We Are Not Alone (Brad Stafford)
For anyone that has spent time on a snowmobile, whether it was for a single ride or countless miles, one of the most important things to remember is to be on the lookout for other sleds. Just about everyone I ...Read more
Published on Thursday, November 29, 2012 in Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: opinion
Yellowstone-What next? (Larry Tucker)
I have to admit that I enjoy working on our trails almost as much as I do riding on them. I’ve had the opportunity, and I hope you have also, to help our clubs and our trail crews in getting ...Read more
Published on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 in Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: opinion
The Day The Snowmobiles Stopped (Randy Toth)
One chilly fall day in the not too distant future, as you prepare for the upcoming snowmobiling season, you will remember that you have not received your state association magazine yet. Muttering something derogatory, you go to the state association’s ...Read more
Published on Friday, November 16, 2012 in Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: clubs, opinion, volunteers
Permanent Snowmobile Trail Protection (video)
Permanent Trail Protection – Learn how to set up permanent snowmobile trails via the use of land easements. Topics include how to approach landowners, assessing trail easement values, reassuring landowners and closing the deal. The workshop was presented at the ...Read more
Published on Thursday, November 8, 2012 in Education, News & Updates
Tags: access, clubs, education, opinion, public lands
Fundraising Leaves Footprints, Footprints Create Awarenes (Keri Wanner)
A year ago, my good friend Nathan (Nate) Blaylock called me wanting help. He was conducting research on population statistics in Midwestern states and found it was important to the citizens to show compassion and support causes. Nate wanted to ...Read more
Published on Monday, November 5, 2012 in Charity, Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: charity, opinion, volunteers
The Take a Friend Snowmobiling (Ed Klim)
The Take a Friend Snowmobiling campaign is all about introducing non-snowmobilers to our winter recreation of choice. Research shows that people want to go snowmobiling but don’t know how to get started. By planning a ride, we take the guess ...Read more
Published on Monday, October 29, 2012 in Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: ISMA, opinion, people, press release
New Directions for Legislation (Lawrence Tucker)
Wow, that was a great International Snowmobile Congress that I had the pleasure of attending in Sturbridge. The variety of educational seminars, the setting at the Sturbridge Hotel and the grooming display and information available all made this one of ...Read more
Published on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 in Guest Columns, Legislative Affairs, News & Updates
Tags: legislative, opinion
Snowmobile Ski Comparison Test (Jim Tucker)
SLP Straight Line Tracking versus Simmons Flexi Ski: Your intrepid reporter is at it again. I could see a gaping hole in the Internet chatter about which type of skis to purchase for your sled. Everyone and his brother are ...Read more
Published on Sunday, September 23, 2012 in Guest Columns, News & Updates, Snowmobile Tech
Tags: opinion, tech, trail-riding
Do It Yourself Trail Signs (James Richard)
Professionalism is displayed when a club uses printed, weatherproof signs on their trails, something that is easily accomplished. Laser printer output by itself is waterproof but the paper is not. Laminating a paper sign or printing to a self-adhesive weatherproof ...Read more
Published on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 in Guest Columns, News & Updates, Safety
Tags: clubs, opinion, safety, trail-riding
In The News: ISC 2012
Press coverage of ISC 2012 appeared in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, featuring interviews with SAM members as well as our guests from Russia (pictured above). An excerpt of the article follows, the whole story can be read at this ...Read more
Published on Monday, June 11, 2012 in In The News, News & Updates
Tags: access, clubs, education, ISC 2012, opinion, people, sam, volunteers
ISC: Travel Light, Travel Smart (Dan Gould)
As an attendee of ISC 2012 we can assume you will take mountains of notes at meetings and workshops. Personally, I’m not a fan of paper. Piles of dead trees are a curse to take home, not all that easy ...Read more
Published on Friday, June 1, 2012 in News & Updates, Snowmobile Tech
Tags: education, ISC 2012, opinion
Arctic Cat Diamond Drive – Fact or Hype? (Jim Tucker)
The wizards from Arctic Cat had a simple idea – create a lighter more efficient drive train for the transmission of power from belt to track. After much R&D, Arctic in 2004 released the now famous Diamond Drive on the ...Read more
Published on Sunday, February 26, 2012 in News & Updates, Snowmobile Tech
Tags: opinion, sleds, tech
We Need Your Support: An Open Letter To Snowmobilers
To all snowmobilers… I overheard a couple of fellow snowmobilers talking about our “lack of snow this season” and the fact that the forecast doesn’t look promising. It was actually an upbeat conversation until they spoke of how proud they ...Read more
Published on Sunday, February 12, 2012 in Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: access, clubs, opinion, volunteers
ISMA Concerned About E15 Fuel, Requests Scientific Analysis
The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association is in support of Congressman Sensenbrenner’s bill to require proper testing of E-15 fuel before introduction into the marketplace. Below is a copy of the letter the Coalition members sent to members of the US ...Read more
Published on Thursday, February 9, 2012 in In The News, Legislative Affairs, News & Updates, Snowmobile Tech
Tags: ISMA, manufacturers, opinion, press release
Bunke Racing and Polaris Win Soo I-500
MEDINA, MN (Jan. 6, 2012) – The Bunke Racing team of Gabe Bunke, Aaron Christensen and Bobby Menne IV used Polaris Terrain Domination to outrun the field and win the grueling International 500 on the famous Soo I-500 track in ...Read more
Published on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 in In The News, News & Updates
Tags: competition, opinion, press release
Ceramic Bearings for Snowmobiles (Jim Tucker) (video)
