Snowmobile clubs play a vital role in our sport. They work tirelessly to build, maintain and protect trails, promote responsible riding and create community within the sport and beyond.
However, clubs face many hurdles that threaten their very existence. From financial struggles to volunteer shortages to ever-evolving challenges in maintaining trail access and much more, snowmobile clubs are stressed and, in many cases, stretched thin. Especially after last winter.
That’s where you come in.
(Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the December 2024 issue of Snow Goer. Clubs listed sponsored the program)
Financial Pressures
One significant challenge clubs face is the lack of consistent funding. Many clubs rely on membership dues, fundraisers, sponsors and governmental redistribution of snowmobile registration, trail pass and, in some cases, some gas tax dollars to cover the costs of trail maintenance, grooming and the related equipment.
But those revenue streams are unpredictable and can be insufficient. Especially after a low-snow winter like last year, limited opportunities to groom led to significant cuts in distributed funds. Yet the costs of buying, owning and maintaining trail grooming machinery don’t go away, and other expenses like liability insurance continue to increase.
Beyond that, low-snow winters with limited riding opportunities typically take a bite out of everything – club membership renewals, business/sponsor renewals, trail pass sales and much more – for the following season. Without adequate funding, many clubs will struggle to stay alive.
Volunteer Shortages
Snowmobile clubs are typically run by volunteers who dedicate countless hours to manage operations, gain land access, groom and maintain trails, organize events and more.
However, attracting and retaining volunteers is a growing challenge. The aging population of longtime members is a major concern, as many core volunteers are retirees who have been involved with the clubs for decades.
As these individuals “age-out,” there is often a lack of younger members to step in to fill their roles. The reasons are varied. Many younger riders may be balancing busy work schedules, family obligations and other commitments. Additionally, some younger snowmobilers may not fully appreciate the work that goes into maintaining the trail network and assume that the trails “will always just be there.”
Yet without a strong volunteer base and new people stepping in, clubs will struggle – and so will our sport. Your membership is important; a few hours of your time here and there to volunteer is also vital.
Access Issues
Another major challenge facing clubs is securing and maintaining access to land for trails.
In many areas, trails cross a patchwork of public and private lands, requiring the cooperation of multiple landowners and government agencies. If individual landowners decide to revoke access due to concerns about liability, noise, trespassing outside of the trail corridor or other reasons, clubs can be forced to reroute trails – at significant cost of money and time – or just shut down entire trail sections.
Whether in suburban/exurban or rural areas, housing developments, evolving land-use patterns and ownership changes create issues every year. Often, solutions are found in relationships, built from years of active community involvement by existing members but also regenerated when new club members essentially bring their own contacts to the club.
A Boost Of Energy
If you’re a current snowmobile club member, we say, “Thank you!” and remind you to renew your membership this year.
But if you’re not currently a club member, what’s holding you back?
Club membership can be fun, thanks to planned rides, interesting events and other gatherings with people who share your passion for snowmobiling.
Club membership is also vital, as there is power in numbers – politically, economically, physically and socially.
There is also a sense of camaraderie that comes with club membership. Partnering with fellow riders to mark trails, participate in youth safety training, work on shared concerns or represent the club at local events just feels good. You’re suddenly an insider working for the benefit of our sport.
New members often bring fresh ideas and perspectives. When mixed with the decades of experience of longtime members, they can mesh into something wonderful.
The sponsoring clubs listed over the next three pages are specifically reaching out to you to seek your support. If you find one in or near an area where you live or ride, please sign up for membership today.
However, if you reside elsewhere in the Snowbelt, those sponsoring organizations would be very happy if you found a club in areas where you ride. Because the whole sport needs your membership and participation, now more than ever.
