals in the US. Donations support the health of 10 million children each year. So, I challenge any club in an area where there is a children’s hospital to donate, especially the first weekend in December in Central Wisconsin.

In order for the International Snowmobile Congress to get a better idea of just how much money snowmobilers contribute to their favorite charities, we need a lot more clubs to respond to this survey. Again, that survey comes out in the spring. It goes to every club president and they have a number of weeks to answer it. Wouldn’t it be interesting to see the numbers on just 610 clubs from Wisconsin. I encourage all of our presidents to work on these. Let’s show the rest of the snow states just how generous Wisconsin snowmobilers are.

See you on the trails!

IMPORTANT INFO ON TRAIL PASSES AND AWSC MEMBERSHIP

By: Stormy Hovey – Office Manager

WOW! What a Fall Workshop! Thank you to everyone who attended. The seasons are changing! With colder weather approaching our minds turn to snowmobiling. Here at the office, we are processing AWSC memberships and trail passes daily. The office hours are Monday-Thursday 8am - 4:30pm and Fridays 8am - 4pm.

PURCHASING TRAIL PASSES

As a reminder, you are welcome to stop in the office at any time but please remember we do not have actual trail passes in the office. You can purchase them at the office, but they will be mailed to you which is currently taking 2-3 weeks. The office will be fully staffed in November with 4-5 people daily. To aid in getting your phone call answered, please have your documentation/information gathered and ready when calling to order your trail passes.

INFORMATION NEEDED TO PURCHASE TRAIL PASSES

You will need the following information: AWSC member number/ last name, make sure your snowmobiles are current on their registration and in your name, you will need the registration number(s) for the snowmobile, you will also need a credit card number and there will be a $1.50 convenience fee. Please think before calling, get all of the information together prior to calling. If you have to run to the garage to get numbers, please do so before calling.

AWSC MEMBERSHIP

There seems to be some confusion amongst members regarding their AWSC membership — this membership is paid through your club when you renew your yearly membership with them. You CANNOT renew your AWSC membership through our office, it needs to be done through your local club. You can check your AWSC membership on our website (awsc.org) under Membership Inquiry. You will be able to see when your membership has been renewed.

We are busy processing 2022-2023 AWSC memberships. This year we will be adding a RUSH fee to our system. If you find it necessary to call the office to renew a member, so they can get the trail pass, there will be a $12 RUSH fee. You will want to make sure that your members know this so you can have them pay it up front, so it doesn’t cost the club for their procrastination. The $1.50 convenience fee will remain the same.

The friendly faces in the office will remain the same as Lauren, Sophia, Pam Sidwell and Terry Hoernke are all returning. We will be adding one more part-time person to help with phones later in November and we all look forward to helping make your snowmobile season a wonderful one this year and hopefully one loaded with record snowfalls!

BORN FROM RACING

William D. Pfaff was born on March 5, 1933, in San Gabriel, CA. Bill attended school in New Lisbon and graduated from Portage High School in 1951. In his early years, Bill was employed by AC Delco on the Space Program and later went to work as an expeditor for Hamm’s Masonry in Muskego, WI.

Bill became a director to the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs from Juneau County in 1984. He served several years as the president of the AWSC, 1995 – 2000, and 2006 – 2008. He was appointed by Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson to the Governor’s Snowmobile Recreation Council, was a member of the International Snowmobile Council, and a member of the Iron Dog Brigade. He was a founding member of the Muskego Icetronauts Club and the Winter Wanderers Snowmobiling Club in New Lisbon. William was instrumental in the development of the New Lisbon Promotional Club.

Bill is survived by three children, Diane (Leland) Buss of Burlington WI, Bill (Karen) Pfaff of New Lisbon WI, Christi (Buzz) Erickson of St. Peters MO, sister Victoria Lewis of Wyoming MI, 16 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, other relatives and snowmobile family.

Bill will truly be missed by everyone that knew him in the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs!

WISCONSIN YOUTH PERSPECTIVES

WANTED:YOUTH KAOS MEMBERS

By: Rachyl Burzinski, Rock County Youth Advisor and KAOS President

The entire Kids and Adults on Sleds (KAOS) group would like to express our thanks and appreciation to the AWSC and all who have supported us!

Did you know KAOS has 30 youth representatives and three youth advisors? Their ages range from 15-20 and all work together to learn more about the organizations supporting the sport and what goes on at a club, county, and state levels to maintain the incredible trail network here in Wisconsin. Each year we also participate in community outreach by choosing an organization to fundraise and collect donations for.

The KAOS youth participate in leadership activities and speak/ attend at different events while they learn to become future leaders in snowmobiling and the AWSC.

Our youth represent 24 counties throughout the state of Wisconsin.

The map below shows the current counties represented by KAOS.

Is your county highlighted? If not, we could use your help to grow KAOS and have more youth involvement within snowmobiling.

Talk to the members of your club/county association and see if there are any youth (ages 14-18) who are interested in joining.

If you have any questions on how to get youth involved, please reach out to a nearby youth rep. to come and talk to your club/county OR you can email: awsckaos@gmail.com.

MISS SNOWFLAKE SCRAPBOOK 2021-2022

By: AJ Kreager

This is one of the coolest experiences I’ve had as Miss Snowflake, getting to ride around Memory Lake with World Champion David Fischer at Grantsburg’s Watercross!

I became really good at handing out trophies this past year. This is from the car show at the Wausau Taste and Glow, car show.

Lighting the Cauldron after the

Tour as a kick off for Friday Night Thunder at the Eagle River Derby Track was so exciting!

Being your Miss Snowflake has brought endless memories and experiences, it has been an honor to represent you and the AWSC.

I attended four different ice oval snowmobile races and awarded Matt Goede the first place trophy multiple times.

The Multiple Sclerosis Ride was a fantastic time, with an even better cause!

I attended the International Snowmobile Congress in Dubuque, Iowa with KAOS.

I learned many things from the breakout sessions while also having a great time with my snowmobile family.

I met many future Miss Snowflakes throughout my reign.

BSG Torch

Founded in March 1969, Trailmates Snowmobile Club is over 245 member families strong, based in Wausau, Wisconsin and hosts the annual snowmobile grass drags and swap. The AWSC was well represented this year with a display and AWSC directors, Dave Newman (President), Lori Heideman (VP) and KAOS representatives Rachyl and Lynsey Burzinski and AWSC Miss Snowflake, AJ Kreager.

The event attracts many Midwestern states and enthusiasts from around the region looking to enjoy the fast action of snowmobiles racing on grass and the opportunity to visit and buy from a wide variety of industry-leading vendors.

SKI-DOO

FOURTEENTH YEAR OF FREE AVALANCHE AWARENESS SEMINARS FOR ALL RIDERS

SKI-DOO.COM

Ski-Doo snowmobiles believes in creating safe experiences for all riders and embarks on its fourteenth year of backcountry rider education with free avalanche awareness and avoidance seminars for snowmobilers. Riders of all brands, at all levels of experience, are welcomed and encouraged to attend the in-person events with their fellow back country explorers to increase or refresh their knowledge in a fun atmosphere. The leader in avalanche safety gear, Backcountry Access (BCA), will again join the effort to support these seminars with equipment and in-depth knowledge of backcountry recreation safety.

