When you visit northern Wisconsin in the winter, you’ll find not only some of the best snowmobiling trails in the Midwest but also some outstanding snowmobiling events, from local rides to “the Indianapolis 500 of Snowmobiling.”
Here’s a look at a few yearly events you shouldn’t miss in Vilas and Oneida counties.
World Championship Snowmobile Derby
Referred to as “the Indianapolis 500 of Snowmobiling,” this annual event takes place every January at Eagle River’s World Championship Derby Complex, attracting more than 500 riders and tens of thousands of spectators a year to watch a weekend full of races on the derby’s oval track.
And don’t miss the fun at the Vintage World Championship Snowmobile Derby, which takes place at the track a week earlier and includes a series of races featuring vintage snowmobiles from the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s.
Learn more about events at the World Championship Derby Complex here.
Ride with the Champs
This annual event, held every February in St. Germain and organized by the town’s Snowmobile Hall of Fame, includes a weekend full of fun events, including a reunion ride on Friday, a fish fry, and a series of six rides on Saturday (organized by length and vintage/late model groups). The weekend ends with the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night.
Learn more about St. Germain’s Ride with the Champs weekend.
Cross Country Cruisers SnoFest
The Cross Country Cruisers—who maintain more than 90 miles of trails in and around Arbor Vitae, Woodruff, and Minocqua—hold their annual SnoFest celebration every January. The weekend-long event features a lasagna dinner and fish fry on Friday, and a vintage snowmobile show, a guided vintage ride, and raffle drawing on Saturday.
Trail rides and fundraisers
Many of the snowmobile clubs in the Northwoods of Wisconsin also hold regular trail rides and seasonal fundraisers. Learn more about the clubs in Oneida County and Vilas County.
Photo: Vilas County Tourism & Publicity