YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD IT BEFORE: Snowmobile clubs are the reason that snowmobile trails exists. You probably also know that the people in the clubs and grassroots networks are most often the ones who work on varying levels to protect trails and public lands, and your right to ride. Clubs are also a great social outlet for like-minded people.
Yes, most snowmobilers know all of that. But most snowmobilers don’t actually belong to a snowmobile club. There are all sorts of potential excuses — maybe you don’t know where to find your local club, or maybe you’re an introvert and/or intimidated at some level. Maybe you just consider yourself a non-joiner, or maybe you have a preconceived notion of what belonging to a snowmobile club means.
Chances are, however, that if you don’t belong to a snowmobile club, you probably just haven’t gotten around to joining one. Well don’t lump this in with dentist appointments, fixing a dripping laundry room faucet, creating a will and other tasks you regularly put off – snowmobiling needs you! Quit being a freeloader and join a club this fall – either by contacting one of the clubs over the next three pages that are reaching out to you, or by finding a club in your riding area.
To describe the benefits of joining a snowmobile club, we turn to a widely circulated column from the now-defunct Snowmobile Magazine, describing the Top 10 Reasons To Join A Snowmobile Club. The list was compiled 20 years ago but it all still holds true today:
10. Snowmobile clubs gain land access to create snowmobile trails. Without the clubs securing land leases and paying insurance costs, no trails would cross private property, and that means the sport as we know it would not exist. All this takes time, effort and money.
9. Snowmobile clubs clear and create trails. After the land access is received, somebody has to clear away the brush, cut down interfering limbs, haul out trash and smooth the base of the trail. Club members also must build bridges over creeks, rivers and low spots, and that takes a lot of work and a lot of money. This is all done by volunteers who truly love the sport. Without these hidden heroes, the trails would not get cleared, bridges would not get built and most trails would disappear.
8. In most areas, snowmobile club members groom the trails, or hire the people who do. Sometimes these groomer operators get a token fee for their hard work, but the dollar-per-hour rate is menial at best. Again, these are more of the hidden heroes who spend their time in a slow-moving groomer, tending to the trails. Remember, if you are not a club member you have no right to complain about trail conditions.
7. While we’re talking trails, who do you think puts up all the stop signs, the directional arrows and the signs that tell you the distance to the next gas station or restaurant? If you said “the snowmobile clubs,” give yourself 10 points and keep reading.
6. When funding is needed to pay for groomers, insurance or trails development, do you know where that money comes from? Sure, the $15 or $20 people spend to join a snowmobile club helps, but in many states money also comes from snowmobile registrations and gas tax rebates. Why does our sport get this money from the state? Because our sport is organized. If the state snowmobiling association can talk about its 25,000 members, for example, and those members call their local lawmakers and ask for support, the funding has a much better chance of getting approval. Furthermore, it is the snowmobile clubs and state associations that fight the battles to open public lands to snowmobilers, and there is strength in numbers. Become one of those numbers.
5. With some clubs and associations, membership brings financial benefits. There are often discounts at sponsoring businesses, breaks on lodging and sometimes cheaper registration or trail permits from the state.
4. Belonging to a club makes for better, safer snowmobiling. Historically, surveys and accident statistics have shown that snowmobile club members have a much lower accident rate than non-club members. Why? Because club members tend to be conscientious, they tend to stress safety and they are aware of safe-riding issues.
3. Belonging to a snowmobile club provides a great social outlet for your favorite hobby. You can attend club rides or trips, go to club meetings, take part in club fundraisers or partake in off-season fun. Belonging to a club gives you a good opportunity to ride with different people, experience different areas and hang out with people who have similar interests.
2. Belonging to a snowmobile club makes you a part of the solution instead of a part of the problem. If you think the snowmobile trails should be groomed more often, that a certain trail should be rerouted or if you consider some section on the trail poorly marked, get involved. Most snowmobile clubs seek fresh opinions and want more feedback.
1. And the No. 1 reason to join a snowmobile club: It’s just the right thing to do. For all the reasons listed above and many more you should belong to a snowmobile club. The costs are minimal, the benefits are great and it is your responsibility to support the sport. It’s cheap, it’s simple and it’s right.
Now, here is a list of snowmobile clubs that are specifically reaching out to you, seeking your membership. Scan the list, find one in your area and reach out to them — you won’t be sorry.
COLORADO
S&W ADVENTURE RIDERS
GOLDEN/DENVER
303-324-7185
Email: jrwelch@frii.com
IOWA
IOWA STATE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION
Email: issa1257@yahoo.com
ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SNOWMOBILE CLUBS, INC.