As one of the most recognized snowmobile trainers in North America, Mike Duffy of Avalanche1.com leads the US seminars. He’s a certified instructor, course provider and professional member of the American Avalanche Association. He also instructs at the American Avalanche Institute, Alaska Avalanche School and Silverton

Avalanche School. Duffy has been giving snowmobile-specific avalanche classes since 1996. As rescue team leader in the Vail Mountain Rescue Group, he has more than 30 years of mountain riding and mountain rescue experience. He is also a Backcountry Guide and riding instructor.

Seminars are open to all levels of experience and owners of all brands of sleds. For up-to-date information on locations and times, or to register for a free avalanche awareness seminar, visit the Ski-Doo website.

ARGO, manufacturer of ATVs, SxSs, UTVs and the worldwide leader for amphibious Xtreme Terrain Vehicles (XTVs), released the 100 percent electric Atlas EV amphibious XTV at Hay Days, and we were there to test it.

If you are a club needing a goanywhere vehicle to navigate

swamps and pack trails without the fear of getting stuck, you may want to look at a fully amphibious ARGO XTV or the truly unstoppable CENTAUR XT

as an investment to get those tough tasks done quicker, easier and safer.

The Atlas EV might be one of ARGO’s most powerful, easy to operate, maneuverable XTVs produced to date. Touting a 28kWh battery pack, power is delivered to a single electric drive motor as well as an independent steering motor. The ARGO Admiral E-steer™ transmission incorporates steer by wire technology for quiet, seamless and progressive maneuvers.

Most don’t realize ARGO has been a key player in the electric unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) and autonomous driving markets, and the Atlas EV demonstrates the vast

ACCESSORIZE YOUR RIDE

With the riding season fast approaching, now is the time to make sure your buggy is ready for another winter of adventure with a quick tune-up and maintenance check. This is also the perfect time to refresh your returning ride, or improve your new one with accessories that complement your riding passion. With that in mind here’s some of our favorites for this winter.

Polaris Auxiliary Punch Light

Designed to fit the latest MATRYX models, the added “punch” of this LED light will extend your riding time long after the day ends. Designed to maximize your nighttime visibility so you can ride confidently, the bright light casts a pattern in your choice of forward and out to complement the factory headlight. Choose between the Punch Light option which provides better visibility further down the trail, or the Flood Light option for a wider range of vision close to your sled. By the way, this one really gives your Polaris a custom look as well.

Polaris Lock & Ride Flex Tall Adventure Tunnel Bag

If you never want the ride to stop, you know having enough storage is key to ensure you have the right gear and the right layers for changing conditions and temperatures. This is one of the reasons we love a big, capable bag like the Polaris Adventure Tunnel Bag. Providing plenty of protection, this secure storage bag lets you take what you want with you no matter where the trail leads. Cuttingedge Lock & Ride technology makes installation and removal a breeze, all without the need for tools. Simply push to secure the bag and lift to release, there’s no turning or twisting. Plus, you can mix and match several different Lock & Ride accessories, depending upon tunnel length. You can even retrofit older Polaris models to accept the Flex system.

Ski-Doo Heated Tank Bag

Hey, it’s cold outside. Of course, as snowmobilers we embrace the cold, but our personal electronics don’t feel the same way about our favorite season. That’s why we are digging the new Heated Tank Bag from Ski-Doo. The easy-to-access 2.4-liter (0.6 US gallon, 122 in cu) snowmobile heated tank bag has a full-length zipper and a map pocket. No need to remove the bag to access the gas cap. The 3W heated tank bag also features an insulated pocket to store batterypowered electronics such as a cell phone or a GPS device. The snowmobile bag comes with an RCA adaptor plug kit and access to a 12V plug-in port.

Yamaha Tunnel Flares

With the tapered tunnel design of today’s modern snowmobile, snow spray and kick-back of ice and snow chunks is more common than ever, especially with longer tracked sleds. These simple and stylish tunnel flares mount quickly and keep unwanted snow spray off you and the rear of your sled. They’re especially effective during the spring snow conditions, where heavy, wet snow can quickly accumulate on your sled and the back of your jacket. Includes mounting hardware and fits Mountain Max, Sidewinder and Viper models going back to 2015.

Ski-Doo LINQ Trail Pro Bag

While we don’t like to play favorites, the Ski-Doo LINQ attachment system has been the industry’s best design for nearly a decade. Not only is the system secure and easy to attach and remove, but there are countless accessories available and adapter plates so you can enjoy LINQ on other brands. The new LINQ Trail Pro Bag features the highest level of waterproofing. A watertight zipper (TiZip), map holder, and quick access storage make this bag a top performer. Best of all, it’s expandable from 9 to 30 Liters (2-6 gallons) and can even be stacked atop other LINQ accessories. Fits Gen5 and Gen4 models.

Yamaha Heated Goggle Holder

Every once in a while, we come across an accessory item that works so well, we can’t ride without it. Such is the case with the Heated Goggle Holder designed for SRViper chassis Yamaha snowmobiles like the Viper and Sidewinder models. The easy to install bag that mounts between the steering post and instrument panel has a mesh bottom allowing engine heat to filter through the bag. It’s the perfect size for goggles, extra facemask, or phone. There’s no better feeling than pulling out a warm, dry facemask or fog free goggles on a cold winter’s day. A simple half-turn clasp keeps items secure inside the durable, weather resistant denier nylon case.

Arctic Cat Dash Caddy

Arctic Cat SpeedRack II

When it comes to hauling gear or spare fuel, sometimes the best solution is the simplest one. This second-generation rack from our pals in Thief Rive Falls blurs the line between new tech and the proven strap-it method. The SpeedRack Gear Rack is equipped with a lightweight aluminum rack that mounts onto a SpeedRack base (not included), supported by the new SpeedRack II System. It has the capacity to fit a 2.5-gallon fuel can, with dimensions approximately 11x10-in. It is compatible with most Arctic Cat models and looks good even empty.

While we’re a firm believer in the more storage the better, location is also a key attribute. Having a place to stash your most requested personal items that’s easy to grab and stow sits high atop our priority list. The Dash Caddy offers exactly this kind of storage for everyday necessities with a sturdy polyethylene construction that fits neatly between the gauge and windshield. The compartment door features a foam seal to keep contents safe and dry. The caddy also comes with mounting instructions. Be sure to check your model specifics for fitment as the Caddy will not fit all windshield designs.

Photo by Mark Nicholson

By Brian Fanelli

WILDLIFE

WILDLIFE VIEWING AT BEAR HEAD LAKE STATE PARK

Almost as far north as you can go without hitting Canada, Bear Head Lake State Park epitomizes the “Up North” vibe: Pristine frozen lakes in every direction, dense pine forests, rolling hills and skies so blue they look like a postcard.

For the best wildlife viewing, strap on your snowshoes and venture into the untouched winter wilderness before the sun is up. While freely swiveling your head, move quietly and slowly through the park, paying special attention to look for mammal tracks in the snow.

The northern forest is home to white-tailed deer, black bear, moose, wolves and many smaller mammals; if you stay quiet and keep your eyes peeled, you’re practically guaranteed to glimpse a few of these majestic creatures.

For an especially rustic experience, try to stay at one of the park’s five camper cabins. Named after some of the park’s more prominent trees (Aspen, Red Pine, White Pine, Cedar and Birch), they’re the perfect home base for a couple days of winter adventures.

