Utah Snow Scoop - October 2014

OCT 2014 VOLUME 23, ISSUE 1

IN THIS ISSUE:

GSSA News - Page 5 Snowmobiling Access Issues - Page 10 Weller Recreation - Page 15

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

By Jeff Eddings

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ell here we are again and another summer has come and gone. We find that the evening brings us cooler air and the leaves are just starting to show their colors.

Now I don’t know about you, but my summer flew by and sometimes I just don’t know where the time goes. I still have projects that I would like to complete around the house before the snow starts to fall. And with the leaves beginning to fall, I guess the next big challenge will be to clean up that mess! I really despise raking leaves and cleaning up the mess they make. I will take shoveling snow any day.

The off-site function was a chuck wagon meal with western entertainment and dancing. The three day event concluded with the annual awards banquet and a wonderful meal.

Similar to last year, in April Jay Ombach and myself flew to Washington, D.C. to attend the annual American Council of Snowmobile Association’s (ACSA) Washington D.C. Fly-In. We attended two days of seminars and presentations where we bombarded by a wealth of information. It was also nice to talk to fellow snowmobilers from across the country and listen to their plights and successes! On the third day, we made our way to Capitol Hill where we meet with Utah’s elected officials. This year was a pleasant surprise as we actually got to meet with Senator Mike Lee along with Congressman Bishop and Matheson. We were able to express the concerns of Utah snowmobilers to them and left them with some great reading material as it relates to the positive aspects of snowmobiling in Utah and around the country.

July, August and September were quite months for snowmobiling related issues. However, we now turn our attention to the Intermountain Snowmobile Show that is fast approaching. This year’s show is on October 24th and 25th and is looking to be quite the celebration. SnoWest is celebrating 40 years of publication and is pulling out all the stops for this show. I am not going to let the cat out of the bag, but I honestly think you will need to make it down to the show to see what they have planned. Like in years past, USA will also be holding its silent auction fundraiser that always proves to be a good time by all. We will also be promoting I am going to put a personal plug in here for me; why you ask? Well our annual fundraiser at the show, which is quite different from simply because I am writing this and I can. In June, I retired from years past. I think everyone will want to get in on this one! Last the U.S. Air Force with 24 years of honorable and faithful service year we held smaller raffles that were given away at the end of the to the nation. My co-workers held a retirement ceremony in my show; this proved to be a huge success and we will be holding these honor at the Hill Aerospace Museum where my family and friends raffles again this year. The swap meet will again be held for two were able to attend. We followed that up by a celebration party at days outside under cover and protection from the elements. We the Rendezvous Lodge in Huntsville that following Saturday. Many had a good showing last year of individuals selling their unwanted of my family members from Upstate New York were in attendance, snowmobile parts and accessories and our hoping for an even as well as my co-workers and many of my snowmobiling friends bigger turnout this year. Please check out the SnoWest ad in this from the Golden Spike Snowmobile Association, as well as the article or visit: http://r95374.wix.com/intermountainshows for Utah Snowmobile Association. If I didn’t tell you in person, I just more information. wanted to say thank you for being able to celebrate this milestone in my life. It was an honor and a privilege to be able to serve you Well I better wrap this up because I am starting to get long winded. and to be a part of the greatest military in the world; if for just a Don’t want to upset the editor. Rest assured that USA is working hard to plan an exciting upcoming season. Hopefully Mother short time!