Minnesota
Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association
Ramsey, MN
763-577-0185
office@mnusa.com
mnsnowmobiler.org
Belle Plaine Borough Riders
Belle Plaine, MN
952-875-4320
boroughriders@gmail.com
Belle Plaine Borough Riders Snowmobile Club on Facebook
North Country Snowmobile Club
Bemidji, MN
218-755-9391
ncsclub@paulbunyan.com
North Country Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Swampsiders Snowmobile & ATV Club
Bigfork, MN
swampsiders@gmail.com
Swampsiders Snowmobile & ATV Club on Facebook
Blue Earth Snowrovers
Blue Earth, MN
snowrovers71@gmail.com
Snowrovers Snowmobile Club
Cook Timberwolves
Snowmobile Club Inc
Cook, MN
info@cooktimberwolves.com
cooktimberwolves.org
Bushwackers Snowmobile & ATV Club
Deer River, MN
218-259-1733
peggystorlie@yahooo.com
Bushwacker’s Snowmobile and ATV Club on Facebook
Sno Serpents, Inc
Deerwood, MN
snoserpents.com
United Lakes & Trail Riders Assn (ULTRA)
Detroit Lakes, MN
ultrasnowmobile@gmail.com
ultradl.org
DC Sno Seekers
Dodge Center, MN
dcsnoseekers@yahoo.com
Duluth Drift Toppers Snowmobile Club
Duluth, MN
218-349-5578
drifttoppers@gmail.com
drifttoppers.com
Duluth Drift – Toppers on Facebook
Blizzard Snowmobile Club
Fairmont, MN
blizzardsnowmobileclub@yahoo.com
Blizzard Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Finland Snowmobile and ATV Club
Finland, MN
612-282-9935
finlandsnowmobileandATVClub@gmail.com
FinlandSnowmobileandATVClub.com
Wells Creek Riders
Frontenac, MN
651-380-5655
wellscreekriders@gmail.com
Wells Creek Riders Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Benton County Snowmobile Club
Gilman, MN
bentonsnowclub@gmail.com
bentoncountysnowmobileclub.com
Hamel Sno Runners
Hamel, MN
612-516-5014
hamelsnorunners@gmail.com
Hamel Sno-Runners on Facebook
North West Trails Association
Hennepin County, MN
952-882-6770
nwtrails@nwtrails.net
nwtrails.net
Int’l Voyageurs Snowmobile Club
International Falls, MN
218-417-0349
IVSC56649@gmail.com
RideTheBorders.com
Mille Lacs Drift Skippers Snowmobile and ATV Club
Isle, MN
320-676-8112
Driftskippersvolunteer@gmail.com
millelacsdriftskippers.org
Kenyon Snowdrifters
Kenyon, MN
Kenyonsnowdrifters.com
Rock County Sno-Masters
Luverne, MN
507-920-5189
rockcountysnomasters@hotmail.con
Rock County Sno-Masters on Facebook
Maple Plain Snomads
Maple Plain, MN
mapleplainsnomads@gmail.com
mpsnomads.com
Polar Beach Snowmobile Club
McIntosh, MN
218-230-8337
polarbeachclub@gmail.com
Polaris Beach Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Marshall County Drift Skippers
Middle River/Newfolden, MN
Marshal County Driftskippers Snowmobile Club, MN on Facebook
River Valley Dutchmen Snowmobile Club
New Ulm, MN
rvdsc@live.org
River Valley Dutchmen Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Palisade SuperSledders
Palisade, MN
218-839-1678
pss@duroses.com
Palisade SuperSledders on Facebook
Mystic Riders
Princeton, MN
mystic_riders@yahoo.com
Mystic Riders Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Byron Snow Bears
Rochester, MN
507-289-5758
mnusarep@byronsnowbears.com
byronsnowbears.com
Byron Snow Bears on Facebook
St. Stephen River Runners
Sartell, MN
320-241-5959
stsrrsc@gmail.com
ststephenriverrunners.org
St. Stephen River Runners on Facebook
South Tonka Sno-Mobilers
Shorewood, MN
952-484-1424
wapeterson1@hotmail.com
sites.google.com/site/southtonkasnowmobileclub/
Sno-Ghosts Snowmobile Club
St. Francis, MN
snoghostclub@gmail.com
sno-ghosts.com
St. Joseph’s Sno-Joes Club
St. Joseph, MN
st.joe.snojoesmn@gmail.com
St. Joe Sno Joes on Facebook
Foxtailers Snowmobile Club
St. Michael, MN
thefoxtailers@gmail.com
foxtailers.com
Tamarack Sno-Flyers
Tamarack, MN
218-426-SNOW
snoflyersmn@frontier.com
SnoFlyers on Facebook
Wild River Snowmobile Club
