SW Video Speaking at the Yearly ISSA Convention this Fall.
- Thread starter christopher
- Start date
Ya, Tell me about it!
Getting OLD sucks!
The topics that people wrote back to me with were.
#1. Getting Youthing into Sledding.
#2. Halting the loss of current Snowmobile Terrain
#3. Getting more riders into Clubs to pool strength in Numbers.
V
volcano buster
Well-known member
I'll be interested to hear how you address at least one, if not all, of the above topics.
Here is the first step
Following are some of the Private replies I have received...
DL
Good morning, I wanted to take a quick (long, actually) moment to share my response to your latest post asking for topics to address with the Idaho State Snowmobile Association. The following are topics that I feel are three things that are of significant importance to our community in no particular order. These three topics are likely to already to be in the spot light, but I feel that a brighter light may be necessary.
1. The economic impact of the sport to small communities. As a fellow East Idahoan, I know that you understand how the economy of places like Island Park would suffer as our sport shrinks. But if you can present hard data from destinations across Idaho, the west, and even the U.S., you will be able to combine all of that to provide evidence that our sport is vital to a large number of people across many small communities. I recommend reaching out to the chamber of commerce in a few of these destinations. They could likely provide you resources for this argument. I wouldn’t limit it to just out west, maybe try to get data from places like the UP. It may be possible to provide evidence that our sport is of national significance economically, rather than simply as a thing that we love in Idaho. Hopefully when Idaho has the stand to speak nationally, we can argue for a nation rather than just a state.
2. The importance of taking the time to introduce the sport to the youth and new riders in general. I believe that many of us have an attitude issue with regards to our sport. I see many people who feel that what they do is special to them and more people ruin part of their own experience. The fact is, too few people and the sport dies altogether. I know that there is a large amount of very helpful and welcoming people in our community, but it feels like we are not as welcoming as we could be. I believe that our sport is daunting to get into (out west in particular). The cost barrier is significant as it is. I think that we sell western riding as an experience for the extreme riders. Social media makes it appear as though we are all Dan Adams and you need that skill set and a $25k sled. It’s overwhelming. It’s okay to ride a 20 year old sled and just enjoy the winter. In fact, I feel we need to make sure that we actively take the time to approach the people with the old iron and strike up a conversation with them. It’s awesome to see the face of someone when you tell them that you used to ride the same sled they have and how awesome your memories of it are. It makes them feel welcome and they are good enough to be part of the club. As for the kids, they are literally the future. I know snowmobile families are great about this, but wouldn’t it be greater if we offered to take our friends’ kids on a trip or two? Not every trip needs to be going with the boys to a place that the little ones can’t keep up. I think it’s absolutely amazing to see a kid riding a 250 Elan in a meadow just a mile or so from the parking lot with an adult just watching them do their thing.
3. Stewardship. It’s pretty sad to hear the arguments against our sport. It’s sad because I see exactly what those who want to shut us out are talking about. I understand that many riders are great stewards of the sport. But at the same time, many are not. I see blown belts left on the trail, plastics left under trees, etc. we should take the time to clean up what we find. We need to preach the importance of following laws. Obeying speed limits, leaving the booze at home. It’s very frustrating to see people doing 80 on a trail in IP or pulling a couch with 6 teenagers on it in the busy areas. It makes us all look reckless. Social media is bad about showing destruction. Don’t get me wrong, there is also a lot of amazing stuff on there. But I do see my feed show a lot new trees getting smoked, panels getting blown everywhere… it’s a bad look, but it gets views. If we can take the same path as the hunting community, that would be great. They are fantastic at admitting they do kill, however, their money and efforts go towards conservation and they make it a point to show that to the world.
Don’t get wrong, I’m not trying to make us sound negative (and I may be missing the mark on some things). But I think these are areas where we stand to improve. I also know that these are already issues of focus but maybe if we were a little louder about it, more of our own will listen. Sorry about the novel. Thanks for asking the question.
DL
Good morning, I wanted to take a quick (long, actually) moment to share my response to your latest post asking for topics to address with the Idaho State Snowmobile Association. The following are topics that I feel are three things that are of significant importance to our community in no particular order. These three topics are likely to already to be in the spot light, but I feel that a brighter light may be necessary.
1. The economic impact of the sport to small communities. As a fellow East Idahoan, I know that you understand how the economy of places like Island Park would suffer as our sport shrinks. But if you can present hard data from destinations across Idaho, the west, and even the U.S., you will be able to combine all of that to provide evidence that our sport is vital to a large number of people across many small communities. I recommend reaching out to the chamber of commerce in a few of these destinations. They could likely provide you resources for this argument. I wouldn’t limit it to just out west, maybe try to get data from places like the UP. It may be possible to provide evidence that our sport is of national significance economically, rather than simply as a thing that we love in Idaho. Hopefully when Idaho has the stand to speak nationally, we can argue for a nation rather than just a state.
