August 2008 | Welcome to the SnoRiders eNewsletter
Snowmobiling is so much more than a popular pastime. In North America, it is an economic powerhouse—and we've got the figures to prove it. In this month's cover story, Ed Klim of the International Snowmobile Manufacturer's Association talks about the growth of the sport as well as ideas about the upcoming season. We profiled some cool new products on the market and upcoming events that you'll want to know about. Also, sprinkled throughout this newsletter are some favourite articles from our sister site, www.RidersWestMag.com.

SnoRidersWest.com

INSIDE THE INDUSTRY Snowmobiling on the rise Today, travel and tourism in North America is a $2 trillion dollar business and accounts for millions of jobs and generates billions of dollars in state and federal tax revenues. A quick look at the snowmobile numbers supports our claim as an important part of the economic engine of North America.

BLUERIBBON COALITION UPDATE Yellowstone opening ahead As sledders enjoy the last days of summer in anticipation of a bountiful fall, it is appropriate to review the winter use management status for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. INSIDE THE INDUSTRY » BARRHEAD, ALBERTA Standing out A small-town shop wins 2008 Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations Outstanding Snowmobile Dealership award. QUAD RIDERS ATVing across Africa After getting married, most couples spend their honeymoon in some exotic location sipping margueritas and bathing in the sun. But not Josh and Anna Hogan—they’re a different breed. After getting married on May 18, 2007, the adventurous newlyweds went to Africa for an eight-month ATV trip. MX RIDER PROFILE » WILLIAMS LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA Brock Hoyer: Mr. Consistency Brock Hoyer was born and raised in Williams Lake, B.C., and has spent many hours perfecting his riding skills at the local track and in the surrounding hills TALES AND TRAILS » FORT STEELE, BRITISH COLUMBIA My kind of paradise Living at the base of the Rocky Mountains has its advantages. Within minutes, I can access some of the region’s most beautiful and rugged terrain. Advertisement The Super Snowbug At SnoRiders, we love hearing from our readers. Recently, we received an e-mail from Robert Parent—who is the proud owner of a 1968 Super Snowbug. MONO REAR SUSPENSION Enjoy the ride Nextech, a manufacturer of carbon fibre snowmobile performance products, has introduced its new single air shock rear suspension system to the marketplace. ABS AVALANCHE AIRBAG Stay on top Equipped with an airbag that, when deployed, fills with 150 litres of a nitrogen/air mixture, this device helps the wearer stay afloat in the event of an avalanche. ATVING » CROWSNEST PASS, ALBERTA New beginnings Some would argue that you can’t write about ATVing until you’ve gone ATVing. I counter that by saying that I can and I have, but it wasn’t until I finally got a chance to go out on a machine that I felt qualified to do it with enthusiasm. ATVING » WOODRIDGE, MANITOBA Down and derby On the weekend of May 24 and 25, 2008, Sharand ATV Adventures attended the ATV Derby in Woodridge MB. My husband and I camped at the Wagon Wheels Campground along with members of the ATV Pathfinders. September 6 & 7, 2008 | RED DEER, ALBERTA Canadian Off-Road Expo Check out cool truck, ATV, motorcycle and snowmobile parts and accessories as well as a rock crawl event and an ATV competition. September 6 & 7, 2008 | FOREST LAKE, MINNESOTA Hay Days Grass Drags Organized by the Sno Barons Snowmobile Club, Hay Days is a fun event that continues to grow each year. September 13 & 14, 2008 | STONEWALL, MANITOBA Ultimate Canadian Grass Drags & Quad Mud Bogs Enjoy snowmobile grass drags, quad bog drags, a swap meet and camping. September 26 - 28, 2008 | ANCHORAGE, ALASKA Alaska Winter Recreation & Travel Show From ATVs and snowmobiles to tropical vacations and winter destinations, the Alaska Winter Recreation & Travel Show is loaded with thrilling features and valuable information. September 26 - 28, 2008 | FAIRBANKS, ALASKA Winter Trade Show This show features snowmobiles, ATVs and snowplows, plus information on car care, winterization, boiler tune-ups, heating fuel, home care and travel ideas. See you next month! Remember, this newsletter is designed to keep you informed about the latest in riding machines of all kinds. If you enjoyed it, invite a friend to subscribe! If for any reason you ever wish to unsubscribe (and we hope you never do) just reply to this e-mail with unsubscribe in the subject line. Thanks to you, SnoRiders and RidersWest are pleased to be Western Canada's leading riding magazines and website publisher. —Keith Powell, SnoRiders publisher Suite 100, 100 - 7th Ave. S., Cranbrook, B.C. V1C 2J4 To help us fulfill your request to receive information from SnoRidersWest.com via e-mail, please add distribution@kpimedia.com to your Address Book or Safe List.

• Lake Okanagan resort, come play at the lake www.lakeokanagan.com PRINCE GEORGE, BC School’s out During their spring break, Lucas Souliotis and Kyler Wilkinson, who are both 13 years old, were having fun challenging each other’s riding skills while snowmobiling near Bobtail Mountain last season. —photo by Mike Souliotis Click here to view all hotshots and/or submit your photo. Win a snowmobile adventure Come ride with the staff of SnoRiders West magazine, publishers of western Canada's leading snowmobile magazine. Enjoy a day of sledding and relax in the comfort of a night at Cranbrook's Rocky Mountain Prestige Inn. Plus enjoy a guided tour of the College of the Rockies campus in Cranbrook. Old Sled Q&A blog We at SnoRiders West receive many enquiries about vintage snowmobiles. Here are the most recent questions and answers. We invite you to post your snowmobile-related ad on our RiderClassifieds. Or check out the listings. Click here for details.