Taylors Falls, MN
651-583-2060
wildriversnowmobileclub@yahoo.com
Wild River Snowmobile Club on Facebook
South Dakota
South Dakota Snowmobile Association
Gary, SD
605-272-5900
sdsa@itctel.com
snowmobilesd.com
Aberdeen Driftbusters
Aberdeen, SD
605-228-4143
aberdeendriftbusters.com
Dakota Drifters Snowmobile Club
Brookings, SD
605-695-7182
Lnilsson@gmail.com
www.dakotadrifters.org
Dakota Drifters Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Poinsett Pounders
Bryant, SD
612-616-1972
poinsettpounders@gmail.com
Poinsett Pounders Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Dakota Trailblazers
Clear Lake, SD
Dakota Trail Blazers on Facebook
Whetstone Valley Snowmobile Association
Milbank, SD
wvsnowclub@gmail.com
wvsnowclub.com
Black Hills Snowmobile Club
Rapid City, SD
605-381-6594
bhsnowmobileclub@hotmail.com
Black Hills Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Siouxland SnoTrackers Snowmobile Club
Sioux Falls, SD
605-728-2284
sfsnotrackers.com
Wisconsin
AWSC-Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs
Statewide, WI
608-846-5530
awsc@awsc.org
awsc.org
Ranger City Riders Snowmobile ATV/UTV Club Inc
Amberg, WI
920-655-9958
rangercityriders@gmail.com
rangercityriders.com
Cross Country Cruisers Inc.
Arbor Vitae, WI
715-614-9003
cruiservp@gmail.com
crosscountrycruisers.com
Berlin River Riders Inc.
Berlin, WI
920-290-0394
berlinriverriders@gmail.com
Berlin River Riders Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Conover Sno-Buddies
Conover, WI
conoversnobuddies@gmail.com
conoversnobuddies.com
Burnett County Snow Trails Association
Danbury, WI
715-791-0082
suesmed@gmail.com
Burnett County Snow Trails Association on Facebook
Cozy Corner Trails, Inc.
Danbury, WI
715-791-0082
suesmed@gmail.com
Cozy Corner Trails Inc. on Facebook
Sno-Eagles, Inc
Eagle River, WI
847-812-4903
roger@snoeagles.org
snoeagles.org
Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club
Hayward, WI
715-634-8377
hinton4ever@hotmail.com
relicriders.com
Monroe Stateline TrailBlazers
Juda, WI
statelinetrailblazers@gmail.com
statelinetrailblazers.smartertrails.com
Ladysmith Driftbusters Snowmobile Club
Ladysmith, WI
715-570-7050
info@ladysmithdriftbusters.org
Ladysmithdriftbusters.org
Frosty Snowmobile Club Inc
Land o’ Lakes, WI
715-617-4708
info@frostysnoclub.com
frostysnoclub.com
Lily Sno-Birds Snowmobile Club
Lily, WI
lilysnobirds@gmail.com
Lily Snobirds on Facebook
Minocqua Forest Riders
Minocqua, WI
715-439-5383
jerrywakefieldbmw@hotmail.com
minocquaforestriders.org
Chute Pond Snowmobile Club
Mountain, WI
920-373-8578
cpscl@yahoo.com
Chute Pond Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Oconto Falls Sno Jokers
Oconto Falls, WI
920-604-0670
Oconto Falls Sno Jokers on Facebook
Prairie Riders Snowmobile Club
Pleasant Prairie, WI
262-498-4427
prairieriderssc@gmail.com
prairieriders.net
SnowRunners LTD Snowmobile Club
Port Washington, WI
snowrunners@gmail.com
snowrunnersltd.com
Rome Sno-Bandits
Rome, WI
224-715-2350
romesnobandits@gmail.com
romesnobandits.com
Sussex Sled Bugs Snowmobile Club Inc
Sussex, WI
262-617-1137
sussexsledbugs@hotmail.com
sussexsledbugs.org
Red Arrow Snowmobile-ATV Club
Townsend, WI
920-242-3172
redarrowtownsend.com
Bear Point Sno-Cruisers
Wausaukee, WI
920-494-3052
bearpointsnocruisers.org
Vermont
Chester Snowmobile Club
Chester, VT
413-237-6541
chestersnowmobileclub@comcast.net
Chester Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Editor’s Note: Every Snow Goer issue includes in-depth sled reports and comparisons, aftermarket gear and accessories reviews, riding destination articles, do-it-yourself repair information, snowmobile technology and more. Subscribe to Snow Goer now to receive print and/or digital issues.