For Wild Winter Adventures

Wander and wonder at the quiet magic of the forests and ever changing moods of Lake Superior. Take a journey by Nordic ski, snowshoe or fat-tire bike: the trails are groomed and ready. Fire up the sled and ride like a kid—or bring the kids—for the quintessential snowmobiling experience in Lake County.

So much snow, so many twists and turns, so many memories. Stoke a fire by a lodge. Let your light shine bright in the dark cold night under infinite starry skies.

Visit us online! LovinLakeCounty.com

Beaver Bay • Fall Lake • Finland/Isabella • Knife River • Silver Bay • Two Harbors

GROOMER PREP TIPS

FROM PRINOTH – ARE YOU READY?

PRINOTH.COM

Winter is around the corner. Is your club groomer(s) ready to hit the trails?

Maintenance on a snow groomer is a never-ending, yet rewarding chore which doesn’t end after summer maintenance is completed. The team from PRINOTH gathered some service tips every snowmobile club can use to help prep groomers for the winter season starting with a pre-season check.

Machine WalkAround

The first step before even thinking about heading out on the trails, is the machine walkaround. Before you fire up the machine be sure to check fluids for proper fill levels or leaks, lighting, tracks and undercarriage, and a general look at the over-all condition of the unit. Don’t forget to give the cab a quality detailing and maintenance inspection.

Fluid levels

Fill ‘er up before each shift!

Make sure you know what each fluid compartment has in it and if it’s topped off. Have fluids and filters on hand. When was the last time a specific fluid was changed?

Hydraulic, drive system, gear box, diesel fuel, DEF/AdBlue, antifreeze, engine oil.

Most importantly, know and stick to the manufacturer’s recommended intervals.

Leaks (this one is a must!) An inspection of your hoses has to be a part of your walkaround as the hydraulic fluid is the life blood of your machine. Your club doesn’t need to deal with any large messes left behind on landowner property, let alone on mother earth.

Lighting

It’s dark out there and you don’t want to have to use your phone’s flashlight to get back to home base. Overall, lighting is not just for your protection, but also (and maybe more importantly) the other person riding toward your groomer on the trail.

Clubs will sometimes mount aftermarket lighting systems. Be sure these are installed by a qualified technician.

Tracks and Undercarriage/Chassis

Perform a thorough inspection of the tracks checking for bent/broken grousers, torn or weathered belting, and make sure you are running the proper tensions. This adds to the life of the tracks and minimizes wear.

Inspect and grease your bogey wheels, paying close attention to suspension parts. These are common wear points and require service from time to time.

Inspect the blade push frame where it meets the chassis and all other joints and surfaces for cracking or bent parts, this goes for the rear lift frame as well.

Overall condition of the groomer and drag or tiller

If you are pulling a drag make sure to inspect your connection point whether it is a pintle connection or fifth

wheel/gooseneck for cracking or bent parts. If your drag is fitted with lighting, inspect the plug and wiring as the cold weather can have an adverse effect on electrical components.

Take a peak for critter nests. Those little buggers can wreak havoc on wiring and other vital components.

Cabin

Before embarking on your journey do a quick look around the cabin to be sure it is clean and everything is in working order: seat adjustment, seat belt, switches.

Do you have your radio?

Enjoyment and safety!

It’s nice to have contact with the outside world and to be able to call if the bear stirs from its winter slumber.

Heat. It’s not an option; you don’t want to become an icicle.

Blade and drag/tiller controls – make sure they’re functioning as intended.

Clear the windows and mirrors, double check the heated wipers. You’ll be glad you can you see outside.

Walk through the machine back to front, top to bottom, outside to inside

It may seem tedious, but spending a few minutes before getting in the machine can save you hours in the long run! Before the start of the season, do this same thing, but with a notepad and your club officers for an official pre-season review. Document what’s damaged, needs to be replaced or updated, and who is responsible for completing the task. For example, change your oil and filters before starting the season so when the snow falls your groomer will be as ready as you to get out there!

During the season, keep track of the machine’s condition

With your grooming operators and club officers, make a plan for how to communicate what’s happening with the machine. Write it down and stick a note to the windshield, then add to it anytime you notice something. This is especially important in clubs where multiple people are grooming so you can share information with each other. More often than not, your manufacturer will offer summer parts and service specials and have time to work on your machine during the off-season.

Words of wisdom: Don’t wait, time has a tricky way of sneaking up on you.

And remember a little grease goes a long way when it comes to the dependability and life of your groomer.

Reach out to your local PRINOTH rep for service questions and grooming tips.

REFRESHER COURSE –GROOMER TRACKING SYSTEMS

By: Dave Newman, AWSC President GTS.GROOMERTRACKINGSYSTEMS.COM

This winter will bring the second season of using the GPS devices from Groomer Tracking Systems (GTS) to record the grooming activity for all of the groomers in the state. Last year went relatively smooth considering there were a lot of clubs using them for the first time.

Currently GTS has 679 tracker units in groomers. As was the case last year, the cost of these trackers will be covered directly by the snowmobile program and clubs will not have to be invoiced for their units.

Knowing that there may be some clubs in the southern half of the state that weren’t able to get their groomers out on the trails due to a lack of snow last winter we felt it was a good idea to give everyone a refresher course. Here Nathan Matter, from GTS gave us some quick reminders of some of the important things to remember to most effectively use the GPS system. Additional questions can be sent by email to nathan@ groomertrackingsystems.com

1) To login to the GTS Trails administrator site, use the link at the bottom of the GPS tab in SNARS. Remember that GTS Trails and SNARS accounts are separate and will not necessarily have the same login info. Club managers for SNARS aren’t necessarily the club’s GTS administrator.

2) Be sure to notify GTS of any grooming equipment changes so your automated SNARS grooming entries report correctly. Changes in grooming equipment or requests for GPS devises for new groomers can be made through the links under the GPS tab in SNARS. SNARS Club Managers can verify your club’s grooming equipment and the associated rates and GPS device ID numbers under the “club profile” page in SNARS. If you removed your GPS devices for the summer, make sure the correct GPS goes back into each groomer and is wired correctly.

3) Trail changes that require the geofence to be moved need to be reported to GTS for accurate grooming time calculations with the GPS. It is also important to check the GTS Trails admin map once you travel your trail system with the GPS device to confirm all trails are mapped correctly and staying inside the geofence. This can be done while brushing or signing trails in fall to avoid delays and issues once it starts snowing. If there are any issues, the best way to notify GTS is with the “Trail mapping issue reporting form” under the GPS tab in SNARS. Trail changes on the map do not happen automatically so please be sure to fill out the form or email GTS with any mapping issues.

4) Be sure to power on your GPS device early and verify it is working and reporting to GTS trails early so there is time to fix any issues before the snow falls. Issues with your GPS unit can be reported through the same reporting form found under the GPS tab on SNARS.

5) Once the snow grooming season begins, verify that grooming entries are populating in SNARS for all your grooming activity. Entries will appear in SNARS the morning after the grooming activity occurred. Verify the amount of time submitted in SNARS matches the amount of eligible grooming that occurred. The entries are created in SNARS at the club level. Remember that the automatic grooming entries still need to be reviewed and submitted to the county to be eligible for reimbursement.