Nature will cooperate with us and bring us the snow totals we have But I digress…Also in June, USA was able to send quite a contin- been so deserving of. Please ensure to stop by the USA booth at gent to the International Snowmobile Congress that was held in the Snow Show and say hello and to check out www.snowut.com breathtaking Keystone, Colorado. The folks from the Colorado periodically throughout the year. Until next issue…

Snowmobile Association did a great job of hosting the event, which is no easy feat to pull off! There were multiple break-out sessions with a multitude of snowmobile related topics. State Associations and people alike brought many great things for the Silent Auction.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Curt Kennedy, Director - Public Lands

Jeffery Eddings, President 2645 East 7800 South South Weber, UT 84405 801-510-7791 president@snowut.com

302 South Maryfield Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84108 801-582-3882 ccklpk@gmail.com

Cal Taylor, Vice President

Stacey Eddings, Snow Scoop Coordinator and Awards/Charity

1236 South 1800 West Syracuse, UT 84075 801-882-8659 calandgena@gmail.com

2645 East 7800 South South Weber, UT 84405 801-510-7796 utahsnowscoop@yahoo.com

Russ Mangone, Secretary

Chris Haller, State Parks Representative

2260 West 4805 South Taylorsville, UT 84118 801-969-7335 slvsnow@gmail.com

Lisa Kowalewski, Treasurer

P.O. Box 146001 Salt Lake City, UT 84114 801-349-0487 chrishaller@utah.gov

1794 North 6250 East Eden, UT 84310 801-745-6138 treasurer@snowut.org

CLUB DIRECTORY

Jay Ombach, Executive Director 2159 North 550 West Layton, UT 84041 801-825-1164 jayo@beacon-metals.com

Golden Spike Snowmobile Association

Chalk Creek Riders Wes Blonquist, President P.O. Box 385 Coalville, UT 84017 435-336-4496 wesntrac@allwest.net

Salt Lake Valley Snowmobile Club Les Thompson, President 2760 N 1650 E Layton, UT 84040 801-771-8748 slvsnow@outlook.com

Davis County Snowflakes Shane Egan 686 N 275 E Kaysville, UT 84037 801-589-6401 eganauto.1@gmail.com

Wasatch Riders Ken Rossum, President 11461 Mountain Ridge Circle Sandy, UT 84092 801-572-4455 krrmi@msn.com

Jeffery Eddings, President 2645 East 7800 South South Weber, UT 84405 801-510-7791 president@snowut.com

USA BUSINESS MEMBERS Advanced RV 4615 W 3500 S West Valley City, UT 84120

Vernal Sports Center 2029 W Highway 40 Vernal, UT 84078

Plaza Cycle Motorsports 1379 W 3500 S Salt Lake City, UT 84119

Big Pine Sports P.O. Box 66 340 N Milburn Rd Fairview, UT 84629

Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort 15870 Country Road 162 Nathrop, CO 81236

R&M Lightning 1400 South Main Street Salt Lake City, UT 84115

www.advancedrv.net

www.bigpinesports.com

Dearden Equipment 125 S Main Street Fillmore, UT 84631

www.deardenequipment.com

www.beersharley.com

www.plazacycle.com

www.rmproducts.info

www.mtprinceton.com

Utah State Parks 1594 W North Temple STE 116 Salt Lake City, UT 84116

D&P Performance 110 E Center Street Cedar City, UT 84720

www.dandpperformance.net

www.stateparks.utah.gov

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Tri-City Performance 461 South Frontage Road Centerville, UT 84014 www.tricityperformance.com

Cutlers, Inc. 271 N State Street Orem, UT 84057

www.shopcutlers.com

South Valley Motorsports 11553 South State Street Draper, UT 84020

www.southvalleymotorsports.com

Pinedale Travel & Tourism 19 E Pine Street Pinedale, WY 82941 www.visitpinedale.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS GSSA NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 DIVAS SNOWGEAR ADDS LIFE-LONG BACKCOUNTRY EXPERT TO THE TEAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SALT LAKE VALLEY SNOWMOBILE CLUB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 UTAH AVALANCHE CENTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 USA BUSINESS MEMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SNOWMOBILING ACCESS ISSUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 WHO IS ACSA?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 IN MEMORY OF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 DOES MEMBERSHIP MATTER?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 WELLER RECREATION – THEN & NOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

DISCLAIMER USA is Utah’s advocate for snowmobiling!

As the voice of over 26,000 registered sled owners in Utah, the Snow Scoop is USA’s official publication.

