ISHOF Inductees - 2022
Jason Howell - Inventor, Designer & Manufacturer
West Yellowstone, Montana
Jason Howell
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Jason started riding snowmobiles at a young age. His parents bought a Kitty Cat for him and his brother and they would ride for hours every night after school. This would mark the beginning of his passion for snowmobiling. The Howell Family started an Arctic Cat/Yamaha dealership and the first snowmobile rental facility in the 1970’s in West Yellowstone. He attended college at Montana Tech in Butte, Montana where he graduated with an engineering degree. Upon graduation he started working for the State of Montana Department of Administration as a Supervising Engineer. Eventually his passion for snowmobiling called him back to West Yellowstone to manage the Yellowstone Park sled rentals and the family’s dealership. Jason’s involvement with Arctic Cat grew well beyond the dealership. With his input, Arctic Cat soon realized they were headed down the wrong path with their mountain sled development. In 1997 Jason was hired by Arctic Cat as their engineering team manager to head up the new mountain sled division. He convinced Arctic Cat to build a research and testing facility in the West Yellowstone area and Jason began recruiting his team of engineers. The result of those efforts became the M series (mountain) division. In 2008, Jason left Arctic Cat to come back to West Yellowstone to assist in the daily operation of the family snowmobile business. His mechanics and guiding certifications proved to be a good fit for the dealership and rental business. Jason became involved in other aspects of the snowmobile industry. In 2012, he began his service as the Vice President of the Montana Snowmobile Association (MSA) which continued for four years. He then served as President of MSA from 2016 to 2021. The Howell Family played an instrumental role in keeping Yellowstone Park open to snowmobiling. Jason learned from the best. His father, Bill Howell, was also inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in 1991. Jason is involved in many other snowmobile related organizations. He is active in the Montana Trails Coalition, serves on the advisory committee for the State of Montana’s Snowmobile Program, is a member of the Gallatin County Search and Rescue as well as serving on the West Yellowstone Grooming Association. He attends the International Snowmobile Congress each year and is active in the American Council of Snowmobile Associations. Jason is very deserving of induction into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Class of 2022.
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Ed Klim - Inventor, Designer & Manufacturer
Haslett, Michigan
Ed Klim
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With his strong background in Economics and Communications, Ed Klim honed his skills being involved with a Chamber of Commerce, worked in the RV Industry and served in the US Army. He then took on a whole new challenge in 1995 when he became President of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA). A role like this was unprecedented. For the first time, all four snowmobile manufacturers worked together as a united group (ISMA) to develop programs keying on snowmobile safety and promoting the snowmobile industry worldwide. Ed was the catalyst the snowmobile manufacturers relied on to set the programs in motion to shed a more positive light on the sport of snowmobiling and to improve its image. Ed soon realized that snowmobiling was a huge economic generator for many rural areas throughout the snow belt. However, there were many negative myths about snowmobiling that needed to be dispelled regarding snowmobile safety, noise and emissions. Ed addressed these head-on by developing a Snowmobiling Fact Book. The fact book is updated annually with a circulation of over a half a million in printed and digital copy. This was just the beginning of programs promoting the snowmobile industry in a more positive manner. Programs also include Safe Riders, Emissions and Sound Standards, Clean Snowmobile Challenge, ISMA Land Access Grants, Family Friendly ISMA Photo Shoots, Take a Friend Snowmobiling and most recently Take the Pledge. These programs became well known and accepted by a wide audience from manufacturers, dealers and snowmobile riders to perhaps most importantly, the media. ISMA developed these programs under the watchful guidance and promotion done by Ed Klim and several sub-committees directing the Public Relations and Public Affairs programs. He took the lead with Yellowstone National Park to make sure the Park was kept open to snowmobiles. This was a major undertaking working with all manufacturers, lobbyists, media, user groups and local leaders to provide legal assistance and letter writing campaigns for many years to find a solution to keep snowmobiling active in Yellowstone. He visited legislators regularly in Washington D.C. armed with Snowmobiling Fact Books to “tell the truth about snowmobiling” on behalf of manufacturers and snowmobilers throughout the entire U.S. It is for all of this and his tireless dedication and enthusiastic communication skills that make Ed Klim a most deserving candidate for induction into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Class of 2022.
