Groundhog Day!

February 2 is Groundhog Day, although at this point what difference will it make if our furry friend sees its shadow or not? A quick look at the NOAA/NWS Snowpack Map shows most of our state with a whopping 2+ feet of snow on the ground and at least two more storms are on the immediate horizon. In addition, when it isn’t snowing the temps drop quickly to zero or below at night. Some people in Maine view this as a nightmare, but for snowmobilers it is heaven on earth.

Sometimes it’s tough to keep enthusiastic about an activity that is so reliant on weather that makes many folks want to crawl in bed and stay there, but we snowmobilers are headed for the trails when things get like this. There’s 14,500 miles of trails out there and so little time.

February is really our best month. The heavy snows have come, the sun’s a little higher in the sky and with a vacation week there’s lots of activities going on. Check out our calendar of events for the complete listing, but here’s a few highlights to get you going:

Things start off Feb. 5-7 with the annual Polar Blast sponsored by the Arnold Trail SC. There will be events all weekend long including radar runs and fireworks.  And as long as you’re in the western Maine area, swing by Bald Mountain Camps in Oquossoc on Feb. 7 to take part in what organizers hope will be the world record snowmobile ride to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – you could be a part of snowmobiling history!

The following weekend the action heads towards Central and Northern Maine with the Spruce Maintain Sled-In in Livermore Falls on Feb. 14. That same weekend is the beginning of the Katahdin Area Winterfest which starts with the Antique Sled Parade through Downtown Millinocket on Fri. Feb. 13. Other events will be taking p[lace throughout the week

The third weekend of the month is for race fans with the second annual USCC Race at Daigle Farm in Fort Kent , sponsored by the Fort Kent Sno-Riders. The 21st is also the date for the 15th Annual One-Lunger Antique Sled races in Turner sponsored by the Turner Ridge Riders. The Lincoln Snowhounds will also be hosting Sno-Cross Races at their clubhouse on the Town Farm Rd. in Lincoln on Saturday and Sunday. There’s a $4,000 purse for the pro class .

That’s just a small sampling of the highlights for February, but the important thing is to get out there – this kind of winter won’t last forever, Or will it?

Ride safe.