All contents of the Utah Snow Scoop are copyrighted and may not be reprinted without permission.

Submitted articles and advertising do not necessarily represent the opinion of USA or the Utah Snow Scoop.

The Utah Snow Scoop is not liable for any claims by those not of the same opinion.

The Utah Snow Scoop welcomes articles, letters, pictures and advertisements.

Please submit all material in electronic format by the respective issue due dates to the Snow Scoop Coordinator.

Articles should be .doc files and advertisements should be .jpg, .tiff, .psd, .ai, or .pdf files.

ISSUE DEADLINE RELEASE DATE

November October 28 November 11 December November 25 December 9 Winter January 13 January 27 March February 24 March 10 The Utah Snow Scoop is owned and published by the Utah Snowmobile Association.

The Snow Scoop coordinator is Stacey Eddings. She may be reached at: Utah Snow Scoop 2645 East 7800 South South Weber, UT 84405 801-510-7796

utahsnowscoop@yahoo.com For current Snow Scoop advertising rates, please click here or visit http://www.snowut.com/

FIND THE SNOWFLAKE INSIDE THIS ISSUE AND YOU COULD WIN!

E-mail the location to utahsnowscoop@yahoo.com and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a Fly Racing Matte Black and Silver Kinetic Dash Helmet. Winner will be notified by e-mail and drawing to be held on October 27th

GSSA NEWS

Trout Farm in North Ogden. The weather turned out to be good and we had a nice barbeque where the club provided steaks to its membership. Some of us enjoyed playing horseshoes and catching up on summer activities, while others chose to take part in the fishing or trying to find their way through the corn maze!

by Jeff Eddings

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lthough a quite summer for the Golden Spike Snowmobile Association, we did wrap up last season in the beginning of May with our closing social at the Big Z restaurant in West Haven. We had a good showing from the membership and we all enjoyed a nice meal. Additionally, we were able to recognize two members of our club for their unwavering support of club functions over the years. Preston Hudman and Larry Hampton were presented with a small token of the club’s appreciation for all they have done over the years.

As always, the Golden Spike Snowmobile Association is looking for new members to join the club. Joining an organized club is an excellent way to support the sport you love and a great way to meet new and exciting people. There are many organizations that would love to see snowmobiling banished from the mountains and the areas we ride. These organizations are well funded and have countless members. Let’s not give these organizations the upper hand; join a snowmobile club today!

Some of the club members got back together again in late May to perform our annual “Adopt-a-Highway” clean-up of Trapper’s Loop. This year we decided to perform the clean-up in May rather than June due to it being so hot in years past. Our gamble paid off because the weather was comfortable and the grass wasn’t so tall as to make it difficult to see the litter. As all over the state, UDOT replaced our badly weathered “Adopt-a-Highway” sign with a much nicer, although smaller sign.

If you would like more information on the Golden Spike Snowmobile Association and/or how to become a member, please call me at 801-510-7791 or visit: www.ridegssa.org

On October 4th, we had our Opening Social at the Cold Springs

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DIVAS SNOWGEAR SALT LAKE VALLEY ADDS LIFE-LONG SNOWMOBILE CLUB

by Les Thompson BACKCOUNTRY EXPERT ow! It’s hard to believe summer is over and it’s October TO THE TEAM already, a great deal has happened with our club since

D

ivas SnowGear (DSG) is proud to announce the addition of Stephanie Schwartz to our Oregon, Wisconsin-based team! Stephanie hails from Revelstoke, British Columbia, where she has enjoyed a life-long backcountry riding career. Always an activist, she has worked to enlist more women riders by hosting countless riding clinics across the world. Stephanie is dedicated to the snowmobile industry and desires more women to experience the thrill of backcountry riding. This proves her to be a perfect fit at DSG.

