Maybe you saw the headlines: Somewhere in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula late this past fall, a ski hill announced it would no longer allow a long-standing snowmobile trail to cross its property. The trail is question is a major connector between two areas – its loss could have a significant impact on riding in the region.
Do you know who is spending countless hours trying to figure out a solution? Members of a local snowmobile club. If they didn’t do it, who else would?
Meanwhile, somewhere in Minnesota this summer, in a story that didn’t make headlines, local snowmobile club members were invited into the room when a suburban city was collaborating with a contractor on plans for a new housing development. Right from the start, due to the clout and relationships that club has in the community, its input was sought to ensure a local trail could be maintained.
Snowmobile club members don’t just deal with trail and access issues, however.
Somewhere in Maine this fall, a “trail opener” party will bring together club members in a fun and social get together, with food, beverages, silent auctions and more. Somewhere in South Dakota this winter, a club ride will gather old friends and new for a glorious shared experienced. Somewhere in New York, a club’s joyous trailside weenie roast will engage current members and also introduce new people to the club.
The social stuff is certainly a fun reason to belong to a club, but the trails and riding areas are central to most club’s existence.
That’s why, somewhere in Illinois this past summer a club member went door-to-door, getting signatures to get formal permission from private landowners to let the trail cross their property again this winter. In Ontario in the fall, club volunteers shared an enjoyable workday, clearing overgrown branches away from the trail in preparation of the riding season ahead.
Simultaneously in Indiana, club volunteers gathered to install trail markers in ditches and fields once the crops were harvested. The usual “Stop” and “Stop Ahead” signs were pounded into the ground around intersections; directional signs and re-assurance diamonds delineated the path; “Stay On Trail” signs were strategically posted to try to prevent future trail closures due to wayward riders trespassing on private property.
Club members in Colorado met with federal agencies to assure access through National Forests, while others in Wisconsin schmoozed with paper and timber company representatives to keep trails open through their land. Somewhere in Montana, club members gathered at a trailhead parking lot to work on a shelter, while club members in New Hampshire replaced a time-worn bridge over a narrow river.
This winter across the Snowbelt, club members will climb into large groomers to pull heavy drags through the night to prepare the trail surface for our shared enjoyment. That’s where most snowmobilers see first-hand the direct impact of the clubs.
But how did that happen? The expensive grooming equipment is often owned, maintained and funded by the snowmobile clubs, which means they must somehow attain financial support – often a result of lobbying for state gas tax rebates or registration or trail sticker funds, applying for grants, holding fund raisers, getting local business support and more. They need a place to park the equipment – often in a club-owned shed, and they must take the lead in training operators on how to properly use it.
It all takes people, money and participation.
Snowmobile clubs do so much. Maybe you have the time, energy and ability to be involved in some of the aforementioned activities, or maybe you have a busy life right now but you want to support the people who do all of that work.
One way or another, if you ride snowmobiles the clubs are there for you. This year, be there for the clubs. The forward-thinking clubs listed on the below are specifically reaching out to you seeking your membership. However, if you don’t live or ride in any of their regions, they won’t be insulted if you find a club to join in your area. The key is that you join because there is strength in numbers in so many ways.
MINNESOTA
Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association
Brooklyn Park, MN
866-214 -7669
mnusaoffice@popp.net
mnsnowmobiler.org
Douglas Area Trails Association
Alexandria, MN
320-834-2033
data@gctel.com
douglasareatrails.com
Snowbirds of Amboy, Inc.
Amboy, MN
507-317-0595
snowbirdsofamboy@gmail.com
Snowbirds of Amboy on Facebook
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
ncsclub.org
Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trails Association
Brainerd, MN
218-330-7380
cwcsta@gmail.com
blast.clubhosting.org
Byron Snow Bears
Byron, MN
817-683-5563
mnusarep@byronsnowbears.com
byronsnowbears.com
Carver County Snowrunners
Carver County, MN
ccsnowrunners.com
Rice Creek Trail Association
Cirle Pines, MN
763-786-9672
ricecreektrail@gmail.com
Rice Creek Snowmobile Trail Association on Facebook
Delano Snowstormers
Snowmobile Club
Delano, MN
952-955-2894
matter1095@frontiernet.net
delanosnowstormers.com
United Lakes & Trail Riders Assn (ULTRA)
Detroit Lakes, MN
ultrasnowmobile@gmail.com
ultradl.org
Blizzard Snowmobile Club
Fairmont, MN
507-238-2190
blizzardsnowmobileclub@yahoo.com
myblizzardclub.clubhosting.org
Faribo Sno-Go Club Inc.
