SPECIAL SNORIDERS SSA REPORT

www.sasksnow.com

>> EVENTS A ROARING SUCCESS Annual General Meeting 2012 FESTIVAL RIDE WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE WINTER June 23, 2012 BY BARRY BRADSHAW, Chairman West Harvest Inn, Regina, SK Diamonds in the Snow Banquet and Awards This year’s Festival Ride to Hudson Bay was lights of the day were seeing two black timber June 23, 2012 one of the best in a long time even though our wolves in the Good Spirit pasture, moose and West Harvest Inn, Regina, SK snow conditions to start off were not the greatest. deer along the trail, the Elks warm-up shelter at 2012 Snowmobile Show This year’s ride consisted mainly of the old Thunder Hill, Forget Me Knot Corner and some November 9 - 11, 2012 standby riders—most of whom aren’t that old— great trails, especially going through the rolling Prairieland Exhibition Park, who have been doing this ride with me for ap- hills around Thunder Hill. Saskatoon, SK proximately 10 years. The ride consisted of three Thursday, Day 2: It was an enjoyable ride couples: Don and Marie Happy, Trent and Doris through the Norquay and Hudson Bay trails to >> CLUB NEWS Kresak and Nelson and Shannon Scott; along the Weekes Hotel for lunch. The trails were great with single riders Brent Moore, Curtis Ange, and so was the lunch. It was then on to Neely SSA Four-Sled Jack Powell and myself for a total of 10 sleds and Lake Shelter. raffle winner riders. All, of course, belong to the Yorkton Sno- On the way we took a detour off the trails Congratulations to Craig Riders. through the area where Jack and I hunt moose. Rodine of Weyburn, SK, who Being the ride would only be one day up and When riding in this area the week before we were was the lucky winner of the one day back the consensus was that it needed to lucky enough to see a couple of moose and found SSA’s Four-Sled raffle. The be made a couple of days longer. We decided the a pair of shed moose antlers that were a match. winning ticket was No. 19025 first stop would be Moose Range Lodge in the Finding two antlers from the same animal sold by the Ramsey Bay Porcupine Hills, and on the way back we would doesn’t happen very often. We finally got to our Snowmobile Club of ride as far as Tisdale and stay at the new Canalta destination at the Treeline Motel in Hudson Bay. Weyakin, SK. Hotel. We enjoyed a great meal and more camaraderie Wednesday, Day 1: We all met at the Good that evening. It had been a clear day with the 2012 Saskatchewan Spirit Market at 9 a.m., Wednesday, February temperature being -15°C Snowmobile Show 22, to prepare for our ride and we rode a total of 232 This year the 2012 Sask- and, after some debrief- kilometres for the day. atchewan Snowmoble Show Friday, Day 3: ing, everyone was given The Pre- will be held at the Prairieland the job of recording our mier’s Ride left the Tree- Exhibition Park, 503 Ruth ride. We finally left just line at approximately 10 Street, Saskatoon, SK, on: before 10 a.m. First we a.m. Premier Brad Wall • Friday, November 9 headed north on our own couldn’t be in attendance, 4 to 9 p.m. trail and then did a mixture but we had MLAs Fred • Saturday, November 10 of cross-country and trail Bradshaw from Carrot 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. riding to the Whistle Stop at River Valley and Greg • Sunday, November 11 Norquay. As always, the Ottenbreit from Yorkton A stop at Forget Me Knot Corner on the Swan River 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. food was great and the high- Trails was just one highlight of our day. both representing the Weekend Pass: $17 light for most of us was the province of Saskatchewan. The Adults: $13 sour cream raisin pie. After ride headed out west to the Challenge warm-up Children 6 to 12: $6 fuelling up our sleds at the Co-op it was on to shelter along the Greenbush River. The Hudson Bring the whole family to Benito, Manitoba, Thunder Hill, Forget Me Knot Bay Trail Riders served a great trail lunch to the this event featuring current Corner, Norm’s Place, etc., and finally our desti- 40-plus snowmobilers that came on the ride. It snowmobiles and accessories, nation of Moose Range Lodge. The owners, was the highlight of the day to see the two vacation packages, sled decks, Dave and Sherry McCann, treated us to an excel- MLAs, who are “Friends of Snowmobiling,” join trailers, oils, safety and train- lent steak supper and their usual wonderful hos- the ride. A great time was had by all. ing, clothing and much more! pitality. If you are looking for a great place to Friday evening included registration, meet and stay and sled, email them at [email protected]. greet, wing night and entertainment at the Brooks The temperature was an ideal -10°C and we Hall put on by the Hudson Bay Trail Riders. The 22 rode a total of 260 kilometres for the day. High- Continued on page sidebar ▼ For snowmobiling info visit www.sasksnow.com Register your sled; call SGI at 1-800-667-8015

>> CLUB Common courtesy is a must NEWS PLEASE STAY ON THE TRAILS AND KEEP THE NOISE DOWN