Submitted By: AWSC Vintage & History Committee Arctic Cat VIP Info: Facebook - Time Machines

to eliminate all drive belts. They did this by mounting the Kawasaki torque converter directly onto the crankshaft in place of the primary clutch. The output shaft from the reactor is connected directly into a horizontally mounted chaincase serving as the oil reservoir for the torque converter and oil cooler. The brake disc was mounted directly to the front track drive opposite the chaincase outside of the tunnel.

In 1974 and 1975 Arctic Cat had the VIP which used a Kawasaki hydrostatic drive (Cat-A-Matic) and Yamaha had the TL433F & TW433F which used a hydrokinetic drive.

The 1974 Arctic Cat Panther VIP was sold with the “CatA-Matic” transmission. Arctic’s approach was

Unlike the Yamaha design, the drive ratio to the converter could not be changed to improve low end torque. Owners of the VIP all have the same comments.

In deep snow or climbing hills, nothing could go where it went. Why? Zero track spin. Just seamless power applied to the track. Arctic realized the limitations of the design, so it was only offered on the top-of-the-line Panther VIP trail cruiser. The VIP didn’t win any drag races, but once the machine reached top speed it would run as fast as the standard Panther with a CVT.

“When you squeeze the throttle, the sled starts moving with no jerk or revving of the motor to engage the clutch. The sled just starts moving.”

ZACH

RACE SCENE

HERFINDAHL

SHARES

ON NEW ARCTIC CAT PLATFORM AND XC RACING

THOUGHTS

The Friday before the official start of Hay Days in September, Arctic Cat hosted all the media at an on-site press event to outline some of the tech details on the all-new CATALYST platform. Standing amongst the Arctic Cat Engineering and Marketing staff was Team Arctic’s multi-time cross-country Pro champ, Zach Herfindahl who hails from Eagle River, Wisconsin.

The great news for Arctic Cat fans interested in the new CATALYST platform, is knowing the company has been using Zach and other Pro cross country and mountain riders as part of the platform’s development process.

In an interview with Zach, he shares ride impressions on the all-new Arctic Cat CATALYST platform and what’s happening for him this cross-country race season.

WSN: I’m excited to share this conversation with everyone who reads Wisconsin Snowmobile News and appreciate you taking the time to talk with me.

Zach: Absolutely! Call me biased or whatever, but I’ve got to plug the Eagle River area – we’ve got some of the best trails in the state and welcome snowmobilers from all over – it’s quite a haven for snowmobiling! (Laughing)

WSN: I was happy to see you at Hay Days during the Arctic Cat CATALYST event. What are your thoughts?

Zach: First off, Hay Days was incredible! There were a lot of excited snowmobilers on the grounds all weekend and I’ve never witnessed a release like Arctic Cat had on Saturday with the sheer volume of people packed in to see the new platform.

WSN: Since you mention it, I’ve seen some of your quotes on Arctic Cat’s website regarding the new platform, and you relayed a story at the media event about a recent test trip aboard it. Can you tell us about that trip again?

Zach: Shortly after we (Team Arctic) wrapped up our Cross Country race season and transitioned into spring, engineering planned to run multiple test trips on CATALYST that

would include some outside notes and initial thoughts on what could be the production calibration packages from racers like myself, David Brown and Ben Langaas. The initial test trip was a week in Idaho comparing our current ZR6000R XC (2022) to the new CATALYST RXC. (M and RIOT versions of CATALYST were there too.)

Trip number two is where the magic happened, and the story I shared at the media event. Dan Johnson (Director of Engineering) and Ben Langaas (Engineering Manager and Team Arctic Cross Country Racer) proposed a 1,500 mile durability test at race pace on a short 5 mile track, which would consist of some high speed chop and 3-5` holes throughout the course.

The purpose of this was to perform an accelerated high intensity test to push the new CATALYST platform to its limits. The thought –if CATALYST could handle 1,500 miles of pure race abuse, it would validate the capabilities of the new lightweight chassis (RXC, RIOT and M) while continuing to maintain the durability Arctic Cat has been known for.

WSN: The million dollar question, How does CATALYST compare to PROCROSS?

Zach: I’ll start off by saying I’ve always felt Arctic Cat’s PROCROSS platforms have been outstanding, but then I rode CATALYST – It takes everything a PROCROSS did well and goes far beyond.

This is a rider active snowmobile inspiring rider confidence, and like nothing else I have ever ridden, meaning, when you move your body to adjust the sled, CATALYST magnifies this input compared to the PROCROSS. This result is a combination of far better rider ergonomics and engineering’s focus on shedding physical platform weight (10% lighter).

I get asked what a Confidence Inspiring Ride means. The CATALYST platform allows the rider to be comfortable and confident with the snowmobile’s capabilities from the first time you throw a leg over it. I rode CATALYST on day one into the gnarliest terrain I could find and, man, that sled (RXC) works through big low-speed holes, it tracks straight through high speed trail chop and high speed 1-2` bumps, it handles tight twisty trails on rails and the chassis has a solid foundation limiting flex and feedback.

Personally, I really pay attention to chassis flex and rigidity and can feel when a chassis gets “loose and broke in” through my feet. I prefer a sled with a rigid feeling on the race track and on the trails when pleasure riding. Our current platform slowly loosens up to the point where you lose some of that rigidity and the chassis begins to start acting less predictable, meaning, instead of just your suspension moving, the entire sled is flexing and moving.

After our 1,500 mile abuse test aboard CATALYST, it still felt like brand new. Engineering employed composite materials to shed weight and add durability. The composite running boards are so much stiffer than aluminum and are a key player in the success of that rigid feeling.

Simply stated, the CATALYST platform outperforms the PROCROSS for the better and comparing them is difficult.

WSN: What’s your plan this year for cross country racing? I saw a press release about you and the All Finish Racing team. Can you clarify that relationship for me and others?

Zach: I’m fired up for race season! Our plan is to go cross country racing (corpowersports.com) as always, competing for a championship in both Pro Stock and Open classes as well as trying to notch our fifth I-500 victory which would be wild. The Pro competition is outstanding for all brands. Dan Revering (Polaris) and I had some amazing battles, and like Aaron Christensen (Polaris) or Wes Selby (Ski-Doo), Dan is a very respectable guy on the track which makes battling that much better. This group is going to give cross-country fans an entertaining season.

All Finish Racing and our Factory Arctic Cat Cross country team are working together for this upcoming season. All Finish has come on board as a sponsor and helping in multiple ways. All Finish offers resources we don’t have, and we offer resources they might not have, so it will be an exciting partnership.

WSN: I can’t thank you enough for your time Zach. I look forward to watching you race this winter and thanks for continuing to keep Wisconsin as the home of championship winning racers.

Zach: Always my pleasure to talk to snowmobilers! Don’t forget to ride the Eagle River areas this winter! (Laughs)

CLUB FLASHBACK

“Sno”-Birds Celebrate 50 Years

FACEBOOK: Sno-Bird’s

Snowmobile Club

– Howard & Suamico, Wisconsin

By Eric Gwidt – Sno-Bird’s President

Nearly 50 years ago a group of residents in northwest Brown County gathered to form a snowmobile club. The first club meeting of the “Sno” Bird Snowmobile Club was held on December 7, 1972 at the Kit Kat Tavern in Kunish. About 42 individual members made up the chartered group. Dues were $5.

