My Look Back Since 1991
My infectious journey with SnoWest Magazine spawned to life some 29 years ago after a casual conversation with Steve Janes, who I had come to know through chasing the hillclimb circuit, which he was covering for SnowAction Magazine, SnoWest’s then racing publication.
It just so happened that the annual new snowmobile evaluations for the 1991 model year were being held in Grand Lake, CO, and Steve, knowing some hard-core snowmobilers from Walden, CO, made them this offer: “Sure could use some help at evaluations and since it is in your backyard, let me know if your in.” Thinking that it was a one-shot deal, the offer was obliged on the spot. At that point, I had already been an avid reader of SnoWest since 1987, way prior to that one day he made the offer.
Through the years, there have been facets of the publication that have provided informative and interesting reading, such as the annual new snowmobile evaluations and other stories about what is new for consumers in the upcoming year—all with candid feedback.
SnoWest took this concept to the next level for the 1997 model year with the introduction of the SnoWest Snow Tests, later known as the Dealer Shootout. This event, usually held in January, gave reputable western dealers the opportunity to show up at Island Park, ID, for three days with each dealer’s optimum high elevation setups to compete in several open and closed course controlled tests for bragging rights of who and what’s hot. This became a very competitive event among the manufacturers and representing dealers.
As the western snowmobile and consumer demands have dramatically changed over the years, so has SnoWest, reforming the old Shootout format into the current “Deep Powder Challenge.” The DPC of today is a more practical means of providing pertinent information to the general consumer, as well as including the general consumer in the information gathering process of real-world backcountry situations instead of staged situations.
For those of you into the nomadic tour scene, other insightful and inspiring readings in SnoWest—since forever—are the travel feature stories. I personally appreciate the detailed information for all the public services, or lack thereof, to the “have to see” highlights of the featured and/or personal bucket list locations. What more could you ask for with guided direction at locations all over the western snowbelt being passed along within an easy read. Having been a part of a few of these road trips, along with the fun riding, there is a whole bunch of effort that goes into coordination and logistics to ultimately providing accurate information.
Something else I look forward to year in and year out has been the project sled builds and the manufacturer rotation in the program to share the wealth. Since its inception with “Project Projectile” in 1994, the mag has put together some quite gnarly hot rods with assistance from random dealers and aftermarket manufacturers to complete the projects. I happen to know the whereabouts of “Project Exlent,” which I believe was the second build of 25 with this being the Silver Anniversary year.
And how about all those fond memories of the SnoWest staff making the World Snowmobile Expo happen, literally, from its inception in 1991, and for several years thereafter. Lots of hard work and long days establishing an enduring event that has survived economical swings and marginal snow years … so far. Thanks Steve.
I may come across as a bit biased after working with the likes of Steve Janes for 29 years and Lane Lindstrom for 25 yet, after having been there, done that from the inside, rest assured these word smiths are in fact stewards of the sport and industry while providing quality material to you, the consumer.
And Ryan, well, I came to know Ryan Harris about the time in life when he was a middle school goober and have watched him mature and grow into possibly the most influential journalist/photographer/rider currently in the biz.
SnoWest is the western authority on snowmobiling.
- Mark Bourbeau