BY CHRIS BREWER, President/CEO ▼ CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Continued from page 21 Hudson Bay club had a record This article will coincide with the end of anoth- snowmobile club to pay the cost to clean up the registration with most of the er successful snowmobile season and get us mess. ATVs now have larger motors, 32-inch expected 350 registering. working on next year’s. This season has been an tires and snorkels, and can rip up the trails in There were more than 100 on odd one but not one we haven’t seen before. I can such a way that Mother Nature can’t repair. ATV their waiting list as 350 was remember back to the early ’80s when we had users need to get organized and build ATV trails the maximum for the hall. It poor snow for snowmobiling. I remember on and parks. ATVs need to be licensed with a fee was a long night for some. Valentine’s Day loading sleds in the mud to head attached so the users have the funds to build trails Saturday, Day 4: This was to the Southern Rally. This is not something and parks and keep them maintained and off the Festival Day. After a pancake new—we will live through it and we look for- snowmobile trails. I have finished my rant for the breakfast at the Brooks Hall ward to next season and what it offers in terms of year but we, the SSA, will continue to urge that our group decided to ride snow. You don’t have to think back too far to re- ATV users get organized. north up to the Wildcat Hills member a winter with great snow—I think it was Now on to some of the good things that come as some had never been there. the winter of 2010/11 that saw outstanding snow with snowmobiling. We rode east on Trail F to the province-wide and it will return. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Wachee Shelter, then on the P Low snow in the majority of the province and folks that have helped snowmobiling: Trail to the Bankside Shelter, fair snow in the Northeast put a lot of pressure on • Landowners who provide permission for and around to Larry’s Place the trails in that area and created issues. Land- snowmobile trails Shelter where we had ridden owners are not happy with off-trail riders so the • Rural municipalities that provide permission on the first Premier’s Ride clubs posted stay-on-trail signs, but snowmobil- for snowmobile trails four years ago. Then it was on ers chose to ride off trail anyway. Sledders need • Cities, towns and villages that allow snowmo- to the Dahl Lake Shelter and to understand that if you wish to ride in open bile access to the community Fir River Shelter, then a quick fields you need to get permission from the land- • Snowmobilers who register sleds with SGI ride back down the Fir River owner, and when it’s posted “Stay on Trail,” • SSA member snowmobile clubs for being in- Trail to Hudson Bay. It was please stay on trail. volved to host trails, shelters, safety and events noted by all the riders what Loud sleds—ones with “cans”—are really • Volunteers—the most important part of snow- great shelters the Hudson Bay causing problems. Sledders arrive in the small mobiling. They are the ones who keep this won- club has on their trails and in communities and unload, start up their sleds and derful industry alive. Without volunteers we what great condition all the then ride the sled around the community. I have wouldn’t have what we enjoy today, so please trails were. It was another heard from the mayors of several communities take the time to thank a volunteer and please con- great day of riding with tem- and they have informed us that they are looking sider volunteering with your local club. peratures of -15°C and 140 at closing the snowmobile trails into the commu- I would like to personally thank Jon and kilometres for the loop. nities. We are going to be working with our clubs Samantha from Power Sports Regina for the op- Back at the Treeline we to post signs going into communities that say portunity and use of the Ski-Doo Summit 800 E- spent a couple of hours remi- keep your sled quiet, but you the sledder can help TEC 146. What a great sled! I really enjoyed this niscing about the day’s ride us by not installing cans on your sled. People sled and the improvements in 2012, but I am before the Saturday night ban- who use loud cans are not getting more horse- looking forward to the new and improved Ski- quet. We got on the shuttle power or better performance—they are saying Doo Summit for 2013—from what I have seen van around 5:45 and were off “look at me, look at me.” They need to grow up this will be a sweet ride. to the banquet and festivities and understand they are hurting snowmobiling in The SSA Trade Show will again be in Saska- where we were treated to a our province. Sledders with loud sleds (non- toon at Prairieland Exhibition Park on November great meal. The evening in- OEM) need to realize they are not legal; the own- 9, 10 and 11. Many have asked why in Saskatoon cluded the SSA awards, with ers can be fined under the Snowmobile Act, and again? We are hoping to see the facilities in our own rider, Curtis Ange, have the sled impounded. Regina get upgraded to host our show; we have getting the trophy for coming This season has been a contentious one with the and will continue to work with the folks in Regi- from the farthest distance— clubs seeing a great deal of damage to the trails na to see the SSA show return once the buildings 3,836 kilometres—as he is from ATV use. We have clubs reporting they receive upgrading and improvements. You will from Chocowinity, North Car- have spent thousands of dollars to fix areas dam- also notice we have had to change weekends; this olina. We had to give up the aged by ATVs. Spring is just around the corner is due to show date changes across Canada and trophy for the most coming by and we will see the ATV user take to the trails the availability of displayers attending other snowmobile, which we had and damage what our clubs have repaired. We shows—we want to see them include our show managed to hang on to for a will see ATV rallies that will use the snowmobile within the circuit. With the record turnout at last number of years. This year it trails and leave behind damage that will take year’s show and with 30 new displayers, snow- went back to the Creighton major dollars to repair. Groups using the snow- mobiling continues to grow in Saskatchewan. club—oh well, there is always mobile trails need to understand they host an Thanks to everyone and we look forward to next year. After the awards 23 ATV event, take the money and then leave the working with you for the upcoming season. Cont’d. on pg. sidebar ▼