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David Low - Volunteer & Club Organizer, Adventurer & Explorer
Wayland, Michigan
David Low
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While running his Citizen Band (CB) Radio sales and service business in the 1970’s a customer suggested a barter of a new CB radio for his Scorpion snowmobile. David knew nothing about snowmobiles at the time but after a single ride that all changed. He was hooked and his passion for all things snowmobile related began. Soon David became a shining example of what a Volunteer and Club Organizer was all about. David became involved in his local snowmobile club, served on several committees and was elected to positions on local and state levels. Before long, David distinguished himself as one of the most dedicated snowmobilers the Michigan Snowmobile Association (MSA) has ever known. He served as President of MSA and worked to increase the participation of the Grant Sponsors Program by coordinating Groomer Workshops to provide training and education in all aspects of the program. David can be counted on as the first guy to put his hand up when there is a call for help. He never says no. David loves snowmobiling and all his efforts were soon recognized with a multitude of accolades and awards. David was presented with the MSA President’s award in 2008 and 2015. He was MSA’s Snowmobiler of the Year in 2009. In 2019, David received the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) Snowmobiler of the Year Award. David Low can, without question, be considered an Explorer and Adventurer. As an example of David’s snowmobile travels, he has participated in every MSA Ride-In since he became a member. David is also a longtime and active member of the MichCanSka International Snowmobile Club. In 2010 David (along with 11 other members) set out and completed a 4000-mile (about 6437.38 km) snowmobile adventure encompassing five states and five Canadian provinces and the Yukon Territory. In 2015, (again with the MichCanSka Club) he completed the World Tour Ride of more than 4400 air-miles and another 4080 miles (about 6566.12 km) on snowmobiles through 12 time zones which included Michigan, Ontario, Norway, Finland and Russia. In 2019 he participated in MichCanSka’s Western Ride through Yellowstone, Idaho and Montana. All these adventures were done as fundraising events for Juvenile Diabetes Research helping to raise more than $160,000 for that Foundation. David Low can easily be considered a true ambassador to all snowmobilers literally around the world. For that, David is most deserving of his induction into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Class of 2022.
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Craig Nicholson - Publisher & Journalist
Toronto, Ontario
Craig Nicholson
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Popularly known as “The Intrepid Snowmobiler”, Craig Nicholson is a print, radio and TV journalist, social media influencer and communications consultant specializing in motorized recreational activities, especially snowmobiling. Craig has been a high mileage touring snowmobiler for many years, logging tens of thousands of kilometers on the snow across Canada and the U.S. His one-of-a-kind book, Canada’s Best Snowmobiling - The Ultimate Ride Guide chronicles many of his adventures. During his distinguished career, Craig’s been touring editor for Supertrax International, North America’s largest circulation snowmobile magazine, and prior to that for Snow Goer Canada Magazine. He has also served as editor for the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club’s Go Snowmobiling Ontario Magazine. Craig’s touring and tips articles also appeared in a variety of other snowmobiling publications such as SnowTech, Michigan Snowmobiler, Motoneige Quebec, as well as many mainstream newspapers and magazines. His syndicated Intrepid Snowmobiler on Radio feature aired on many stations in Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan, while Craig also had a regular presence on Snowmobiler Television for many years. Craig is well known both within and outside of the snowmobile community through this substantial media exposure, including his strong social media presence. Craig is a consummate professional journalist whose exciting, intriguing snowmobile travel features and stories promoted snowmobile tourism far and wide. His ability to tell readers what it’s like to ride in literally hundreds of different destinations is second to none. In various volunteer roles, Craig furthered responsible use, developing and participating in many snowmobile safety and environment initiatives through the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations, where he also volunteered as Communications Chair. Since the 1980’s, Craig has been an influential and passionate advocate for, and defender of, both organized snowmobiling and the snowmobile industry, while also reaching out to promote snowmobiling to the general public. His support and contributions, both as a journalist and a volunteer, have made the snowmobile community stronger and healthier. It is this service and commitment to snowmobiling that lands Craig Nicholson squarely among the inductees in the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Class of 2022.