MARSEILLES
815-795-2021
Email: bpfile95@gmail.com
TRI COUNTY SNOWMOBILE ALLIANCE
BYRON
815-995-5952
Email: tcsnowmobile@gmail.com
CEDARVILLE SNOW TRAVELERS
CEDARVILLE
815-541-8778
Email: bpfile95@gmail.com
HAMPSHIRE WHITE RIDERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
HAMPSHIRE
847-683-0140
Email: duey683@msn.com
CORNBELT DRIFTBUSTERS
ORION
309-786-3656
Email: danlong@longscarpet.net
MIDWAY SNO-BUSTERS
PECATONICA
Email: midwaysnobusters@gmail.com
Midway Sno-Busters on Facebook
RUSTY RUNNERS
PLAINFIELD
270-792-8625
Email: dhunt2L600@hotmail.com
WHITESIDE COUNTY SNOW BIRDS
STERLING
309-738-3894
Email: hanrahantravis@gmail.com
Whiteside County Snow Birds on Facebook
EVERGREEN SNOWMOBILE CLUB
TINLEY PARK
815-249-5342
Email: thumpr161@aol.com
MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA UNITED SNOWMOBILERS ASSOCIATION
BROOKLYN PARK
866-214 -7669
Email: mnusaoffice@popp.net
DOUGLAS AREA TRAILS ASSOCIATION
ALEXANDRIA
320-834-2033
Email: data@gctel.com
ANDOVER SNO DRAGONS
ANDOVER
763-862-2346
Email: andoversnodragons@gmail.com
BAXTER SNOWMOBILE CLUB
BAXTER
320-232-8445
Email: bjensen9660@charter.net
Baxter Snowmobile Club on Facebook
CROW WING COUNTY SNOWMOBILE TRAILS ASSOCIATION
BRAINERD
218-330-7380
markekavanaugh@gmail.com
brainerdlakesareasnowmobiletrails.com
BYRON SNOW BEARS
BYRON
817-683-5563
Email: mnusarep@byronsnowbears.com
BAY LAKE SNO PACKERS
DEERWOOD
218-678-2051
Email: baylake.snopackers@gmail.com
RIVER CITY SNOW RIDERS
ELK RIVER
763-441-6881
Email: rivercitysnowriders@usfamily.net
ELY IGLOO SNOWMOBILE CLUB
ELY
218-365-6264
BLIZZARD SNOWMOBILE CLUB
FAIRMONT
507-238-2190
Email: blizzardsnowmobileclub@yahoo.com
FARIBO SNO-GO CLUB
FARIBAULT
507-838-1646
Email: shepherd@fmwildblue.com
WELLS CREEK RIDERS
FRONTENAC
651-380-5655
Email: rschafer@embarqmail.com
Wells Creek Riders Snowmobile Club on Facebook
HAMEL SNO RUNNERS
HAMEL
763-400-6660
Email: jerdee4@yahoo.com
Hamel Sno-Runners on Facebook
NORTHWEST TRAILS ASSOCIATION
HENNEPIN COUNTY
952-882-6770
Email: nwtrails@nwtrails.net
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS
651-900-3540
Inver Grove Heights Snowmobile Club on Facebook
LESUEUR COUNTY SNOWMOBILE TRAILS ASSOCIATION
LE CENTER
CLEARWATER TRAIL BLAZERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB, INC.
LEONARD
218-694-2150
Email: skd@gvtel.com
Clearwater Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club on Facebook
LINCOLN LAKES AREA SNOWMOBILE CLUB
LINCOLN/MOTLEY
LONGVILLE LAKES AREA SNOWMOBILE CLUB
LONGVILLE
218-566-4755
LONSDALE SNOWIZARDS, INC.
