Best Snowmobiling Memory

[Admin]

I have been thinking of posting this question/discussion for a while now and with the site becoming more active and a bit of a lull in the weather, I figured this would be a good time.

As the title mentions, what I am looking for is your best snowmobile memory to date. It may or may not be about epic snows, incredible terrain, the best trails, riding partners...etc. It does not even have to have taken place in modern times (I have a feeling that a lot haven't).

Anyway, I can start out with mine. It took place on a holiday weekend back around 30-35 years ago. We were at our place in Lake Geneva for the weekend and the forecast had called for a few inches of snow. At the time we had two old Polaris Colts that sometimes ran, more times not. It was very rare to have them both running good! We also had two Sno Runners, that were even less reliable. We pretty much cannibalized one just to keep the other running.

In any case, my two brothers were at the cottage, along with my parents. The planets must have been perfectly aligned, as both Colts were running great and even one Sno Runner was running well. About mid morning my two brothers and I took a ride. My older brother and I were on the sleds and my younger brother was on the bike-like thing. We ended up at the west end of Lake Como. The lake is very shallow there and is more like a swamp, with tall grass and reeds sticking up out of the lake. The pattern of reeds/grass created little channels that you could ride through on the smoother and better snow covered ice. The "few inches" of snow ended up amounting to around 6-8" of snow and when added to the snow already on the ground, gave great conditions for southern WI.

Somehow our riding around turned into a game of cops and robbers, with the sleds being the cops and the bike being the robber. The goal was for the sleds to be able to corner the bike and force him to not be able to get away. The "channels" created by the reeds/grass gave lots of different ways for both the cops and the robber to go to try and either get away or to the catching/cornering. I think we ended up returning to the cottage several times to gas up and return to the spot to play. The conditions on the ice were perfect, plenty thick enough to be safe and with enough snow to zip around on, but if you pinned the throttle, you could spin the track easily or if you grabbed the brake hard, you could also go into a spin, all of which added to the fun of trying to corner the bike and also allow the bike to make some dramatic moves to avoid being caught.

Looking at it from the outside, it probably does not seem like that big of a deal, but I think what makes this such a special moment is that everything went perfect. Something that was pretty rare with the old time equipment back then and also with the weather in southern WI. We had 2 sleds and a Sno Runner running perfect and bunch of new snow to play in and watch fall, all on a three day weekend in southern WI with my two brothers. No fights or arguments or negative moments. Just a whole day of FUN! Some sort of divine intervention was at play here.

Ok, so there is mine. How about you?

-John

 

[Magnumb]

One that pops up is doing dounuts in some parking lot of some bar near George Young Rec Center.
It was my dad who started doing dounuts and then everyone else jumped in including my almost 60 year old mother.

 

[sifarmer]

For me it was my first trip ever to the u.p. Took a chance and went with a guy and his family whom I had never met, and drove 12 hours to a place I had never been. We went from Greenland to
Copper and the snow and scenery was unbelievable. That guy and his family are my best friends to this date, and we have rode the u.p every year since then. I have countless great memories the last ten years because that first trip led to such a great place and such great friends.

 

[miked]

I started snowmobiling as a kid at my family's cottage in central Wisconsin, and some of my best memories growing up were from those trips. Especially the first time I got to drive (probably age 9 or 10) our two-up Arctic Cat Panther with one of my dad's friend's daughters on the back and susequent "guy" trips when I was in high school and college...those were really cool parts of growing up. However, lack of time and interest in other things caused sledding to fall to the wayside in my life, and it wasn't until 6 years ago that my wife expressed an interest in giving it a try. After a bit of hesitation, I acquiesced. She immediately fell in love, and "showing her the ropes" of what snowmobiling was all about was/has been one of the coolest things I've ever done. We've owned six sleds since 2007, four of them new!