Faribault, MN
507-838-2693
alexlmanz@gmail.com
sno-go.org
Fertile-Beltrami Sandhill Snowcruisers
Fertile, MN
Sandhill Snowcruisers on Facebook
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
La Crescent Snowmobile Club
La Crescent, MN
608-769-4597
Walked_aline@annefinlys
La Crescent Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Clearwater Trail Blazers
Leonard, MN
218-556-1122
sherilee@gvtel.com
Clearwater Trail Blazers on Facebook
Lincoln Lakes Area Snowmobile Club
Lincoln, MN
lincolnlakessnowmobileclub@gmail.com
llasc.org
Maple Plain Snomads
Maple Plain, MN
snow@mpsnomads.com
mpsnomads.com
Prior Lake Snowmobile Association
Prior Lake, MN
612-328-8585
priorlakesnow@gmail.com
priorlakesnow.com
Randolph Snowmobile Club
Randolph, MN
507-210-9078
randolphtrailblazers@gmail.com
Savage Sno-Pacers
Savage, MN
612-567-6691
snopacers@gmail.com
snopacers.com
River Valley Trailblazers Inc.
Shakopee, MN
rivervalleytrailblazers@gmail.com
RVTB.org
South Tonka Sno-Mobilers
Shorewood, MN
952-484-1424
wapeterson1@hotmail.com
sites.google.com/site/southtonkasnowmobileclub
Wild River Snowmobile Club
Taylors Falls, MN
651-583-2060
sites.google.com/site/wildriversnowmobileclub
Colorado
S&W Adventure Riders LLC
Golden, CO
303-324-7185
j4442welch@comcast.net
www.swadventureriders.org
Indiana
Where Are We’s Snowmobile Club
Morocco, IN
219-863-0500
dblaney@blaneyandwalton.com
Michigan
Benzie Manistee Snowbirds Snowmobile Club
Kaleva, MI
231-944-0678
mark@mifarmtofreezer.com
Benzie Manistee Snowbirds on Facebook
Kalkaska County Sand and Snow
Mancelona, MI
616-821-1418
info@kalkaskacountysandandsnow.org
kalkaskacountysandandsnow.org
North Country Snowmobile Club – UP
Ontonagon, MI
608-225-8516
treasurer@ncsc-up.com
North Country Snowmobile Club UP 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
Dakota Drifters Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Dakota Trailblazers
Clear Lake, SD
Dakota Trail Blazers on Facebook
Poinsett Pounders
Lake Poinsett, SD
605-520-8018
poinsettpounders@gmail.com
Poinsett Pounders Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Whetstone Valley Snowmobile Assn.
Milbank, SD
wvsnowclub@gmail.com
Whetsone Valley Snowmobile Association on Facebook
James Valley Drift Skippers
Mitchell, SD
James Valley Drift Skippers Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Black Hills Snowmobile Club
Rapid City, SD
605-381-3884
bhsnowmobileclub@hotmail.com
Black Hills Snowmobile Club on Facebook
SnoTrackers Snowmobile Club
Sioux Falls, SD
605-310-8437
sfsnotrackers.com
Town & Country Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club
Willow Lake, SD
Town & Country Snowdrifters on Facebook
Wisconsin
AWSC-Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs
DeForest, WI
608-846-5530
awsc@awsc.org
awsc.org
Cross Country Cruisers Inc.
Arbor Vitae, WI
cccmembership@outlook.com
Cross Country Cruisers on Facebook
Near North Trail Riders of Athelstane Inc.