22 RidersWestmag.com » SPRING 2012 For snowmobiling info visit www.sasksnow.com Register your sled; call SGI at 1-800-667-8015

Lakeland Snowmobile Club >> CLUB NEWS BY LORI FEHR

▼ CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE 22 Hey there riders and club members—another were not only hit, they were destroyed. Hundreds Cont’d. from pg. sidebar sledding season has come to an end. The winter of stakes were gone in an evening. and thank-you’s, the club had weather was beautiful, a little short on the white We are finding, due to vandalism and the new hired comedian Dez Reed for stuff, but you couldn’t ask for nicer temperatures. signing requirements, that signing has become a good hour of laughter. A As most snowmobilers know, when you buy the most difficult and frustrating job for our club dance and silent auction fol- your licence for your machine a portion of that and very discouraging for our volunteers. lowed with many door prizes money goes to running the SSA, and they split I’m sure we are not the only club suffering given out. At 12 p.m. the draw the remainder between the member clubs based from these issues. Our trails and shelters are used was made for the SSA snow- on a matrix system. We get our funding based on heavily year round as we are in a resort area and mobile (winner’s choice of points for signing, grooming, shelters and kilo- quad/ATV traffic is huge—some of our vandal- one of four snowmobiles), as metres of trail in our club. ism occurs in the summer months as well. well as the raffle of the Polaris What we are finding is that many riders don’t We are wondering if anyone has any solutions sled, which was given away realize that while the money helps a lot, it does to these problems. Are there stronger stakes that by the Hudson Bay Trail Rid- not pay for all of the work required. Most clubs can withstand people hitting them? Does anyone ers. All in all it was just a still have to rely heavily on volunteers and addi- feel that perhaps the signing should be handled at great evening. Sunday, Day 5: tional fundraising to get the jobs done. the provincial level? This day This past year saw our club faced with several That would possibly guarantee the consistent brought a little cooler weather, challenges. First of all, summer 2011 hit us hard signing that the province of Saskatchewan is was overcast and -17°C with with tornadoes and plow winds tearing up many aiming for. Personally I don’t see how we can little wind. After a hearty of our wilderness trails. Not only did it take sev- maintain highway-level signage with a volunteer breakfast at the Treeline at eral days and hundreds of volunteer man hours to workforce. 9:30 a.m. it was off on the open the trails, many of our signs simply disap- You can reach us by email at rothenburg trails west and then on the N peared. [email protected] or by mail at RR 1, Site 7, Trail (the “autobahn”) north to Then we had somebody drive through almost Comp. 55, Christopher Lake, SK S0J 0N0. the Pasquia Trail TC220A. every stake we had on every lake. The stakes Thanks for the input and have a great summer. After a brief stop at the Jubilee Shelter it was on to Arborfield to the Co-op cardlock for fuel. As we were fuelling up a Pasquia Snow Goers Club friend of ours, Dwight Thesen, BY KATHY LINDSAY pulled up in his truck to check us out. After a visit he sug- gested that the Pearl Café was Hotdogs, buns and condiments—supper in 15 The temperatures encourage even the most timid a good place to have lunch. minutes when we arrive at the new warm-up rider to come out and participate in the rallies or The highlight of the day was shelter, located only 12 kilometres north of Ar- just to enjoy the fresh air and scenery along the their special won ton soup. It borfield—who’s in? Our newest warm-up shel- trail. amazes me what some of the ter, located on a beautiful scenic trail winding Even with the increased number of snowmo- small-town cafés have to along the local creeks and rivers, is a wonderful biles in the area this winter, the trails are not offer. After lunch it was off to place to zip out to have dinner or supper. How clogged with snowmobiles. You can enjoy being Zenon Park where we would many people can enjoy this luxury? It’s in our out on a ride with your friends but you can still pick up the Tisdale Trail 225D backyard and we are willing to share with every- stop at one of our shelters and enjoy the company to Wilkinson’s Inn Shelter and one who is interested in checking out our freshly of other riders out on the trails. then on to Tisdale where, as in groomed snowmobile trails and playing in the We have the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Asso- Doris’s words, we would “stay abundance of powder we have off trail. We are ciation to thank for all their efforts to keep our at a four-star hotel”—the very spoilt having the snowmobile trail located trail network well connected and maintained. Canalta. A comment by the just outside our back doors and a wonderful The Pasquia Snow Goers are conveniently locat- riders on the last two days of warm-up shelter close enough that any hot food ed in the middle of the Northeast. We have the riding was “what great field you take barely has time to cool down. Twin Lakes Trail Blazers club to our northwest, staking both the Pasquia club We have noticed an increased number of snow- the Hudson Bay Trail Riders to our east, the Mis- and the Tisdale club had.” I mobilers coming to the Northeast as we have lots tatim Snow Packers to our south, and last but not agreed—it was second to of fluffy white snow perfect for getting that “I’m least, the newest club to our corner—the Tisdale none. We were in the hotel by in the mountains” feeling. However, you don’t Snowmobile Club to our southwest. All the 3 p.m. just in time to watch the need to worry about avalanches or having to above snowmobile clubs’ trails link into the final of the Scotties ladies “whoa” a runaway sled headed down the moun- Pasquia Snow Goers trail system. curling and the win by Alber- tain by itself! We encourage you to stay centrally and plan ta. We had ridden184 kilome- There have been a number of very successful your trips to all the communities located within a tres that day. 24 24

