West Yellowstone sits with a backdrop of natural skyscraper's stretching to touch Montana's Big Sky, each March this sleepy little town awakens just like her famous geysers for the World Snowmobile Expo which now features The Western States Vintage Snowmobile Association's Vintage Snowmobile Round-up.
For 21 years, countless snowmobile enthusiasts have flocked to West Yellowstone's World Expo to catch a glimpse of exciting new industry products. And now for the past 8 years, sled heads of all ages have also had the chance to relive the rich history of snowmobiling by experiencing an incredible display of Vintage and Antique sleds at this fantastic annual event.
The 2011 WSVSA Round-up brought out an unbelievable field of sleds that showcased 1976 as the featured year. Rupp's, Doo's, Cat's, Dog's, Deere's, and even some Polaris' vied for the chance at winning the prestigious title of featured year but in the end, an 'ol Arctic Cat racer ran off with the 2011 hardware!!
Over 80 sleds gathered at the main snowmobile trailhead out of town on a picture perfect day for a show. Participants from 7 Western states were on hand to assemble what many deemed as our "Best West production ever"!!
There was 5 feet of snow in town which had every hotel room booked wall to wall with snowmobiler's. The streets were best served to be traveled by sleds so as you cruzed thru town you would see vintage sleds buzzing around just as you would see the modern sleds. That was just too cool!
As the show day awakened, countless snowmobiles traveled past the show site to and from town. Many would stop in to experience the history of snowmobiling for the first time. We without question had our highest public attendance in history with the abounding snowmobilers' in town for Expo and riding. West is a non-judged event with all awards being tabulated by people's choice balloting. And thanks to the efforts from Alysia Downs, and the kids from Big Brothers and Big Sisters, we had over 1,200 votes being collected from a huge crowd taking in the show!!
Every sled in attendance was worthy of awards but as we all know; only a few can take home the top accolades for the day....
Best of Show went to Clayton and Joyce Busch from Stanford Our 2011 People's Choice winner was Debbie Ginder Montana with their 1969 Ski Doo Everest and Ski-Boose! out of Twin Falls, Idaho with her fantastic 1968 Luger! (Looger)
New for West 2011 was the WSVSA "Sled of the Year" award! The "Sled of the Year" is presented with a new traveling trophy which they keep until the next years round-up. Each sled in the running had been qualified over the previous year by winning at a participating WSVSA Member Club event. The field for the inaugural sled of the year trophy was made up of 14 immaculate machines!!
In a true nail-biter, Clayton and Joyce Busch won the first ever WSVSA Sled of the Year with their military version of a 1960 Sno-Traveler!! Watch for this sled to show at countless Western Shows including the exciting VSCA National coming to Billings in July!!!
Other great activities over the weekend included a raffle of a '80 Scorpion 440 TK to benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of West Yellowstone, an awesome parade lap in front of the MWR Sno-Cross grandstands, plus a fabulous Saturday evening banquet at the Day's Inn which provided some great food, fun, and prizes.
The Scorpion TK was won by Cindy Berglind from Belgrade, Montana and with the proceeds from this and other activities; WSVSA was able to donate $1,000 to BBBS. Nice!!
Special thanks go out to our event sponsors which include Bucky's Outdoors, Engineered Graphics, VSCA Magazine, our membership clubs, and of course all who participated!
We also need to recognize Paul, Mary, and Curtis Tate along with Tony Crnkovich and Gary and Charlene Cvecich for their contributions which made this year's West Yellowstone Vintage Snowmobile Round-up a huge success.
Log onto www.wsvsa.com or more on West and to keep up on all the Western Vintage news including the 6th VSCA National!!
