COLUMN: Carillon Flashback January 15, 1991 – Sno Riders create 130 miles of trails

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/04/2023 (811 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Whether it was an opportunity to get in touch with nature, the hope of picking up a share of the prize money or just a chance to meet friends for a pork roast at the legendary Tomahawk outpost, over 400 snowmobilers converged on Woodridge this weekend to take part in the Southeast Sno Riders second annual poker derby.

The Southeast Sno Riders have created an opportunity for people of all ages and all walks of life, from across the miles to get together to share a common interest. Snowmobiling is enjoying an ever-increasing popularity, with the transition from a man and machine against the harshest of winter elements, with enthusiasts racing along ditches from Winnipeg to Minneapolis, to a winter recreation enjoyed by all members of the family on a network of 130 miles of groomed trails created by the Woodridge-based snowmobile club.

When the club officially formed in 1989, it had 70 members, and less than 18 months later, membership numbered over 100. It is expected membership will reach the 200 mark this season, according to club president Norm Ruta.

Although the club operates out of Woodridge, many members point out it isn’t a Woodridge club. More than half its members are from the Steinbach and Winnipeg areas, with some as far north as Stonewall. Situated in the heart of the Sandilands Forest Reserve’s southeastern fringe, Woodridge provides the picture perfect setting for snowmobile club activities.

The Southeast Sno Riders have a trail system stretching from South Junction through Vassar, Badger, Woodridge, Sandilands and Marchand, then north to Hadashville. An added attraction of the trail system is the use of forestry fire guard roads.

Ruta, and his brother Ken, took it upon themselves to build a much-needed drag for grooming the trails. Their inspiration followed a snowmobile trip in the United States, where there were wide, groomed trails. The club couldn’t afford to buy a new trail groomer that would cost about $6,000 (U.S. funds) so they built their own at a cost of $3,000 for material and donated 300 hours of labour.

The club has a groomer to be reckoned with, and even the forestry and parks departments don’t have a groomer like this, Sno Riders president Norm Ruta says.

“Our club’s goal is to have the best groomed trail system in Manitoba.”

While the Southeast Sno Riders appear to be growing in the right direction, they rely heavily, as most clubs do, on donations and fund-raising efforts.

The second annual Snowmobile and Car Poker Derby was the major fund-raiser this season. Provincial Road 210 was dotted ditch-to-ditch with snow machines of every color, make and model.

Enthusiasts came from as far east as Fort Frances and as far west as Gladstone to take part. The club claims this derby was better organized, having learned from their first attempt, and the funds raised were well in excess of their first event. The sale of hats, T-shirts, raffle tickets and new memberships all helped to boost the total.

Snowmobiling seems to have become a family affair, and the Southeast Sno Riders have created an opportunity for people of all ages to get together to share a common interest and at the same time provide a welcome source of additional revenue for local businesses.

– with files from Phyllis Zielinski