▼ snowmobile rallies in the Northeast this winter. Continued on page ▼ Cont’d. on pg. sidebar

SPRING 2012 » RidersWestmag.com 23 For snowmobiling info visit www.sasksnow.com Register your sled; call SGI at 1-800-667-8015

PASQUIA SNOW GOERS ▼ come back in the summer to enjoy all the North- CLUB Continued from page 23 east has to offer. >> short snowmobiling distance. There are several Come on over and check out our well-groomed NEWS bed and breakfasts that will happily accommo- trails. Our groomers happily groom miles of trail

date snowmobilers and all their gear. over and over again to ensure you have a great ▼ CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Snowmobiling continues to be great for tourism ride while checking out the Northeast. We are Cont’d. from pg. 23 sidebar as the snow will bring people to our area who confident that you will give our groomers two Monday, Day 6: After a have never been here before. We hope they will thumbs up! great complimentary continen- tal breakfast at the Canalta we were homeward bound Moose Mountain Snowmobile Club through light snow heading south on 225A to Darren’s BY TROY FOSTER Den Shelter. Jack had made arrangements with a friend to take us on a shortcut from the It was the winter that wasn’t here in the Moose should all be OK with this snowless winter. Den across to Barrier and Mountain area. Thankfully we have the park to Now the planning starts for next season. With Marean lakes to Greenwater ride in, as everywhere there wasn’t tree lines to no grooming happening, a few of our guys spent Park saving us about 50 kilo- ride there was no snow. We didn’t get one decent a lot of volunteer hours servicing all the groom- metres. This ride no doubt was measurable snowfall all winter and the only club ers, flushing fluids, fixing hydraulics, wiring, and the highlight of the day. We trail that saw a groomer was from Kisbey to working on lights, tracks and drags. A lot of new stopped at the Cove at Green- Rae’s Shelter. The trip to Rae’s Shelter was signage has been replaced and thousands of new water for lunch and fuel. made just to try out the new drag that we bought orange stakes are at the ready for next season. After lunch we headed south from a company in Quebec. We renamed the A group from our club made the trip to the on Kelvington Trail 211A, 25 Kisbey shelter last winter in memory of Rae Blast in the Bay and from all accounts had a great kilometres to Rosie’s Round- Johnston; he was always heavily involved in the time. The Hudson Bay area is a great asset for house Shelter—a unique snowmobile club. snowmobilers in the West with great scenery, round building in a very nice The guys in Windthorst got their new shelter wildlife and hospitality. Hopefully lots of people location. The trail to this point into place as did Stoughton, but neither got any registered their snowmobiles this winter so the was a little rough due to the traffic this season. Even if we had experienced a clubs will have funding for 2012/13. weekend traffic coming back good snowfall some of the trails wouldn’t have If you want to stay up to date with the goings and forth from Greenwater been up to standard as some creeks and fields are on of the Moose Mountain Snowmobile Club, Park. A few kilometres south still flooded from last summer’s rains. I figure check out our website at www.mmsnowmobile of Rosie’s we encountered a this year’s mild winter was a blessing for all club.com and click on our Facebook link. river running across the trail, those who lost homes and businesses, and had Cheers to Hudson Bay for a great 2012 festival! but managed to get around it flooded farms last summer—because of that we without incident. Farther south on the trail we met an oncom- ing snowmobiler who was Timber Trails Sno-Riders flagging us down. It was Den- BY BARRY NONTELL nis Szafron from the Kelving- ton Trail Blazers who, along with a helper, was on his way The 2011/2012 snowmobile season in the Big disappear. This logging activity has forced our out to reroute the trail around River area has been challenging. During the past club to close a portion of our 115C Trail this past the washout. After a short visit summer we had two major storms that left our winter, which does cause us hardships. it was down to their D Trail trails with extensive storm damage. All of the In late December our snowmobile club held a and on to the Assiniboine trails had trees down but our 115D Trail had the very successful snowmobile safety course. Our Shelter (at the headwaters of most damage and took the most work to clean up. annual snowmobile rally was a huge success with the Assiniboine River). Then Our great group of volunteers have been busy more than 140 riders from all over Saskatchewan we took C, O & R trails to the since last summer preparing for the winter sea- and Alberta attending. Ranger Cabin Shelter. After a son. Trails were cleared, permanent signage in- The mild winter weather and good snow condi- brief stop we continued on the stalled, and shelters painted and stocked with tions have brought a large number of sledders to Preeceville Rough Rider Club firewood. our snowmobile-friendly community. This great Trail 223E to Endeavour. Then came our winter season with virtually no group of snowmobilers creates some very good Some rough riding came into snow until late December and January. Fortu- economic spin-offs in our community with new play here as the trail was quite nately we were able to enjoy some very good service facilities opening up for not only sled re- rough and needed fresh snow sledding after that. The upside of no snow meant pairs, but complete RV service. All businesses in and a grooming to fix it up. our lakes had a chance to freeze completely, with our community see an increase in business from From Endeavour we took the no slush to speak of, making lake travel safe. sledders, which is very much appreciated. highway ditch trail 223D Our club acknowledges the importance of the Although our season was short, our trails have south to Preeceville. It was logging industry in our community; however, we been used heavily, and we do appreciate all the then south cross country to 25 25 hate to see the trees along our snowmobile trails Continued on page ▼ Cont’d. on pg. sidebar ▼

