Who's Going To Haydays?

[boondocker97]

September 7-8

Went with my old man last year for the first time. It was something we always wanted to do and finally made it happen. Going back again this year!

With so much stuff there we are changing our plan for this year to arrive Friday so we don't have to travel at all on Saturday. Probably still won't see it all lol.

 

[NorthMNSledder]

I used to go every year for 20ish years (I live about 40 minutes away of the new location, 10 minutes from the old one). We used to really get into it when we were looking for used parts in the swap or killer deals from vendors when we were younger and had a normal riding group. Used to have a big list of what everyone needed and could usually find just about everything on that list. Then we would check out all of the new stuff and watch all the events. Would be out there Saturday from the moment the gates opened till dark. It was a good time. We would pick up all the new Sled DVD's and spend Sunday watching then while hanging with the sleds in the garage.

Now that entire group has moved to SxS's and I don't have a single person here in town that rides sleds anymore with me. Sport really died with that group with a few bad winters and the costs to travel out west. Now I ride with some guys out west or by the cabin near Lake of the Woods. I skipped a couple years and went last year. Just didn't seem the same to me (100% me). I was $50 into it before walking through the gate. $20 for parking and $30 for the ticket. I walked through the vendor area and looked at some new stuff. Stop and talked with a bunch of vendors I know. Had a bite to eat and was out of there by 10:30. The line for "the kids" to see the Cboys was the longest line there.

Sadly, it just doesn't have the appeal to me anymore which kind of sucks. It used to be the weekend we planned around. Not really sure what it is but I can now see all the new vendor stuff online or on social media. I don't really need to battle the crowd to save a few bucks on a deal to carry it around with me and I feel like I can get better deals on gear online. Unless there is a new product I just have to see in person I'm probably going to pass on this year.

 

[christopher]

I used to go every year for 20ish years (I live about 40 minutes away of the new location, 10 minutes from the old one). We used to really get into it when we were looking for used parts in the swap or killer deals from vendors when we were younger and had a normal riding group. Used to have a big list of what everyone needed and could usually find just about everything on that list. Then we would check out all of the new stuff and watch all the events. Would be out there Saturday from the moment the gates opened till dark. It was a good time. We would pick up all the new Sled DVD's and spend Sunday watching then while hanging with the sleds in the garage.

Now that entire group has moved to SxS's and I don't have a single person here in town that rides sleds anymore with me. Sport really died with that group with a few bad winters and the costs to travel out west. Now I ride with some guys out west or by the cabin near Lake of the Woods. I skipped a couple years and went last year. Just didn't seem the same to me (100% me). I was $50 into it before walking through the gate. $20 for parking and $30 for the ticket. I walked through the vendor area and looked at some new stuff. Stop and talked with a bunch of vendors I know. Had a bite to eat and was out of there by 10:30. The line for "the kids" to see the Cboys was the longest line there.

Sadly, it just doesn't have the appeal to me anymore which kind of sucks. It used to be the weekend we planned around. Not really sure what it is but I can now see all the new vendor stuff online or on social media. I don't really need to battle the crowd to save a few bucks on a deal to carry it around with me and I feel like I can get better deals on gear online. Unless there is a new product I just have to see in person I'm probably going to pass on this year.

Your story really goes to the HEART and SOUL of sledding.
Its not a SOLO Sport.
Its all about WHO you get to go riding with.
1 or 2 other people MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE in the world on the ride as well as on EVERYTHING attached to the ride, like hitting the show.

When I do the SLC or BOISE show by myself, there is just NO comparison at all to when I go with friends.
Its simply WAY MORE FUN with other people there to talk and interact with...

 

[jh7]

I used to go every year for 20ish years (I live about 40 minutes away of the new location, 10 minutes from the old one). We used to really get into it when we were looking for used parts in the swap or killer deals from vendors when we were younger and had a normal riding group. Used to have a big list of what everyone needed and could usually find just about everything on that list. Then we would check out all of the new stuff and watch all the events. Would be out there Saturday from the moment the gates opened till dark. It was a good time. We would pick up all the new Sled DVD's and spend Sunday watching then while hanging with the sleds in the garage.

Now that entire group has moved to SxS's and I don't have a single person here in town that rides sleds anymore with me. Sport really died with that group with a few bad winters and the costs to travel out west. Now I ride with some guys out west or by the cabin near Lake of the Woods. I skipped a couple years and went last year. Just didn't seem the same to me (100% me). I was $50 into it before walking through the gate. $20 for parking and $30 for the ticket. I walked through the vendor area and looked at some new stuff. Stop and talked with a bunch of vendors I know. Had a bite to eat and was out of there by 10:30. The line for "the kids" to see the Cboys was the longest line there.

Sadly, it just doesn't have the appeal to me anymore which kind of sucks. It used to be the weekend we planned around. Not really sure what it is but I can now see all the new vendor stuff online or on social media. I don't really need to battle the crowd to save a few bucks on a deal to carry it around with me and I feel like I can get better deals on gear online. Unless there is a new product I just have to see in person I'm probably going to pass on this year.

