Yakima SkiBenders

03/24/2026

Hey snowmobilers!

The Snowmobile Advisory Committee/WA State Parks will be hosting another virtual open house to discuss the Snowmobile Program on Wednesday, March 25th via Teams (link & dial-in information below) from 6-7:30pm. This open house will be similar in structure to the one held this past December. If anyone has any questions, please contact State Parks Winter Rec at [email protected] and they will do their best to address them. Please feel free to share this link and the materials with fellow snowmobilers to spread the word.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/22959999834000?p=2iXIF6ZuPL0PcbFHSG

Meeting ID: 229 599 998 340 00

Passcode: 9uV2Yh2V

Dial in by phone

+1 564-999-2000,,234048448 # United States, Olympia

(833) 322-1218,,234048448 # United States (Toll-free)

Phone conference ID: 234 048 448 #

03/01/2026

What is alarming about this is including snowmobiles in with wheeled vehicles and thinking they have the same environmental impact and need to be limited to designated roads. It will be imperative we as snowmobilers speak up on this. (Since most of us also recreate on these lands in the summer, you are encouraged to speak on that as well.)

WDFW will host a virtual public meeting next week as part of developing new rules governing the use of motorized vehicles on WDFW-managed lands, with additional public comment opportunity expected later in March.

The proposed rule would specify that the use of motorized vehicles — including cars and trucks, as well as smaller vehicles like all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides, snowmobiles, and electric bicycles — would be limited to roads designated as open for use. The rule is intended to enhance the experience of visiting WDFW-managed lands, promote public safety and habitat connectivity, and protect sensitive species, habitats, and tribal and cultural resources from unintended impacts.

For more information, refer to the news release: https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/public-input-sought-proposed-rules-use-motorized-vehicles-wdfw-managed-lands

The meeting will be held from 4-5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, to present information about and answer questions related to the proposed rule making. Join the meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vxvxS39dSSGuHTgc7vfhsA

02/27/2026

Greetings Ski-Benders!

Sadly, due to snow conditions, and the upcoming forecasts not looking promising, we will be cancelling the Spaghetti Feed/Night Ride that was set to take place on March 7th.

Ski-Bender President, Matt Mead, went up the other day to take a look at conditions. He took some photos, which you can find below.

We are so sorry to anyone who was planning to attend, and we hope to have much better luck with snow next year, so cross your fingers!

02/19/2026

02/08/2026

That’s a wrap on the 2026 WSSA Winter Rendezvous!

Thank you to WSSA and those that nominated our club members for awards this year!!

Congratulations to Matt Mead for winning Club President of the Year and congratulations to the Alred’s for winning Family of the Year!

We appreciate everything you do for our club and the snowmobile community!

02/01/2026

🩵🩵 Update 🩵🩵

I’m not going to tell you anything you don’t already know but we need snow. Our family went up today to the playground where the littles go and the snow is there but it is thin. We definitely can’t afford to lose much more.

I would love to say that I am 100% confident we will be able to hold the event, but I don’t gamble and I’m definitely not gambling on the weather. What I can tell you is we are committed to make this happen even if it means making some changes to make it happen.

Our tenative plan is to come back up on the 14th Valentines weekend and see what we have to work with. Then the team will make the call! I understand we have people traveling a long ways to be here and I want to be as transparent as possible.

If you registered and your plans are changing please send me a message and let me know.

I also don’t want to spend money on stuff and things we can’t use. So if on the 14th we commit then we will make the best out of whatever we have no matter what.

💃 Do a snow dance. ❄️
🙏🏻 Pray for snow ❄️

01/26/2026

Snowmobile Registration Increase Legislation SB 5234 - Hearing Today!

Nothing like a short-notice notification! Received this from State Parks today regarding the $25 registration increase legislation. If you are interested in this legislation, please take a moment and comment.

"Hello everyone,

Just reaching out with another update on snowmobile legislation:

The original bill (SB 5234) is scheduled for a committee hearing today (January 26th) at 4 pm in the Senate Committee on Transportation. Those wanting to sign up to testify can do so at this link: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Senate?selectedCommittee=438&selectedMeeting=33729

If anyone has questions, please let us know. You can reach out to me directly at this email ([email protected]) or to the Winter Rec team at [email protected].

Have a great day,

Kari"

Matt Mead
Ski-Bender President

Instructions on how to connect to the meeting if testifying remotely: InstructionsInstructions on how to create your Legislative Account and edit your profile: Instructions

01/25/2026

Greetings fellow sledders,

After a ride at Little Naches yesterday (Saturday), studying the forecast for the next week and taking other things into consideration, the Ski-Benders' board made the difficult decision to cancel the Snow Fest Fun Run scheduled for Saturday, January 31st.

