Troy Snowmobile Club 10 years strong

The Troy Snowmobile Club, one of the four snowmobile clubs in the county, has been around for over 10 years.

As one of four in the county, the club is comprised of about 50 members and six board members who are mostly from Troy, with some from Libby. They meet once a month from November through the spring. On the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.

Their membership numbers have always depended on the snow, but Jerry Wandler, has been the president since the beginning.

“The club members probably think I’m always long-winded at the meetings, because I have so much information to share,” Wandler said. “It’s my job to make them aware of what’s going on as I know it at the time.”

When the club started over 10 years ago, Wandler was there to help it get up and running by getting groomers and securing finances.

Since then, the club has done brushwork along the trails over the years, which Wandler noted helps other recreational activities such as mountain biking and hiking.

Their log shelter also helps out other outdoor activities, such as hunting.

Around the end of 2009, they constructed the shelter on Keeler Mountain, their main skiing area, inviting more family-friendly winter recreation opportunities. The structure, which contains benches and a fireplace, is located on Road 473, about 10 miles up from the trailhead. It has an open-air design so that it can be utilized as a picnic shelter in the warmer months, and is wrapped in plastic during the winter months for insulation.

With two club rides per year, and a fun run towards the end of February, the snowmobile club tries to stay busy in the off-season, by being involved in the community and keeping a good relationship with the Forest Service.

The club has started to give back recently, awarding their third annual $500 scholarship to a graduating senior from Troy High School this year. The scholarship application is comprised of usually one or two questions that revolve around the importance of winter recreation in the Troy area.

To apply for a membership, meeting information, grooming dates and avalanche warnings visit their website at troysnowmobileclub.org.