4 Great Ways To Kickoff Snowmobiling This Weekend, Whether There’s Local Snow Or Not

From a season-opening oval race at a super historic site to a legendary eastern December event, and from round two of the new snocross season is a cool western town to a relatively new way to kick off winter enthusiasm, there’s a lot going on this weekend in the snowmobile world as the official start of winter rapidly approaches. 

The oval race is the Canadian Power Toboggan Championships in Beausejuour, Manitoba, December 8-10. Held on a fast, half-mile iced oval in a purpose-built facility, oval racers have been starting their season with a December race in Beausejour since the 1980s, but that actually history of racing in this town — located about 30 miles northeast of Winnipeg — actually dates back to 1962. Each year, it’s the place where the top racers in the sport first showcase their new equipment for the coming season as they make a run at season points title and World Championship glory later in the calendar.  And, the folks in Beausejour support the race (and the race fans) with everything they’ve got. The snowmobile oval racing season often ends at the same facility each season with an event in March. 

snowmobile oval racing
The Canadian Power Toboggan Championship race site in Beausejour. Image from the CPTCRacing website.

Race practice occurs Friday during the day, and then the competition gets rolling at 6 p.m. with a concise, three-hour showcase Friday night. Day racing runs from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.  

Another town that holds book-end events to celebrate the coming and conclusion of winter is Old Forge, New York, and it’s season-opening event is this weekend. December 8-10 will be the 41st annual Snodeo event, hosted by the Central Adirondack Association at the Hiltebrant Recreation Center Pavilion in Old Forge. Expect to see dozens of vendors, displays of the new 2018 snowmobile, a vintage snowmobile show and swap meet, youth racing, photo opportunities with the Clause family and much more. Click through for a schedule of events. 

Back to racing, rounds three and four of the ISOC Amsoil Championship Snocross series occur Friday and Saturday is the fabulous old-west town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The event — which was in question for awhile after some local controversy — is running a unique schedule, with the big “Pro” program Friday beginning at 3 p.m. local (mountain) time and culminating in the Pro class final at 6:05. Saturday’s timing will be closer to familiar to snocross fans — with the big Pro program starting at 5 p.m. and concluding with an 8:05 Pro class final. And, if you can’t make it there in person, know that you can always watch the Webcast on the ISOC website. Also, if you’re playing the Fantasy Snowmobile Racing Challenge game, make sure to get your picks in. Remember, it’s easy, free and fun.  Tucker Hibbert swept the season-opener at Duluth — can the legendary racer continue his dominance in Jackson? 

snocross start
The snocross season heads into its second weekend of racing of the new winter in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, December 8-9.

A relatively new favorite way to kick off the snowmobile season in Minnesota is the fabulous, fifth-annual S.N.O.W.Fest in Wahkon. It’s a celebration of snowmobiling in many way, including a film festival, vintage show, silent auction and much more, hosted by the snowmobile-crazy operators of Muggs of Mille Lacs in Wahkon.  It raises money for local snowmobile clubs, and also raises the spirits of all snowmobilers who attend — whether there’s snow on the ground or not. 

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