17 WINTER 2025 VOL . 06 / ISSUE 01 SNOWGOER . COM 18
Challenges Faced by Snowmobile Clubs
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 .
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
S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N
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
NORTH COUNTRY SNOWMOBILE CLUB
Bemidji , MN 218-755-9391 ncsclub @ paulbunyan . com
North Country Snowmobile Club
SWAMPSIDERS SNOWMOBILE ATV CLUB
Bigfork , MN swampsiders @ gmail . com
Swampsiders
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
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
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DULUTH DRIFT TOPPERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
Duluth , MN 218-349-5578 drifttoppers @ gmail . com drifttoppers . com
Duluth Drift - Toppers
BLIZZARD SNOWMOBILE CLUB
Fairmont , MN blizzardsnowmobileclub @ yahoo . com
Blizzard Snowmobile Club
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
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
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
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
MARSHALL COUNTY DRIFT SKIPPERS
Middle River / Newfolden , MN
Marshal County Driftskippers Snowmobile Club , MN
RIVER VALLEY DUTCHMEN SNOWMOBILE CLUB
New Ulm , MN rvdsc @ live . org
River Valley Dutchmen Snowmobile Club
PALISADE SUPERSLEDDERS
Palisade , MN 218-839-1678 pss @ duroses . com
Palisade SuperSledders
MYSTIC RIDERS
Princeton , MN mystic _ riders @ yahoo . com
Mystic Riders Snowmobile Club business page
BYRON SNOW BEARS
Rochester , MN 507-289-5758 mnusarep @ byronsnowbears . com byronsnowbears . com
Byron Snow Bears
ST . STEPHEN RIVER RUNNERS
Sartell . MN 320-241-5959 stsrrsc @ gmail . com ststephenriverrunners . org
St . Stephen River Runners