Many of the “first generation” of inventors, engineers and designers who created the sport of snowmobiling have been leaving this earth in recent years. It’s not surprising, considering that snowmobiling really took root in the 1960s and ’70s – age eventually catches up to everybody. But it’s heartbreaking, nonetheless.
Fortunately, the torch has been passed to a new generation of engineers and designers who keep the technology in the machines moving forward.
The situation is eerily similar on the grassroots side of our beloved sport. Many of the most active, dedicated people in snowmobile clubs and associations have more than their fair share of laps around the sun. In a recent discussion with a club member about a snowmobile bridge re-decking project, we were told the youngest person working on the task was 72 – the youngest person.
The burning questions are these: Where is the next generation of club members and volunteers? Who will make sure our network of trails and riding areas continues to be managed? Who will handle signage, trail maintenance and grooming efforts? Who will be involved in ensuring funding, engaging landowners or doing community outreach? Who will orchestrate awesome club rides?
Perhaps it’s time to set down the magazine for a second and take a look in the mirror.
We know it can sometimes be intimidating to enter a meeting where everyone seemingly knows everybody else, and nobody knows you. But virtually every club is seeking new members of all ages, and even more need active members who can help take the helm of various tasks. Some projects are physical, others are more mental and a few are more social.
For some of us, the physical work can actually be quite fun. Spending an autumn Saturday as a part of a team that puts in trail signs, cuts away overgrown limbs or otherwise preps the trail surface can be quite rewarding. There’s a certain camaraderie that is formed, and truth in the phrase “Many hands make light work.” Many clubs also need people with mechanical capabilities who can help build a bridge over a creek or maintain grooming equipment.
Clubs also have administrative tasks that need to be handled. Whether it’s updating the club roster, reaching out to local businesses for support, working with governmental bodies or overseeing grant applications to help fund a new groomer, idle evening hours can be spent contributing to the cause of snowmobiling rather than watching another episode of American Idol or Yellowstone.
There are also leadership roles within clubs. They need board members and officers – folks who manage the budget, interact with the state association and guide the club’s overall direction. They also need leaders to be a trail boss/trail captain for sections of trail, plan and execute youth safety training classes, establish grooming schedules and handle potential landowner disputes as they occur.
If you’re more inclined toward social engagement, there are plenty of opportunities for you as well. You could help plan the landowners’ thank you dinner or the club’s appearance in the local town festival’s parade. You could assist in the execution of the trailside hot dog feed, or in organizing the annual club ride. If communications is your specialty, many clubs would greatly appreciate having someone to manage or contribute to their social media, web site or newsletter.
It doesn’t matter if you have two hours to share or 20, or if you prefer to lead or follow. There’s a role for you in grassroots snowmobiling.
The clubs listed on the next two pages are specifically reaching out to you, seeking your membership and support, through advertising support of this program. But if you reside elsewhere in North America, those sponsoring organizations would also be very happy if you joined a club in areas where you ride. Joining is the first important step, but becoming an active member is the ultimate way to support the sport we all love.
Colorado
S&W Adventure Riders
Golden, CO
303-324-7185
j4442welch@comcast.net
Swadventureriders.org
Minnesota
Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association
Brooklyn Park, 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
Clearwater Trail Blazers
Leonard, MN
218-368-3115
clearwatertrailblazers2023@gmail.com
Clearwater Trail Blazers on Facebook
Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
Brainerd, MN
218-330-7380
cwcsta@gmail.com
Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association on Facebook
Faribo Sno-Go Club Inc.
Faribault, MN
507-838-2693
alexlmanz@gmail.com
Faribo Sno-Go Club on Facebook
Fertile-Beltrami Sandhill Snowcruisers
Fertile, MN
218-280-9003
fbsandhillsnowcruisers@gmail.com
Sandhill Snowcruisers on Facebook
Foxtailers Snowmobile Club
St. Michael, MN
612-501-5811
foxtailers.com
Hamel Sno Runners
Hamel, MN
612-516-5014
hamelsnorunners@gmail.com
Hamel Sno-Runners on Facebook
Maple Plain Snomads
Maple Plain, MN
mapleplainsnomads@gmail.com
mpsnomads.com
North Country Snowmobile Club
Bemidji, MN
218-755-9391
ncsclub@paulbunyan.com
ncsclub.org
North West Trails Association
Hennepin County, MN
952-882-6770
nwtrails@nwtrails.net
nwtrails.net
Prior Lake Snowmobile Association
Prior Lake, MN
612-328-8585
priorlakesnow@gmail.com
priorlakesnow.com
Rice Creek Trail Association
Circle Pines, MN
763-786-9672
michelle@mainstmarketers.com
ricecreektrail.com
Rice Creek Snowmobile Trail Association on Facebook
River Valley Trailblazers Inc.
