David Brummer from Post Falls Idaho has 70 vintage snowmobiles but only brought 5 last weekend for the 8th Winterfest, but it was the first time it was held in Haugan, Montana. The Polaris he is working on is a 3-cylinder 440 cubic inch that is one of his favorites. He entered the timed event but was primarily there for the vintage snowmobile ride to the Montana Bar in Saltese for lunch on Sunday. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

A couple from Potomac, Montana brought their 3 boys and grampa, who is the real snowmobile enthusiast, last Saturday for the vintage snowmobile show and to watch others ride the timed course. The day had family rides, campfires, sledding and food with blue skies and low 20’s for a perfect setting. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

75 vintage snowmobiles were entered into the static show with models from the early 60’s on display. This event has been held in Lolo Hot Springs the previous 7 years, but Haugan is the new home where it will be on the 3rd weekend in January from now on. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

The Montana Nightriders Snowmobile club groomed the trails and racecourse Saturday morning just west of the $50,000 Bar in Haugan for Winterfest 2025. This upcoming weekend, the group will be even busier as they host the $1,000 Super Poker Ride where as many as 400 snowmobiles participate starting with the bonfire on Friday. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

75 vintage sleds were entered in the snowmobile show coming from Montana, Idaho and Washington, which was the most ever in the 8-years of the Winterfest. Haugan was selected as the new location because of the incredible work and commitment of the Montana Nightriders Snowmobile Club and their sponsors have provided in other snowmobile events over the years. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
CLARKFORKVALLEYPRESS

Tom Mullins from St. Ignatius, Montana is the unofficial president of the unofficial vintage snowmobile group, crosses the finish line in the individual timed event. Mullins enjoys the vintage sleds because he feels they are the forerunners of making family snowmobiling such a wonderful activity in the winter. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
CLARKFORKVALLEYPRESS

Modified vintage snowmobiles were on hand just like reconditioned classic hotrods are at car shows. From this point on, the $50,000 Bar will be the headquarters of the annual Winterfest, with the Montana Nightriders Snowmobile Club as the host and it will be the third weekend in January. Not to be confused with the $1,000 Super Poker Ride which is in the same location on the last weekend of January. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
CLARKFORKVALLEYPRESS

When kids weren’t roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over the small campfires or riding their own junior-sided snowmobiles, the reverted back to kid stuff of playing in the ample snow piles in Haugan at 2025 Winterfest. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
CLARKFORKVALLEYPRESS

The timed event on Saturday wasn’t only for vintage snowmobiles, but every make, model and year to see just how fast they could complete the salmon course in the huge field west of the parking lot of the $50,000 Bar. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
CLARKFORKVALLEYPRESS

Trophies were awarded at 2025 Winterfest for different categories of the traditional snowmobiles and the winners of the timed course on Saturday afternoon. Sunday consisted of a ride to the Montana Bar for lunch and then back to Haugan along the St. Regis River. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
CLARKFORKVALLEYPRESS