A previous Ski-Doo Freeride Ambassador and pro-rider, Stephanie brings many years of experience to our team. She will be focusing her efforts towards the growth of the brand in Canada, captaining the DSG brand ambassador program, athlete sponsorship, and the future of the DSG technical outerwear line. “Stephanie is an unbelievably passionate and extremely skilled backcountry expert. She will not only help us grow the brand, but more importantly assist us in one of our main goals: growing the female rider population in what has always been a male dominated industry. It is important to us to continue providing the best outerwear that functions for all women, no matter their riding style. Stephanie will help us achieve that in the technical segment of the marketplace,” said Wendy Gavinski DSG Founder and President.

Schwartz said, “This amazing opportunity gives me the ability to do so much, including the fulfillment of a lifelong dream of being involved in designing women’s technical riding gear and I look forward to this exciting new challenge. Thank you DSG for this opportunity!”

Clip this coupon out and bring it to the USA booth at the 2014 Intermountain Snowmobile Show and receive 2 for 1 on all USA Raffles. No Limit!

NAME: EMAIL:

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last spring. At our spring party we elected new officers.

I’d like to thank all the past officers for all they have done. The new officers are full of great ideas and ways to better the club. I’m so excited for the upcoming season! We also started a club Facebook page, it’s full of pictures and articles. Check it out at Salt Lake Valley Snowmobile Club. We are working on a YouTube channel.

In August we had our annual Willow Creek Guard Station cleanup.

We slapped a fresh coat of paint on the old girl, she looks pretty spiffy now. After the cleanup, a couple of us did a little exploring on ATV’s. Wow how different it looks in the summer!

We also added a new member to our club, Lola Mei Hancock born to Ben and Lindsey Hancock Sept 15, 2014.

The weather man says we are in for a bumper crop of snow this season, I hope he’s right.

Come see us at the snow show.

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UTAH AVALANCHE CENTER

USA BUSINESS MEMBERS

by Craig Gordon

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olors are changing, the high peaks have been dusted by several late autumn storms, and we’re putting the final touches on a truly ground breaking avalanche video geared specifically for sledders. Of course, the Utah Snowmobile Association has always been on the forefront of avalanche education and this project is no different. Last season, with huge help from Curt Kennedy and USA, we spearheaded a brilliantly designed plan to create an avalanche video targeting high caliber riders and families alike.

We partnered with ISMA, Backcountry Access, Washington State Snowmobile Association, Idaho State Snowmobile Association, Western Chapter of Snowmobile Associations, and the American Council of Snowmobile Associations. We plan to launch the video at our annual Boondockers Movie Premiere slated for Thursday October 23rd at the Brewvies Theater in Salt Lake City. I invite you to join us for dinner and a movie… the pizza is generously supplied by USA. This year we are offering 6:30 and 8:30 shows.

More info can be found here: http://utahavalanchecenter.org/ events?date=2014-10.

by Jeff Eddings, President, USA

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he Utah Snowmobile Association always welcomes new members, especially business members. After all, it is the businesses that supply us with our snowmobiles, parts, accessories, clothing and anything else we need so we can go out and enjoy the sport of snowmobiling. Without the businesses behind us, we sure would have a rough go of it! The Utah Snowmobile Association appreciates all that our Business Members do for us and we would like to say “Thank You” for your continual support. Additionally, to express our gratitude we would like to extend the following special offer to any current business member or any new business member.

•• A business card size ad ran in the Snow Scoop for two months.

•• A banner ad displayed on www.snowut.com for two months.

•• To take advantage of this great offer, simply contact Stacey at Utahsnowscoop@yahoo.com or at 801-510-7796 for more details.

Here are some other dates to put in your calendar: •• November 1st- Seventh Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop at the South Towne Expo Center. More info can be found here: http://utahavalanchecenter.org/ event/2014-utah-snow-avalanche-workshop-open-session •• January 15th/17th and February 12th/14th- Avy Essentials and Riding Skills Class: Thursday indoor session followed by Saturday on-the-snow in the western Uinta’s.

