By Jim Bokern

Barbara Bartling snowmobiling on Rest Lake in 1968.

Vilas County has a rich snowmobiling history. In 1924, Carl Eliason from Sayner, Wisconsin invented he first snowmobile, while Eagle River launched the Snowmobile World Championships in 1964. In 1968, on the western edge of Vilas County, snowmobile enthusiasts created the Manitowish Waters Sno-Skeeters Club.

In the early days, the Sno-Skeeters had a vison of creating and maintaining Manitowish Waters' trails to ensure safe access to wilderness settings and fun destinations. Using a bedspring and cement blocks, grooming became part of the mission of the Sno-Skeeters. Clearing trails, seeking permission from private land owners, creating signage, and constructing bridges proved to be challenging work for the handful of locals who loved winter sledding.

With hard work and perseverance, the Manitowish Waters Sno-Skeeters created three loop trails by 1973 in our township. These loop trails were in addition to the main trail that connected to other Northwoods communities. Developing trails, moving to modern trail groomers, collaborating with neighboring communities, and adding key infrastructure led to Manitowish Waters becoming a winter destination. Locals started to call the early snows of winter “white gold” as a new and robust winter commerce emerged.

In the 1980s, trails continued to be added and some of the original trail loops were decommissioned. The Sno-Skeeters evolved from a recreational club to a civic organization. Fundraising, hosting events, and building the brand of Manitowish Waters, the Sno-Skeeters brought us Winterfest, poker runs, events for kids, and countless community meals and cookouts.

From the 1990s through the 2000s, the Sno-Skeeters continued their earlier traditions. Benefiting from new groomer technologies, swamps and other challenging terrain could be more easily incorporated into trails.  Monies raised helped build bridges, improved signage and increased the frequency of grooming so locals and visitors could enjoy a great ride. First radio stations, and more recently the internet and phone apps, specifically report trail and weather conditions.

Today, the Sno-Skeeters maintain about 25 miles of trails and a strong civic presence. Their impact on tourism is massive, with folks traveling far and near to enjoy the wilderness settings and fun destinations the original Sno-Skeeters championed. Winterfest has been replaced by the Winter Rendezvous, but the charity fundraising, themed meals, and fun events remain as part of the fabric of Manitowish Waters.