want snow with that

Here's something that you don't see every day. This McDonald's in Piteaa (Piteå), Sweden, opened the first exclusive snowmobile drive-thru in February 2002. The local snowmobile association groomed a trail right to the restaurant's front door. Unfortunately, profitability for the fast food establishment in this frozen tundra was not what was expected, and in November of 2007 the Piteaa McDonald's closed.

But all is not lost. At press time, a Swedish burger restaurant named "Frasses," has made plans to take over the establishment and reopen in early 2008.

AmSnow was told that folks in Northern Sweden don't like to eat with their hands, so supplying utensils, plates, etc. was a struggle for McDonald's, and simply adjusting to the local culture seems to be out of the reach of the big chains.

Like sledders here, it sounds like most Swedish snowmobilers still want to contribute to their local, or at least national establishments, and that's honorable in our book.

Special thanks to Patrik Larsson, Editor of SnowRider, Sweden.