THUNDER BAY — For the last two decades, local snowmachine enthusiasts have taken to the trails in Grand Portage, Minn. to lend their support for Easter Seals Kids.
In that time, over $610,000 has been raised through the Thunder Bay Snowarama ride to help children and youth with physical disabilities.
“I think it really started to evolve for us around the seventh edition of the ride,” said Rhonda Harrison, who is the manager of community engagement for the Easter Seals Ontario northern region.
“That’s kind of when everything went to the next level and we’ve grown to be the largest winter fundraiser for Easter Seals. We’re all so very proud of this event.”
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Thunder Bay Snowarama, which will be held on Feb. 8 at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.
After a lack of snowfall led to the 2024 ride being shortened to 12 kilometres, recent weather means the ride will be back to normal next month.
“I was talking to a member of the (Grand Portage) Trail Riders last night and he says that everyone down there has been pretty thankful for the snow that we’ve been getting here lately,” Harrison said.
“They are out packing the trails and going to get started grooming for the 120-mile and 35-mile rides.”
2025 also marks the 50th year for Snowarama riders in Ontario. The rides were founded by Canadian pro wrestling icon Whipper Billy Watson.
“We’re extremely grateful for the support we’ve gotten from the snowmachine community,” Harrison said.
“We couldn’t have had all these rides around the province for the last 50 years without everyone’s support.”
Easter Seals ambassador Emilie Pike has been involved with the ride for the last eight years and loves being part of the event.
“It’s a great feeling to help people and to help kids like me succeed in what they want to do in life,” Pike added.
Registration for this year’s ride in Grand Portage, along with rides in Atikokan and Sioux Lookout on Jan. 25 and Red Lake on Feb. 1, is ongoing and can be done on the Snowarama website.
A minimum of $100 in pledges is required to participate.
