(NOTE: You need to READ THIS for today's TGIF to make sense)

I'm thankful for the great experiences during my recent trip to Sweden.

I'm thankful the hotel in Farsnas didn't charge me extra for the bed sheet that got tangled in the track.

I'm thankful the guy was fumbling with his camera phone on my approach.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Dec. 20, 2013.

Click to read the official Team Arctic press release from last weekend's kickoff event to the 2013-2014 USXC cross-country season, the Gerald Dyrdahl Memorial 200 at Pine Lake.

You can demo ride several 2014 model year Arctic Cat snowmobiles this Dec. 27-29 in Hazelhurst, Wis.

Click for all the details.

Check out this cool video of Team Arctic/Christian Bros. Racing pro Zach Herfindahl on the first lap of the Pro 600 final at Pine Lake.

(At the 4:00 mark you can see the aftermath of Wes Selby's crash.)

All courtesy of Gary at SnoX365. And Zach, of course.

For decades, cross-country racers have gathered on Pine Lake near Clearbrook, Minn., for the first race season. It's where we learn which brands have done their homework in the off-season, and which drivers will emerge as the season's stars.

Judging from last weekend's Gerald Dyrdahl Memorial Pine Lake 200 by USXC, Team Arctic is blessed with another winning juggarnaut.

Click to read the story.

Merry Christmas from Arctic Cat!

It's winter in Thief River Falls (and most of the world, it seems), which I happily discovered during my trip to Arctic Cat this week.

Click to see what's going on at the home of the Cat.

I'm thankful the bitter cold that's enveloped the northland won't penetrate the comfort of my snowmobile cab.

I'm thankful that I can launch off this cornice in full confidence (and if an avalanche does occur, I'm safe inside my own snowmobile's biosphere).

I'm thankful that I can wear my wool suit and cap during this week's poker run.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.

Here's the video wrap of Tucker Hibbert's 2013 weekend in Bessemer, Mich., where the Monster-drinking, Hot Stuff Pizza-eating, start-jumping racer notched his 83rd and 84th national career Pro victories.

The victories keep coming for Team Arctic snocross racers. At the second stop of the National Tour, Team Arctic won 10 of 15 finals (with four podium sweeps and 22 of 45 possible podium positions).

Click to read what terrain domination REALLY means.

For the second week in a row, Tucker Hibbert won both Pro Open classes at an ISOC National snocross.

Click to read about his 83rd and 84th national wins.

Christian Brothers Racing raced through another successful weekend of National Snocross.

Check out their report from Bessemer, Mich.

Recently I enjoyed an afternoon in the Wanderscheid Race Shop, where World Champion P.J. Wanderscheid and his brothers Mark and Dave played host to World Champions Jim Dimmerman and Steve Thorsen.

It felt like World Champions' Day!

The conversation was about Champ 440, engine building and of course Eagle River.

Click to go a few laps with these champs.

I'm thankful that aftermarket companies are finally addressing the needs of snowmobilers who are constantly confronting barbed-wire fences while out chasing fox, coyotes and other critters.

I'm thankful I could easily mount this wire-cutter on the hood of my sled, with only a couple lag bolts.

I'm thankful I haven't come to a sudden stop and flopped onto the hood.

I'm no dummy... I'm thankful it's Friday, Dec. 6, 1971 2013.

Check out Tucker Hibbert's video compilation of his performance last weekend at the Duluth snocross opener.

You know the (outstanding) results for Team Arctic at the ISOC National opener in Duluth, Minn., this past weekend... now hear the rest of the story.

Click for the download.

Team Arctic has a lot to crow about after their performance at the ISOC Duluth opener this past weekend.

Click to read the team's press release.

After Tucker Hibbert pretty much destroyedthe field at Duluth this past weekend, here's the press release report from his Monster Energy/Arctic Cat crew.

Click to lap the field.

I'm thankful some companies are REALLY pushing the envelope when it comes to rider-forward.

I'm thankful we've FINALLY figured out how to solve the decades-old rift between skiers and snowmobilers.

I'm thankful for Ski-Dog.

And I'm thankful it's Friday, Nov. 29, 2013.

This one is pretty much a no-brainer, must-do opportunity.

And it's pretty simple: Every time Tucker Hibbert wins an ISOC Pro Open final this season, eight people will win a free gallon of Arctic Cat APV oil.

Click to read the slippery details.