2. The importance of taking the time to introduce the sport to the youth and new riders in general. I believe that many of us have an attitude issue with regards to our sport. I see many people who feel that what they do is special to them and more people ruin part of their own experience. The fact is, too few people and the sport dies altogether. I know that there is a large amount of very helpful and welcoming people in our community, but it feels like we are not as welcoming as we could be. I believe that our sport is daunting to get into (out west in particular). The cost barrier is significant as it is. I think that we sell western riding as an experience for the extreme riders. Social media makes it appear as though we are all Dan Adams and you need that skill set and a $25k sled. It’s overwhelming. It’s okay to ride a 20 year old sled and just enjoy the winter. In fact, I feel we need to make sure that we actively take the time to approach the people with the old iron and strike up a conversation with them. It’s awesome to see the face of someone when you tell them that you used to ride the same sled they have and how awesome your memories of it are. It makes them feel welcome and they are good enough to be part of the club. As for the kids, they are literally the future. I know snowmobile families are great about this, but wouldn’t it be greater if we offered to take our friends’ kids on a trip or two? Not every trip needs to be going with the boys to a place that the little ones can’t keep up. I think it’s absolutely amazing to see a kid riding a 250 Elan in a meadow just a mile or so from the parking lot with an adult just watching them do their thing.
3. Stewardship. It’s pretty sad to hear the arguments against our sport. It’s sad because I see exactly what those who want to shut us out are talking about. I understand that many riders are great stewards of the sport. But at the same time, many are not. I see blown belts left on the trail, plastics left under trees, etc. we should take the time to clean up what we find. We need to preach the importance of following laws. Obeying speed limits, leaving the booze at home. It’s very frustrating to see people doing 80 on a trail in IP or pulling a couch with 6 teenagers on it in the busy areas. It makes us all look reckless. Social media is bad about showing destruction. Don’t get me wrong, there is also a lot of amazing stuff on there. But I do see my feed show a lot new trees getting smoked, panels getting blown everywhere… it’s a bad look, but it gets views. If we can take the same path as the hunting community, that would be great. They are fantastic at admitting they do kill, however, their money and efforts go towards conservation and they make it a point to show that to the world.
Don’t get wrong, I’m not trying to make us sound negative (and I may be missing the mark on some things). But I think these are areas where we stand to improve. I also know that these are already issues of focus but maybe if we were a little louder about it, more of our own will listen. Sorry about the novel. Thanks for asking the question.
TB
1. Access 2. Access 3. Access.
As a board member of Michigan Snowmobile and ORV Association , volunteer trail groomer for Alger County SORVA and TNT Trenary Northern Trails, I witness first hand the potential death to our sport - ACCESS! No access. No sport. Our organization, along with yours, advocates for motorized recreation. The forces against our passion are frightening. Educating local, state and federal officials on the substantial economic impact our sport generates, insures our existence, but only if we have ACCESS, to God's Green Earth.
1. Access 2. Access 3. Access.
As a board member of Michigan Snowmobile and ORV Association , volunteer trail groomer for Alger County SORVA and TNT Trenary Northern Trails, I witness first hand the potential death to our sport - ACCESS! No access. No sport. Our organization, along with yours, advocates for motorized recreation. The forces against our passion are frightening. Educating local, state and federal officials on the substantial economic impact our sport generates, insures our existence, but only if we have ACCESS, to God's Green Earth.
MC
How to get younger people involved in local clubs, most of our club members are older retired folks, no new younger people joining the local clubs, mountains are full of young daredevil youtube social media content chasers and none of them are joining their local clubs that are the ones fighting for access, grooming programs, special events, group rides, etc. We need new club members to keep the clubs alive or there won't be anyone left to attend these state conferences.
How to get younger people involved in local clubs, most of our club members are older retired folks, no new younger people joining the local clubs, mountains are full of young daredevil youtube social media content chasers and none of them are joining their local clubs that are the ones fighting for access, grooming programs, special events, group rides, etc. We need new club members to keep the clubs alive or there won't be anyone left to attend these state conferences.
CT
This might ruffle some feathers, but I think you should present on you. Tell the crowd what you told us on your morning walk with your dogs about husky ambassadors. Your story about how you became a Snowmobiler. Tell them about how amazing of a rider you are, that you are so good that you don’t need a club because none of them can keep up with you. Tell them you don’t like to smoke or drink beer or be around people who do. Let them know who you are and what your life as a Snowmobiler has been and what you think it should be like in a perfect world.
You have a very common perspective in our snowmobile community and it needs to told honestly to the crowd of clubs and their members.
Then, you need to ask the question of why. Ask them why you should be apart of something that takes time, money, learning, leadership, mentoring and sacrifice. Missed glory days to take someone who isn’t your friend out snowmobiling in hopes that they will see a glimpse of why it’s all you can eat, sleep and drink in all seasons of the year.
Ask them why they don’t make money off of all these enthusiasts.
Ask them what they will do when all of the lands are shut down to motorized travel.
Finish by asking who is going to stand behind them to take over the frontlines when they are killed in action.