Were I to pick a perfect memory/day, it would have to be in the winter of 2009...Christmas-New Year week. We headed up to Munising, MI for our very first foray into the U.P. It had snowed like CRAZY that year, conditions were just incredible, and only negative was the fact that earlier in the trip, I had accidently pumped DIESEL into my new 800 XP(DOH!), so I was on our backup sled, a 700SRX. We checked into our hotel in Munising, and the gentleman behind the desk asks us if we'd ever been up there before, and, in hearing our negative answer, asks if we'd like to come with the group he'd be guiding from the hotel the next morning at 9am. We thanked him and said we'd think about it, and possibly see him in the morning. After we finished unloading our luggage and checked out the trail map, I told my wife I'd be a LOT more comfortable riding with a group since we didn't know our way around, so we'd give it a try. If the group ended up riding slower than we were accustomed to, we'd just go our own way. She agreed, and at 9am, we joined our leader Mark and a group of 13 other sleds the next morning. A quick survey of sleds and riders determined that we'd have a questionable group...an older couple in their 60s on 4-stroke Yamis, and a couple families with kids on Cats (young girls at that)...all nice sleds, but you never know about the riders. I rode towards the back, with my wife in front of me, and we took off. By the time we had ridden about 5 miles...I was amazed. Here was a random group of strangers just staying at a random hotel, and we were FLYING. I was hitting 80-90 mph on the straights, and we were running 45-50 through the turns...clearly, these people could RIDE. At a stop sign, I went up to my wife and said "We will be staying with these people for the day!" She nodded in agreement with a big smile on her face. We visited Alger Falls and then stopped for lunch, where we really got to speak with our new compatriots. The families and another couple were from Pennsylvania, and the young girls were fast for a reason...they were competitive hill-climb racers. The older couple were from Wisconsin, and were veteran riders of many years, and VERY nice people. We had an awesome day out...no breakdowns...and made it back to Munising a happy and exhausted group. It was New Year's Eve, and my wife and I had no plans, so the PA people invited us out to dinner with them to celebrate. Since that day, we have attempted or succeeded in seeing them every year in the UP...it was truely the beginning of a great friendship and we look forward to each time we meet. Hoping like crazy to see them up in Baraga this year! Come on SNOW!

 

[lx700kev]

I too must say that my first trip to the northwoods was ONE of many great snowmobiling memorys. I've always loved the snow and going north for the first time was like heaven. It was 1986. We stayed at Hillers Pine Haven in St Germain...me and 3 other guys. We pulled an open 4 place trailer up with a 4 door chevy caprice......The roads were terrible and a 6 hour drive took almost 12. I thought we'd never get there. The antisipation of getting there was killing me. To this day that antisipation of going sledding is like a drug..I still LOVE IT after 26 years. Grooming was not a very popular thing at the time if you know what I mean but, we sure had a blast riding what seemed to be 5 foot mogels on sleds with no suspension!

 

[Team Elkhorn]

Small world John, our family had a "cottage" off Lake Como in the 70s. Us kids would spend hours tearing up the snow on the lake. We played in the "cattail channels" on the east side of the lake though. Then later when we got more dependable sleds we ventured farther out and would ride the dirt bike trails just east of cty NN between rt 12 and hwy H. Sadly I think those trails are all built up now. Remember the old railroad grade trail from the SW side of the lake to Williams Bay? A Lot of my best childhood memories are from snowmobiling. Back then it wasn't about the miles or the destination, it was just about riding and having fun. Ah good times. Thanks for reminding me why we moved up here too.
Dave

 

[scott_b]

It is really hard to pick one moment that was the best, I have so many great riding experiences.

I started snowmobiling when I was 3, riding in front of my dad on 340 Yamaha. He would get a new snowmobile almost every year, the excitement of seeing what he would get next was almost as good as Christmas morning. I remember him coming home with the 1984 Phazer and thinking it was the coolest and ugliest thing I had ever seen. For the next 8 years he rode with me in front of him, helmets banging together the whole way, he never wanted me to sit behind him because he didn't want me to get bored. When I turned 12 and could ride myself I hopped onto an Enticer 250. I was no longer the kid of the group, I was one of the guys, I rode that thing full throttle all winter just trying to keep up.