Athelstane, WI
920-737-1876
nearnorthtrailriders@gmail.com
nearnorthtr.com
Berlin River Riders Inc.
Berlin, WI
920-410-3032
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
Cozy Corner Trails Inc.
Danbury, WI
715-656-3855
suesmed@gmail.com
Cozy Corner Trails Inc on Facebook
Midnight Riders Snowmobile Club
Dorchester, WI
midnightridertreasurer@gmail.com
Midnight Riders Snowmobile Club/Dorchester Wisconsin on Facebook
Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club
Eagle River, WI
715-617-2898
keith@snoeagles.org
snoeagles.org
Northwest Relic Riders Vintage Snowmobile Club
Hayward, WI
715-634-9052
ann.m.swanson@att.net
relicriders.com
Sno-Birds Snowmobile Club
Howard-Suamico
Howard-Suamico, WI
920-609-8849
hssnobirds@gmail.com
snobirdsinfo.weebly.com
Hudson Snowtrails Unlimited
Hudson, WI
715-760-0115
hudsonsnowtrailsunlimited@gmail.com
Hudson Snowtrails Unlimited on Facebook
Kohlsville Kruisers Snowmobile Club Inc.
Kohlsville, WI
262-227-6144
kohlsvillekruiserssecretary@gmail.com
Kohlsville Kruisers on Facebook
Flake Chaser Snowmobile Club
Merton, WI
262-424-5917
flakechasers@hotmail.com
Flake Chaser Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Minocqua Forest Riders Snowmobile Club
Minocqua, WI
minocquaforestriders@gmail.com
minocquaforestriders.org
Monroe Stateline TrailBlazers
Monroe, WI
statelinetrailblazers.smartertrails.com
Chute Pond Snowmobile Club
Mountain, WI
920-373-8578
cpsc1@yahoo.com
chutepondsnowmobileclub.com
West Shore Snow Pistons
North Fond du Lac, WI
920-251-3867
snowpistons@gmail.com
West Shore Snow Pistons on Facebook
Oconomowoc Throttle Jockeys
Oconomowoc, WI
262-567-7295
hbarthur@att.net
throttlejockeyssnowmobileclub.com
Lake Country Last Call Snowmobile Club
Pewaukee, WI
262-227-3093
lakecountrylastcall@gmail.com
Lake Country Last Call SC on Facebook
Prairie Riders Snowmobile Club
Pleasant Prairie, WI
262-498-4427
prairieriderssc@gmail.com
prairieriders.net
Rome Sno-Bandits
Rome, WI
224-715-2350
romesnobandits@gmail.com
romesnobandits.com
Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club
Saint Germain, WI
info@boboen.com
boboen.com
Lake Country Riders
Siren, WI
715-349-7340
schoepke@sirentel.net
Lake Country Riders Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Chase Sno Chasers Inc.
Sobieski, WI
920-655-3252
webmaster@chasesnochasers.com
chasesnochasers.org
Rolling Hills Snowmobile & ATV Club
Spooner, WI
715-635-7054
rollinghills.info@gmail.com
rollinghillssnowmobileandatv.com
Schneelaufers Snowmobile Club
Stone Bank, WI
262-224-4470
cullplace@aol.com
schneelauferssnowmobileclub.org
Sussex Sled Bugs Snowmobile Club
Sussex, WI
262-246-8104
sledbugs@hotmail.com
sussexsledbugs.org
Northern Lights Snowmobile Club
Three Lakes, WI
608-322-6910
reg@northernlightsclub.com
northernlightsclub.com
Northwoods Riders Snowmobile Club
Tomahawk, WI
info@northwoodsriders.org
northwoodsriders.org
Lumberjack Memorial Trails
Wabeno, WI
lumberjackmemorialtrails579@gmail.com
Lumberjack Memorial Trails on Facebook
Waterloo Trail Twisters
Waterloo, WI
920-988-1513
waterlootrails@hotmail.com
Waterloo Trail Twisters Snowmobile Club on Facebook
Bear Point Sno-Cruisers
Wausaukee, WI
920-494-3052
northerndestinations.com
