Although snowmobiling was allegedly invented in Wisconsin, I think it found its maturity here in Wyoming.
Snowmobile Hall of Famer Jimmy Smail took me on my first snowmobile ride in the Wind River Mountains above Lander in the winter of 1970-71. What a thrill!
Three things stood out: First, I was not freezing. Second, these things could really zip along. And third, oh my God, the access -- you could go to places that you could not go to any other time of year.
The biggest shock, though, occurred as we rode along the Loop Road near Frye Lake to take in the beauty and we stopped for a break. I got off my machine.
Oops! I sank up to my armpits in the deep snow. It took a bunch of guys and lots of grunting to get me back on my trusty beast. It looked serene but a person would be dead there if he had to walk out of there.
After those first rides back in the early 1970s, my next goal was Yellowstone National Park in the winter by snowmobile.
My first trip through the park was in 1973 with Jimmy. We were a large group that included other media folks.
As a publisher, soon we were soon printing the official state wide snowmobile newspaper with the late Betty Sable of Lander, who was its editor and who is also in the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
And then later, we published statewide winter tourism magazines which featured skiing and snowmobiling both independently and for the state.
I wrote a column 36 years ago detailing how my eight-year-old son Michael rode with me as we motored up to Blue Ridge on the Loop Road outside of Lander. Then we found our way to a cliff overlooking the entire Lander Valley.
It seemed like you could see Casper from there. It was awesome and one more example of just how special these machines were. You could go to so many places so much faster than any other way, during any other season.
Snowmobiling Is Big Business
Wyoming has bloomed into a true snowmobile destination. Snowmobiling has a $255 million annual impact on the state. There are 2,100 miles of trails. It supports 1,874 jobs.
All across Wyoming, snowmobiling is thriving.
Some of the biggest areas are Togwotee Pass above Dubois, Carbon County, the Big Horn Mountains, Jackson Hole, and Afton Star Valley area.
One of the most interesting feelings of snowmobiling in those early days was when Smail showed me how safe we were up there in the bitter cold mountains dressed in our heavy outfits, warm helmets, and cozy boots and mittens.
I just could not believe how warm we could be in these sub-zero places.
He also explained that if you ever had a mishap you had access to gasoline in your tank to start a fire to keep warm.
Of course, today the sport is much safer. GPS systems changed everything. You can literally find your way out of the wilderness with these modern devices that help you find your way.
Back in 1971, all you had was your compass, your wits, and your common sense.
Can Be Dangerous
Lately here in the Cowboy State, snowmobiling has proven to be deadly.
Over a three-day period last week, two snowmobilers died from driving into trees in the Jackson Hole area. Victims were a 32-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, both of whom were from out of state.
A huge difference between the snowmobiles from those early days 50 years ago compared to today is the speed.
Many of today’s machines can go 80 mph and hitting a tree at any speed over 30 mph can be fatal, even if wearing a helmet. There was obviously a failure of some magnitude involved with both instances,
Earlier a veteran snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche in the Jackson area. This happens every year, unfortunately. That victim even had an airbag vest which is supposed to expand and save the rider’s life.
Alas, it could not save him in this instance.
Technology Meets Tradition
Modern snowmobiles are engineering marvels compared to machines from 30 years ago. Today’s sleds are lighter, more powerful, and far more capable in deep snow. Mountain sleds can climb slopes that once seemed impossible.
GPS technology has made navigation easier, but it has not removed the need for common sense. Wyoming weather changes fast. Whiteouts happen. Machines break. Smart riders carry survival gear, tools, and emergency communication devices.
At the same time, the core appeal has not changed. It is still about exploration. It is still about testing yourself against winter. It is still about seeing places most people never will.
All Good Things End
We had younger friends and relatives who wanted to ride so we kept the machines for a long time. Finally, we were just too old to ride and we sold our last snowmobiles some years ago.
It’s probably been over 10 years since I have been on a moving machine, the memories are glorious.
Bill can be reached at Bill@CowboyStateDaily.com