Ok, I admit it – I like speed. The feel of the wind whistling past my helmet, the relentless pull of the motor, the scenery whipping by, it all gets my adrenaline flowing and describes a multitude of motorsports but ...Read more
Published on Friday, February 3, 2012 in News & Updates, Snowmobile Tech
Tags: opinion, sleds, tech
Because You Never Know (Brad Stafford)
The forecast called for another 4-6 inches just before you went to bed last night and as you look outside on your front lawn enjoying your morning coffee it looks like the weatherman was finally right. Mother Nature had indeed ...Read more
Published on Sunday, January 22, 2012 in Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: opinion, safety, trail-riding
A Community's Passion for a Sport (Melissa Allard) (video)
Many of you have seen me running around with my camera at various SAM events over the past season. For those who don’t know me, I’m a born-and-raised snowmobiler from the Berkshires. Growing up, the Snow Seekers were like my ...Read more
Published on Thursday, January 12, 2012 in Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: access, DCR, education, environment, family, opinion, people, public lands, sam, trail-riding, volunteers
Jake (Gerry Balchuinas)
“I’ll do it,” he said, as he threw on his coat and ran out the door. Ten inches of fresh snow had fallen during the night and Jake was raring to go. He was taking the place of the last ...Read more
Published on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 in Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: family, opinion, volunteers
Safe Sledding: Riding Positions and Conditions (Randy Toth)
For safe snowmobile operation, it is important to know the basic snowmobile riding positions along with when and how to effectively use them. You should also know and recognize the basic snowmobile riding conditions and how best to operate your ...Read more
Published on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 in News & Updates, Safety
Tags: opinion, safety
SAM Charity Report (Marcia Miller, chairperson)
As we enter the time of year where we reflect on those things we are grateful for and then start to think about those things we would like to give as gifts for the holidays, let us remember those who ...Read more
Published on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 in Charity, General Announcements, Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: charity, clubs, family, opinion, sam
HID: The 6,000 Kelvin Question (Jim Tucker)
In the last issue we looked at future technology with regard to ABS brakes on sleds. This month we will follow that same thread and ask what other real world upgrades sled makers could give us? If you have been ...Read more
Published on Thursday, October 27, 2011 in Guest Columns, News & Updates, Safety, Snowmobile Tech
Tags: opinion, safety, sleds, tech
Snowmobiling Web Sites and Facebook Expand (Ed Klim)
As we look at the last 20 years of communication transformation, most are amazed. Communication amongst snowmobilers has changed forever and it appears the evolution will continue. The manufacturers and many in the industry are now active on the Internet ...Read more
Published on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 in Guest Columns, News & Updates
Tags: ISMA, opinion
NE PowerSport Expo October 15 – 16
The NE PowerSport Expo, This Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16 at the Eastern States Exposition Grounds, West Springfield (Directions). Doors Open Saturday at 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Follow the NE PowerSport ...Read more
Published on Monday, October 10, 2011 in General Announcements, News & Updates, Vintage
Tags: clubs, expo, family, opinion, sam, vintage, volunteers
Snow Forecast for 2011-2012
Thinking about buying a new sled? AccuWeather.com’s Henry Margusity has posted his prediction for the upcoming winter. It looks as good if not better than last year. “The basis of the forecast is on the prediction that a weak La ...Read more
Published on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 in In The News, News & Updates
Tags: environment, opinion, press release, weather
Government Accountability Office’s E15 Report
E15, what is it? E15, sometimes called gasohol, is a fuel mixture of 15% anhydrous ethanol and 85% gasoline. When reviewing this report, please note the US EPA has already recommended that E-15 fuel NOT be used in snowmobiles. Also ...Read more
Published on Friday, July 29, 2011 in General Announcements, In The News, News & Updates, Snowmobile Tech
Tags: environment, opinion, press release, sleds, tech
5 Historic Rotax Snowmobile Engines
Phil Mickelson of Snow Goer picks 5 historic Rotax snowmobile engines. Start asking questions, and you realize that each engine in that wall has its own special place in history, and in Phil’s heart. We asked him to share some ...Read more
Published on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 in Guest Columns, News & Updates, Safety, Vintage
Tags: competition, manufacturers, opinion, sleds, tech, vintage
Friends of Snowmobiling Supports Recreational Freedom
The Friends of Snowmobiling Political Action Committee (FOSPAC) was initiated by the snowmobile community in response to our desire to continue the family snowmobiling tradition we have created here in the United States. Snowmobiling access is consistently under attack and ...Read more
Published on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 in General Announcements, Legislative Affairs, News & Updates
Tags: access, legislative, opinion, press release, public lands
DCR Map of Land Designations: Please Attend Meetings!
DCR Releases Draft Map In Anticipation Of Its Second Workshop Series On Landscape Designations For State Properties SAM members are encouraged to attend these very important meetings that will outline public land use and recreation, such as snowmobiling. Meeting dates ...Read more
Published on Monday, May 23, 2011 in General Announcements, Legislative Affairs, News & Updates
Tags: access, DCR, environment, opinion, press release, public lands
The Future of Snowmobiles? (Jim Tucker)
Years ago I wrote about a new rear suspension technology I believed was coming our way. The time was ripe, as we had been bumping around the trails on the same basic rear suspensions for years. Many sled companies and ...Read more
Published on Sunday, February 27, 2011 in Guest Columns, News & Updates, Snowmobile Tech
Tags: opinion, sleds, tech
