Snowmobilers show off some of their vintage and homemade machines. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Battlefords Trail Breakers Snowmobile Club

Vintage snowmobile rally a highlight of Provincial Snowmobile Festival

Feb 24, 2024 | 6:00 PM

There was lots of rumbling and roaring Saturday as snowmobile enthusiasts came out with their vintage machines for a fun rally in the RM of North Battleford.

The event was part of the 2024 Provincial Snowmobile Festival , that’s being hosted by the Battlefords Trail Breakers Snowmobile Club, with the events taking place at the Kramer Auctions site, just outside of North Battleford.

Over 100 vintage sleds were taking part, including one dating back to the early 1960s, in the fun rally Saturday.

Greg Nyholt was out with his Ski-Doo and Evinrude Rotary 45 that were both built in 1974.

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He said it’s hard to still get parts for the Rotary 45, so it’s a challenge to maintain it but he has managed to keep it working.

Nyholt noted he is enjoying the snowmobile festival activities.

“It’s great for the community,” he said. “It’s awesome, and we’re fortunate to have the snow here this year.”

Dale Charabin wore his vintage snowmobile suit, and was taking part with his Panther machine bought in 1975, and his bright yellow Hus-Ski that dates back to 1965.

Dale recalled he and his dad purchased the Panther for only $1,400.

“It’s just one of those things; you just keep it around,” he said. “I bought the suit in 1975 too.”

“We used to ride [these snowmobiles] when we were kids, so it’s part of our history,” he added. “That’s why I like them.”

As one of the founders of the Battlefords Trail Breakers club, Dale thanked the local farmers for allowing the snowmobilers to go across their land to access the skidoo trails.

Jamie Coté built his own snowmobile seven years ago that was in the rally.

“It’s for ice fishing and pulling the kids around, and for this [festival] – to have fun,” he said. “There were a few months [involved in making it]; there was some trial and error for sure.”

Coté made his own machine because he wanted to have something unique.

“We’re always building hotrods and stuff [that are] unique, so it was something I imagined,” he added. “Probably since I built it, it’s got over 1,000 kilometres on it. I call it the Fish-Ski, it’s a play on every other name.”

Club President Eric Charabin was thrilled to have so many old sleds participating in the roughly 50 km ride on the local trails.

The festival has about 240 people registered, which the club is excited about.

“It’s good,” Eric said. “And we’re sold out. It’s good to see.”

There’ll be a full house for the banquet, awards announcements and dance Saturday night.

People came from across Saskatchewan to attend the provincial festival, from as far away as Yorkton, Hudson Bay, Regina, and Prince Albert, including a large contingency from Kelvington who are hosting the event in 2025.

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @battlefordsNOW