Craig Gordon Utah Avalanche Center www.UtahAvalancheCenter.org

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SNOWMOBILING ACCESS ISSUES

by Curt Kennedy USA, Director – Public Lands

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inter Travel Planning – Probably the most important snowmobile access issue to ever confront the western rider is the mandate for winter travel planning resulting from the 2013 Judge’s decision to force the Forest Service to finalize a new rule by September 9, 2014. Winter Wildlands Alliance (“WWA”) sued the Forest Service over the exemption included in the 2005 Travel Management Rule that allowed for the exclusion of snowmobiling in rolling out a new travel management rule at that time. It is clear that WWA wants a designated route process overlaid onto the snowmobilers’ use of public lands, similar to what was undertaken for rubber-tired motorized recreation.

The Idaho State Snowmobile Association, American Council of Snowmobile Associations and the BlueRibbon Coalition filed an appeal to the Judge’s Decision (with the help of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association). However, throughout the course of this summer it is apparent this appeal will likely not be successful in retaining the exemption for winter travel planning. In the meantime, the Forest Service issued the proposed rule in June 2014 with the comment period closing on August 4, 2014. USA filed written comments in July generally supporting the proposed rule if the appeal is not successful. We knew that WWA would go ballistic over the proposed rule as not going far enough to totally curtail snowmobiling.

you can plan on trail riding through that favorite area, wishing you could get off the groomed trail into powder-filled drainages and high mountain terrain. This assumes we are even still granted such limited access, at all, when the dust settles on the process. USA will be involved in winter travel planning as it unfolds, but it is local participation that will make a difference on retaining the type of snowmobile access that we all truly love.

Wolf Creek Pass Plowing Issue – Back in February 2014, USA provided the Utah Department of Transportation (“UDOT”) an extensive position paper on why seven of the eight mountain passes included in a feasibility study should not be plowed during the winter. The primary focus was Wolf Creek Pass, but Monte Cristo and Mirror Lake Highway were also among the study routes. Late this summer, we were informed by UDOT that the feasibility study had been completed and they would not pursue plowing such passes this winter. Activism and credible input really does help!

Status of Recreational Trails Program Funding – USA has always followed the Recreational Trails Program (“RTP”) because it is a significant Federal funding source for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trails programs at the state level. A minor component of the overall Highway Transportation Bill, the RTP helps Utah State Parks and Recreation with our snowmobile program, not the least of which is assistance in obtaining grooming So, where do we go from here? The Forest Service appealed to the equipment. This is not a hand-out, since off-highway motorized Judge by contending there is no way a final rule would be available recreationists pay more in fuel taxes than they get back in related

by September 9th (obviously came and gone), mostly because of program funding. However, because the nation is using more fuel wading through the roughly 20,000 comments that were received efficient vehicles and driving less mileage, the gas tax on fuel conand a host of personnel shortage issues. They asked for another sumed is not keeping up with transportation project needs. In 224 days to actually finalize a rule. Even if the Judge only grants other words, the Highway Transportation Fund is broke! One half that amount it would still mean somewhat of a status quo for positive development was a letter sent in May 2014 signed by 24 Senators (Hatch and Lee were noticeably absent on the signature this coming winter. page), specifically supporting funding of RTP within any final This doesn’t mean we can sit back fat, dumb and happy! We need Highway Transportation Bill. Politicians were wrangling over what to prepare for a full court press in participating in winter travel to do about the September 30, 2014 expiration of funding for the planning at the most local level. A rule will get issued. Then, once overall Transportation Highway Bill and in their infinite wisdom the Forest Service determines what areas have not previously com- decided to kick the can down the road and approve a 10-month pleted enough planning effort dictated by a new rule, there will be a extension instead of a long-term fix. Stay tuned until next spring lengthy process to make that happen. It is more likely than not, that when this issue raises its ugly head the same way it has always been it will include your favorite riding area. If you do not get involved, for more than a decade.

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WHO IS ACSA?

