SnoBall 2014

Limited to the first 75 Registered Raptors

The SnoBall is a must do winter Raptor Run/driving experience. The SnoBall is a fully approved event by the State of Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources. During this run you and your Raptor will encounter everything that Mother Nature and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan can throw at it. There will be areas of two track roads, logging trails, forest service roads and country roads. These roads will have varying degrees of snowfall on them, from significant snow fall to minimal/scraped country roads. From the moment you put the SnoBall 500 official window decal on your truck you are in for one of the most unique and exciting weekends ever. This is not a race we will stay together as a pack and work as a team to insure everyone makes it to each destination. But the driving isn’t the only appeal to this run. We will also be staying in a few of the nicest Hotel/Casinos in the Upper Peninsula. There will be plenty of time to unwind in whatever fashion you desire, whether it is hanging out at the sports bar, gambling or getting a massage.

Please visit the The SnoBall Facebook page: 

RUN DETAILS
All event times are in Eastern Time:

Friday Night (1/17/2014)

There will be a mandatory registration at 7pm eastern time in the bingo hall at the Lac Vieux Desert Resort and Casino. There is also a live band playing at the casino as well.

Points of Interest:
– Things to See and Do: Watersmeet, MI

Saturday (1/18/2015)

This is the day everyone has been waiting for!!!! At 8:30 a.m. there will be a drivers meeting just to go over some basics and so that everyone is on the same page. At 9 a.m. we head out towards Marquette Michigan. On the way will encounter snow covered roads and significant snow drifts and some of the most beautiful scenery in Michigan. We will stop for lunch in Houghton as we continue our journey towards Marquette. Once at the Ramada in Marquette there are many dinning and bar options. A few of the local favorites Blackrocks Brewing and Ore Dock Brewing Company, both are local microbrews. Also Marquette Mountain is less than 10 mins away and offers night skiing and rentals if interested. .

Points of Interest:
– Blackrocks Brewery
– Ore Dock Brewing Company
– Marquette Mountain

Sunday (1/19/2015)

Sunday we will have a drivers meeting 8:30 a.m. just to go over the differences between Sunday and Saturdays terrain. The group will leave from the Ramada at 9 a.m. and head towards Escanaba. This year we will be staying at the Best Western Pioneer Inn & Suites in Escanaba, MI. Which has a restaurant and bar and is only 12 miles from the Island Resort and Casino, also located 10 miles away in Gladstone, MI there is a Snow Tubing park. A great restaurant in the area is Hereford and Hops, a local steakhouse.

Points of Interest:
– City of Gladstone : Sports Park
– Hereford & Hops
– Island Resort Casino

Monday (1/20/2015)

Yes you are reading this correctly, three full days of the Snoball in 2014. At 8:30 a.m. there will be a drivers meeting before heading off at 9 a.m. towards the Up North Lodge where we will be stopping for lunch as we did in 2013. After lunch we will start our journey towards the Lac Vieux Desert Casino.

Tuesday (1/21/15)

At 9 a.m. we will hold The Snoball banquet and raffle event, after that depart for home Safe Travels.

Price for event

• $350 per Truck/Driver – Includes 1 SnoBall sweatshirt, The SnoBall Placards, driver’s bag and entrance into closing event with breakfast.
• $100 per Co-Driver/Passenger – Includes 1 the SnoBall sweatshirt, entrance into closing event with breakfast.

The SnoBall Rules

• 100% Sober Driving
• Alcohol consumption will not be tolerated on trails or any time you are driving. Remember these are state/public roads. If caught you will be asked to leave or worse.
• Illegal drug use will not be tolerated. Same as alcohol consumption
• Do not tailgate
• No littering
• Know the limitations of your driving ability and your Raptor in the conditions.
• No whiners!
• Everyone in your vehicle must have a filled out waiver. NO Exceptions! You will not be allowed to participate without everyone having a completed waiver.

Must have items for the SnoBall 500

First and foremost every truck, Driver and Co-Pilot must be ready for the Ultimate cold weather Raptor Run ever planned. A positive attitude goes a long way. We will stay as a group though out this event and arrive at each destination as a pack, this is NOT a race. Being as it is winter there maybe changes along the way depending on snow level for better and worse. Snow is the key to this trip, while it will be fun with minimal snow, blizzard type conditions make it unbelievable. Please keep an open mind and be prepared to be a part of the best cold weather Raptor Run ever planned. Every truck must have these items at a minimum before participating in the SnoBall 500

• 2010-2014 Ford F-150 Raptor
• VHF radio Or a MUR’s Radio (Marine VHF radios will not work)
  Radio Frequencies (Please make sure that your radio is programmed for these frequencies)

• 151.820 MHz GLRE1
• 151.880 MHz GLRE2
• 151.940 MHz GLRE3
• 152.000 MHz TRR1
• 152.750 MHz TRR2

• Working 4wd and all maintenance up to date with no major issues
• Decent tires: We’re not going to go around and checking everyone’s tires but if you have very little remaining tread do us a favor and get them replaced before the event.
• Spare tire/Tires secured and located in the bed of the truck. Contact [email protected] for mounting solutions
• 2 bags of sand or cat litter
• One shovel
• Tow strap at least 20’ and rated to pull the truck
• Winter boots: Lacrosse, Muck, Sorels, etc. You may have to get out into very deep snow.
• Winter clothing: Just like above it is more than likely going to be cold and you will have to get out of your vehicle.
• Ice Scraper/Snowbrush & -30 degree windshield washer fluid
• ORV permit if vehicle isn’t registered in the State of Michigan. http://www.mdnr-elicense.com/Welcome/Default.aspx

Recommended additional items

• You do not need a Co-pilot but it is recommended to help with communication traffic and navigating the trails/roads. Plus it’s more fun with someone in the truck with you.
• Snatch and tow straps
• Navigation: Lowrance, Garmin, Android tablet with an offroad map app.
• 5 gallons extra gas
• A Come along
• Floor jack and some wood blocks to help support it in the snow
• Auxiliary lighting: While it can’t be used on road it would be a great benefit on the Truck trails, Forrest Service roads.
• First Aid Kit