24 RidersWestmag.com » SPRING 2012

▼ For snowmobiling info visit www.sasksnow.com Register your sled; call SGI at 1-800-667-8015

TIMBER TRAILS SNO-RIDERS ▼ Ski Timber Ridge. CLUB Continued from page 24 With spring and summer approaching our club >> snowmobilers coming to Big River. will be again doing some major work to our NEWS Our club is preparing for another fundraiser— trails, so look forward to improvements in the

the annual Big River Walleye Classic fishing 2012/2013 snowmobile season. ▼ CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE derby, which will be on July 1 and 2, 2012. This So until then, we hope you have a chance to Cont’d. from pg. 24 sidebar derby is held at South Stoney Marina on De- visit Big River, Saskatchewan. Check our web- Good Spirit Lake and down laronde Lake, which brings fishermen from far site at www.bigriver.ca; look for our many lake past the many eight- to 10-foot and wide. It is co-sponsored by our snowmobile resort developments and community attractions. ice heaves. This ride across club, ATV club and our local downhill ski club, We are “Nature’s Doorstep.” country was better than any- one expected and the second highlight of the day was the Porcupine Trail Blasters beauty of the sun reflecting BY KELLY DAHROUG like a prism off the ice heaves. We were back at our starting point at 6 p.m., the longest day Last year the members of the Porcupine Trail cided to use their club money to purchase the of the ride (272 kiometres) Blasters felt there was a need in our area for a whole unit. The Porcupine and just over 1,200 kilometres snow ambulance. As some Trail Blasters and the sur- for the entire trip. of you might know, the rounding communities would It was one of our best Weekes Bush Pushers like to thank the Weekes Bush rides—all sleds ran well, we snowmobile club shut down Pushers for their generous do- enjoyed great companionship last year. The Porcupine nation—we hope we never and everyone is already look- Trail Blasters, while looking have to use it but it is nice to ing forward to next year and at purchasing a snow ambu- know it is there if we need it. the Festival Ride to Nipawin. lance, had the Weekes Bush The Porcupine area offers Pushers club approach us; some of the most scenic Prairie Women club members asked if we groomed trails in the on Snowmobiles could use some funds for the province and our town of- —by Carol McKnight purchase of a snow ambu- fers everything you need for a weekend getaway. Thank you everyone! Prairie lance. When we told them the cost of the whole Come and visit our snowmobile-friendly com- Women on Snowmobiles has unit including snowmobile and trailer, they de- munity—we have it all right here. just finished up with another very successful mission. Our Mission 2012 team raised over Yorkton Sno-Riders $184,000 for breast cancer re- BY SANDY KONKEL search with all that money staying in Saskatchewan. We would just like to take It is almost the end of the riding season and we the turnout was great. Friday was registration and this opportunity to thank all are still praying for snow! wing night, Saturday a breakfast was held and at our corporate sponsors, which On the weekend of January 27 and 28, sled noon smokies and hotdogs were served at the include CTV, Co-op, Mancor, drags were held at the Yorkton Exhibition Abilities Centre. There were 352 people in atten- CKRM, NLS Welding & Con- Grounds in conjunction with the Saskatchewan dance at the banquet, which was held at the tracting, Cropper Motors, Snowmobile Racing Association and the York- Agriplex. A total of $125,000 was raised. Frontier Peterbilt, Q-Line ton Sno-Riders. Friday, January 27 was the meet I would like to say thank you on behalf of the Trucking, Horizon Fertilizers, and greet with racers at the Industrial Building. club to all Sno-Rider members who volunteered Choko Powersports, Impact Saturday, January 28 the races were held at the at the drag races and Snowarama. Your help and Printers and IBEW Local exhibition grounds. An estimated 700 to 800 involvement is greatly appreciated. 2067. Thanks also for the sup- people attended the races. Trophy presentations The Yorkton Sno-Riders were contacted and port provided to us throughout were presented at the Painted Hand Casino. advised that the club had been nominated for the this wonderful province to There were approximately 85 riders who partici- chamber’s Celebrate Success awards. The Cele- make Mission 2012 the suc- pated in the races. Thank you to the SSRA, the brate Success finalist luncheon was held on Feb- cess it was even with the lack Yorkton Exhibition Association, the Painted ruary 16 and the awards night was held on March of snow. Hand Casino and corporate sponsors, CJGX and 15. This will now bring our total the RCMP. The new John Deere groomer was On February 22 nine Sno-Rider members left provided to the Canadian Can- taken into the exhibition grounds to be on display Good Spirit Acres to snowmobile to the Hudson cer Society to $1.8 million in during the drag race event. Thank you to the Bay Provincial Festival. On February 23 approx- the past 12 missions, and with groomer operators who built and prepared the imately 10 Sno-Rider members left Yorkton to that one might say “mission racetrack for this event. attend the festival in Hudson Bay. For a club that accomplished!” On February 11 Snowarama was held in York- doesn’t have a lot of snow in the area we sure We would like to congratu- 26 ton. Due to the lack of snow there was no ride but seem to keep motivated and involved. Cont’d. on pg. sidebar ▼

