By Lori EhdeSnowmobile enthusiasts are poor-weather fans. The worse the winter weather, the better they like it, and without snow, their interest in the sport tends to fade.After a few mild winters, membership in the local Sno-Masters Snowmobile Club is less than half of what it used to be at only 26 members.Now, with several inches on the ground, club members hope to spark new interest in the group."We’re drawn together by a concern for snowmobiling and our community, and enjoy associating with other snowmobilers," said Sno-Master member Terry Hoffman, Luverne."But most of all we like snowmobiling, and want to help further it in our area. We think we can do some good while having fun."With new activities on the calendar this year, the club is drawing some attention. During Winterfest weekend, for example, on Dec. 6, the Sno-Masters sponsored a racing event that drew 76 entries in several categories.A snowmobile safety course last weekend filled nearly to capacity with 33 young drivers now certified.The Sno-Masters will have a Fun Run this weekend, and a Nick Mann memorial run is planned for January.All this, with any help from the weather, should help the club. "Now if we could just make sure it snows," said Sno-Masters member Seth Stegenga. "There’s a lot of snowmobilers in town, but we don’t see them at meetings."The Sno-Masters Club was founded in 1968 for the purpose of group rides and organized routes. Back then, the routes consisted of ditches and waterways.Today, the club takes credit for 50 miles of groomed trails that connect to trails in neighboring Pipestone and Nobles counties.The result has been safer riding and a better reputation for snowmobilers."It really makes us look bad when snowmobilers ride across people's lawns," said Stegenga, Sno-Masters trail coordinator. "There's a lot of people out there who think snowmobiling is their right. It's not. It's their privilege."Much of the Sno-Masters trail cuts through private land, with permission of landowners, so the club emphasizes respect for property, and staying on the trail.City ordinances prohibit snowmobiling in town, but riders can take side streets directly to and from trail outlets. A popular access point is Howling Dog, where riders can park trailers and access the trail behind the business.Trail maps are also available at Howling Dog.The map has changed slightly in the past few years, particularly with regard to the Blue Mounds State Park.Snowmobiling isn’t allowed on the new bike path, which occupies portions of the old snowmobile trail east of the Blue Mounds cliff line.For years, snowmobilers have been riding a loop atop the Mounds by the bison pens, but park officials say that has never been part of the Sno-Masters sanctioned trail.Because the Sno-Masters helped fund a portion of the winter warming house in the park, the trail goes to and from the building, but the official trail is north of the campgrounds and water area. Snowmobiles can enter the park at the Main Entrance from County Road 20 on the west, and north of the lower dam from County Road 8 on the east.The Sno-Masters trail groomer is paid for with annual grants through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Last year, the allotment was $14,000. This year it’s $9,000.This weekend’s Sno-Master’s Fun Run, which is a major fund-raiser for the group, will start at noon Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Howling Dog.Stops are planned in Kenneth, Lismore, Hardwick and Trosky, and riders can join from any of those locations.It costs $30 to join the Sno-Masters, $20 of which covers benefits from automatic membership in the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association.For information on the club, its events or how to join, contact Stegenga or one of the Sno-Masters officers: Lyle Stroeh, Dave Severtson, Eric Sandbulte or Adam Siebenahler.