100% agree with everything you and Christopher said. I've made the trip out to Haydays twice-by myself both times. Definitely would be better in a group.

The first year I went, I thought it was the greatest thing ever. It was a great mini-vacation away, and to be surrounded by sleds. Went the year after, and it didn't seem to have the same appeal. Prices of used sleds were sky high (as they were everywhere). The swap meet in general seemed to be more of just random junk. Found some deals on gear and oil, but lugging 8 gallons of oil back out to the vehicle was no fun. And the money saved on gear and oil easily was overtaken by the cost of admission, food, gas, and hotel costs.

 

[boondocker97]

Availability of information on the internet and facebook groups have definitely taken a bite out of in-person snowmobile shows and events. You don't "need" to go to these things when you can see and buy most of it from the palm of your hand. With most of the vendors having haydays online discounts you don't "have" to travel there to get the deals on parts either. Like jh7 said, it's not that fun to pack the things you pick up all the way back to the truck either. I packed a whole set of shocks back for a buddy that didn't attend and that sucked. I decided I'm not picking things up for friends anymore that don't want to come themselves lol. I spent way more in fuel, food, and lodging getting out there and back from MT than I saved on anything I brought back. But even with all that, to me there's nothing like seeing and feeling things in person. If I didn't spend the money on the gate fee and food I still would have spent it at home that weekend doing something else so that small piece was a wash.

Everything is better with friends. Doesn't matter what it is.

To me about 1/3 of the swap last year was filled with people using it as a camping spot with whatever random parts they had in the garage laid out to technically be able to be there. This year it looked like they were putting more limitations on the swap spot request forms: limiting # of people, asking specifically what they were selling, etc. Hopefully that cleans that up and improves it.

 

[christopher]

Availability of information on the internet and facebook groups have definitely taken a bite out of in-person snowmobile shows and events. You don't "need" to go to these things when you can see and buy most of it from the palm of your hand. With most of the vendors having haydays online discounts you don't "have" to travel there to get the deals on parts either. Like jh7 said, it's not that fun to pack the things you pick up all the way back to the truck either. I packed a whole set of shocks back for a buddy that didn't attend and that sucked. I decided I'm not picking things up for friends anymore that don't want to come themselves lol. I spent way more in fuel, food, and lodging getting out there and back from MT than I saved on anything I brought back. But even with all that, to me there's nothing like seeing and feeling things in person. If I didn't spend the money on the gate fee and food I still would have spent it at home that weekend doing something else so that small piece was a wash.

Everything is better with friends. Doesn't matter what it is.

That really is the bottom line isn't it.
its not so much WHAT you do but WHO you do it with that makes all the difference.

 

[NorthMNSledder]

You guys nailed it.

But I will say the memories of my younger years carrying two 144 tracks back to the truck at one time are still good ones. No way I could do that today. Lol

 

[boondocker97]

I don't know if it has always been this way, but there were event staff with ATVs and trailers that would load up sleds or large items and haul them to the loading dock in the parking lot. Saw lots of people pulling wagons around there too. That seemed like the way to go if you were really planning on hauling home the "loot"!

My dad bought 3 tracks in the last hours of the last day of the expo in West Yellowstone one time. Luckily there were 3 of us to haul those out and it wasn't near as far as the Hay Days spread!

 

[TRS]

We will be there with a booth located at BB3. Just behind Polaris. If you decide to go, stop in for a visit.
I haven’t been to the new venue. It’s always been the start of our hunting season here in Wyoming.
Takes 17 loads packing camp in.
Our group didn't draw one tag this year. Must be the reduction in tags. My horses will get an extended vacation.

 

[Dennissledpool]

Snowest needs to start up a forum heading called SOLO RIDERS
A forum for solo riders to meet up with other solo riders to keep riding! Myself included Most of my group has fallen off riding. I will never stop riding but as we all know it’s just not safe out there by yourself. Too many guys quitting riding because of lack of friends
Would definitely meet up with new riders and form the next riding group of our career
Snowest please set this up. I bet there is slot of stories out there like this one and mine. Anyone out there who wants to ride out west this coming season hit me up I will ride with anyone anytime anywhere too much money tied up in this sport to let the rig trailer and sleds sit !

 

[Wintertime]

I have gone the last couple of years. Last year I didn't, we went to the Black Hills and rented a Sligshot for a half day and rode around the hills. That was fun!! they are fun on twisty roads not so much in the open at speed, This year still undecided. I agree with a lot of the above comments. The first year I went it was great I was able to pick up some great deals. I really like seeing all the stuff in person. The swap is fun to walk around in. It is a hike with oil back out to the truck I got a ride once from one of ATV guys that was nice. I was going to buy a wagon and get in early, pick up the heavy stuff run out and back leave the wagon. I still think it is a great event and one that everyone in the Snowmobiling community should attend once. On Solo Riders I think that would be a great idea. I have met some great folks in parking lots and on here. We are always looking to expand our group some.
Awesome above Elk camp photos from TRS nothing like staying in a Wall Tent during Elk season everyone should do that once. I didn't draw anything this year either. Being a resident I have my General Tag and will make the most of it.