Subsequent meetings were held at Joe LeMere’s warehouse in Howard and acted as the clubhouse for many years. Member families would provide lunch at meetings. It was a gathering place for socializing and a starting point for many rides. The first trails linked the Reforestation Camp in Suamico, the Duck Creek, Pamperin Park in Howard, and members’ farms. The Camp trail still exists today.

Like many early clubs, the trails were groomed with homemade drags. By 1979 we joined the

Brown County Snowmobile Alliance, AWSC, had 35 member families, and was awarded its first five miles of funded trail which linked the Wagon Wheel Bar (now Wades Pit Stop) and Wouter’s Front Bar. A lot of this trail still exists today.

In 1981 it was decided to go on a weekend trip to Grand Motel in Pembine, to bring club members together for some fun away from home. Soon it was voted to make it an annual event and try new places. That tradition has continued to this day and is a source of many great stories.

In 1982 we began contracting out the grooming of the funded trails. Also, that same year we moved our meetings to Wouter’s Front Bar in Suamico, and today they remain our main meeting host site and a dedicated sponsor. Two years later we got 11 more miles of trails funded through the Reforestation Camp.

Providing each landowner, a cheese box as a thank you was started in 1986 and continues today as a very popular gift around the holidays. In 1996 the Mountain-Bay State Trail opened to snowmobiles and the club gained six miles of trail from Pulaski to Pittsfield.

In 2008 a big decision was made to purchase our own groomer tractor with tracks and a drag, to better manage our trail conditions. And in 2022, with successful fundraising, we are upgrading to a newer refurbished Arrowhead drag.

At 50 years we are proud to maintain 36 miles of trails connecting the communities of Howard, Suamico, Pittsfield, and Pulaski with

SNOBIRDSINFO.WEEBLY.COM

First tractor and drag 2006

Chartered members

other counties through forests, fields, parks, and state trails. Over the years we’ve held events like hayrides, weiner roasts, charity rides, poker runs, dances, banquets, safety classes and raffles. Though some things change with the times, the club proudly continues several traditions started decades ago. We would like to thank all our members, gracious landowners, sponsor businesses and dedicated volunteers who make our trails possible! Also, we need to thank all the members of the past that got us to where we are today. We look forward in continuing to promote snowmobiling and maintain quality trails for all to enjoy.

First groomer, mid 1970s Santa arrives at the clubhouse 1973

Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs

529 Trail Side Dr., Suite 200, DeForest, WI 53532 Phone: 800-232-4108 or 608-846-5530 • Fax: 608-846-5534 • Email: awsc@awsc.org • Website: www.awsc.org

President - Dave Newman • dnewman@ceas.coop • 715-212-7914 • Vice President - Lori Heideman • racingator@wctc.net • 715-325-7126

Secretary - Sue Smedegard • suesmed@gmail.com • 715-656-3855/715-791-0082 • Treasurer -Lauren Levey • llevey17@gmail.com • 262-358-3763 Executive Director - Mike Holden • holdenmach@outlook.com • 920-980-2321

AWSC DIRECTORS AND REPS BY COUNTY

Adams County Director | Gary Gevers 920-723-0721 | ggevers@gmail.com

Adams County Rep | Melissa Rhodes 715-459-8001(C) | 715-325-1827(H) romesnobanditssecretary@gmail.com

Ashland County Director John Westfahl 920-740-5020 / jwwestfahl@gmail.com

Ashland County Rep Jim Meisenheimer 618-567-6805 / meisy52@yahoo.com

Barron County Director | Pete Schneider 715-234-6636 | schneiderconst@gmail.com

Barron County Rep | Markie Hansen 715-651-7207 | markie_ann@yahoo.com

Bayfield County Director | Cris Liebhauser 262-246-4627 | namtrails@cheqnet.net

Bayfield County Rep | Laurie Lyons 715-580-0974 | lauriel1960@hotmail.com

Brown County Director | Ron Kucera 920-655-7034 | rsk2140@gmail.com

Brown County Rep | Alan Mazna 920-819-5128/920-321-8551 alanmazna@yahoo.com

Buffalo County Director | Rick Duellman 608-867-3419 | plduellman@centuryte.net

Burnett County Director | Jon Schoepke 715-349-7340 | schoepke@sirentel.net

Burnett County Rep | Jim Smedegard 715-656-3855 | suesmed@gmail.com

Calumet County Director | Tim Gambsky 920-378-0104 | tgambsky@gmail.com

Calumet County Rep Holly Gambsky 920-851-6002 | hgambsky@yahoo.com

Chippewa County Director Don Gunderson | 715-868-0006 back40trailriders@yahoo.com

Chippewa County Rep | Jean Rygiel 715-829-0503 | greenie19446@gmail.com

Clark County Director | Dennis Johnson 715-644-2039 | 500ssskidoo@gmail.com

Clark County Rep | Paul Drescher 715-743-4752 | padrescher@tds.net

Columbia County Director John (Jr) Brozek | 920-382-2620 jnttbrozek@centurytel.net

Crawford County Director | Chris Olson 608-778-9767 | olsonfeed@gmail.com

Dane County Director | Sam Landes 608-849-7680 | slandes58@gmail.com

Dane County Rep Steve Clark 608-843-9546 / clarkslc1@gmail.com

Dodge County Director | Daniel Reinhardt 920-296-0665 | nanapoppyr77@yahoo.com

Dodge County Rep | Brad Lagerman 920-210-9591 cblagerman70@sbcglobal.net

Door County Director Steve Sohns 920-839-1247 / sohns2833@gmil.com

Door County Rep | David Hemp 920-536-0248 | spud62w@yahoo.com

Douglas County Director | Bruce Bergsten 715-364-2741 | snow4us@centurytel.net

Douglas County Rep | Dustin Androski 218-428-3015 | superiorite@gmail.com

Dunn County Director | Steve Baier 715-495-3269 | thebaiers@wwt.net

Dunn County Rep | Kevin Knospe 715-235-9685 | kdknosp@wwt.net

Eau Claire County Director | Ron Larson 715-828-6559 | txlindy@charter.net

Eau Claire County Rep | Max Henning 715-864-6389 | maxhenning4@gmail.com

Florence County Director | Jim Le Fevre 715-528-5392 | legsj3@borderlandnet.net

Florence County Rep | Jerry Heidtke 920-946-7019 | jrheidtke3@gmail.com

Fond Du Lac County Director | Ray Sippel 920-533-4279 | joraysippel@gmail.com

Doug Johnson | 715-268-6025 djsnow@amerytel.net

Orv Langohr | 920-565-4277

Scott Makowski | 262-794-3061 cookymanbev@gmail.com

Bob Staehler | 262-626-2329

Donna White | 920-348-5719 snodirdj@gmail.com

Fond Du Lac County Rep | Tom Hinchliffe 414-322-8483 | hinchdundee@gmail.com

Forest County Director | Calvin Schmidt 414-791-9760 | calschmidt23@gmail.com

Forest County Rep | Robert Erdman 715-484-2277 | ezdock@dwave.net

Grant County Director | Patrick Neff 608-739-3211 | neff0315@gmail.com

Grant County Rep | Theresa Braudt 608-988-6590 | theresabraudt@yahoo.com

Green County Director | Darren Roth 608-214-9760 | roth9400@gmail.com

Green County Rep | Mark Stephens 608-844-0018(C) | mks601@msn.com

Green Lake County Director Michelle Gates | 920-229-5180 mmgates@charter.net

Green Lake County Rep | Tim Beier 920-858-0473 | proplowing@gmail.com

Iowa County Director | Jerry Buol 608-575-4319 | fatboyten@yahoo.com

Iowa County Rep | Scott Carlson 608-425-0063 l acemechanic@mhtc.net

Iron County Director | Larry Erickson 715-561-4834 | lderickson46@gmail.com

Iron County Rep | Joe Olson 715-561-3313 | joeolson@chartermi.net

Jackson County Director | Joe Kniseley 715-896-4695 | jjoeteresalkniseley@gmail.com