I thought nothing could trump the excitement of being 12 and getting to ride my own sled, but now seeing the excitement in my 4 yr old son's eyes when we get ready to ride is even better. The best part of all this is I know the best is still yet to come.

 

[durphee]

Best memory, that a tough one since there's been so many good times. I think it was the day that I bought my first sled and having it dropped off! Within 3 months of that date, five of my good friends went out and purchased their own sleds. We now have a group of around 12 people that ride, although rarely all in one trip. We have built a little snowmobile community that wrench together, ride together and hang out throughout the year. Every new trip just adds to the stories and memories!

 

[skiroule]

Early Days and Recent Times

Snowmobile stories make for a great read!</SPAN>

I have to put them in two categories: Early days and recent times.</SPAN>

The early days one was easy. In the early 70’s my brother and I took off cross-country on a 340 Colt and a 400 Charger to travel from our farm in northern MN to Red Lake. This pre-dated anything that resembled a trail. It was probably 20 miles each way but it was an all-day trip. After hours of slogging our way through deep snow, muskeg, alder brush, swamp spruce, and tamarack, we broke out onto the lake. Coming out of the reeds onto that big, pristine, wind-blown lake was something I’ll never forget - had a real explorer feel to it. And yes, we had to tow the Colt the last few miles on the return.</SPAN>

There have been a lot of memorable trips in recent times but the first-ever Wyoming trip last year gets the nod as the most memorable. This is a regular experience for many of the Dee faithful but it took me four decades to get there. Since there was just two of us and we were maybe a smidge short on horsepower we were pretty conservative, sticking mostly to the meadows and smaller climbs. Still, we were consistently within a couple of hundred feet of ten thousand feet, which was pretty cool. The endless meadow riding was an amazing experience. Every opening in the trees led to more open riding. Some days we had clocked twenty miles and were still only three or four miles from the truck. Don’t know if I’ll ever get out there again but it was a great experience to have been there once.</SPAN>

 

[bigvin]

Wow John,...
There are going to be some Nice Stories here.
Like Christmas Cards of Snowmobile memories!


Seems like everytime I go, there are Great memories to smile (or laugh) about,... and for some reason, "I" am at
the brunt of the story! I am so glad that My Wife and daughter love the sport,... but as I have said in past posts,
I owe it all to my folks. So many Awesome memories of going with my folks and their friends back in the early 70's.
When I think back,... one picture that comes to mind,....
I must have been in my EARLY teens and we were with a couple other groups of friends and families,.... coming back
from a long days ride (not many "groomed" trails back in THOSE days). But anyway,.. Me and my Dad were the Last
2 sleds in a group of about 15 to 20,.... and it was one of those parts of the trail that had a LONG sweeping curve,
then a LONG medium grade hill, and you could see ALL the sleds spaced perfectly apart like a big train.
It was snowing Huge flakes and the air was filled with 2-stroke. For some reason, that long train of sleds of families and friends all having fun TOGETHER,... just brings a Warm and Fuzzy feeling.
Now,...
I have since met so many friends from THIS site,... and we too,... have experienced similar experiences
and hopefully will continue to.
But, Thanks Mom and Dad,... for getting me in to such a cool thing.!!!

 

[snoduke88]

Boy it is hard to pick out best time snowmobiling but one off they very best was going to Iceland on the first Decker Tour there. There wwere 34 of us and they only had 24 sleds so the Iceland snowmobile assoc brought out their personal sleds for us to ride. And did we ride them!

We had been on several Decker tours but this one stands out. We have been going to Mercer area for almost 40 years and have had a great time meeting friends that we have met over the years. We have reservations for three weeks this year and are looking forward to seeing them again.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Too many to list here, just a couple without going into detail.

First snowmobile delivered on Christmas Eve 1968. I rode in circles around the yard and outbuildings for about an hour and then the folks made me come inside to watch Apollo 8 circle the moon on TV.

