Ponto Knight Riders Snowmobile Club
The Ponto Knight Riders Snowmobile Club has about 38 members who maintain about 75 miles of trails in the Backus area. The Ponto Knight Riders Club has been organized since 1974 and is a local club of the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MNUSA for short). MNUSA can be found here MNUSA.org
Our club is funded by dues, the trail fees you pay and a small fraction of gas taxes you pay as a snowmobiler. We also maintain excellent relationships with the State DNR and Cass County Land Department which supports our club with land for trails and other significant trail support. Our trails also cross several private properties and we are indebted to these local citizens for their generosity.
Trail Maintenance
Our trail maintenance begins in the Summer and Fall when mowing, brushing and tree cutting is done to make the trail as safe and clear as nature will allow. Many miles of our trail are multiple use trails for cars/trucks, ATVs and bikes which sometimes produce challenges to maintain a smooth trail for your use.
Once the snow falls in December (and the swamps are frozen to support the groomer) we begin to groom trails. We attempt to groom each week or more often, assuming there is enough snow on the trail to fill the holes and produce a smooth surface. (Please see Trail Reports above for trails maintained by the Knight Riders and recent reports.)
Advantages of Membership in a Snowmobile Club
If you are a member of a snowmobile club in Minnesota, you also are a member of MNUSA, in most cases. MNUSA advocates with government organizations for funding and legislation to support snowmobiling. Without MNUSA, it is possible that there would not be funding and support to keep all of the trails in MN open and groomed.
As a local member of club you will meet other snowmobilers for riding and other fun events. You will also have the opportunity to maintain trails and help support snowmobiling locally.
MEMBERSHIP - We would love to have you and your family as a member. The membership dues is $35, with $25 of this dues going to membership in MNUSA. With the MNUSA membership you get MN Snowmobiler magazine and other member benefits. The most important thing is to be a member of a local club and MNUSA to support snowmobiling in the State of MN. You can find an application for membership here.
MEETINGS - Our membership meetings start with a pot luck in September/October and then we meet monthly in the snowy months, November to March. We meet on the third Monday of the month at the American Legion in Backus, MN @ 7PM.
The Ponto Knight Riders also participate in the Crow Wing Trails Association. Their site can be found here Crow Wing Trails Association
Please contact Roger @ 507-317-6398 or Brad @ 218-232-2252 for further information about the Knight Riders or use the Contact Form in the menu above.
Our club is funded by dues, the trail fees you pay and a small fraction of gas taxes you pay as a snowmobiler. We also maintain excellent relationships with the State DNR and Cass County Land Department which supports our club with land for trails and other significant trail support. Our trails also cross several private properties and we are indebted to these local citizens for their generosity.
Trail Maintenance
Our trail maintenance begins in the Summer and Fall when mowing, brushing and tree cutting is done to make the trail as safe and clear as nature will allow. Many miles of our trail are multiple use trails for cars/trucks, ATVs and bikes which sometimes produce challenges to maintain a smooth trail for your use.
Once the snow falls in December (and the swamps are frozen to support the groomer) we begin to groom trails. We attempt to groom each week or more often, assuming there is enough snow on the trail to fill the holes and produce a smooth surface. (Please see Trail Reports above for trails maintained by the Knight Riders and recent reports.)
Advantages of Membership in a Snowmobile Club
If you are a member of a snowmobile club in Minnesota, you also are a member of MNUSA, in most cases. MNUSA advocates with government organizations for funding and legislation to support snowmobiling. Without MNUSA, it is possible that there would not be funding and support to keep all of the trails in MN open and groomed.
As a local member of club you will meet other snowmobilers for riding and other fun events. You will also have the opportunity to maintain trails and help support snowmobiling locally.
MEMBERSHIP - We would love to have you and your family as a member. The membership dues is $35, with $25 of this dues going to membership in MNUSA. With the MNUSA membership you get MN Snowmobiler magazine and other member benefits. The most important thing is to be a member of a local club and MNUSA to support snowmobiling in the State of MN. You can find an application for membership here.
MEETINGS - Our membership meetings start with a pot luck in September/October and then we meet monthly in the snowy months, November to March. We meet on the third Monday of the month at the American Legion in Backus, MN @ 7PM.
The Ponto Knight Riders also participate in the Crow Wing Trails Association. Their site can be found here Crow Wing Trails Association
Please contact Roger @ 507-317-6398 or Brad @ 218-232-2252 for further information about the Knight Riders or use the Contact Form in the menu above.