They need to hear from you, they don’t need to hear from someone who is trying to look good in-front of the crowd they are presenting to. Honesty on this topic is what’s needed. The truth is there are 1.7 million snowmobilers in the USA and only 500k are in organized clubs. I would say less than 100k are members west of the Mississippi.
This might ruffle some feathers, but I think you should present on you. Tell the crowd what you told us on your morning walk with your dogs about husky ambassadors. Your story about how you became a Snowmobiler. Tell them about how amazing of a rider you are, that you are so good that you don’t need a club because none of them can keep up with you. Tell them you don’t like to smoke or drink beer or be around people who do. Let them know who you are and what your life as a Snowmobiler has been and what you think it should be like in a perfect world.
You have a very common perspective in our snowmobile community and it needs to told honestly to the crowd of clubs and their members.
Then, you need to ask the question of why. Ask them why you should be apart of something that takes time, money, learning, leadership, mentoring and sacrifice. Missed glory days to take someone who isn’t your friend out snowmobiling in hopes that they will see a glimpse of why it’s all you can eat, sleep and drink in all seasons of the year.
Ask them why they don’t make money off of all these enthusiasts.
Ask them what they will do when all of the lands are shut down to motorized travel.
Finish by asking who is going to stand behind them to take over the frontlines when they are killed in action.
They need to hear from you, they don’t need to hear from someone who is trying to look good in-front of the crowd they are presenting to. Honesty on this topic is what’s needed. The truth is there are 1.7 million snowmobilers in the USA and only 500k are in organized clubs. I would say less than 100k are members west of the Mississippi.
ML
Most of these suggestions are what I was thinking about. Need young riders in the sport and access. For the new riders they need a mentor to the sport if Dad's not involved. Years ago when I've pulled buddies into the sport I've pushed them towards older, cheaper sleds that were still capable and reliable. You don't need $20k sled to have a good time when a $3-5k sled will get you started for the first two years then can always upgrade. I go with them to look at or try to vet their marketplace choices as best I can from pictures. Then tutor them on maintenance and gear. Take them to riding areas adequate for their skills the first year. You can wreck a person's experience with the sport in one trip of them being stuck all day.
For access I've had two issues in the last few years that have affected me and where I ride. 1st being landowners near trail heads. The Buck and Taylor's Fork areas south of Big Sky MT have both gotten new trails in the last decade that bare off down low and shorten the spring riding season significantly. As I understand these both had to do with the landowners that previously allowed access across a few spots.
2nd is getting comments in on travel plans or decisions that affect our riding areas. I send out texts and Facebook messages to people I know when these things are open for comment and rarely hear back from anyone. Everything from travel plans to lodges and heli ski companies applying for exclusive permits on areas that have historically been snowmobile areas. I don't know if we need to get clubs and dealerships to host commenting parties with food and such on an evening to get people together to do these things or what.
Maybe see how the US Supreme Court "Chevron" decision this year can be leveraged to force riding areas back open that have been closed.
Most of these suggestions are what I was thinking about. Need young riders in the sport and access. For the new riders they need a mentor to the sport if Dad's not involved. Years ago when I've pulled buddies into the sport I've pushed them towards older, cheaper sleds that were still capable and reliable. You don't need $20k sled to have a good time when a $3-5k sled will get you started for the first two years then can always upgrade. I go with them to look at or try to vet their marketplace choices as best I can from pictures. Then tutor them on maintenance and gear. Take them to riding areas adequate for their skills the first year. You can wreck a person's experience with the sport in one trip of them being stuck all day.
For access I've had two issues in the last few years that have affected me and where I ride. 1st being landowners near trail heads. The Buck and Taylor's Fork areas south of Big Sky MT have both gotten new trails in the last decade that bare off down low and shorten the spring riding season significantly. As I understand these both had to do with the landowners that previously allowed access across a few spots.
2nd is getting comments in on travel plans or decisions that affect our riding areas. I send out texts and Facebook messages to people I know when these things are open for comment and rarely hear back from anyone. Everything from travel plans to lodges and heli ski companies applying for exclusive permits on areas that have historically been snowmobile areas. I don't know if we need to get clubs and dealerships to host commenting parties with food and such on an evening to get people together to do these things or what.
Maybe see how the US Supreme Court "Chevron" decision this year can be leveraged to force riding areas back open that have been closed.
MW
Increasing involvement in public lands access. I follow Backcountry Sled Patriots on FB and am disheartened by the low attendance by snowmobilers at critical meetings, scoping events, EIS commenting, etc. We won't have places to ride if we don't show up to make our point to be included in the process and our concerns are heard
Increasing involvement in public lands access. I follow Backcountry Sled Patriots on FB and am disheartened by the low attendance by snowmobilers at critical meetings, scoping events, EIS commenting, etc. We won't have places to ride if we don't show up to make our point to be included in the process and our concerns are heard
V
volcano buster
Well-known member
This seems to have derailed in a hurry.
How so.??
I was asking people for their thoughts and comments.
I very much got exactly what I was hoping for.
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