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he American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) is a national organization that was formed to unite the snowmobile community. Because snowmobiling is enjoyed by millions of individuals across the United States, it was imperative that a strong national organization be formed. ACSA is that organization.

ACSA is your voice for snowmobiling on national issues. Many snowmobilers are mistaken when they think national issues have no impact on their snowmobiling. Across the United States there are thousands and thousands of miles of snowmobile trails on public and private lands. Will these lands remain open for snowmobiling in the future? Long term use of the lands is no longer certain. Only the unified voice of the entire snowmobile community will help to guarantee the continuation of our sport.

ACSA is committed to the future preservation of our sport. We cannot do this without the help and participation of all snowmobilers.

Assure the future of snowmobiling, become involved in ACSA today!

•• President Duane Sutton 38459 129th Street Aberdeen, SD 57401 (605) 216-0804 (605) 229-5860 Fax E-Mail: duanesutton@yahoo. com •• Vice President Bob Kirchner 167 Jackson Road St. Marys, PA 15857 (814) 834-3625 whynotbobk@yahoo.com

•• Secretary/Treasurer Judy King 24855 Hackberry Road Council Bluffs, IA 51502 (712) 566-9128 bjkingmn@gmail.com •• Past President Terry Durby 42792 160th Avenu Leland, Ia 50453 (641) 567-3090 tdurb@yahoo.com

•• Northeast Chapter Chair Gary Broderick 4466 Main Street Gasport, NY 14067-9321 (716) 807-7002 Gary.Broderick.1@Us.Af.Mil northeastchapter.wordpress. com •• Midwest Chapter Chair Joann Smith 1400 Chippewa Trail Mosinee, WI 50455 (715) 574-9315 joann@powersportsproduc tions.com

•• Western Chapter Chair Scott Herzog 519 29th Avenue, NE Great Falls, MT 59404 (406) 590-1458 lscottherzog@Gmail.Com sledwest.org •• ACSA Office Christine Jourdain, Executive Director 271 Woodland Pass, Suite 216 East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-4362 (517) 351-1363 Fax cajourdain@aol.com

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IN MEMORY OF The Salt Lake Valley Snowmobile Club has had a rough summer.

We have lost two great club members in Dave Fitzgerald and Skip Elliot.

These two men have been long time members of our club.

DAVID RAY FITZGERALD VERL ELLIOTT - “SKIP”

1956 - 2014

http://www.hulu.com/watch/695053 David Ray Fitzgerald was born September 24, 1956 with an engine between his ears. He lived life to its fullest and was always on the go. Loving the outdoors he did it all golf, motorcycles, snow skiing, water skiing, boating, jet skiing, world traveling, hang gliding, snowmobiling, camping, ATV’s, fly fishing, sky diving and scuba diving just to name a few. His latest passion was getting his Sport Pilot License and building his own Zenith STOL 750 aircraft. David passed away in a tragic accident on August 5, 2014 along with a close friend in the Idaho wilderness during a tour of backcountry airstrips.

A successful businessman David was President and CEO of Thriller Manufacturing established in 1987.

“Fitz” was #32 for 32 seasons. Racing took him all over this country into Canada even as far as South Africa three times where he represented team USA. He had multiple wins and championships.

He was USAC’s 1985 & 1986 Utah Super Modified Champion.

In 1986 driving Red Powell’s “Hyder Hawk” he won the USAC Western States Super Modified Championship.

He was preceded in death by his father Donald Ray Fitzgerald. He leaves behind his wife and adventure partner Peggy Fitzgerald, children Donald (Amber) Fitzgerald, Candice ( Jeremiah) Bates, Angela (Paige) Harker, 6 grandchildren Kayle and Tyler Fitzgerald, Christian and Savannah Bates, Seth and Aubree Harker. mother Darline Fitzgerald Taylor, sisters Cherrie Ketchum, Rhonda (Craig) Painter and Jody Taylor. Along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

No goodbyes only fond memories. A celebration of David’s life will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at The Grove located on the U of U Campus at 110 South Fort Douglas Boulevard Salt Lake City, UT from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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1950 - 2014

Skip Elliott was born on September 11, 1950. He left us to rope with his dad on September 4, 2014.

