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Emmet Sno Drifters - Snowmobile Club, Lake Tomahawk, WI (2026)

03/03/2026

Last weekend we had the opportunity to join our friends up in Lake Tomahawk for the Lake Tom Snofleas - Trailriders Equipment Fundraiser & Show — and what a fantastic day it was!

The Emmet crew rolled in strong, bringing about 24 sleds up for the show, and it was great to see them lined up alongside so many other incredible machines. The turnout was impressive, and the Boggie Wheel World Championship was an absolute blast.

We’re especially proud to share that Chelsea Reif brought home the prestigious Golden Boggie Wheel this year — what an accomplishment!

Our crew also had a great showing in the awards:
🏆 Sno Bunny, owned by Bruce Baur, earned recognition
🏆 Sno Ghia, owned by Tom Martin, was also honored

To top it all off, we were asked to sing the National Anthem at the lookout to kick off the event — truly an honor and a moment we won’t forget.

Big thanks to the Lake Tom Snofleas for putting on another outstanding fundraiser and show. Events like this are what keep the snowmobile community strong and connected.

We’re already looking forward to next year!

02/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 11th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show in Halder, WI!

It was another memorable day full of smiles, sleds, and great people. We were lucky to have 128 incredible snowmobiles and snow machines on display, along with around 40 basket raffles generously donated by our amazing sponsors, plus games and other raffles running throughout the day to keep things lively.

The loud pipe and one-pull contests fired up a few of those old sleds, and we wrapped up the afternoon with a ride out to the teepee hangout to enjoy a cold beverag and a fire — giving anyone who wanted to ride a chance to enjoy the machines the way they were meant to be enjoyed.

Events like this simply don’t happen without the support of our sponsors, the countless volunteer hours from club members, and a strong snowmobiling community behind it all. We’re grateful for every one of you who showed up, helped out, donated, rode, or just stopped by to share in the day.

Thank you for helping us keep snowmobile history alive — we’ll see you next year!

02/07/2026

❄️ – Day 25

Why We Do This

For the past 25 days, we’ve shared machines, stories, and forgotten chapters of snowmobile history.

But today is about something more important.

These photos tell the real story — our families, our kids, our club, and the snowmobiles we don’t just restore or display… we ride them. Snowmobiling isn’t something we study from a distance. It’s something we live, share, and pass on.

Keeping these machines running matters. Teaching the next generation how they work matters. Riding them, fixing them, breaking them, and fixing them again — that’s how history stays alive.

This show isn’t about perfection. It’s about passion. It’s about people who love winter, love old iron, and believe the best way to honor the past is to use it.

If you’ve followed along, commented, shared a memory, or just quietly enjoyed the series — thank you. You’re part of this story too.

We’d love to welcome you to Halder, Wisconsin to see the machines in person, meet the people behind them, and experience the snowmobile history we truly adore. If you can't make it this year, try for next year. We aren't going anywhere. It will always be the first Saturday of Feb.

📍 Join us today at the
11th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show
📍 Halder, WI
📍 TODAY Feb 7th 2026 @9 am

02/06/2026

❄️ – Day 24

Beyond the Snowmobile — When Builders Re-Imagined Winter Travel

Long before snowmobiles became standardized machines, winter mobility was driven by experimentation.

Inventors and tinkerers looked at motorcycles, small engines, utility vehicles — even farm equipment — and asked a simple question: What if it could work on snow?

One such idea was the SnowBird — a concept centered on converting existing machines using skis and tracks rather than designing an entirely new vehicle from scratch. Whether adapted from motorcycles or other lightweight platforms, SnowBird-style machines represent a broader movement where creativity came first and formal categories came later.

These conversions varied widely. Some replaced front wheels with skis and added rear track systems. Others combined custom frames, homemade suspension, and whatever engines were available. There were no rules — only imagination, necessity, and winter conditions demanding solutions.

While many of these machines never reached mass production, they played an important role. They:

Proved that skis and tracks could be combined in new ways

Influenced how balance, steering, and traction were approached

Helped spark interest in powered winter machines well before the snowmobile industry matured

Even after snowmobiles became mainstream, ski-and-track conversions continued to push innovation — reminding manufacturers that ideas don’t always come from the factory floor.

The SnowBird, and machines like it, represent that creative bridge between what existed and what snowmobiling would become.