Sometime around 2003 was my first visit to the UP, Munising to be exact. The ground was bare throughout Wisconsin so our group loaded up for the 5 hour drive. No snow until we came over a hill about 5 miles from the big lake. Wow! My first experience with Lake Effect Snow.

Just a couple of years ago, I'm leading a small group in Price County, rounded a sweeping curve and came face to face with Mr. Timber Wolf on the trail. He was gone before I could get my camera out but I'll never forget the look in his eyes...

Gary

 

[snowshoe]

My best memory is a fairly simple one and it includes my oldest son who was almost 4 at the time. That fall I had him come with me to "help" put trail signs in. On our first ride of the season we head out to get root beers, cheese curds and play a video game or two. Before we left I told him to give me the thumbs up when I gave him a tap so that I knew he was doing fine. When we got to the bar I start helping him get his helmet off, etc. and he says to me, "Dad, it's a good thing we put those signs in so that we knew how to get here." It was just a great feeling to me that he got it, he understood the connection between work in the fall and enjoying it in the winter. On our way home it was snowing lightly and I could feel him fall asleep on my arm. I took a couple detours around the lake and such just so the evening would last a bit longer.

 

[handiman]

Mine has to be my first "father/son" trip to the U.P. with my then 12 year old boy back in late Feb. of 2005.
We got up to the resort now known as 'Fish Tales' on Lake Gogebic late on a Friday night, unloaded the sleds and went to bed early. Not realizing the time zone change we went down to get breakfast almost an hour before the actually served it! The folks there were very understanding and got us fed and out the door just as they officially opened for breakfast. I was on my trusty 2002 A/C ZL600 and my boy was on a 1999 440 Jag I had gotten for him 2 years prior.
We took the trail 1 up to Silver City, then Lake of the Clouds, circled back south on 11 to 102 and had lunch at the Hoop. After lunch we went north again on 13, then on 101, west on 12 and then back south on 1. I could tell he was getting tired, so I told him that I was getting pooped and was wondering if it would be OK with him if we went back to the resort. He said, "Sure, I don't want you to get too tired." So we took the big lake back to the resort. Which he thought was awesome because he could "open it up". We got back, took off our gear and had a quick bite to eat before he headed to bed "for a nap" - at about 4:30 in the afternoon. He slept through the night. We took another half day ride in the morning, loaded up and headed for home.
The weather was perfect. Trail conditions couldn't have been better. The sleds ran flawlessly. My 12 son rode like he had been doing it for years - safe and in control. (He had only been on a few shorter trips back home that year.) The people we all met were wonderful.
Not the longest trip he and I have been on in the years since, but definitely the most memorable!!!

 

[snowshoe]

Mine has to be my first "father/son" trip to the U.P. with my then 12 year old boy back in late Feb. of 2005.

Cant wait to take a trip like that myself. Thanks for sharing.

 

[gogebic_sledder]

It was back in 1988, my best friends parents just finished building their house on Lake Gogebic. I was invited to the cabin for a week during Christmas break. As we headed north on 45 past waters meet the snow really started coming down. Then west on M28 it started dumping. We were driving in a a 1987 Lincoln town car, basically a boat . As we turned on east shore road there had to be Two feet of snow on the road. We made it six miles down east shore road till we got stuck right in front of the driveway to the cabin . The Lincoln was literally pushing snow with the front bumper, I still can't believe it made it that far. We left the car and hiked it to the cabin . We had the best time that week. I haven't missed a winter in the up since. And I've never seen snow on east shore rd like that since. Maybe every thing just seems bigger when your eleven. It was awesome

 

[jr37]

So many memories, it's hard to pick just one or so.

A few week long trips with my dad.
Whiteout conditions by Lake Goegebic, had to stop it was snowing so hard.
Absolute frigid temps in northern Minn., can't believe we were dumb enough to keep riding.
My first trip to the U.P. in '88
Getting stop by cops on a sled when I was about 9 or 10.
Any many more.......

