BY JOHN T . PRUSAK

Maybe you saw the headlines : Somewhere in Michigan ’ s Upper Peninsula late this past summer , 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 , 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 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 this 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 prevent future trail closures . 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 timeworn 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 next three pages 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

BELLE PLAINE BOROUGH RIDERS

Belle Plaine , MN 952-875-4320 boroughriders @ gmail . com

Belle Plaine Borough Riders Snowmobile Club

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

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

HAMEL SNO RUNNERS

Hamel , MN 612-516-5014 hamelsnorunners @ gmail . com

Hamel Sno-Runners

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 @ yahoo . com

La Crescent Snowmobile Club

CLEARWATER TRAIL BLAZERS

Leonard , MN 218-556-1122 sherilee @ gvtel . com

Clearwater Trail Blazers

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