📍 Discover prototypes, one-offs, and machines that almost never survived at the
11th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show
📍 Halder, WI

02/05/2026

❄️ – Day 23

1967 Ockelbo 300 — Swedish Simplicity Done Right

By the late 1960s, Sweden had established itself as a serious contributor to early snowmobile development, producing machines shaped by long winters, remote terrain, and a strong emphasis on practicality.

The 1967 Ockelbo 300, built by Ockelbo, reflects that mindset clearly.

Compact and mechanically straightforward, the Ockelbo 300 relied on proven European components and a no-nonsense chassis layout. These sleds weren’t built to impress with excess styling or marketing — they were designed to work reliably in harsh Nordic conditions, where failure simply wasn’t an option.

The Ockelbo brand would later become closely associated with durability and thoughtful engineering, earning respect well beyond Sweden. Early models like the 300 helped establish that reputation, laying the groundwork for the company’s later success in both snowmobiles and other winter machines.

Today, early Ockelbos are far less common outside Scandinavia, making surviving examples in North America especially noteworthy. They serve as reminders that snowmobile history wasn’t driven by one region alone — it evolved simultaneously across continents, shaped by local needs and engineering philosophies.

📍 Discover prototypes, one-offs, and machines that almost never survived at the
11th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show
📍 Halder, WI

02/04/2026

❄️ – Day 22

1966 Larson Eagle — An Early Midwest Contender

By the mid-1960s, snowmobiling was still defining itself, and many small manufacturers across the Midwest were building machines with limited resources but a lot of ambition.

The 1966 Larson Eagle is one of those early efforts.

Built by Larson Manufacturing, the Eagle reflects a period when snowmobiles were still simple, mechanically straightforward, and focused on basic winter transportation. These early sleds relied on proven components, uncomplicated chassis designs, and practical layouts intended to survive harsh conditions rather than chase performance numbers.

The Eagle’s design follows the conventions of the era: compact proportions, minimal bodywork, and a layout that made servicing and repairs relatively easy — an important consideration when snowmobiles were often ridden far from dealers or support.

Like many small-batch machines from the mid-1960s, the Larson Eagle didn’t benefit from the marketing reach or dealer networks of larger manufacturers. As the industry rapidly expanded and competition intensified, smaller builders like Larson were quickly overshadowed by companies able to scale production and innovate at a faster pace.

Today, surviving examples of the Larson Eagle are uncommon, not because they were radical or experimental, but because they represent an early chapter of snowmobiling that was quickly overtaken by rapid technological change.

Machines like this help tell the quieter side of snowmobile history — the sleds that helped bridge the gap between early winter transport and the fully developed machines that followed.

📍 Discover prototypes, one-offs, and machines that almost never survived at the
11th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show
📍 Halder, WI

02/03/2026

❄️ – Day 21

Dale Cormican — One of Snowmobiling’s Early Racing Trailblazers

While machines laid the foundation of snowmobiling history, the people who raced them helped shape its future.

One of the most influential figures from the early days of competitive snowmobiling was Dale Cormican, a Minnesota mechanic and avid rider who brought real attention to the sport at a time when organized racing was still finding its footing.

In 1968, Cormican entered the International 500 (I-500) — a grueling cross-country race that began in Winnipeg, Manitoba and ended in Isle, Minnesota, covering hundreds of miles of varied winter terrain. With no formal race experience, he chose an Arctic Cat Panther — a sled with innovative slide-rail suspension — and meticulously prepared it for the punishing challenge ahead.

What followed was remarkable:

Cormican navigated unfamiliar snow conditions, avoiding tracks that slowed him down and finding faster paths.

Mid-race, he endured a broken suspension torque arm and improvised his way forward to keep the sled running.

At the finish line in Isle, he crossed first — winning the I-500 in his very first attempt.

He would go on to win it again in 1969, making him the first back-to-back winner of the event.

Cormican wasn’t just fast — he was innovative. He tore into his sled before the race, checking and truing suspension components, understanding that even new production machines weren’t built to withstand the rigors of a 500-mile race without modification.

His success helped spark broader interest in competitive snowmobiling at a time when organized racing was still emerging — much like how early auto racing helped fuel interest in automobiles and performance upgrades. Races like the I-500 became proving grounds for sled design, suspension systems, and engine reliability, and competitors like Cormican were early ambassadors for pushing snowmobiles beyond recreation into performance.