 

[Skylar]

Great stories! John, if you want another Snorunner, let me know, my brother has one in his garage right now. It belongs to his father in law.

I have so many great memories I really don't know if I could pick out just one. The first trip north to Presque Isle Wi in 1988, riding two up on a 79 Eltigre, oh my aching back!

I guess the one would be my first sled trip to the U.P. December 1991, it was warm and raining the night before we left, but I was told there was snow in Ontonogon, so that is where we were heading. It was brown brown brown all the way to Watersmeet, then we started seeing some snow on the ground, by the time we got to Bruce Crossing, there was more snow on the ground, about a mile before military hill a car was coming toward us, heading south, there had to be at least a foot of fresh snow on the roof! HOLY CRAP! Two 23 year olds, a 19 year old and a 21 year old, had never been that excited before! We had a brand new 1992 Polaris RXL650, a 1988 Cougar, and 2 1989 Cougars, we were ready to tear it up! When we arrived at the motel, we were told it snowed 18" since the day before. We were so excited, we headed out to ride, not knowing that the trails did not "OPEN" until the next day. LOL. We made it over to the Candlelight Inn for supper, and then rode back, it was deep, and we were getting stuck a lot. The next day arrived, with clear skies and sunshine. It was so freaking deep lol. Two great memories stick out in my head from that trip. One, myself and the other two Cougars, 500 fan cooled, were up on LP Walsh Road riding the shoulder, it was just too deep for us, Joe was down on the trail with his new 650, he came up on the road behind us a couple hundred yards, and pinned it. I looked back and seen him coming, so I pinned it, and then our two other buds pinned their sleds. Well, that RXL went smoking past us so fast that I just could not believe it! Second, on the way over to the Candlelight Inn the night before, Joe got the RXL stuck, so my buddy Tom got behind him to push him out, and Scott and I each grabbed a ski. Joe let the 650 bark, and away he went. We looked back at where Tom was, his helmet was completely packed TIGHT with snow from the roost from Joe's sled. LMAO. He took his helmet off, and you could see the imprint of his face in the snow, from inside the helmet! One of the funniest things I have ever seen!

That was my frist sled trip to the U.P. and I have been going there ever since. There has only been two times since that I did not sled in the U.P. before Christmas, once was in 1998, we went to Cooke City, and one other time we went to the Bayfield, Wi area. Otherwise, I have been sledding the yoop, before Christmas, since 1991.

I started keeping track of all the pics from all the sled trips right around 1993, and have been doing that, every trip, every year, since. They are all in photo albums. I have 13 photo albums currently, and I don't have any pics from last year in an album yet. Can't wait to make some more memories this season!

 

[Go Fast or Go Home]

Both my boys are 26 and 28 years old. I started both of them out riding with me on my sled. When they turned 7 and 9 I bought two 340 Yamaha Enticers and turned them loose. Always kept them tucked in the middle of the group for safety reasons and until they learned the trail systems. They both ride 800 machines now and I am the one tucked in the middle while they lead the groups. So many memories through the years that I can't pick any one or two. Just the fact that in life they have learned responsibilities and progressed to the point where they are now the future.

 

[RVR RNR]

It was 1980, i was still in high school and 3 buds and myself decide to go on our first sled trip. A former employee of my father owned a resort on Lake Namekogan near Cable,WI and he said to come up sometime. We couldn't afford a cabin so i asked if we could park our camper trailer in his yard and he agreed, since his cabins were full anyways. What he didn't tell us was there was a cross-country race on the lake that weekend and that it went through his parking lot! It was the Governor's Cup 200 and we had sleds flying past our camper all day Saturday. I got to see Dimmerman, Useldinger, Donahue, Karpick's and many others catching air across the driveway! That night it got down to -20 and our furnace went out in the camper. Had to fix it at 2:00am but, we didn't care- we were up north! We still talk about that trip and it brings back great memories.