Jackson County Rep | Kris Ward 715-225-8930 | wards2530@gmail.com

Jefferson County Director Sherman Lawson | 920-648-2531 bigsherm@charter.net

Jefferson County Rep | Roger Draeger 920-699-2209 | rdraeger@tds.net

Juneau County Director | Mike Hack 715-886-5999 | mwhack@wctc.net

Kenosha County Director Arlyn Baumgarten | 262-694-8242 abaumgarten@wi.rr.com

Kenosha County Rep | Sean Moore 262-496-4984 | moore.68@outlook.com

Kewaunee County Director Jay Thompson | 920-676-2479 jaysthompson66@yahoo.com

Kewaunee County Rep | Josh Haen 920-819-2289 | jbhaen@yahoo.com

La Crosse County Director | Nancy Olson 608-780-2524(C) | olybsnow@charter.net

Lafayette County Director | Leon Wolfe 608-574-5253 | leonnwolfe81@gmail.com

Lafayette County Rep Brian Bredeson 608-482-5380 /brbredeson@gmail.com

Langlade County Director | Tim Grall 920-841-6177 | tlgrall@hotmail.com

Langlade County Rep | Steve Noskowiak 715-610-1459 | sjjmnosko87@gmail.com

Lincoln County Director | Gary Hilgendorf 715-453-2629 | revitup2@frontier.com

Lincoln County Rep | William Schult 715-536-6458

Manitowoc County Director | Elroy Jaeger 920-980-4665(C) | ecjaeger127@gmail.com

Manitowoc County Rep | Brian Woelfel 920-286-2709 | kbwoelfel@tm.net

Marathon County Director Wayde Kreager | 715-573-7282(C) wayde@kreagerinsurance.com

Marathon County Rep | David Bedroske 715-206-0011 | davidbedroske@gmail.com

Marinette County Director | Jeff Schwaller 715-927-5160 | jschwaller50@gmail.com

Marinette County Rep | Patti Mullarky 715-324-6020 | vintagepats@yahoo.com

AWSC COUNTY YOUTH REPS

Calumet | Makayla Gambsky

Columbia | Kearsten Sytsma, Parker Grams

Dane | Morgan Elliott, Tanner Clark

Douglas | Nicholas Makela

Fond du Lac | Evan Conlon

Grant | Ahlixander Reed, Jessa Braudt

Green Lake | Maddelyn Gates-Roehl

Iron | Hana Joustra

Jackson | Jake Ward

Marquette County Director

Mathew Buchholz | 608-354-8708 marqawscdirrep@gmail.com

Marquette County Rep | James Johnson 608-296-2085 | kmjohnson@marqs.net

Milwaukee County Director | Jim Marks 414-810-9526(C) | ja_marks@tds.net

Milwaukee County Rep | Darin Prihoda 414-425-8112

Monroe County Director | Jason Guthrie 608-372-7019 | arlog8891@hotmail.com

Monroe County Rep | Chelsie Engelson 608-343-0950 misssnowflake1314@gmail.com

Oconto County Director Deb Uhlenbrauck | 920-373-8578 uhlenbrauck@centurylink.net

Oconto County Rep | Gary Wagner 920-960-6823 | garywagner577@gmail.com

Oneida County Director Steve (Fuzzy) Moran | 715-367-0676 swamph2ofuzzy@gmail.com

Oneida County Rep | Scott Swendson 414-550-8961 | scott@swendsonmotorsports.com

Outagamie County Director | Gary Timm 920-841-6177 | gbcaetmm@gmail.com

Outagamie County Rep | David Gaskill 920-309-0140 | dgaskill@new.rr.com

Ozaukee County Director | Wally Thill 262-692-9165 | wthill1@wi.rr.com

Pepin County Director | Ryan Bauer 715-495-6246 | bauer0720@gmail.com

Pepin County Rep | Tim Milliren 715-285-5702 | tjmilliren@nelson-tel.net

Pierce County Director | Eric Lebakken 612-209-6424(C) eric.lebakken@gmail.com

Pierce County Rep | Roger Spindler 715-495-8836 | jrsping@bevcomm.net

Polk County Director | Dan Carlson 715-566-0177 | dkcarlson.949@gmail.com

Polk County Rep | Doug Johnson 715-268-6025 | djsnow@amerytel.net

Portage County Director | Brian Swan 715-824-2585 | mrsleddin@gmail.com

Portage County Rep John Spreda 715-347-4072 / johnspread@tds.net

Price County Director | Jim Walcisak 715-905-0100 | jawalcis@gmail.com

Price County Rep | Deric Bilgrien 715-820-3662 | globalderic@hotmail.com

Racine County Director | Greg Roscizewski 262-210-3095 | wldtrky101@wi.rr.com

Racine County Rep | Darren Slotty 414-238-3069 | prayforsnow@wi.rr.com

Richland County Director | Kerry Severson 608-604-5911 | kseverson99@gmail.com

Richland County Rep | Eric Siemandel 608-604-1031 mtnmaxman600@gmail.com

Rock County Director | Rodney Burzinski 608-207-0065

rodney.burzinski@abcsupply.com

Rock County Rep | Erica Voelker 608-447-1621 | erkeehn@gmail.com

Rusk County Director | Jason Frye 715-595-3047 | jaythepyro@yahoo.com

Rusk County Rep | Terry Merget 715-567-0411 | merget.terry@gmail.com

Sauk County Director | Tim Lins 608-546-2030 | timlins@bugnet.net

Sauk County Rep | Ted Walmer 608-576-2223 | walmer1997@gmail.com

Sawyer County Director | Cathy LaReau 715-558-8966 | cathy@sawyercountytrails. com