Today, Cormican is remembered not just as a champion, but as one of the pioneers whose passion and competitive spirit helped accelerate the sport’s evolution.

📍 Discover prototypes, one-offs, and machines that almost never survived at the
11th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show
📍 Halder, WI

02/02/2026

❄️ – Day 20

1967 Sno-Tric — A Swedish Take on Early Snowmobiling

As snowmobiling expanded beyond North America in the 1960s, European manufacturers began developing machines tailored to their own climates, terrain, and manufacturing realities.

One such example is the 1967 Sno-Tric, built in Sweden by Westeråsmaskiner AB.

Introduced in 1967, the Sno-Tric was produced in relatively small numbers — approximately 600 units — and aimed almost exclusively at the Scandinavian market. A handful of machines eventually made their way to North America, but the Sno-Tric remained largely a European sled.

Power came from a single-cylinder Sachs engine, a compact and dependable choice widely used across European snowmobiles of the era. The sled rode on a 15-inch-wide track, consistent with lightweight machines of the late 1960s, and featured a simple, rugged chassis well suited to Nordic winters.

One particularly unusual detail highlights the practical engineering mindset behind the Sno-Tric: the front engine support was made of wood. While unconventional, the wooden mount helped absorb vibration and simplified manufacturing — a clever solution rooted in necessity rather than novelty.

Visually, the Sno-Tric closely resembles the 1964 Bombardier BR-9, and that similarity was no accident. At the time, Westeråsmaskiner held the Bombardier distribution franchise in Sweden, creating a direct design lineage between the two machines. That relationship lasted only a few years, but it left a clear imprint on the Sno-Tric’s appearance.

After the partnership ended, Westeråsmaskiner continued developing its own snowmobiles, eventually transitioning into the Aktiv name in the 1970s — a brand that would become well known for models like the Sno-Tric and later the Grizzly.

The 1967 Sno-Tric stands as a reminder that snowmobile history wasn’t written in one country or by one company — it evolved simultaneously across continents, shaped by local needs, materials, and ideas.

📍 Discover prototypes, one-offs, and machines that almost never survived at the
11th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show
📍 Halder, WI

02/01/2026

❄️ – Day 19

1971 Eskimo 440 — Sachs Power in a Simple Package

By the early 1970s, the snowmobile industry had matured enough that not every machine needed to be radical or experimental. Many manufacturers focused instead on proven components, straightforward design, and reliability.

The 1971 Eskimo 440 is a good example of that approach.

Powered by a Sachs 440 two-stroke, this sled relied on one of the most widely respected European engines of the era. Sachs motors were known for their durability and consistent performance, making them a popular choice for manufacturers looking to balance power with dependability.

The Eskimo followed a clean, no-nonsense layout typical of early-1970s production sleds. Rather than chasing extremes, it delivered a practical riding experience built around components riders already trusted. That simplicity is part of why these machines earned loyal followings — and also why many were ridden hard and eventually worn out.

Today, surviving examples of the Eskimo 440 are far less common than their original production numbers would suggest. Not because they were rare when new, but because they were used exactly as intended.

Machines like this help tell the full story of snowmobiling’s golden years — not just the prototypes and experiments, but the everyday sleds that carried riders through countless winters.

📍 Discover prototypes, one-offs, and machines that almost never survived at the
11th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show
📍 Halder, WI
📍 Feb 7th 2026

01/31/2026

❄️ – Day 18

1972 Sperry–New Holland Prototype Snowmobile

During the height of the snowmobile boom, many manufacturers explored winter vehicle development — some publicly, others quietly.

This 1972 Sperry–New Holland prototype snowmobile is one of those rare survivors.

According to handwritten documentation preserved with the machine, three complete snowmobiles were assembled internally around 1972–1973, using parts pulled from inventory and built during production downtime. Each sled reportedly featured different engine configurations, indicating that multiple layouts were being evaluated.

This particular prototype is believed to be equipped with a CCW engine, paired with a single Mikuni carburetor and Salisbury clutching — a powertrain combination commonly used during that era.

The fiberglass hood was molded in Ohio by Fiberglass of Ohio, a supplier later acquired by New Holland, confirming that components for this project were produced within the company’s existing manufacturing network.