While many of the trails have sufficient snow, a couple of key areas we need are problem areas. The crossover trail from 1900 to 1921 right out of the sno-park has very little snow with dirt showing in several places. Both ends of the crossover are challenging for young or low experience riders. The 1900 in the first mile or so has pavement showing in several locations and these areas will likely grow in size over the next week with high temperatures forecast in the low 40s. We also need to be respectful of our USFS event permit and riding with minimal snow cover with potential damage to the paved road from ski carbides would likely be frowned upon.

The forecast for the next week doesn't offer any hope for improvement. There is only the slightest hint of snow next Thursday evening and even that might be mixed with sleet and rain. Some rain is in the forecast from Wednesday evening to Friday afternoon. As mentioned, daytime highs for the next week are mostly in the low 40s for highs with lows 20s to low 30s overnight. The currently icy trails will likely stay icy and any rain on top will only make them worse.

With these considerations, and then adding 100+ snowmobiles concentrated on these trails, we have made the decision to cancel. But here's the kicker: Right now, Little Naches is a pretty nice place for a family ride. The sno-park is in great shape and not overly icy. The road in has a lot of bare pavement and the icy sections won't knock the suspension out of your truck. R&R Grooming is doing a fantastic job keeping what snow we have in good shape. Trails are groomed to Raven's Roost and two routes to the Government Meadows Cabin.

We are keeping our fingers crossed this is the only event we'll have to cancel this season. We are full steam ahead to the Kids Ride on February 28th... Just keep doing your snow dances!

01/22/2026

Greetings Ski-Benders!

WSSA's Winter Rendezvous Needs You!

The lack of snow in the state is having an impact on upcoming events. In this post, I'll address WSSA's Winter Rendezvous. Please see the message below from Tina Shields regarding the current status of Rendezvous:

"Hey all!

The Bavarian Boondockers, Lake Wenatchee Rec Club and Apple Country Clubs have been working so hard on Winter Rendezvous.

Unfortunately, the snow is not cooperating!

So, here is where we are at:

Limited Riding at Lake Wenatchee-trail rides only!

The venue is $5,000.00. We cannot cancel at this point and we will end up paying for the venue no matter what.

We have 48 members signed up, but we need 100 to cover Venue and Food costs.

WE NEED YOU! Sign up by Monday January 26th to come have dinner and party with us.

The other option is having dinner just Saturday night to help with food costs. If this is an option you can do, please sign up for Saturday's Dinner.

If we don’t get enough sign-ups we will need to cancel and still pay for the venue anyway.

This is not ideal at all, but it is where we are at, we hope to see you all there.

Best Regards,

Tina Shields
WSSA Publicity Secretary
for the Bavarian Boondockers, Lake Wenatchee Rec Club and Apple Country Snowmobile Club."

I'd like to add a bit to this. I hope all of you will consider supporting the WSSA Winter Rendezvous regardless of snow conditions. First off, the three local clubs in the area have put a lot of effort into bringing this event to the Wenatchee area. Work started during last winter's Rendezvous in Walla Walla and has been going full speed ahead ever since. Even without riding (or limited riding), this event is a good opportunity to hang out with like-minded folks and find out about other riding areas and clubs. Want to try riding in a new area? It's a good chance to make connections and find a local club or members to guide. The normal Saturday night events are scheduled to occur. This means things like the photo contest (with prizes) and the annual awards presentation. Maybe most fun is the silent and live auctions where you'll find some great items and maybe at a great discount.

I hope you'll consider joining us in Wenatchee. (Yes, my family is signed up and hotel reservations made!) I hope to see you on both Friday and Saturday nights, but at least I hope you'll consider supporting the Saturday night event. Let's help the clubs and WSSA cover the costs! Easy lift for the many; heavy lift for the few.

Thanks,
Matt Mead
Ski-Bender President

01/18/2026

Greetings Ski-Benders!

I received the message below from Corey Tolar, State Parks Winter Recreation Program Manager, and wanted to pass it on to all of you. It's in reference to the legislation seeking to increase the snowmobile registration fee from $50 (plus fees) to $75 (plus fees). This legislation was introduced last year and mostly worked its way through the senate before stalling near the end of the session. There was no action last season in the house. The legislation has carried over to the current session that started this January and the push has begun to get it passed.

"Good afternoon, everyone,
Update on snowmobile legislation.
There is a companion bill (HB 2139) to the snowmobile legislation that was introduced last legislative session (SB 5234) which is scheduled for a hearing in the House Transportation Committee at 4 pm on January 22nd.
Since the bill has been officially scheduled for a hearing, people can sign up to testify or register their positions on the bill (link to bill: HB 2139 Washington State Legislature - https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=2139&Chamber=House&Year=2025). I do believe there is a virtual option for those who wish to testify on the bill in committee.
If anyone has questions let me know.
Thanks.
Corey
(360) 902-8684
[email protected]"

If you have opinions on this legislation, you are encouraged to testify (remotely) or submit written testimony at the link above in Corey's message. Your voice matters!

Matt Mead
Ski-Benders President