Hunter's Story (In the Words of His Mom and Dad)

At the Wednesday funeral service for his son Hunter, Steve Houle shared with a packed church his family's thoughts and story about Hunter's life.

Click to read parents’ words about their son.

See You Later, Hunter

Click to read about the Hunter Houle that I see.

Visitation and Funeral Information for Hunter Houle

Last Friday, while getting his sled and himself ready for this weekend’s USXC race on Pine Lake in Gonvick, Minn., 18-year-old Hunter Houle suffered a crash on his snowmobile and died a short time later.

For friends and acquaintances that want to celebrate his life and share their love with Hunter’s brothers Lucas, Jeremy and Larry, sister Jenna, his dad Steve and his mom Charlene, there will be a visitation on Tuesday, Jan. 10 from 4-8pm at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Forest Lake, Minn.

As well, Hunter’s funeral is from 10-11am on Wed., Jan. 11, also at Hosanna (9300 Scandia Trail N, Forest Lake, MN 55025).

I have some thoughts I’m going to share about Hunter here on ArcticInsider, but I’m not ready yet.

A Day at Skime Ranch

This past week I was part of a group that spent a day at Skime Ranch, the nearly 4,000-acre cattle farm in Skime, Minn. (yes, seriously) owned by Arctic Cat legend Roger Skime and his wife Bernice.

It was a day of watching Roger be Roger. It was perfect.

Click to see a few pix from the day.

Hello 2017!

Oh man, 2017 started out better than I could imagine, with a 140 mile snowmobile ride on Minnesota's North Shore State Trail with friends.

Either this is going to be the best year ever, or it's all downhill from here?

Regardless, winter is alive and well in Minnesota's arrowhead region. Click to see for yourself.

Q&A with Team Arctic's Zach Herfindahl

Since he burst onto the cross-country scene a handful of years ago, Zach Herfindahl of Eagle River, Wis., has been a veritable juggernaut of speed and success, notching wins at most venues and claiming multiple USXC championship titles along the way.

At the ripe old age of...(wait for it)...20, Zach heads into the 2017 season poised for continued success. This year he paused his college career in order to concentrate on racing full-time. He’s fitter, smarter and presumably faster than ever.

I chatted with the reigning Pro Stock champ about the season, his new Arctic Cat ZR 6000R XC race sled and what he eats for dinner with housemate Logan Christian.

Click to read the interview.

TGIF: The Dec. 30, 2016

I'm thankful for the outstanding riding experiences of the past year.

I'm thankful we've made it through the detours, trail closures and rough patches.

I'm thankful we can still hang onto the handlebars while going WFO into the new year.

And I'm thankful it's the last Friday of 2016.

Two-for-Two: Tucker Hibbert's Race Recap from ISOC Colorado National

I've been diggin' the engine audio on this year's race recap vid's from Tucker Hibbert. Here's the latest edit from his dominating performance at the ISOC National in Winter Park, Colorado, last week.

SPEED Pro-Level High Back Seat Kit from Arctic Cat

Spend much time riding a Wildcat 1000/X? From a comfort standpoint, a pair of High Back seats are probably the most impactful upgrad.

Click to read about the new, premium cockpit items from the new Arctic Cat SPEED line of accessories.

NOHRSC Snow Depth Report for Dec. 27, 2016

Rideable snow within a trailerable distance for most of us. Pretty good for this time of year.

Click HERE for the NOAA site to get every kind of snow depth info you might need.

May You and Yours Have a Genuinely Meaningful Christmas

Wishing you a genuinely meaningful and peaceful Christmas.

God bless.

Rolling with the Big Dogs

This past Tuesday our gang of regulars made VERY last minute plans for a day's ride in southeast Minnesota, where snow depth reports suggested there was just enough white stuff for decent riding.

112 miles, one buried 850 and two disgusting roller-dogs later, I'm here to confirm the reports were correct.

Click to see the evidence.

8 of 19 for Team Arctic at Colorado ISOC Snocross

With 8 wins out of 19 classes, Team Arctic snocross racers left little doubt which brand was the best at the second stop of the ISOC National tour, held in Winter Park, Colorado.

Click for a list of the winners, as well as some quotes from Tucker Hibbert (who crushed it by winning both Pro Open finals in Colorado).

Custom Arctic Cat Wildcat X Build from KICKER/SSV

Check out the sweet custom Arctic Cat Wildcat X build from KICKER/SSV Works featuring their Stage 1 Audio Package.

A 1/4-Mile Tail Stand That Makes Bobby Flame Jealous

This is pretty amazing, and something that Bobby Flame could only dream of.

First Tracks of the Season

Glorious fresh-fallen snow, sunshine, brand new snowmobiles...

...plus chisel-plowed fields, fear and white-painted bowling balls littering the ditches.

What's not to love about setting the first tracks of the season?

Sled Prep: Before I Even Click Off One Mile

"Before I even clicked off a mile, I (_____fill_in_the_blank____) to my sled," are words that live in infamy with a group of my snowmobile friends.

But as much as we joke about it, there actually are a few things I do to a new sled before I take that first ride.

And with enough snow on the ground here in the Twin Cities area, here are some pix of the process before I take my first ride this afternoon.

2017 Line of Tucker Hibbert Merchandise

Just in time for the gifting season, Tucker Hibbert just released his 2017 line of merchandise, giving fans (and dogs) a chance to wear and use some sweet gear.

From Hoodies to T-shirts and onesies (that Otis dog LOVES to wear) to hats, beanies, coffee mugs and more, there's something for every fan.

Click for some cool pix and info on how to stock up.

Stunning: Flight 365 Photo Annual is Available to Order

If you're a fan of snowmobile racing and appreciate stunning photography that captures the action and the actors, then this year's Flight 365 Photo Annual is truly a must-have.

The third volume book is at the printer and will be available in time for Christmas. For Arctic Cat fans in particular, there are major features on Zach Herfindahl and Dale Lindbeck, as well as the sport in general.

It's large format 13 x 10 x 1-in. and only $10!

This is one of those books you love, keep, and then keep loving for decades.

Click for more info. Or click the photo above to order one.

Product Spotlight: ProVantage Winch Kit & Wireless Remote

Got an ATV or side-by-side? Then you either already have a winch, or you will within 24 hours of the first time you need one.

The newest ProVantage Winch Kit and accessory Wireless Remote from Arctic Cat are exactly the kind of saviors you'd expect them to be.

Click to see what I'm talking about.