Jefferson

Oneida

Racine

Sawyer County Rep | Don Mrotek 715-634-8458 | don.mrotek@gmail.com

Shawano County Director

Carol Grunewald | 715-754-5144 carol_g_1979@frontiernet.net

Shawano County Rep

Katie Ann Grunewald | 715-754-5144 ktang_16@yahoo.com

Sheboygan County Director | Mike Holden 920-980-2321 | holdenmach@outlook.com

Sheboygan County Rep | Larry Rietbrock 920-645-5771 | larryrietbrock@tds.net

St. Croix County Director

Michael Fletcher | 715-386-9016

mfletch9016@gmail.com

St. Croix County Rep | Rob Hackworthy 715-977-2173 | hackworo@gmail.com

Taylor County Director | Bob Meyer 715-437-0581 | bobstarla@gmail.com

Taylor County Rep | Nick Meyer 715-965-3682 l

westborosnodusters@gmail.com

Trempealeau County Director

Norbie Ziegler | 608-865-0362

ziegler.n14@gmail.com

Trempealeau County Rep | Paula Ziegler 608-865-0645 | pjziegler24@gmail.com

Vernon County Director | Keith Bauer 608-386-7668 | kthbauer1@hotmail.com

Vernon County Rep | Lory Bauer 608-483-2203 | loryb@mwt.net

Vilas County Director | Fred Suchy 815-263-3734 | fredsuchy6r@gmail.com

Vilas County Rep | Dennis Horan 715-542-2952 | greenthing1969@gmail.com

Walworth County Director | Kristine Boivin 414-234-0939 | kboivin@shorewest.com

Walworth County Rep | John Stohr 262-945-0202 | john@lakeareahomes.net

Washburn County Director Gwen Welter 715-635-2614 / gwenga@hotmail.com

Washburn County Rep | Randy King 715-635-7054 | spoonerking@gmail.com

Washington County Director Dean Wandel | 414-322-0872 dwandel1@wi.rr.com

Washington County Rep | Jerry Zier 262-628-2282 | jerryzier50@gmail.com

Waukesha County Director | Karen Jeras 262-617-1137 | sledbugs@hotmail.com

Waukesha County Rep | Andy Slaby 262-424-5917 | andy.slaby@gmail.com

Waupaca County Director | Ronald Fietzer 920-982-2760

Waupaca County Rep | David Sarna 920-470-1429 | sarnadave@gmail.com

Waushara County Director | Stuart McIntyre | 715-258-9316

stuandjoanie@yahoo.com

Waushara County Rep | David Barker 715-335-6561 | wildqwlt@uniontel.net

Winnebago County Director | Mike Giese 920-450-5865 | mnm@athenet.net

Winnebago County Rep | Paul Kuehnl 920-915-6527 l turfworkspro@yahoo.com

Wood County Director | Mike Herzberg 715-498-3274 |a irideall@yahoo.com

Wood County Rep | Margie Straka 715-305-5040 | mmjajm2@gmail.com

YOUTH ADVISORS

Rock

Rock

Taylor

DIRECTORS AT LARGE (PAST PRESIDENTS)

Trail Collection

HISTORIC PINEWOOD TRESTLE

Submitted by: Bill Farmer, Cross Country Cruisers

In late August, a new 50’ x 12’ prefabricated steel truss bridge was installed on the Bearskin State Trail at intersection #725 near Goodnow, Oneida County. This 1887 former railroad “Pinewood” trestle crossing over Bearskin Creek in Cassian Township had been condemned and shutdown in 2019, due to severe ice erosion of the wood pilings.

The snowmobile community would like to thank the Town of Cassian for providing a detour using town roads, which allowed continued use of this highly traveled north/south route connecting the Tomahawk and Minocqua town areas. Cross Country Cruisers Snowmobile Club of Woodruff, WI provided the necessary signage and fencing. Glen Speich, Cross Country Cruisers Board Member was instrumental in pulling together the various state government agencies and DNR personnel at several well attended meetings held at Cassian Town Hall to facilitate the final approval for funding of this $292,000 project.

A+ Power Sports & Trailer Sales Elkhorn - 262-723-8822 aplusride.com

Airtec Sports Menomonie - 715-232-8590 airtecsportsmenomonie.com

Airtec Sports Rice Lake - 715-234-8174 airtecsportsricelake.com

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WISCONSIN EVENTS

NOVEMBER 5: Harshaw, WI. Harshaw Wanderers SC Meat Madness and More! Ten Point Bar & Grill, 3983 Harshaw Rd, 3-5pm, Meat raffle along with other raffles including beer, booze, apparel, cash, gift cards, etc. Everyone is welcome! All money raised supports the snowmobile trails, Info: harshawwanderers45@gmail.com / Facebook: Harshaw Wanderers

12: Oconomowoc, WI. Merton Flake Chasers 50th Anniversary Celebration, Okauchee Legion Post 399, N50 W34750 Wisconsin Avenue, 6pm to close. Free admission! Live Music (Plumb Loco) food, drinks, raffles (50/50, meat and baskets). Door prizes! Come celebrate with us! Open to the public. Info: Andy Slaby / 262-424-5917 / Facebook: Flake Chaser Snowmobile Club

12: Poynette, WI. Arlington Prairie Drifters 7th Annual Fall Fling. Hookers Resort, W9370 Highway V, 6pm-10pm. Kick Off to 2022-2023 snowmobile season, raffles, foot & beverage, Info: Gregg Johnson / 608-635-7381 / jsi@ chorus.net / Facebook: Arlington Prairie Drifters

DECEMBER

25-4 March: Conover, WI. Conover Sno-Buddies 4th Annual Poker Run, Conover and surrounding Area Businesses. Pit stops along Conover SnoBuddies Snowmobile Trails, Get your game card at local area businesses, ride the incredible trails and collect your stamps, Draw Party on March 4, 2022 at Twin Lake Pub!! Info: Randy Remblack / 847-980-0349 / conoversnobuddies@ gmail.com

JANUARY

14: Conover, WI. Conover Sno-Buddies & Phelps Snowmobile Club Trailside Roast. Vilas County Intersection #500, Intersection of Trails 8/45 & 6 near Blong Road. Conover Sno-Buddies and Phelps Snowmobile Clubs team up for a nostalgic trip down memory lane as each club celebrates the 50th Anniversary of bringing great trails for northeastern Vilas County, hot dogs, brats, S’mores, hot cocoa and more. Info: Randy Remblake / 847-980-0349 / conoversnobuddies@gmail.com

15: Batavia, WI. Beechwood Night Fliers-Annual Brat & Burger Fry. Town of Scott Community Center, 1360 Hwy 28, 10am-5pm. Brats, burgers, potato salad, beans and homemade tortes, Basket raffles, walk around raffles, ½ hog raffle, Sportman’s Raffle and Annual Raffle, plus kids games. If trails are open trail accessible. All proceeds go to trail maintenance and groomer maintenance. Info: Jenny / 920-948-2071 / rjfeider1@gmail.com

20-22: Winter, WI. Winter Huskies MWSS Midwest Sno-Cross Series Race, Winter Huskies Groomer Building, 9am, Open to all ages. Info: Dale Biesel / 715-661-1294

26-29: Eagle River, WI. Annual Women on Snow, Eagle Waters Resort, 3958 Eagle Water Rd, An Eagle River tradition since 1986, weekend package includes condominium lodging, guided trail riding, fuel, lunch, and dinners, Saturday night themed banquet is full of prizes and surprises, registration open October 1 – December 15, 2022, womenonsnow.org / womenonsnowwi1@gmail.com

28: Conover, WI. Conover Sno-Buddies Annual Chili & Soup Cook-Off. Wild Turkey, 306 Hwy 45 North, 1pm-4pm, taste delicious samples of soup and chili and place your vote for the best chef, or stir up your favorite recipe and enter the contests, 50/50 raffles and more. Proceeds benefit the Conover Snowmobile trail system, Info: Randy Remblake / 847-980-0349 / conoversnobuddies@gmail.com

28-29: Winter, WI. Winter Huskies Fish Fest, Trap Fish Lodge, Log Lodge Road, 6am– 6pm Saturday and Sunday. Fish contest with over 100 entries last year, cash prizes for different species and many raffles. Info: Andy Shotliff / 715-2669291

