Club History

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The year 1967 was a great year for snowmobilers in the Gallatin Valley. The Gallatin Valley Snowmobile Association was formed, and George Mills was our first club president. During the first year the first snowmobile rally was held at The Old Country Club in Bozeman, which is now know as the Bozeman Recreation Center. The Rally attracted more that 800 enthusiastic snowmobile supporters from the area. Some of the Bozeman dignitaries who participated in the races were the fire chief,mayor, police chief, and chamber manager. Everyone had a great time, with races for everyone including women and children who attended. One of the first organized events of the club was an organized ride into Yellowstone National Park on the the 30th of January 1968, it was a round trip to Old Faithful and back from West Yellowstone. The 51 members who went on the first ride experienced an amazing trip although their trip home was an exciting adventure in and of itself due to a massive snowstorm closing gallatin canyon. The following year in 1969 a group of snowmobilers from the club cleared a trail from the Sphinx Mountain to Bear Creek on the Madison. Some of those participants were founding members Harry Walker and Lee Terrell. 

    In 1969 The Big Sky Snowmobile Trail was pioneered and then designated as The Big Sky Snowmobile Trail, and is now a National Recreational Trail. The inaugural trip was made to honor the many people who had worked so hard to make it a reality. In 1970 Robert Dean was elected president and to promote club unity started having monthly club rides. The first Big Sky Governors Cup cross country race was held on the Big Sky Trail. This race was ran annually for many years. In 1971 Harold Brown was elected president and during his tenure the Montana Snowmobile Association was formed. They held their first meeting in Bozeman, and discussed the future of winter recreation. 6 districts were formed with each district holding a meeting to involve all of the snowmobile clubs in that district. Past presidents include Vic Oma (1973), Ray Smith (1974), Mel Hammer (1975), George Evans (1978), Marty Reardon (1979) and Chuck Beck (1980). During 1980 GVSA was working withe the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Parks on a proposal for a groomer to groom in the Gallatin Canyon