Archive for the 'Events' Category

March 10th, 2010 Update

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on March 10, 2010
in Antique Snowmobiles, Events, Grooming Reports, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Riding is now limited though for us die-hards we have two choices. Run the lakes, rivers, etc. north of the Iron Range with limited trail times between them… Crane, Namakan, Kabetogama, etc.  Or the Vermilion waters skips… Or.

Head just north of Two Harbors, take the North-shore trail to the Tomahawk trail, to the Yukon trail and circle back to Two Harbors for an approximate 150 mile run. There are various smaller trails to explore off these trails as well. Fuel can be had at the Tressel Inn, the Knotted Pine, and in Finland area.

Then after you’re done riding head to the Iron Range for dining and entertainment. This Saturday we have PUCK Days downtown Eveleth during the day with an Antique, Vintage and Exotic snowmobile show on the main street. Headlining the show will be the BOSS CAT III (just confirmed yesterday) on of Arctic cat’s three speed machine of the early 70’s- truly a one-of-a-kind snowmobile.

PUCK DAYS March 13, 2010- Eveleth, MN

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on March 8, 2010
in Antique Snowmobiles, Events, Grooming Reports, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

Many of us have not had our fill of winter or the extraordinary machines that helped create a great winter recreation or as one might look at it… a vacation all winter long.

PUCK Days, March 12-13, 2010 downtown Eveleth, MN. Come enjoy watching or participating in a parade of Antique, Vintage and Unique snowmobiles. Word has it one the legendary “BOSS Cats” from the 70’s will be here.  Shown here is the BOSS Cat II driven by Dale Cormican and Charlie Lofton… two Arctic cat’s heroes from the late 60’s and early 70’s.BOSS CAT II

Late January Report… Yeahooo

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on January 26, 2010
in Events, Grooming Reports, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 3 Comments

It is January 26th fellow sledders… and a fresh load of nice thick snow has blanketed the Iron Range. Depending on where you stand/ride we received 5-6-7- even 10″ of wonderful snow so sledding is on as we’re now in full swing. Rest assured our groomers have taken to “ALL” the trails and they’ll smooth a path for you like no other.

We’re also in that time of year where daylight keeps gaining ground and the temps become more and more manageable so come visit us… ride, dine, dance… and laugh… we’ll be waiting.

Ride safe, ride right (to the right side of the trail)
Regards,
David K.
BLADE Snowmobiles

Its 2010 Sledders…

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on January 3, 2010
in Antique Snowmobiles, Events, Grooming Reports, Hot Spots, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions, Uncategorized and Video Podcast
. 2 Comments

Just the other day on 12/31/09 my oldest daughter (11)  tipped me off on a Dahlai moment… his words were … “if you have a problem and know there is a solution- why worry, and if you have a problem and know there is no solution- why worry”.  I think I am going to take her advice and run with that one as a resolution for 2010… kids ehh.

With the Dahlai moment in mind we have been wishing for more snow to get things rolling… well that didn’t stop me this weekend- its was cold, and snow conditions varied but the groomers were out doing what they can to make it better for all of us.  Granted some trails could have more snow to work with but the trails are ridable and if you start here on the Range you can ride in any direction as far as you like.  Ok there’s a bump, lump, slump here or there but modern marvels take care of most of these little disorders.

Ride safe…ride right (to the right)

Come snowmobile the Iron Range and take in our hospitality,

Happy New Year

David K.

BLADE Snowmobiles

1st weekend of deer hunting behind us now, so…

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on November 8, 2009
in Antique Snowmobiles, Events, Grooming Reports, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling and Trail Conditions
. 8 Comments

…so lets start preparing for an action packed season of snowmobiling.  As a teaser we’ve had snow and lost it several times now though fully expected that this time of year…  unfortunately we don’t seem to have winter 7 months out of the year here though I am thankful signs of greater precipitation are on the way.

In my last note to you I mentioned about “Guide” services coming on line this season…  I am getting more and more enthused about this service as the ground works being laid so you’ll be able to navigate on this site and book your good times ahead.  That said we will need a little more prep time before launch so please bear with us for bit longer.  Just an FYI, it looks like we’ll be able to lock in a full-day, extended days, and even over-night if needed.   With over 2000 miles of groomed trails just in St Louis County we”ll need more than a few days to cover just a portion or two..