Shakopee, MN
rivervalleytrailblazers@gmail.com
RVTB.org
Rockford Ridge Riders
Rockford, MN
612-275-6339
pmzup@aol.com
Rockford Ridge Riders on Facebook
Savage Sno-Pacers
Savage, MN
612-567-6691
snopacers@gmail.com
snopacers.com
Snow Thrashers of Dalton
Dalton, MN
218-731-8463
Dalton Snow Thrashers on Facebook
South Tonka Sno-Mobilers
Shorewood, MN
952-484-1424
wapeterson1@hotmail.com
United Lakes & Trail Riders Assn (ULTRA)
Detroit Lakes, MN
ultrasnowmobile@gmail.com
ultradl.org
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
Black Hills Snowmobile Club
Rapid City, SD
605-381-6594
bhsnowmobileclub@hotmail.com
Black Hills Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Dakota Drifters Snowmobile Club
Brookings, SD
www.dakotadrifters.org
Dakota Drifters Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Dakota Trailblazers
Clear Lake, SD
Dakota Trail Blazers on Facebook
James Valley Drift Skippers
Mitchell, SD
James Valley Drift Skippers Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Poinsett Pounders
Lake Poinsett, SD
605-956-3004
poinsettpounders@gmail.com
Poinsett Pounders Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Siouxland SnoTrackers Snowmobile Club
Sioux Falls, SD
605-310-8437
sfsnotrackers.com
Town & Country Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club
Willow Lake, SD
Town & Country Snowdrifters on Facebook
Whetstone Valley Snowmobile Association
Milbank, SD
wvsnowclub@gmail.com
wvsnowclub.com
Wisconsin
AWSC-Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs
Statewide, WI
608-846-5530
awsc@awsc.org
awsc.org
Amery Snowmobile Club
Amery, WI
715-554-1398
josh@baldwinsupply.com
amerysnowmobileclub.com
Bear Point Sno-Cruisers
Wausaukee, WI
920-494-3052
Berlin River Riders Inc.
Berlin, WI
920-290-0394
berlinriverriders@gmail.com
Berlin River Riders Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Burnett County Snow Trails Association
Danbury, WI
715-656-3855
suesmed@gmail.com
Burnett County Snow Trails Association on Facebook
Conover Sno-Buddies
Conover, WI
conoversnobuddies@gmail.com
conoversnobuddies.com
Cozy Corner Trails, Inc.
Danbury, WI
715-656-3855
suesmed@gmail.com
Cozy Corner Trails Inc. on Facebook
Cross Country Cruisers Inc.
Arbor Vitae, WI
715-614-9003
kw5wi79@outlook.com
crosscountrycruisers.com
Fifield Sno Drovers S.C.
Fifield, WI
414-731-3130
communications@snodrovers.com
snodrovers.com
Frosty Snowmobile Club Inc
Land o’ Lakes, WI
715-617-4708
info@frostysnoclub.com
frostysnoclub.com
Holyland Snowflyers
Mt. Calvary, WI
920-296-6712
membership@holylandsnowflyers.com
holylandsnowflyers.com/membership.php
Hudson Snowtrails Unlimited
Hudson, WI
715-760-0115
hudsonsnowtrailsunlimited@gmail.com
Hudsons Snowtrails Unlimited on Facebook
Knight Owls Snowmobile Club
Tomahawk, WI
knightowlsnowmobileclub.com
Lily Sno-Birds Snowmobile Club
Lily, WI
715-484-3342
lilysnobirds@gmail.com
Lily Snobirds on Facebook
NKM Crooked Trails Snowmobile Club Inc.
Dundee, WI
414-322-8483
hinchdundee@gmail.com
nkmcrookedtrails.com
Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club
Hayward, WI
715-634-8377
hinton4ever@hotmail.com
relicriders.com
Northwoods Riders Snowmobile Club
Tomahawk, WI
info@northwoodsriders.org
northwoodsriders.org
Prairie Riders Snowmobile Club
Pleasant Prairie, WI
262-945-2179
prairieriderssc@gmail.com
prairieriders.net
Prairie View Ryders
Shullsburg, WI
608-482-1281
prairieviewryders@gmail.com
Prairie View Ryders on Facebook
Ranger City Riders Snowmobile ATV/UTV Club Inc
Amberg, WI
920-655-9958
rangercityriders@gmail.com
rangercityriders.com
Red Arrow Snowmobile-ATV Club
Townsend, WI
920-540-5909
redarrowtownsend.com
Rome Sno-Bandits
Rome, WI
224-715-2350
romesnobandits@gmail.com
romesnobandits.com
SnowRunners LTD Snowmobile Club
Port Washington, WI
414-828-5265
snowrunners@gmail.com
snowrunnersltd.com
Stateline TrailBlazers
Juda, WI
statelinetrailblazers@gmail.com
statelinetrailblazers.smartertrails.com
Sussex Sled Bugs Snowmobile Club Inc
Sussex, WI
262-617-1137
sledbugs@hotmail.com
sussexsledbugs.org
Vesper Snowdrifters
Vesper, WI
715-572-1451
vespersnowsecretary@gmail.com
vespersnowdrifters.com
West Shore Snow Pistons
North Fond du Lac, WI
920-251-3867
petetatro494@gmail.com
West Shore Snow Pistons on Facebook
