It was a classic cold, snowy Minnesota Saturday. My brother John had just bought a new snowmobile, and I had recently purchased mine too. My parents were hosting a belated birthday lunch for the family, but my wife and kids were still sleeping, so I left early for the 30-minute ride to my parents’ house, where John was living.
We geared up properly: brand-new helmets, kidney belts, heavy gloves, and riding boots. Then we headed out—brothers being brothers. Everything became a competition. I’m the oldest; he’s the youngest of my brothers. We raced, jumped, and rode aggressively.
We reached a lake with a plowed road—perfect for high speed. My modified sled could easily top 100 mph; John’s stock machine did mid-90s. I pulled up behind him, trying to pass. He kept blocking me, laughing. Typical little-brother move.
I finally swung wide into the deep snow to go around him. That’s the last thing I remember from my own perspective.
Factual context on snowmobile safety (Minnesota, 1990s):
A 1988–1996 Minnesota study of 274 snowmobile trauma patients found average speeds of 47 mph, with 26% exceeding the 55 mph legal limit. Head injuries occurred in 92 cases. Helmet use was documented in only 35% of incidents. Alcohol was involved in 44%. Mortality was 3.6%, but severe injuries were common. Lakes and trails with hidden obstacles were frequent crash sites. (Beilman et al., Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 1999)
Minnesota DNR ice-fishing regulations for spearing (still in effect today) require that ice blocks cut for dark-house spearing holes (typically 2 ft × 3 ft) be either pushed under the ice or removed and broken into small pieces. Any remaining chunks on the surface must be marked. Large unmarked blocks create deadly hazards for snowmobilers. (Minnesota DNR Spearing Regulations and “Mark ice, holes when the day’s spearing is done,” St. Cloud Times, 2014)
Read Next
Chapter 2: The Impact – From My Brother’s Perspective
View All Blogs