I'm thankful for everyone who voted for me in the Miss Snow Bunny pageant.

I'm thankful for chocolate eggs, jelly beans and those weird, sponge-like marshmallow things.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, April 18, 2014.

Happy Easter Weekend!

I was at Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls recently, where I saw a bunch of interesting stuff, including a demonstration on fabricating an exhaust from engineer Greg Spaulding.

Click to see this and some of the other people and things happening at Arctic Cat on this trip.

Yep, that's my 2014 Arctic Cat ZR6000 El Tigre going up in smoke on what might be its last ride of 2014.

With friends like mine, who needs enemies?

It happened last week on Minnesota's C.J. Ramstad North Shore snowmobile trail.

Click to read about the mayhem.

I'm thankful we've finally engineered an elegant solution to the pesky problem posed by those damned barbed-wire fences.

I'm thankful that Ted was the test rider chosen to prove the concept during next week's board meeting, rather than me.

I'm thankful that we seldom have to lift the hood on these modern snowmobiles.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, April 11, 2014.

It's April, with all the usual indications: returning birds, snow melt, emerging (and greening) grass, etc...

But it's still riding season for Arctic Cat snowmobile engineers.

And it was still winter in Minnesota this past week when I visited the crew.

Alex Fortune is an Arctic Cat rider (and Wildcat racer) with a penchant for performance.

A few weeks ago he purchased a new 2014 Arctic Cat XF 7000 Limited from his dealer, then logged 600 miles during the few remaining days of winter snow.

Click to read his thoughtful observations on the new machine.

I'm thankful for the strange tension that occurs between Igor and me whenever we go for a ride on the motor toboggan.

I'm thankful that my children's children will enjoy the added pleasure of handlebars and risers.

I'm thankful that adding a quarter-inch of toe out has eliminated the worst of the darting.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, April 4, 2014.

Welcome to the evolved site!

The previous owner let the domain name lapse, allowing a new group of like-minded Polaris riders to swoop in and dominate the internet terrain like never before.

Stay tuned in the coming days for great stories that highlight everything and everyone involved with the star of the north. 

We hope you enjoy all the new content. We hope you continue to ride the most dominant snowmobiles, ATVs and side-by-sides ever created.

UPDATED: Whew, I worked out a deal with Danica Patrick, got my domain back from GoDaddy and, when the clock strikes Midnight, will be back in business!

Thanks for not abandoning me everyone, I know I can count on (most of) you when things get tough and the AXYS of Evil is bearing down on me. 

Look for more great ARCTIC stuff soon (I'm in TRF for the next couple of days so it will be quiet here until I'm back).

-John

I'm thankful the Marketing folks backed off on their original plan to use bricks instead of plywood.

I'm thankful the Engineering folks coughed up a few extra front bumpers for the sled.

I'm thankful the Lawyers will eventually wake up and put an end to this nonsense.

And I'm thankful that it's Friday, March 28, 2014.

Back in January, three friends and I commenced on a two-day, 423-mile ride from Arctic Cat's St. Cloud, Minn., engine facility, to its headquarters in Thief River Falls.

It involved bitter cold temps, Paul Bunyan, crazy amounts of snow, Nimrod, candy cigarettes and four Arctic Cat ZR 6000 El Tigre snowmobiles.

We dubbed it "Honor the Engine Ride Odyssey" or HERO, to commemorate the new Arctic Cat 6000 Series 600 C-TEC2 engine with DSI.

Here's our story.

I'm thankful that dormant grass means I have more time to work on my inventions.

I'm thankful that some of us still believe that snowmobiles will one day again roll out of Horicon, Wis.

I'm thankful the term "ditch pickle" is reserved for that other brand.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, March 21, 2014.

I'm thankful the Andersons share our passion for snowmobiling, fine art and humanities.

I'm thankful the wonderful tenor could hit the same notes as our trusty Johnson Skee Horse.

I'm thankful for the endless opportunities afforded by a snowmobile and cutter.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, March 14, 2014

Is the new 2015 Arctic Cat ZR 4000RR an excellent consumer sled or a race replacement for the Sno Pro 500?

Yes.

Click to read the details.

I’m feeling a lot of love for the new 2015 Arctic Cat ZR 4000 models, and I know I’m not the only one.

If I were to put the two machines in human terms, I’d say each is like a first-love: the kind of gal who you might later say goodbye to because you’re smitten with something a little more exotic.

Click to read why.

I'm thankful for long days in the saddle on well-groomed trails.

I'm thankful for the 173-in. track, mountain-version that's coming in 2015.

I'm thankful that nobody can beat my fuel mileage or oil consumption.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Feb. 28, 2014.

Want to see the new 2015 Arctic Cat snowmobiles in person?

Start by heading over to your local dealer, who likely has three on display (and perhaps for demo-ing).

You could also hit one of five shows where nearly all models will be on display.

Click for some show-and-tell.

I'm thankful for the wind-in-the-hair freedom I feel when I drive my snowmobile.

I'm thankful for the thrill of ditch-banging.

I'm thankful the X-tra tall windshield option allows my to drive in short sleeves.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Feb. 21, 2014.

The wraps are OFF of the 2015 Arctic Cat snowmobiles.

Click for the top-10 things to know about the newest model lineup... sort of the Cliff's Notes version.

The 2014 Snowmobile Hall of Fame weekend in St. Germain, Wis., offered great people, stories, snowmobiling, history and blown corners.

Click to see some of the highlights.

I'm thankful for that feeling I get when I look into your eyes.

I'm thankful for this excellent parking space next to the pool.

I'm thankful we're going to ride the wunder wheels off this thing.

And I'm thankful for this very special Friday Valentine's Day in 2014.