The International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) headquartered in Bovey, Minnesota, will be celebrating its 20th annual induction ceremony on February 28th, 2009. ISHOF was founded to promote and preserve the historical aspects of snowmobiling. The vision of the charter ISHOF Board, Elmer Cone, Les Ollila, Clem Lehrer, Rich Beckner and Paul Vanderlinde, was to recognize achievements of individuals in all aspects of snowmobiling that have been instrumental in the development of snowmobiling to the level it now enjoys.

ISHOF’s recognition categories include inventors/designers, explorers/adventurers, trail and program developers, journalists/historians, promoters and volunteer and club organizers. Over the past 19 years, of the 75 individuals have been inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame for their contributions to snowmobiling, 40 of those individuals were recognized for their volunteerism, without whom snowmobiling would not have achieved the organizational level it has attained.

This year is no exception for recognition of volunteers instrumental in the development of the sport. Inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame will be Jeff Mausolf of Duluth, Minnesota, Bruno Andreini of Dallas Center, Iowa, and Prairie Women on Snowmobiles of Wadena, Saskatchewan. Mausolf has held many positions in local, state, national and international snowmobile associations, including three terms as president of MnUSA. He is the snowmobile expert on past unsuccessful litigation initiated by anti-snowmobile groups to oust snowmobiling from the Voyaguers National Park, and served on the Citizens Council for the Voyaguers National Park to protect snowmobiling interests in the Park. He has been deeply involved in trail development, trail access and legislative issues for many years.

Andreini has also held positions in many levels of snowmobile associations, including president of the Iowa State Snowmobile Association (ISSA). He is the founder of the national Snowmobilers Protecting Our Recreational Trails (SPORT) program to raise funds to fight trail closures, and as legislative chair and co-chair of the emergency funding committee for the ISSA, has successfully worked over several years to have funds raided from the Iowa Snowmobile Account restored. Three years ago Andreini resurrected the annual ISSA ride for Spina Bifida, raising funds for the charity and taking children stricken with the disease snowmobiling.

The Prairie Women on Snowmobiles club was formed by an avid snowmobiler and breast cancer survivor and her friend. Each year since 2001 they have organized a core group of riders for the Ride for Breast Cancer to raise money for cancer research. Their group enlists these riders to cover about 1800km over 8 days and invites people join in and ride along the way. In eight years Prairie Women on Snowmobiles have raised over $1 million for Breast Cancer Research and the publicity opportunities along the ride give voice to cancer issues and awareness.

The ISHOF ceremony on Saturday, February 28th at the Timberlake Lodge, culminates an entire week recognizing snowmobiling in Grand Rapids, MN. An old snowmobile expo will be held at Grand Rapids’ Central Mall during the week and Friday and Saturday (Feb. 27 &28) will bring the Minnesota’s largest hands-on groomer demonstration to the Grand Rapids Airport Terminal. Friday evening a reception will be held at the Timberlake Lodge recognizing landowners and snowmobile volunteers and awarding David Carmichael of Tripoli, IA, as Arctic Cat’s 10th Annual International Groomer Operator of the Year. Saturday morning will bring a trail ride with the “Legends” of snowmobiling.

Events are open to the general public. For more information, dinner reservations, contributions or silent auction donations, contact ISHOF at 218-245-1725 or visit www.ishof.com.

Please visit the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame’s venue at the World Snowmobile Headquarters located on Hwy 45 in Eagle River, Wisconsin.

The Saturday evening Banquet and Award Ceremony will start at 6:00 p.m. Please RSVP for this event by contacting ISHOF at (218)245-1725, (218) 245-2313, or EMail:admin@ishof.com
Contributions may be mailed to

ISHOF
25929 Co Rd 59
Bovey, Minnesota 55709.