Only one club in Vt. and NONE in N.H. or Maine??? Hard to believe.
Only one club from Vermont (and none from other states you mentioned) chose to participate in this sponsored program. Clubs listed paid $59 each to sponsor the program and get exposure in Snow Goer magazine, in Great Escapes, on the website and in the enews.
Volunteers and funds are for sure needed but I think some of these clubs ask for help but at the same time secretly don’t want it. The club we joined for a couple of years was as tight of a clique as you could get and the “you’re not from here” old guard were not the most pleasant. We gave up trying to get involved and moved on.
I’ve seen too many clubs posting a trail clean up day on a Thursday evening for the Saturday two days away. People are busy and need time to plan. I guess they can then say they tried at least.
We’ve all probably seen posts asking for help and say “meet at the groomer barn” with no address or any other info other than date and time. Some of us that ride through areas are willing to help but have no idea where the groomer barn is. Reaching out through Facebook or email for more info is usually ineffective. Sometimes an email sent to that old AOL address shown on the club website just bounces back anyways. As response would be surprising. I offered to help with an ATV ride and donate items for a raffle this past fall. Four months later no response to my email and the Facebook message I sent still sits unread. That was for an event two months ago.
Last winter with no snow here in MN and WI we’d still go out to the places we ride to for lunch or dinner to support the business. Once while having dinner we sat next to a few members of a local club having a meeting. They stood up and I tried starting a conversation saying we ride in the area, asked which trails are theirs, etc. Three walked by and one growled something about no snow that year and away they went. These were all in the “aging out” category that you mention in the article.
Not all clubs are like this at all but these are some of the things I’ve personally seen. It takes work on both sides to get new members to join and want to help with their limited free time. Others have awesome social media, great people and are friendly. I’m glad to have found one.
It is a ton of work. I just picked up the sport with my wife 5 years ago at age 49. We fell in love. We go out and clear trails during season and off season. But honestly some of the “old school ” volunteers don’t welcome newcomers with open arms. So there is a disconnect between old and new members. There needs to be a path to becoming part of the club without feeling like you are imposing. But we will continue to contribute and enjoy sledding regardless.
If the market embraced the working class and middle class with sled prices like they did from 1960-2000 they would not have a problem because this socio economic group (the main population and consumer base and most brand loyal to the sport and manufacturers would solve this problem) as this group loves to come together to socialize and upgrade and maintain their community for their family, friends, neighbours> Not being done on the 1%ers (people with $200K+ incomes) are more into themselves not a community engagement and betterment.
This is obvious as the club volunteers are all middle class people.
Well said! Our local club is always looking for volunteers. Only 5 of us. We do go out during the week to mark & brush though. I take a couple days of vacation every year.
I have found you have to be willing to follow the old guards way first. Just sit back & observe first. Human nature is for them to get defensive if they don’t know you. They’ll warm up to you. It’s worked well for me. I’m 39 and have been marking for 7 years now. They taught me well, & they now trust me to mark/brush 10 miles. I’ve also developed my own landowner relationships.
One big thing that our club & assocation needs help with is social media & SNARS reporting. Perfect job for younger people! Just keep offering to help!
Also, snow reporting, Polaris trails club manager, etc..
I ride in Maine and have six sleds which I register for my kids and grandkids. I am a non-resident tax-paying homeowner who is financially taken advantage of by Maine with ever-increasing registration fees. There is no consideration for non-resident landowners, senior citizens, veterans, etc., or whether joining a local club could be reflected in reduced registration fees. I have presented my concerns to the Maine Snowmobile Association and the Maine Dept. of Snowmobile registrations. Basically, as a non-resident, I have no voice in the sport other than to pay the fees or do not ride. So what is my incentive for joining a local club if the registration fees keep increasing with no considerations? Non-residents pay $120.00 per sled where residents pay $56.00 per sled.
In my experience 100% of club officers and 99% of club volunteers are all over the age of 50 and all middle class. Very few people under the age of 30. Club member children rarely if ever help with club or trail tasks.
Parents and grandparents used to frequently buy new sleds for kids and grandkids. Not anymore due to sky high sled prices and kids, teens and young adults being much less active outdoors and solely digitally focused for interests and social (not real) friends.