With the amount of snow so far this year, snowmobilers have been able to ride more than the last two years combined and not only am I happy for those on sleds, but for the local businesses they support. I can relate to these people that love to put as many miles on as they can, but I believe the ones that truly love snowmobiling are missing out by not taking a half a day by visiting the snowmobile museums up here.

Before Monica and I moved to the Northwoods, we have been coming to Land O Lakes for close to 30 years and we have drove passed the two snowmobile museums many times. Every time we would pass one, we would say, “we need to go there” but never did until last year. Let me tell you, I’m disappointed we didn’t visit these museums’ years ago, because it brought back GOOD and BAD memories for me. Keep reading for more on the good and bad.

My first snowmobile was a 1968 SKI-DOO. I don’t remember where I got it, but I would ride it around fields near my house and at the time I don’t know if it was legal, but I rode it to and all over the nearest forest preserve. Guess what? There was a 1968 SKI-DOO at the museum in Eagle River. Then when I started snowmobiling in the Northwoods (mid 70s) I had 1973 ARCTIC CAT PANTHER. Guess what? Yep, there was one of them there too. Both of those sleds are now considered an antique snowmobile.

ANTIQUE vs VINTAGE, WHAT IS THE DIFFERANCE? There are some that will say, any snowmobile over 25 years old is vintage. If that was the case, a 2001 sled would be considered VINTAGE. I might be wrong, but I believe 1992 or earlier snowmobiles are considered VINTAGE and before 1968 snowmobiles are ANTIQUES.

Would younger snowmobilers find snowmobile museums interesting? Or how the museums are preserving the history of snowmobiling? How about world champions or the sleds they rode? Think they would find the derby hall of fame engaging? Probably not, but if they were true snowmobile enthusiast, they would enjoy seeing snowmobiles that won Oval Races, Hill Climbing, Drag Strip and Cross-Country championships. I strongly suggest taking a few hours and check out these museums.

WORLD SNOWMOBILE HEARQUARTER MUSEUM 1521 N Railroad St. in Eagle River. Open Tuesdays – Saturdays 10am to 4pm
Next to the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DERBY COMPLEX. (RACES STARTED TODAY (1/15/2026 to 1/18/2026)

SNOWMOBILE HALL OF FAME MUSEUM 1246 Sled World Blvd in St Germain. Open Thursdays 10am to 5pm & Saturday 10am to 3 pm

Now about the good and bad memories I mentioned above. The BAD memories? The old sleds didn’t turn well, had terrible suspension, limited HP, were not warm to ride and not that reliable. You have to consider back in the 1970s there wasn’t as many snowmobile trails, and they were not groomed like they are today. With these BAD memories, what was the GOOD ones?

Even though I felt beat up after a day of riding, I still enjoyed being on my snowmobiles for hours back then and seeing the same sleds sitting in the museum (much nicer shape than mine) brought back memories and put a smile on my face. I have to say, the smell of the old 2 stroke snowmobile and even the old outboard motor exhaust is aromatherapy to me.