Submitted by Swan Valley Snowmobile Club

Snowmobile enthusiasts gathered at the Westwood Inn in Swan River on Saturday, February 28, bringing out their vintage sleds for the Swan Valley Snowmobile Club’s annual Vintage Snowmobile Ride.

Attendees were treated to a close-up look at some of the finest vintage snowmobiles, with 26 riders taking part in the event. The ride started at the Westwood Inn to the W shelter and back. Despite the cold temperatures, there was no wind and club members arrived early to get the fire going in the shelter, so it was nice and warm when the riders arrived.

Participants enjoyed hot dogs provided by Benito Premium Meats, along with buns, donuts, and hot chocolate supplied by Swan River’s Qwik Stop. While the colourful vintage sleds didn’t roar into the shelter, riders made their way in steadily with back up sleds carrying extra oil, fuel, tools and tow ropes following behind, just in case.

Registration started at 9:30am with a 50/50 raffle, and dozens of prize packages (all so gratefully donated) that could be won. Registration was $20 that included your lunch and the chance to win back 30% and 20% per cent of the total registration fee.

The annual ride is just one of the ways the Swan Valley Snowmobile Club brings riders together while supporting the local trail system. With hundreds of kilometres of trails to maintain and groom, this event continues to be a highlight for the club and vintage sled enthusiasts. For many, it’s less about the speed and getting to the destination and more about enjoying the ride, the camaraderie, and keeping a piece of snowmobiling history alive.