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ISHOF Snowmobile Club of the Year 2022 - Sponsored by Woody's
Supported by the Midwest Chapter, American Council of Snowmobile Associations &
The International Snowmobile Council
Rome Sno-Bandits
Rome, Wisconsin
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The Rome Sno-Bandits always have fun in everything they do, no matter if they are working on trails or enjoying a club ride. They are a small town community-based club that supports the local businesses and the surrounding area. Located in northern Adams County, the Sno-Bandits are dedicated to providing the finest trails for recreational family snowmobiling in their area. The Rome Sno-Bandits started in the late 1960’s when about eight couples from the Rome area decided to form a club. As the sport grew so did the Sno-Bandits. Today, they are 200 members strong and together they maintain 35 miles of snowmobile trails. They have two grooming units to keep the trails in tip-top shape. The Sno-Bandits host a club ride each Wednesday and Saturday. They also plan an annual club trip to various locations in northern Wisconsin. The Sno-Bandits are continually active year-round. After every May and October meeting, members participate in the Wisconsin DOT Adopt-A-Highway program by picking up trash along Highway 13. Every November they have their annual trail brushing, signing and chili dump. Starting early in the morning members will split up in groups to brush and place signs on their trail system. By mid-afternoon they meet back at the groomer shed to enjoy the chili and conduct their November meeting. Every December the Sno-Bandits participate in the “Christmas in Rome” event where trees are decorated throughout the town, hayrides are offered and kids young and old are greeted by a visit from Santa. During Father’s Day weekend (since 2001) they hold their Classic Car, Motorcycle and Snowmobile Show, considered the club’s largest fundraiser. It is this club’s devotion to the small town of Rome and surrounding area that makes it our pleasure to designate the Rome Sno-Bandits as the International Snowmobile Club of the Year for 2022.
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ISHOF Dealer of the Year 2022 - sponsored by Snow Goer
Supported by the Midwest Chapter, American Council of Snowmobile Associations &
The International Snowmobile Council
Track Side
Eagle River, Wisconsin
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A snowmobile dealership named Track Side can hardly be known by any other name when considering its geographic location - only a few hundred feet from the Start/Finish line of the famed World Championship Derby Track. Under new management in 2018 with owner Chris Petreikis, Track Side is committed to being involved in organized snowmobiling. Although always vigilant of the racing history and the obvious “Win on Sunday...Sell on Monday” mentality, Track Side has always devoted significant support toward the local clubs and the trail system in Vilas and surrounding counties as well as Upper Michigan. Without hesitation, Track Side participates in the yearly “Groom to Ride” fundraising raffle. They donate the grand prize snowmobile, provide their showroom area for tickets sales and host the drawing. The proceeds earned during this raffle support three clubs grooming efforts nearest to Eagle River. A major sponsor on the state and national level, Track Side has played a key role sponsoring VIP Rides and sleds for State Legislators, DNR, Tourism personnel and snowmobile clubs throughout Wisconsin. Track Side has donated most of their rental fleet in support of the Military Appreciation Ride held annually the Monday after Derby Week. All snowmobile clubs responsible for maintaining trails in or near Vilas County can count on Track Side for fundraising merchandise and sponsorship help with trail expenses. A dealership this committed to organized snowmobiling makes Track Side a deserving choice for the 2022 International Snowmobile Dealer of the Year.
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