FEBRUARY

4: Crandon, WI. Lumberjack Memorial Trails Meat Raffle, Poker Run and Raffle Draw. Charlie’s Lake Megtonga Resort, 4163 E Lakeview St, Noon – 6pm, Info: Brent Gagnon / 920-379-2164 / lmtsnowmobiletrails.org / Facebook: Lumberjack Memorial Trails-LMT

4: Jefferson, WI. Jefferson Snowstormers Annual Meat Raffle, Fairview Sports Bar, 711 W Racine St, 1pm Info: Brenda Skaife / 920-988-7655 / jskaife@ sbcglobal.net / Facebook: Jefferson Snowstormers

4: Tomahawk, WI. Harshaw Wanderers SC Meat Madness and More! Twin Bay, 2173 County Road L, 4-6pm, Meat raffle along with other raffles that

often include beer, booze, apparel, cash, gift cards, etc. Everyone is welcome! Membership is not required, all money raised supports the snowmobile trails, Info: harshawwanderers45@gmail.com / Facebook: Harshaw Wanderers

4: Pulaski, WI. Chase Sno Chasers Winter Raffle Bash, South Chase Saloon, 494 County Road C, 4pm-7pm, Annual Raffle Event, raffle tickets for large prize items can be purchased before the event. On the day of the event there will be several basket & bucket raffles. Info: Jeremy Wicke / 920-619-7825 / webmaster@chasesnochasers.org, chasesnochasers.org

4: Stetsonville, WI. Tired Iron Vintage Riders Snowmobile Show & Ride, Centennial Community Center, 412 E Centennial Ave, Registration 8:3011am, trail ride 1pm, awards after 3pm, classes original & restored, food and refreshments ALL DAY, Info: Leon / 715-427-5441 or Jesse 608-516-3669, Facebook: TiredIronVintage Riders-snowmobile club

11: Pickerel, WI. Tombstone Pickerel SC Annual Chili Ride In, Club House at N9398 County Rod DD, 3pm – 6pm, a fun place to come in and warm up, free chili, hot dogs and desserts. Try to win one, or several of our many raffle baskets, Info: Marg Van Rossum / 920-676-7504 / tombstonepickerelsnoclub@ gmail.com

11: Winter, WI. Winter Huskies 20th Annual Big Boys Toys Vintage Ride, Winter Huskies Groomer Shed, Winter, 9am-6pm. Twenty mile round trip ride stopping at a few locations, food at halfway point and chicken dinner with trophies and door prizes upon return to groomer shed. Over 100 vintage sleds last year, Info: Mitch Chermak/Dale Biesel / 651-303-5940 / 715-661-1294 / Facebook: Winter Huskies

12: Hager City, WI. Bay City Bluff Busters Meat Raffle, Bluffs Bar & Grill, N1833 785th St., Meat Raffle 2pm, proceeds go to Trail Maintenance. Info: Roger Spindler / 715-495-8836

MARKETPLACE

16-18: St. Germain, WI. 39th Annual Ride with the Champs at Snowmobile Hall of Fame, February 16 Legend Lap Eagle River Derby Track, February 17 Open House, Poker Run, Fish Fry and Guest Speakers, February 18 The Famous Ride With the Champs and Induction Ceremony, Snowmobilehalloffame.com

18: Coloma,WI. Coloma Pathfinders, Inc Radar Run on Pleasant Lake Boat Landing, 9am – 4pm, Kitty Cat race at Noon, Trophies for multiple classes, Info: Mike Schliepp / 715-572-1354 / Facebook: Coloma Pathfinders, Inc.

18: Hager City, WI. Bay City Bluff Busters Vintage Show & Ride, Bluffs Bar & Grill, N1833 785th St, Registration 9am-11am, Ride (10 mile) leaving around Noon, 14 classes with trophies in each class, Proceeds to go to Trail Maintenance. Info: Roger Spindler / 715-495-8836

25: Lake Tomahawk, WI. New-Tom Sno Fleas Vintage Ride and Show, Across from Shamrock Pub and Eatery, 7235 Bradley St (Hwy 47), 9am - 4pm, Vintage snowmobile show, ride following to scenic overlook, fun and games. World championship bogie wheel toss, Raffle drawings, Info: Russ Edelburg / 608-2155023 / russ.edelburg@gmail.com

25: Pulaski, WI. Chase Sno Chsers Stone Barn Vintage Snowmobile Show & Ride. Chase Stone Barn Park, 8246 County Road S, Registration 9am11am, $5 donation for the first 2 sleds, no charge for additional sleds, Trophy presentation at 1pm, Vintage ridge to follow (weather permitting) Excellent Food & Refreshments plus a lot of parking available, Info: Jeremy Wicke / 920619-7825 / webmaster@chasesnochasers.org / chasesnochasers.org

25: Tigerton, WI. Tiger Snowmobile Club Vintage Snowmobile Show, Tiger Snowmobile Club Shed, 601 W Alder Street, Starts 8am, Cost is $3 per sled (free after 5 sleds); Food and Beverage Stand and Raffle/Door Prizes; Many numerous class prizes, Info: Delbert Wudstrack / 920-4995-1043

CLUB FLASHBACK

RANGER CITY RIDERS TURNS 50

RANGERCITYRIDERS.COM

Submitted by: Jason Miller, Ranger City Riders VP and Membership Chair

Ranger City Riders Snowmobile, ATV/ UTV Club celebrates 50 years this year. A few snowmobile enthusiasts met on a Sunday afternoon in 1972 at the now Wausaukee Bowl in Wausaukee, Marinette County and decided to get together for a few rides. On that Sunday afternoon they decided on the club’s name and designed the first RCR club patch. Hosting club meetings at various local establishments around the area the club slowly grew and purchased their first Tucker groomer to maintain trails in the Wausaukee, Amberg and Beecher area.

As the club grew the Ranger City Riders decided in 1998 to purchase the site of Rustic Fence Co (cedar fence factory) on Amberg St in Amberg, WI which they remodeled it over the years to make it a groomer barn, a full meeting hall with a kitchen and restrooms and still call it home today. With the growing demand to maintain trails Ranger City Riders purchased a new New Holland Groomer and was delivered on September 11, 2011, which is the main source for grooming the trail system today.

January 2015 the Amberg Road Runner ATV club approached Ranger City Riders Snowmobile Club and asked if they would be willing to take over the ATV club and on January 16, 2015, the two clubs merged forming the now, Ranger City Riders Snowmobile ATV/UTV Club which the club is looking to expand their ATV trail system as volunteers are able to.

As demand still continues to grow to provide the best trails, the club purchased a “John Deere UTV and transformed it into a mini groomer,” to get out in early season where the large groomer may not be able to get to due to swamps.

With the hard working efforts of the members, the club has grown to maintaining over 60 miles of snowmobile trails in the heart of

Marinette County. The club currently has around 130 members and hosts a variety of events throughout the year with their annual Sportsman’s Raffle held every November being their largest fundraiser to maintain the grooming equipment and signage for the trail system. We hold snowmobile safety class every December, the starting place for the Sick Day 100 Antique snowmobile ride and host a weekly day ride for those looking to make friends and have someone to ride with while getting to know the county trail system.

Our club wouldn’t be where it is today without our founding members, past officers, past and current members and most important our landowners and send a special thanks to all of them. Ranger City Riders Snowmobile, ATV/UTV club is looking forward to the beginning of our next 50 years.

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