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HomeFeaturesFirst Snow & Ride of 2010-11

First Snow & Ride of 2010-11

First snow

Magic hit the midsection of Minnesota over the weekend. Eight to 12 inches of snow, accumulating at a rate of one-inch-per-hour during the day.

Blowing and snowing

We awoke to wet, heavy snow coming down in monstrous flakes, and that quickly coated the trees, roofs and uncovered grill on our deck.

The most beautiful grill in the world

As it happens every time snow falls, but particularly the first real blast of the season, electricity filled the air. The kids couldn’t eat breakfast fast enough so they could put on the snow gear and head outside. Dang…all that stuff was still packed away because it was 50 degrees the day before! The pandemonium of finding gear, putting it on and heading outside only added to the joy.

One running Arctic Cat brings the neighbor kids over in a hurry

Less than 10 minutes of snowballs and running around was prelude, and then the snowmobiles were started. I-kid-you-not, my son Calvin actually said, “Dad, I love the smell of snowmobiles running.”

Attaboy!

Cal ripping along on the Arctic Cat Z 440 Sno Pro

Lots of laps around the yard and in the farm field across the way. Four other neighbors had the same idea. The sound of snowmobiles and snow blower echoed through the neighborhood.

So familiar. So good to hear.

Cal moving up to the Arctic Cat Sno Pro 500 (and still ripping).

The day turned to night in what seemed like a split-second. Boots drying over heat vents…the clothes dryer running strong (but sounding like it was full of nuts/bolts because of the zippers on jackets and snow pants banging all-around)…and tired bodies from all the play.

Suspension packed with snow on the Arctic Cat Sno Pro...looking good!

Later in the evening I went outside to button-up before bedtime, and I could hear the acceleration of snowmobiles WAY off in the distance.

Again, so good to hear.

Previous obligations all day on Sunday meant no outside playing. It was SO difficult not to cancel plans and just stay home to play.

Looking at tracks from the living room window

Monday we awoke to the first sunshine in three days, and from our living room window I see the evidence of Saturday’s playtime.

So good to see.

Driving around in my truck a bit today and looking around, the smile on my face spread further.

The smallest ponds had a skiff of ice over their surface, the first of the season.

Every talking head on the radio was commenting about the storm that blew into town, wondering aloud if it was a harbinger of cold, snowy winter.

And tracks! Everywhere there were tracks. From deer working their regular routes, from pheasants looking to scratch some corn from plowed fields, from kids running through yards, and from other snowmobilers who had traveled around yards, in fields and along road ditches, no doubt as giddy as my family at the prospect of riding in mid-November.

After-school ride for Cal

And when Cal got home from school today, he rode another hundred laps around the yard.

So good to see, and hear.

The snow that fell here over the weekend might not last until the real cold arrives. And another single 12-in. snowfall might not happen this winter.

But I’ve already tasted this snow. And I’m staring at the next four of my favorite months of the year, and I like what I see!

Here, winter has already announced itself in all its glory. Soon it will do the same where you live. I hope your first snow of the season is as magical as mine.

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21 COMMENTS

  1. Looks like a great day. I can see you have the answer to a question I have had for a year. You have a 500SP and a 440SP. Are you happy with the power output of the 500?. I have a 99 and a 2001 440 SP. I also have a wife and 2 young kids. I always thought my next Sno Pro would be a 600 but the 500 with fuel and oil injection would also suit my wife and kids, will it be enough for me? I also want something that can tolerate extreme conditions and 87 octane gas.

  2. BL: I’m completely satisfied with the power output of the Sno Pro 500. For trail and ditch running, it’s fantastic. And as you mention, compared to the 600, I’ll take oil injection, 87 octane fuel and batteryless EFI over the extra hp ANY day. The only condition I wish it had more power is bushwacking/breaking trail and/or lake running in fresh snow. BTW, my son is 9 1/2 years old and rides it just fine (and is now claiming it as “his” sled rather than the Z 440).

  3. Sweet pics! My kids were chomping at the bit, too. It was hard to tell them that I’m still working on the sleds…..Man, I’m way behind on my preseason maintenance… One sled tore apart and the other waiting in the wings for the same treatment…Some custom anodizing, clutch work and diamond drive fluid change…Should be wrapped up by next week….Let it snow!
    Hey, nice graphics on the SP500! Is it now a tax write off of some sort? : )

  4. John, USCC Junior 10-13, 2 perfectly legit sleds already in the garage, and it sounds like somebody has a 10th birthday coming up. I’m just saying….

  5. Mike: Believe me…I’ve been thinking about him racing for a couple years. Think Pat would notice if I fudged the kid’s age on the entry form? June birthday.

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