A large crowd showed up for the first Vintage Snowmobile Club of Utah Summer Snowmobile Show and the official opening of the Sweeten Snowmobile Museum in Lindon, UT, on Saturday, June 28.
Many vintage snowmobiles from throughout the West were brought in to display at the show, including entries from Elizabeth, CO, Sun Valley and Rigby, ID, Pinedale and Afton, WY, along with a variety of sleds from throughout Utah.
Curtis Tate, from Layton, UT, walked away with "The Best of Show" trophy for his beautiful 1972 Polaris ATX 250 mod. "Best Restored" went to Jared and Tiffanie Ellis of Rigby, ID, for their nice 1972 Arctic Cat Panther. "Best Original" was awarded to Darlene Sweeten of Lindon, UT, for her clean 1975 Rupp Nitro 440 F/A. Dan Pickenpaugh of Elizabeth, CO, took home the "Mayor's Choice" award for his very rare 1974 Roll-O-Flex Wild One 440.
The Sweeten Snowmobile Museum is the largest collection of vintage snowmobiles in the western United States. The museum consists of three buildings: the main building houses a Rupp collection featuring one machine from every year Rupp produced snowmobiles (1966-1978) along with other fun Rupp machines like mini-bikes, a Ruppster, a Go Joe and a very rare Rupp Centaur. Also in the main building are the snowmobiles from the Disney movie, "Snowball Express" along with other memorabilia from the movie and signed pictures and an acknowledgement from Dean Jones who starred in the movie.
Alongside these sleds is a very rare Bonham Spartan, the only snowmobile produced in Utah and one of only five known to exist.
The Branding Barn houses more than 80 different brands of snowmobiles. The Rupp Barn contains one of nearly every year and model snowmobile that Rupp produced.
The plan is to hold this event every year on the last Saturday in June.
The Sweeten Snowmobile Museum is available for viewing by appointment only. To arrange a visit contact Dustin Sweeten at vintagesnowusa@yahoo.com or call (801) 360-2082.