So, again… lets move out of the reactionary mode and get our equipment prepped and ready to roll… and plan some long weekends trips up north.

See you soon,

David Karpik,

BLADE snowmobiles

Actual “Guiding” coming on line this season…

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on October 20, 2009
in Antique Snowmobiles, Events, Grooming Reports, Hot Spots, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Spring Snow, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 9 Comments

There has been numerous calls and inquiries surrounding “guide” services to explore the northern Minnesota region.  To many of us we just take it for granted that everyone else knows the trails, lakes, rivers, short-cuts, etc… but that’s because we’re so used to riding from our back door to explore.

I know the past two season I’ve tried to guide you on conditions and such, especially those late season opportunities like we’ve enjoyed the last couple of years… but it seems there’s need for so much more.  So, I have been speaking with a number well seasoned snowmobilers from the area about providing such daily and overnight “Guide” services and I’m pleased to report I think we can get this done.   Shortly we will be firming up plans and tuning this website so those of you looking to get the most from  your well deserved winter outing can make plans.

I am excited about this… so please stay tuned we hope to be back with more details in about 7-10 days.

Regards,
David K.
BLADE Snowmobiles

Now this is talent!

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on September 30, 2009
in Antique Snowmobiles, Events, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Trail Conditions, Uncategorized and Video Podcast
. 0 Comments

Check out this Danny Macaskil video - this is sheer joy to watch. No its not snowmobiling but thought some of you would appreciate  skill and grace.

Enjoy
dk

A warm-up to winter 2010

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on September 21, 2009
in Antique Snowmobiles, Events, Grooming Reports, Hot Spots, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Trail Conditions and Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

I really don’t know if anyone has tagged this site lately, if so, my apologies for being absent… been off dirt biking, alpine sliding, pulling my kids knee-boarding, bicycling, hiking, pontooning, power-boating, sailing, etc.

However, if you are getting a little excited for snowmobiling and no outlet in reach you may try living vicariously through the likes of Edgar Hetteen (Arctic cat and Polaris), Richard Harris (Scorpion), the Plaisted Expedition (north pole), and others at the MN Discovery Center (Ironworld) located in Chisholm, MN. They have a display of their early equipment, sleds, video, etc and you learn about the birthing of snowmobiling right on up to modern day sleds- including the very first (serial No. 001) production BLADE snowmobile- hey… I have to fire a few shots across the bow now and then.

In fact, coming up is the foremost authority on the history of Rotax engines, and very likely Ski-doo snowmobiles, Phil Mickelson, he will be enlightening us all at 6PM, this Thursday (9/24), and Phil will have on hand some rare engines for our viewing pleasure. I’ve known Phil for a long time and HE knows his stuff- hope to see you there.

So for now… go.. be well, and think lots and lots of snow. Ciao
David K.
BLADE SnowmobilesPlaisted Expedition display

12″ of new snow!

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on April 1, 2009
in Events, Grooming Reports, Spring Snow and Trail Conditions
. 2 Comments

Just a quick blog to let you know the Range got 12″ of new snow between Tuesday morning and this morning (Wednesday).

No update on the trails from the DNR just yet, maybe tomorrow…Regardless, I think I’ve still got a ride or two left in me.

Reminder, the WSA HillCross is at Giants Ridge this weekend.  Season pass holders get in FREE, while there’s a really reasonable charge for two-day admission tickets.

Winter ain’t over ’til it’s over! 6-10″ expected on the Iron Range.

Published
by
Dave Karpik
on March 30, 2009
in Contest, Events, Grooming Reports, Hot Spots, Snowmobile Events, Snowmobling, Spring Snow and Trail Conditions
. 0 Comments

Looks like I was right after all…I knew it wasn’t my last ride of the season!

In April ‘08 , we got dumped on with a ton of snow and it looks like ‘09 will be no exception.  Six to 10″ of snow is expected to hit the Iron Range tonight and tomorrow!

I expect to see some sledheads (myself included) out on the trails in the next few days.  Let me know if you are planning one last “hurrah” on the Iron Range trails, too.

Don’t forget about the WSA Hill Cross at Giants Ridge this coming weekend, too!  Giants Ridge season pass holders get in FREE! For everyone else, there’s great two-day admission rates, too.  Click here for details.

Now, let it snow!