He was extremely active, being a 40 year member of the Salt Lake County Sheriff ’s Posse, USWRCA, 35 year member of the National Pony Express Reride Association, IDOS (Dutch oven), bowling, and Salt Lake Valley Snowmobile Association. He loved to demonstrate and teach for Camp Chef and Log Cabin Grub. He lived for the month of October, his yearly retreat to Heaven where he loved to hunt. He loved to fish year round as well. His Church was outdoors at the top of a mountain. Long time employee of Danco Steel (24 years), his crane will forever be “kissed” by Skip.

He is survived by Audrey (wife), Rachel (daughter), Colby and Brooke (grandchildren), Etta, Connee, and Sondofer (sisters), extended family, and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and sister.

A celebration of life will be held in Skip’s honor September 11, 2014 at Salt Lake County Equestrian Park 2100 West 11400 South, South Jordan, Utah 84095 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Private family funeral to be held at Elysian Burial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in Skip’s honor to America First Credit Union.

These two men will be greatly missed by all who knew them and especially by the Salt Lake Valley Snowmobile club and the snowmobile community in general.

Rest in peace Dave and Skip

DOES MEMBERSHIP MATTER?

by Ken Rossum

Did you ever wonder why being a member of any organization is important?

Webster’s Dictionary defines a “Member” as “A distinct part of a whole” and “One of the individuals belonging to a group”. As snowmobilers we are a distinct group, we are all a part of the whole.

Membership in an organization becomes a unified voice in the direction of that distinct group. If there is no voice our group does not make its concerns and opinions known. The recreational decisions that we will live by are made by someone else. That someone else seldom has our interests at heart. If fact, as we have seen in recent years, our future snowmobile recreational pursuits are being set by individuals and groups that don’t care if they ever see another snowmobile!

The Utah Snowmobile Association represents all the registered snowmobile owners in Utah. This volunteer organization spends countless hours representing all snowmobilers.

Meetings are attended with Forest Service Rangers and Managers, in an effort for these officials to keep us in the loop of concerns that they have. Forest Planning Projects are regularly attended to make sure that our snowmobiling input is heard. We work hard at providing comments on land issues that allow snowmobilers to continue recreating on public land.

Many that I have talked with about becoming Utah Snowmobile Association members have stated that “they don’t care to ride in large Groups”, “they don’t want to belong to a club”, they don’t care just to ride the trails” and “they don’t want to baby sit a group novice inexperienced riders”. These comments and others don’t represent the true picture of USA. You do not have to be a member of a club to be involved with and support USA. The snow season is rapidly approaching. As we prepare for riding the greatest snow on earth, think about this; it makes no difference if we pull our $1000 or $11,000 sled with a $1000 or $50,000 pickup, on a $500 or in $10,000 trailer, there are those organizations and groups out there that could care less. Their objective is to close public lands to motorized recreation one way or another. Any land closure is a victory for them and a loss of riding area to us.

The Intermountain Snowmobile Show will be in a few short days. I encourage you to stop by the Utah Snowmobile Association booth and consider being a part of an organization that works hard in snowmobiler’s behalf.

Help by keeping USA aware of local situations that will affect snowmobiling. Also, we look for input from all snowmobilers to keep snowmobiling a great and viable sport in Utah After all you are a distinct individual which is a part of the group.

