Ten youth from the Ely area and beyond participated in a full day of snowmobile safety training on Feb. 21, at the Vermilion Campus of Minnesota North College sponsored by the Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club.
These avid young snowmobilers arrived in the morning and were led through classroom instruction by conservation officers Sean Williams (Ely) and Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) and volunteer DNR snowmobile safety instructors Dave Marshall and Mike Banovetz.
After a Domino’s pizza lunch provided by the Ely Igloo Club, the group headed outside to take part in the field portion of the course involving a pre-trip check of a snowmobile and operation of a snowmobile through a driving course.
Parent volunteer Brent Ihnen also assisted in this portion of the training. The driving course had been set up on the Vermilion practice football field the night before.
All 10 students demonstrated proficiency in snowmobile operation and learned some great tips on how to enjoy the sport safely.
Students who participated in the class from Ely include Arrow Halbakken, Blaze Halbakken, Teagan Ihnen, Duane Johnson, Nolan Niskala, Parker Nislaka, Aurie Smith, and Frank Udovich. Kira Boes came from Winton while Jace Cox traveled up from Makinen.
Special thanks go out to the instructors and volunteers, the Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club for sponsoring the training, and the Vermilion campus for hosting the class. Be sure to congratulate these young snowmobilers when you see them out on the trail!
