This year ABR will again be hosting the Midwest Grooming Clinic. The format will be set up a bit different this year. We will have the standard grooming clinic, like we have had the last 4 years, on March 1-2, 2005, Tuesday and Wednesday. We will also have a one day “hands-on” Workshop on January 11th, 2005, Tuesday. The workshop will be limited to 20 people and once the Tuesday Workshop is full we will schedule one for Wednesday, and Thursday if needed.
What is a Grooming Clinic?
For those of you who have not heard of the Clinic, let me try to describe it as a combination of a Clinic, Seminar, Workshop, Trade Show, and Show and Tell. You can take part, demo equipment, exchange ideas with the pro’s and vendors or you can browse the demo’s and watch and listen to the presentations. Groomers from the most experienced to novices are invited and have attended. Even veteran groomers will learn something if they keep an open mind. Speakers are invited from all over the country. Dress warm for the outdoor mornings and cooler for the afternoon indoor talks. Don’t forget to bring your ski clothes!
What is a Grooming Workshop?
The workshop is a new format for this season. We will limit participation to 20 groomers/day for more individual attention and smaller group size. You can watch, listen, take part, demo equipment, and exchange ideas. Vendors are not being invited to display or sell equipment at the workshop, but will be attending the Clinic in March. The purpose of the Workshop is more grooming oriented and not sales or trade show based. All of the snowmobile pulled grooming implements will still be available for demo along with 3 – 4 models of snowmobiles. A Snow Cat with a blade and renovator will also be available. We will concentrate more on beginning grooming. There will be an indoor session on the SWT and implement wiring and steering improvements. There will also be a chalkboard discussion on grooming techniques using the snowmobiles and implements.
Costs/Meals
The cost for the March Clinic is $150/person, or $175 if registered after January 1, 2005. This includes rolls and coffee and lunch both days and the March 1st dinner.
The cost for the January Workshop is $100/person. This includes rolls and coffee and lunch.
We will have free ski rentals and beginner ski instruction for all registered participants.
Lodging
Book your lodging and ask for the groomers discount.
Indianhead Motel 906-932 2031 Sandpiper Motel 906-932-2000
Black River Lodge 906-932-3857 Regal Country Inn 906-229-5122
The Montreal Inn B & B 715-561-5180 Anton-Walsh House B&B 715-561-2065
Ski House Rentals 800-900-3620 x-03 ABR Trailside Lodging 906-932-3502
2005 ABR Midwest Grooming Workshop
Tenative Schedule
Tuesday January 11th
6-8 AM Groom the ABR trails with Eric and Rick (by advanced appointment)
8- 9:00 Registration coffee and rolls
9- 10:00 Walk through of the grooming implements available (on snow)
10-11:00 Grooming 101 (Chalkboard Discussion) in the Lunch Room at ABR
11-12:00 Basic grooming on snow
12:00-1:30 Pasty lunch at ABR and test drives
1:30-2:30 Setting up your Skandic SWT for grooming in the heated workshop
1:30-2:30 Tracksetting on snow
2:30-3:30 Grooming Scenarios in the lunch room at ABR
3:30-5:00 Open skiing and demo of grooming equipment
2005 ABR Midwest Grooming Clinic
Tenative Schedule
Tuesday March 1st
8-9 AM registration coffee and rolls sponsored by _________
9- 12:00 Vendor Demos 15-20minutes /vendor on snow
11:40-1:30 Pasty lunch sponsored by _________ at ABR and test drives
1:30-2:30 Grooming Lectures at the Erwin Townhall (½ mile down the road)
2:30-3:30 Grooming Scenarios
3:30-5:00 open skiing and grooming
6:30 –7:30 Social hour and vendors indoor table displays at Tacconellis 215 S. Suffolk St in Downtown Ironwood. Social hour sponsored by _____________
7:30-8:30 Dinner at Tacconelli’s sponsored by _________
8:30-9:00 Presentation
9:00–9:10 Grooming Trivia Test and Prizes
Wednesday
6-8 AM optional grooming teams hands on
8-9 AM coffee and rolls sponsored by ___________and equipment viewing
9-12 test driving grooming equipment/ meet the vendors
Smaller Group Sessions
8:45 – 9:45 Beginner grooming; meet in the Registration/Wax Barn
9:00-11:00 smaller group lectures and discussions
10:30-11:30 snowmobile pulling power and steering demonstrations in the parking lot
11:30-12 tracksetting “hardpack” demo behind the Registration/Wax Barn
12:00-1:00 lunch at Tacconelli’s Restaurant sponsored by _________
1:00-3:00 lectures at Tacconelli’s in downtown Ironwood
1:00-2:00 Grooming lectures
2:00-3:00 Grooming Scenarios
3:00 load and go… or stay and ski
This tentative schedule is being developed and details and specifics subject to change. Watch the website for updates. The general time slots will remain the same.
March Clinic Vendors to be confirmed.
- Pisten Bully by _______ with new innovations from PB
- Bombardier by Aspen equipment with a Bombardier groomer?
- Tidd Tech with the NEW G2 groomers and new innovations?
- Yellowstone Track Systems with the NEW Ginzu Groomer and gooseneck
5. Alpina with the NEW dual-track Sherpa Snowmobile and NEW powertiller
6. Xcskigroomers with the NEW Sno Razor groomer and cutter bar?
7. Ski-Doo by Ave’s Sport Center?
8. KRC Snow Paver?
9. Snow Implements …. A dealer for YTS, Tidd Tech, Alpina and Trakor
10. Northland Equipment with Arctic Cat and John Deere?
11. Wildcat by Cushman?
12. Kubota by Lulich?
13. Artic Cat?
14. Polaris?
15. Yamaha?
16. Kawasaki?
There were many sales as a result of the Clinic. Vendors did sell their demos and we are encouraging this year’s vendors to load up their trucks and trailers for the Clinic.
The heated “Race Building” will again house tables for vendor’s displays, and will have grooming video tapes playing during the 2 days.
Bring your used equipment that you have for sale or a photo and ad to post on the FOR SALE board at the clinic!