LONSDALE
507-339-4645
Email: onsdalesnowizards@hotmail.com
Lonsdale Snowizards Snowmobile Club on Facebook
LORETTO SNO-BIRDS
LORETTO
612-590-2020
Loretto SnoBirds on Facebook
MAPLE PLAIN SNOMADS
MAPLE PLAIN
Email: snow@mpsnomads.com
CARVER COUNTY SNOWRUNNERS
MAYER
612-483-5638
Email: ccsnowrunners@yahoo.com
Carver County Snowrunners on Facebook
CROW RIVER SNO PROS
MCLEOD COUNTY
320-327-2380
Email: crowriversnopros@crowriversnopros.com
E.C. RIDERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
MORA
877-208-5105
ecridersclub@hotmail.com
WATERFORD WARRIORS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
NORTHFIELD
507-649-1674
Waterford Warriors Snowmobile Club on Facebook
PRAIRIE SNOW DRIFTERS
PARKERS PRAIRIE
320-766-6426
Email: napa@midwestinfo.net
PRIOR LAKE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION
PRIOR LAKE
612-581-6627
Email: priorlakesnow@gmail.com
RIVER VALLEY TRAIL BLAZERS
SHAKOPEE
952-445-3169
Email: threegamesandy@aol.com
SOUTH TONKA SNO-MOBILERS
SHOREWOOD
952-484-1424
Email: wapeterson1@hotmail.com
sites.google.com/site/southtonkasnowmobileclub
TRI-COUNTY TRAILBLAZERS
SPRING VALLEY
507-259-4813
Email: tri-countytrailblazers@hotmail.com
Tri County Trailblazers on Facebook
FOXTAILERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
ST. MICHAEL
612-581-5350
anthonymorain@yahoo.com
Foxtailers Snowmobile Club on Facebook
NORTHERN PINE RIDERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
WILLOW RIVER
218-372-4077
Email: weskemichael@gmail.com
NEBRASKA
NEBRASKA STATE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION
402-269-2118
Email: stan@stutheitimpl.com
Nebraska State Snowmobile Association on Facebook
SOUTH DAKOTA
SOUTH DAKOTA SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION
GARY
605-272-5900
Email: sdsa@itctel.com
ABERDEEN DRIFTBUSTERS
ABERDEEN
POINSETT POUNDERS
BADGER
605-203-1594
sites.google.com/site/poinsettpounders/
DAKOTA TRAILBLAZERS OF CLEAR LAKE & GARY
CLEAR LAKE
507-327-7364
Dakota Trail Blazers on Facebook
TOWN & COUNTRY SNOWDRIFTERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
KINGSBURY COUNTY
605-651-3461
Email: terickson1213@gmail.com
Town & Country Snow Drifters on Facebook
WHETSTONE VALLEY SNOWMOBILE ASSN.
MILBANK
Email: wvsnowclub@gmail.com
Whetstone Valley Snowmobile Association on Facebook
BLACK HILLS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
RAPID CITY
605-391-8602
Black Hills Snowmobile Club on Facebook
SIOUX FALLS SNO TRACKERS
SIOUX FALLS
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON STATE SNOWMOBILE ASSOC
800-783-9772
Email: jim.kingman@wssa.us
WISCONSIN
AWSC-ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN SNOWMOBILE CLUBS
DE FOREST
608-846-5530
Email: awsc@awsc.org
ASSN OF WI SNOWMOBILE CLUBS – KIDS AND ADULTS ON SNOW (KAOS)
Email: awsckaos@gmail.com
Kids and Adults on Snowmobiles – KOAS on Facebook
APPLE CREEK SNOW RYDERS
APPLETON
Email: applecreek.snowryders@gmail.com
CROSS COUNTRY CRUISERS
ARBOR VITAE
715-358-3772
Email: challenger1948@gmail.com
CAMBRIA MOONLIGHTERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
CAMBRIA
920-210-1327
Cambria Moonlighters Snowmobile Club on Facebook
BURNETT COUNTY SNOW TRAILS ASSOCIATION
DANBURY
715-656-3855
Email: suesmed@gmail.com
Burnett County Snow Trails Association on Facebook
COZY CORNER TRAILS, INC.
DANBURY
715-656-3855
Email: suesmed@gmail.com
Cozy Corners Trails, Inc. on Facebook
ROLLING DICE RIDERS OF FRANKLIN
FRANKLIN
Email: franklinrollingdiceriders@yahoo.com
SNO-TRAILS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
HAYWARD
715-865-2482
Email: snotrailssc@gmail.com
PRAIRIE RIDERS OF KENOSHA
KENOSHA
847-456-1778
Email: prtreas@yahoo.com
CASTLE ROCK RIVER RUNNERS
NEW LISBON
608-847-5801
Castle Rock River Runners on Facebook
NORTH LAKE NOMADS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
NORTH LAKE
262-673-4120
ORFORDVILLE COUNTRY RIDERS
ORFORDVILLE
608-207-0065
Orfordville Country Riders Snowmobile Club on Facebook
SNOW RUNNERS LTD SNOWMOBILE CLUB
PORT WASHINGTON
414-828-5265
Email: snowrunners@gmail.com
ROME SNO-BANDITS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
ROME
715-325-6711
Email: romesnobandits@gmail.com
SUSSEX SLED BUGS SNOWMOBILE CLUB, INC.
SUSSEX
BEAR POINT SNO-CRUISERS
WAUSAUKEE
920-494-3052
We need the list of Montana Clubs! You can contact the Montana Snowmobile Association (MSA) for the list. But I can tell you every club wants to get on this list!