SPRING 2012 » RidersWestmag.com 25 For snowmobiling info visit www.sasksnow.com Register your sled; call SGI at 1-800-667-8015

Tisdale Snowmobile Club >> CLUB NEWS BY SHANE BECKER

▼ PRAIRIE WOMEN Cont’d. from pg. 25 sidebar The Tisdale Snowmobile Club has had a very them. The local communities have been thriving late Joe Bronner who was the busy season. with the increased traffic and this has definitely lucky winner of the 1974 Roll- The club officially opened the trails in early been a boost to the local economy. o-Flex and to extend thanks to January. With the lack of snow in most parts of We would like to thank all of the out-of-area all of you who either bought the province, we were fortunate enough to have travellers for the support to the local communi- or sold tickets to support this enough snow to get rolling. The new groomer ties and businesses; also to those who have do- event. and power unit are working well, making the nated to the local snowmobile clubs. We invite anyone who is in- grooming process much easier and more com- We held our annual fundraiser in early Febru- terested in being a part of Mis- fortable. The lack of snow in most parts of the ary. An excellent supper was served at the Tis- sion 2013 to visit our website province has made for a very hectic season in the dale Hotel and was a great hit with everyone. at www.prairiewomen.ca and Northeast. Raffles, a 50/50 draw and a silent auction kept submit an application to our The trails have been ridden extensively with everyone busy for the evening. Thanks to all who head office prior to May 1, people travelling from Manitoba, Alberta and all attended for your generous donations and sup- 2012. of Saskatchewan. The increased pressure on the port. Without your support our club would not trails has been noticed but they seem to be hold- survive. Until next time, ride safe and enjoy our ing up well. The shelters are going through lots great Saskatchewan outdoors. Don’t forget—if SSA trail maps are of wood, as lots of travellers have been using you pack it in, pack it out! now on Facebook The Saskatchewan Snowmo- bile Association is encourag- Whiteswan Snow Hawks ing snowmobilers not only BY CHRIS JAMES from Saskatchewan but all over the world to check out our Facebook page—Sask NORTHERN EXPOSURE RALLY plates. If every member does their part to ensure Snow. Not only do you re- February 11 turned out to be an awesome day people riding our trails have purchased plates, we ceive updates on events in the for snowmobilers. The comment we heard when will continue to enjoy well-groomed and safe province, media releases per- people came in to register for the rally was that trails. After all, it is against the law to ride taining to snowmobiling, trail the temperature and the trails were great. groomed trails without a valid licence plate. Pur- closing/opening announce- We had 72 riders, sold 119 hands and had won- chasing plates is no different than having to pay ments and safety information, derful prizes for our draws. Congratulations to all green fees to golf or buy lift tickets for skiing. but now available on our winners. KEEPING OUR TRAILS SAFE Facebook page will be trail maps! Snowmobilers who Winners for hands were: Everyone benefits from having safe trails to visit our beautiful province 1st Tricia McFarlane $297.25 ride on. So please, if you see a rock, stop and re- will be able to save/upload our 2nd Ray Ouellette $178.25 move it. If some willows or other trees have club’s trail maps to their 3rd Glen Pickard $119.00 come down across the trail, try to remove them. smartphones or look up the 50/50 Brenda Shilling $240.00 If an ice patch has appeared where there isn’t any map right on our Facebook We had another successful rally. Thank you to warning sign, let Bob know. Ice patches can page while enjoying a trail or all who helped out the day of the rally as well as change daily. It’s a good safety practice to keep a warming up at one of the shel- the days before and after to get everything organ- first aid kit and a small saw in your sled. Use ters. ized. Thank you to all who donated prizes—the common sense. And one last important re- Saskatchewan is the only prizes were awesome this year. Thank you to all minder—when on any trail and, more important- province that offers this kind those who participated in the rally and to our ly, on groomed trails, do not spin your track of access to the trails that we hosts Greg and Roxy at Eagle Bay Resort for the causing snow to pile up behind you. In a few love, which is even more rea- use of their facilities and the great food. hours this turns into a large, rock-hard lump on son to make Saskatchewan GET READY TO RIDE our trail, causing a serious threat to the next your winter snowmobile or The day was cool and windy but we still got snowmobilers using the trail. holiday destination. From the more than 16 people out for either a ride or to WARM-UP SHELTERS amazing hospitality of our have a hotdog. Thank you to those who did the We know that it isn’t just our members who use snowmobile clubs to never work to make this event happen. our shelters, but when you use them please take getting lost because you al- LICENCE PLATE REMINDER home whatever you bring with you. No one ways have access to our trail I was talking to one member at the rally and wants to pack up someone else’s cans or clean up maps, we make snowmobiling this member told me they ensure that all their after someone else. in our province fun and safe. company members have plates on their sleds DO NOT DRINK AND RIDE when they are snowmobiling on our trails. They Please, please do not drink and ride. Let’s keep Remember. . . have also made comments to other snowmobilers everyone safe. Thanks again to everyone for they have seen on our trails who do not have coming out for the Northern Exposure Rally. Don’t Drink & Ride!