The documentation also notes that:

One prototype was built with a 9-inch track and single ski powered by a Wankel rotary engine, though it was said to lack sufficient power and was scrapped

Two of the completed sleds were rescued from disposal by company employees and transported to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

One sled was briefly used, then dismantled, with its engine and transmission later preserved. The remaining prototype eventually made its way to Iron River, Michigan, where it sat for decades before being acquired with the understanding that it would be preserved and shared publicly. Although through the power of the internet we have found imagery to support a different outcome for the dismantled sled, as you can see it still out in the wild.

Today, this Sperry–New Holland prototype stands as a documented example of just how broad and exploratory the snowmobile industry had become in the early 1970s — and how many ideas never progressed beyond internal evaluation.

📍 Discover prototypes, one-offs, and machines that almost never survived at the
11th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show
📍 Halder, WI
📍 Feb 7th 2026

01/30/2026

❄️ – Day 17

1972 Moto-Jet Inc. Sting Ray — A Quebec Sled With a Short, Rare Run

Some vintage machines are hard to research for a simple reason: not many were made, and even fewer survived with documentation.

The 1972 Moto-Jet Inc. Sting Ray is one of those sleds.

Moto-Jet sleds were manufactured in St-Martin, Quebec, Canada, and the Sting Ray appears as a 1972 model with production believed to be around 200 units—a blink in an era when bigger brands were producing by the tens of thousands.

What makes the Sting Ray especially interesting is that it wasn’t just “another small-brand sled”—it had several distinctive design features called out in museum records:

Side-flip hood (a standout service/maintenance detail)

15-inch track

Storage under a tip-up seat

Recessed muffler (a clever packaging choice for the era)

On the power side, powered with a CCW 340cc engine rated around 25 hp.
Supporting evidence from vintage parts/belt application lists also shows the Sting Ray name associated with multiple CCW displacement variants (225/290/340/400/440)—suggesting Moto-Jet offered different engine classes under the Sting Ray label.

However you slice it, the Sting Ray represents exactly what makes early snowmobile history so compelling: small builders, short production windows, and designs that quietly disappeared before most riders ever saw one.

📍 Discover prototypes, one-offs, and machines that almost never survived at the
11th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show
📍 Halder, WI
📍 Feb 7th 2026

01/29/2026

❄️ – Day 16

1973 Brut LC44 — Ahead of Its Time

Not all important snowmobiles were built by the big names — some came from small teams pushing technology farther and faster than anyone expected.

The 1973 Brut LC44 was one such machine. Born in Brooten, Minnesota, Brutanza Engineering was founded in 1971 by a group of engineers — including former Polaris talent — with a bold idea: create a sled that could outperform what was on the market by incorporating advanced engineering normally reserved for race machines.

What made the LC44 remarkable wasn’t just its performance — it was how it achieved it:

🔧 Liquid-cooled engine: One of the first production snowmobiles to use a liquid-cooled powerplant, keeping temperatures consistent for power and reliability.

🔥 Low-mounted, tilted cylinders: By lowering the engine in the chassis and tilting the cylinders forward, Brutanza achieved a lower center of gravity — a concept that wouldn’t become common until many years later.

⚙️ CDI ignition & Power Pac driveline: Advanced ignition for fewer fouled plugs and a driveline system that reduced misalignment and improved belt life — technical details modern riders instantly recognize.

🧩 Advanced materials: Aluminum tunneling at a time when most manufacturers were still using steel — forward thinking that reduced weight and improved strength.

With a 439 cc, three-cylinder engine producing an estimated 50 hp, the Brut was measurably faster than the competition — at a time when most production sleds struggled to reach 60 mph. In fact, sales literature proudly claimed top speeds in excess of 80 mph, and rumors of 100 mph runs circulated among riders and racers alike.

Brutanza built roughly 1,500 sleds during its original three-year run before economic pressures, bad snow years, and drivetrain issues (notably clutch failures) slowed momentum. Eventually the company’s assets were sold to Scorpion Industries, and the Brut name lived on briefly under different badges.

The LC44 isn’t just another vintage sled — it’s a snapshot of a moment when independent engineers reimagined what a snowmobile could be, and laid groundwork for technologies we take for granted today.

📍 Discover prototypes, one-offs, and machines that almost never survived at the
11th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Show
📍 Halder, WI
📍 Feb 7th 2026

Emmet Sno Drifters - Snowmobile Club

03/03/2026

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