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WELLER RECREATION – THEN & NOW

F

rom time to time the Snow Scoop will feature articles on a successful business that truly supports snowmobiling. Let’s take a closer look at one of those businesses that is in the heart of snowmobile country. Weller Recreation, formerly Weller Repair, was started in 1962 by Jared Weller. It is nestled in the mountain valley of Kamas located at the foothills in the small town of Marion. In its infancy, it was a farm implement and vehicle repair shop. The area economy was dairy and ranching enterprises which made for busy summers and very slow winters. In 1969, trying to increase winter business, Weller Recreation became a Ski-Doo dealer and thus began a lifelong passion for the recreation vehicle business. In 1983, trying to diversify their product offerings, they added Polaris and Yamaha to the business portfolio which provided even more focus into the recreation vehicle business. Up to this point the mainstay for the business was snowmobiles in the winter and motorcycles in the summer. However, with the introduction of three-wheelers and subsequently four-wheelers the recreation vehicle business became a viable year around enterprise. The innovation of new products and the demand for recreation vehicles increased at the same time the Kamas Valley was changing from a farming economy to a more recreation and destination oriented area. Consequently, Weller Recreation also had to change its focus and the natural business strategy pointed to recreation vehicles.

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Weller Recreation has always been a family oriented business and in 1996 it formally passed from the first to second generation. With this transition came the need to make a decision about how and where to grow. In 1998, the decision was made to buy property in Kamas City to begin the process of getting into a new location and facility. The process of zoning, planning, designing a structure and construction of the new facility took much longer than anticipated, but at last after 52 years in the same location and building, the transition to a new facility was completed this summer. The excitement of a new building is only overshadowed by the excitement of all the new products in the recreational vehicle industry.

Truly, there has never been a time where the products available to consumers are more exciting and fun! With a new facility comes a greater opportunity to get to know more people and customers.

In talking with the Weller family you will always hear their greatest asset is not their business but their customers and the lifelong friends they have become. Drop by and see their new facility at 936 W. 200 S. SR248 in Kamas. You will be impressed with the friendly environment and real hometown hospitality!

Utah Snowmobile Association Represents ALL Snowmobilers in Utah by: •• Maintaining & expanding trailheads •• Working to protect land access •• Improving trail marking & grooming •• Lobbying for positive legislation •• Distributing critical information •• Sponsoring the Annual Snow Show •• Assisting in education/safety •• Working with land administrators •• Assisting in search & rescue •• Maintaining website www.snowut.com Membership Includes:

WHY ADVERTISE IN THE SNOW SCOOP? According to the latest economic data, total annual expenditures resulting from snowmobiling in Utah exceed $60 million.

Join online at www.snowut.com

Please send application and check to: Utah Snowmobile Association, 1794 N 6250 E, Eden, UT 84310

Email

Zip City State

Address

Name Phone

$75 Business

$30 Family

$10 Student (<25)

utahsnowscoop@yahoo.com 801.510.7796

BECAUSE IT’S PROFITABLE!

•• Free AD&D Life Insurance •• Six Issues of the “Snow Scoop” E-Newsletter •• Membership Card program enrollment •• “Members Only” access to the website •• Updates on critical Issues •• Club Information/Contacts

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Our readers: •• Are 87% male, with a median age of 45.

•• Have an average annual household income exceeding $100,000!

•• Spend over $6,000 per person annually on snowmobiling!

•• Average 14 trips per season!

•• Our latest survey shows: •• 100% of respondents read every issue of the Snow Scoop!

•• Snow Scoop in-home time averages 75 days!

•• Over 80% of our readers own other OHV’s/recreation equipment!

Our online presence: •• 96% of our readers have high speed internet and shop online!

•• 25% of our site visits are from our membership!

•• 75% of our site visits are by those who may not have seen your ad!

Plan now to capture your share of snowmobile dollars!

Advertise in the Utah Snow Scoop!

Call Stacey at 801.510.7796 to reserve your space today!

•• 2014 Intermountain Snowmobile Show is scheduled to be held on Friday, October 24th from 3-9 and Saturday, October 25th from 9-6 at the Salt Lake County Events Center. The Events Center is located at 10800 South 2200 West, South Jordan, UT 84095.

$20 Individual

UPCOMING EVENTS

Look to this section for future announcements..

JOIN THE UTAH SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION!

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ANNOUNCEMENTS