26 RidersWestmag.com » SPRING 2012 For snowmobiling info visit www.sasksnow.com Register your sled; call SGI at 1-800-667-8015

Saskatoon Snowmobile Club >> CLUB NEWS BY GERRI SAMETTS Twin Lakes It appears that Mother Nature really has it out more before the season is over. This is the most Trail Blazers for us this season. At the time of this writing the ever instructed in Saskatoon in one season. —by Mae Paterson Saskatoon area is currently sitting at approxi- Overall numbers of students taking the course are I am sure we are like every- mately 21 centimetres of snow for the season, up province-wide, even with many areas receiv- one else this year hoping for which equates to bare fields and empty ditches. ing little snow this year. more snow, although we do Our trails remain closed at this time. John Popoff, SSC secretary-treasurer, has spent have enough to enjoy a ride. It is somewhat rideable north of Rosthern but some time compiling some important facts about Several of our club members there is not enough snow to groom or sign in that the SSC. I wanted to share a few of them with have been sledding to neigh- area either. The Nisbet Provincial Forest has fair you: bouring trails and have seen to good off-trail riding. To date our club has been • Fall 1970 - the Saskatoon Snowmobile Club that the lack of snow is a prob- unable to host any club rides, although a lot of was formed in the Grasswood area, south of lem everywhere. members have been travelling to those areas of Saskatoon Our Vintage Drags were the province that have been lucky enough to get • Fall 1986 - the clubhouse was built at the held March 3 and the Nipawin some snowfall. At this time it is highly unlikely Grasswood location Drags on March 10. A couple that any grooming, signing or organized rides • November 2000 - a 1986 BR-400 groomer of the guys packed the race- will take place during what remains of the sea- and a 2000 Mogul Master drag were purchased track for the Vintage Drags to son. for $44,000 and grooming of trails began north ensure that we had a good sta- The SSC was proud to host the finale banquet of the city to Rosthern and Duck Lake ble base. Everyone worked for the Prairie Women on Snowmobiles (PWOS) • October 2001 - the SSC acquired use of the hard on these events to make Mission 2012 on Friday, February 3. There were Penner School, north of Saskatoon, as a club- sure they went on without a approximately 150 people in attendance and a house hitch. Grant and Ken have been great time was had by all. The SSC and PWOS • October 2003 - the SSC built the warm-up busy taking wood to our three must extend a heartfelt thank you to all local shelter (the North 40) near Hague Northern area shelters. Keep- businesses who donated amazing items, to the The SSC would like to take a minute to recog- ing wood in the shelters is a club members who attended the event and to the nize 13 of our members. These dedicated indi- real problem. Kelly Lynn and general public who supported us. These people viduals have been members of the SSC for a family keep the Tobin and all helped make this event the success it was. The minimum of 35 years! That is a fantastic commit- Homer’s Hide-Away shelters event consisted of a delicious meal, silent auc- ment and a wonderful milestone. Congratulations stocked all winter. tions, raffle items, a 50/50 draw and an excellent to: We had our annual club ride program. The event generated a total donation Reinie and Myrna Berndt to the Aylsham Inn for a amount to the PWOS of $8,000! Not too shabby Jim and Pam Smith Valentine’s supper. It was de- for a little club on the Prairies (as one of our di- Gary and Elaine Farkas licious as always. There were rectors put it). John and Mae Popoff 24 riders who braved the cold- Marcel Voyer has already completed seven Ken and Carol Steinhauer er temperatures but the dessert safety courses this season. Approximately 135 Bob and Susan Nicol of death-by-chocolate made it students have completed the safety course in Vern Mattson all worth it! Saskatoon this season with an expected 10 to 12 I hope you enjoy the remainder of the winter! We enjoyed the Peace 100 rally this year on Saturday, February 18. Our club helped The joys of snowmobiling the local Elks Club by having BY CHRIS BREWER a snowmobile rally with a great prize selection, banquet and cabaret in conjunction So it’s fall and you’re just starting to think ters along the trails to enjoy a family cook-out or with their prizes. about winter. What can you do to keep yourself just a place in the country to enjoy and get warm. This will be our last report and the family occupied for the long winter? You Travelling by snowmobile on the trail system is for this year. We hope every- want to do something with the kids, something enjoyable, relaxing and refreshing. Families can one enjoys the rest of the win- they will enjoy and can grow with over a number enjoy a day outing or plan a weekend or a vaca- ter sledding season. of years. Something you and your family can tion snowmobiling. enjoy while exploring the outdoors, visiting loca- Saskatchewan is fortunate to have snowmobile- For Safety’s tions in and around Saskatchewan that you can friendly accommodations—you can ride up to Sake... only do by riding a snowmobile. the door and several have compounds to host Snowmobiling is a great way to enjoy the win- your sleds for overnight stays. Saskatchewan is use the buddy system ter, with a network of groomed and signed trails also fortunate to have communities that are never ride alone! that allow you to visit the backwoods and prairie snowmobile-friendly, where you can ride your Tell others about your 28 plans—just in case. landscapes. Visit one of the many warm-up shel- Continued on page ▼

