December 15, 2004

The snowmobile season has officially begun. I was at the season openers this past weekend.

The kick off to snowmobile season, as most people will agree, has nothing to do with snow. The season begins with the Shoot Out in Woodgate, always on a Friday, and Snodeo, the next two days in Old Forge.

Someone said there were 2,000 people at this year's Shoot Out. I'll take their word. I didn't count. I have other ways to measure.

The field where the cars and trucks were parked was packed. Fitting in more vehicles would have required chopping down trees.

At one point, the line of vehicles trying to get onto the White Otter grounds was backed up to the flashing light on Route 28.

The length of the lunch line was another good indicator. People wanting to buy chili, hot dogs, or soup stretched the length of clubhouse.

The Shoot Out concept is quite simple. Dealers take snowmobiles out of the box and see how fast they can get them to go. It's something like a drag race, only on snow.

Alas, there wasn't any snow on Friday. That didn't stop anything. Snowmobiles do quite well on grass and mud.

The announcer was calling out speeds in the high 90s. Some of the speeds were over 100 miles an hour. I don't think my truck goes that fast.

Then it was up to Old Forge on Saturday and Sunday for Snodeo, held annually in the George T. Hiltebrant Recreational Center at the end of North Street.

The center was packed. Even George T. Hiltebrant, former Town of Webb supervisor, was there. And he doesn't even snowmobile.

Snodeo is one stop shopping. Buy a snowmobile, get it insured, get it registered, get supplies, and buy stuff to wear.

While adults were buying, kids were out back racing on a small oval. They call it Kitty Kat racing. They start them young in snowmobiling.

In fact, it seems as if snowmobiling is becoming more and more of a family sport.

I was behind a booth at Shoot Out and Snodeo, handing out copies of Snowbelt, published by the Boonville Herald. Every year the conversations are about the same.

Take, for example, the conversation with a guy from New Jersey. He was at both Shoot Out and Snodeo.

"This is great," he said. "You're lucky to live up here."

I told him I agreed. I didn't tell him I wouldn't want to travel eight hours to get here like he did.

"Can you recommend a good place to eat?" he asked.

I give him three names. He also asked about cabin rentals. I gave him recommendations.

By the way, there were seven other people in his party, a total of four couples. They came north in three vehicles.

Food, lodging, gas, bar tabs. I did some mental calculations.

Say what you want about snowmobilers, just don't ever tell me they aren't good for the local economy.