Recent blizzard is snowmobilers' delight

When Mother Nature makes snow, the Sno-Masters Snowmobile Club makes trails — 110 miles of groomed trails in Rock County.
And last week’s 15 to 20 inches of snow created excitement among local snowmobile enthusiasts.
“I can say this is the first year the ditches have been this full in my 13 years running the groomer,” said Greg VandeVelde, Sno-Masters Club leader.
“This is by far the most snow we’ve had in a long time.”
That’s why he spent most of Saturday grooming the trails so local riders could enjoy them.
Club member Dave Severtson also helped with some trail grooming over the weekend.
“This is the best snow base we’ve seen in the last four or five years,” he said.
Single-digit temperatures kept some snowmobilers from hitting the trails over the weekend, but Severtson said they’ll have plenty of time to ride on them.
“It should be good for the rest of the season,” he said.
He and VandeVelde urged riders to register their machines and join the Sno-Masters Club to support their efforts.
“Minnesota Snowmobiling [through the DNR] funds all state trails, so the money that is spent on registrations, joining a club and joining the state club MNUSA … all that money is dispersed to all the clubs in Minnesota,” VandeVelde said.
The SnoMasters Club gets $24,000 per year (based on trail miles) and it’s used for fuel expense, trail maintenance, equipment and most recently the clubhouse in Luverne that was finished in 2019.
“All these things cost money, that’s why it’s imperative that people join their local clubs and pay their dues,” VandeVelde said.
“We have 35 active members, and I know there are way more snowmobilers out there using the trails. … That’s OK, but if you live in Rock County and own a snowmobile, you should think about joining the Sno-Masters.”
He can be reached at 507-920-5189 for information about the club and how to join.
The Sno-Masters Facebook provides updates on trail conditions and special events, like the upcoming Butch Connell memorial ride.