SPRING 2012 » RidersWestmag.com 27 For snowmobiling info visit www.sasksnow.com Register your sled; call SGI at 1-800-667-8015

JOYS OF SNOWMOBILING ▼ find on our website, www.sasksnow.com, offer CLUB Continued from page 27 the locations of fuel sta- >> sled into and out of the com- tions—and remember it is al- EVENTS munity or get to hotels, ways best to stop and fill motels or service stations. your tank to insure you don’t Provincial Festival All of the routes/trails are encounter problems. “Blast in the Bay” well marked to and from all If you are looking for a announces winners: the amenities in the commu- way to enjoy winter and 1. Snowmobile club with nities that have snowmobile enjoy the company of your most members registered at trails. You will find You Are family and friends, then festival: Border Explorers Here maps at all intersections you should take a long Snowmobile Club from on the snowmobile trail sys- hard look at snowmobil- Creighton with 23 members tem. This will assist in guid- ing. A family that snow- 2. Youngest snowmobile ing you to your destination mobiles together stays happy together. You will rider: Logan Miller, 13, Hud- without problems. The trail maps that you can enjoy snowmobiling—just give it a try! son Bay, SK; Carter Palidwar, 13, Nipawin, SK; Evan Richter, 13, Broadview, SK Policing the trail system 3. Oldest snowmobile BY RICK DOLEZSAR, SSA Zone 2 Report rider: Jay Hitchcock, 77, Hudson Bay, SK 4. Largest snowmobile Lately there has been a lot of discussion in our approach of the RCMP to give out a few warn- family in attendance: The corner of the province concerning policing on the ings early in the season in case you forgot, and Richters from Broadview, SK trails and what the proper amount of discretion is then let you produce a registration certificate, but - Dale, Tracy, Chelsea, in terms of straight-up enforcement versus edu- by mid-season there is no excuse, especially Braden, Evan and Shaelyn cation of riders through warnings. when you are planning a trip to a groomed trail 5. Oldest vintage snowmo- First off let me say that I don’t wish to be too destination. bile ridden at festival: much of a hypocrite in this regard as, like the ma- On the other topic of alcohol and snowmobil- George Belchamber, Nipawin, jority of snowmobilers, we have almost all had ing, although many have tried to make this a grey SK - 1992 Polaris Indy 500 the odd ounce of rum in our hot chocolate or took area through the years, when you think about it 6. Farthest distance trav- that machine out around the block on the first fairly, it is really black and white. elled to festival via non- weekend of snowfall when the licence issuer Yes, you should be able to legally transport un- snowmobile: Curtis Ange, wasn’t open until Monday. However, those are opened alcohol from legal point A to legal point Chocowinity, North Carolina - risks we chose to take at that point in time, and if B on your snowmobile, provided you are not 3,836 kilometres there were consequences then it was up to us to over the legal blood alcohol limit. Also, if you 7. Farthest distance trav- deal with them. have a drink or two at your cabin or perhaps in elled to festival via snowmo- This season there was a tremendous amount of the local establishment, and have not exceeded bile by road map kilo- traffic in Northeast Saskatchewan and many the legal limit for blood alcohol content, then you metres: Taylor Koivisto, from sledders from the south came up to enjoy our are not doing anything wrong. If you can’t stop Snow Lake, Manitoba - trav- snow conditions because, basically, they had before exceeding the legal limit, and still head elled 296 kilometres from Flin none south of a line from Kamsack to Prince Al- out on the trail, then it is simply against the law Flon, Manitoba bert. Apparently registration of snowmobiles was and you are endangering yourself and others, all 8. SSA member club with a new concept to some of these visitors, and after of whom we have designated our law enforce- most members travelling to RCMP members gave out a number of warnings ment agencies to protect through the legislation festival via snowmobile: Bor- and requested sledders to subsequently produce put in place by those we elected. The RCMP der Explorers from Creighton, registrations, a number of tickets were issued for have a tough job—let’s be on the same side, the SK, with 22 members. operating non-registered snowmobiles in towns right side, the common sense side. There has to or on public rights-of-way comprising our trail be a substantial amount of appropriate enforce- Make new friends—join system. ment or it would be an uncontrolled free-for-all a snowmobile club Our organized clubs who are part of the out on the trail. Saskatchewan Trail Fund receive a $70 registra- How many times have we heard on the news tion fee through the registration of snowmobiles. over the years about a snowmobile fatality, fol- Registration provides liability insurance for the lowed by the statement that alcohol was a fac- owner/rider when meeting other sleds or vehicles tor? Snowmobiles have no governors, and many on the trails or in parking lots. It is the law as are capable of speeds in excess of 160 kilometres supported by the Saskatchewan Snowmobile As- per hour. For goodness sake, we all have pickup sociation and all grooming clubs—a law that all trucks that are governed off at that speed and of us involved in the Saskatchewan groomed trail there you are protected by a cab, seatbelt and system fought for 15 years to put in place. So this airbags. So, how do you like the odds? From the one is pretty simple—if you’re not registered, outset, I knew these would be controversial top- For safety sake —never ride alone! you’re not welcome on our trails. I support the ics, but should they be? Ride safe, ride sober!

28 RidersWestmag.com » SPRING 2012