• Wednesday-What'sUP February 27 - 03:15 pm

Just recently the annual Copper Harbor Antique Snowmobile Run took place and part of the event, is always a Fun Run on the trails in the area. Frank Paris was there with his older snowmobiles and he snapped a few photos to share with us all, while on the trails. The first two are in the Clark Mine area, you can see the old smokestack that still stands there.

It's fun to see the old machines out like this and being ridden around, not to mention all the colors, with the red seats and plenty of greens and blues to color the antique rides. I really like the bottom photo, with the unusual models out in front. The red machine even has a set of wheels on top the skis, so I'm guessing it's an all terrain vehicle when the snow all melts. Pretty neat!

hello

Looks like fun, sort of like a Dream Cruise...UP style.

Great photos, Frank! I love all those vintage machines. I see an Arctic Cat and a couple of SkiDoos that look very much like the ones I rode in the way-back-when.

I think pasty cam needs a "like" button. Nice pictures.

The first ones I remember seeing in PA years ago, were like the green ones in the second photo. Neat machines.

Are there any called a Diablo Rouge (not sure of the spelling on that one)? I recall my dad talking about getting one of those one Christmas.

Neat pictures!

Are there any called a Diablo Rouge (not sure of the spelling on that one)? I recall my dad talking about getting one of those one Christmas.

Neat pictures!

Oh my gosh, I love these! John Deere, Ski-Doo, Arctic Cat, and Polaris are well represented here! Grant you today's new snowmobiles ride like a Cadillac, but they lack the character and classic style these vintage beauties have! Great pictures indeed!

Oh how cool. We have so many fun events around our area in the winter!

An aside here but, Janie, what a sweet photo of "Mr. Brimley".:>

Thanks Shirley. Brimley is such a sweet pup. He has been a major lift for Bob & I with the loss of Brody. There is no doubt pets are aware of what takes place in their family/household. :)

Oh, the memories!

Antique?! Ouch.

Deb, I think in the third picture, the yellow machine might be what you're thinking about.

In response to DebS.. the Diablo Rouge was a later variant of the Bolen Hus-Ski, and you can see a Hus-Ski in the bottom image, it's the yellow machine that looks like it has bulldozer tracks. Very cool, older machines. Not fast by today's standards, but oh, so simple. The driver and riders sit on the bench over the skis which is literally towed by the power unit. It's steered by simply swinging the horizontal handle-bar to the left or right. Doesn't get a lot simpler than that !

The "Old Classics", how cool is that? I remember riding the machines back in the 70's, if you planned on going more than a couple of miles you better had brought your tool box and a tow strap with you and maybe even a few spare parts but it was a lot of fun.

I remember while growing up my father had a pair of Scorpions; a Stinger and a Whip. Both were quick machines but the Whip was just unreal; would give any of the new machines today a real run for their money. He ended up selling them both after his back went out and just couldn't ride anymore.

Neat seeing the old sleds. One of these years we'll have to get up there to see them in action.

I remember my brother Larry's Polaris(?) with rotary engine. I hit full throttle and it left me there on the road as it came to a stop up-the-street a ways. Impressive HP to say the least. Rode old machines in ID in 66 & 69. Have since gone to OR & sand dunes for grins & giggles.

sure are some nice machines here ! We had a 73 440 silver bullet , 69 Nordic , and a 340 nitro rupp growing up but we only have the 69 and ski - boose left ! I currently have 18 years on the one I bought in 95 and all I can say is ' Its hard to get rid of a good running machine " knock on wood