Snowmobilers lining up for the Driftriders' annual Fun Run that started at the Westside Trailhead Sunday, Jan. 20. They sold 260 hands and the winners of the men's and women's high and low hands each went home with $264.
The route took snowmobilers around Marshall Lake on the first leg of the ride.
Riders stopped at Check Point 3 as they entered the Placid drainage before heading around Fawn Peak.
The Warming Hut was a welcomed stop between Check Point 2 and 3 as the snow settled in. Riders had an opportunity to warm up and dry off before heading out again.
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Driftriders snowmobile club hosted a sold out banquet Saturday night that many called "the best Snow Ball ever." The weekend wrapped up with the 49-mile annual Fun Run on Sunday. The bumper fundraising weekend will help pay off the second groomer and support the grooming operation for area trails.
While tickets to the Snow Ball Banquet are typically available at the door, this year it was sold out by Friday night. Attendees enjoyed a prime rib dinner served by local caterer Tim Clark of Pop's Place. Dan Pate of Pate Auction, Inc. in Helena "Emceed the whole event and kept everyone interested," said Club treasurer Jeff Mclean.
Throughout the evening, Mclean said they gave away "tons" of raffle items worth thousands of dollars of merchandise donated by Klim and 509.
"Klim and 509 knew where we were at - trying to keep the trails clear and purchasing our own equipment and going out on a limb like we did last year [by purchasing the second groomer]," said Mclean.
The Driftriders raffled off a 2019 850 Polaris snowmobile which they purchased last year. They sold raffle tickets for $10 per ticket, 6 for $50 or 13 for $100. They sold nearly 2,500 tickets.
"The number of people that bought $100 blocks was unbelievable. And then I know of at least three people that dropped $1,000," said Driftriders President Bill Swain who was very pleased with the response for the snowmobile that retails between $13,000-$14,000.
Throughout the event, Mclean said they drew tickets for the 850 Polaris and pinned the names up on a board. The ten finalists were: Danny Lapka, Jim Bartch, Bob Thorne, Rod Stevens, Mike Barsi, Mark Hopkins, John Barge, Dick Gagliardi, Leigh Zell and Tony Lapka.
After they had drawn 10 tickets, they auctioned off one more ticket. Driftriders board members John and Curtis purchased the ticket for $1,900.
Those in attendance drew tickets until there were three tickets left. Gagliardi won third place and received a 509 jacket donated by 509 and Kurt's Polaris. Second place went to Thorne who won a Klim jacket and bib set donated by Klim and Kurt's Polaris.
"The last [ticket] in the bag happened to be John and Curtis's and they decided to donate the sled back to the Club which they auctioned off," said Mclean. "The winner of the auction was Loy Blasing who found himself going home with a new sled."
Blasing, who lives in Seeley Lake, bought the sled for $13,000.
Swain felt that having the new snowmobile as a raffle item was a big part of what made the Snow Ball so successful this year.
"By far this has been the most successful Snow Ball that we've probably ever had," said Mclean. "It really helps take up the slack [helping pay off the second groomer] and helps keep the trails groomed."
Snowmobilers were out on the trails starting at 9 a.m. Sunday morning for the Fun Run. Mclean said they sent out 260 hands for the 49-mile route on the west side. The route was moved from the traditional route on the eastside due to the salvage logging activity.
"It's working out good," said Swain at the hamburger lunch sponsored by the Club. "Next year, I would like to cut it down to about 40 miles and give people more time for play areas."
Mclean said riders braved the weather because it turned into a soggy ride. He appreciated everyone's patience with the Club as they had some growing pains with the longer route. He added it was fun to see a lot of people clumped up together into large groups and it turned into a "fun, bonding event."
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