2024 Jan, Dick Harrison Passing

Confirming very sad news today. Trail-A-Sled, Inc. (later Scorpion Snowmobiles) co-founder and industry icon Dick Harrison has passed. A 90-year resident of Crosby, Minnesota, Dick, along with his father Eugene (Stub) Harrison and area businessman Glen Gutzman founded Trail-A-Sled, Inc. in 1959 in a small garage in Crosby’s Lakeview district. Dick’s mechanical talents, dogged determination and design sensibilities were critical to the success that would follow. A consummate gentleman, Dick and family have been tireless advocates for antique and vintage snowmobiling in recent years. Memorial service planning is underway and scheduled for Saturday afternoon, January 13th in Baxter, Minnesota. Details may be found here:

https://www.koopfuneralhome.com/obituary/Richard-Harrison

2023 Jul, Sno-Serpent Parade Float

Crosby’s July 4th Parade

“The Wild Child”, ridden by Aidan Bendson! It was great to see two Scorpions featured on the Sno-Serpent’s impressive parade entry for 2023.

Established in 1973 and based in Deerwood, Minnesota, the Sno-Serpents were formed by a group of friends that decided it was time to formalize riding trails in the area and help promote safe snowmobiling for young people. The groomers of the Sno-Serpents Club take great pride in making sure snowmobile riders have the best groomed trails in the state. The club currently grooms 87 miles within beautiful, scenic Crow Wing County. Interested in becoming a member? Check-out their website at: http://www.snoserpents.com/

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.

@scorpionsleds #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming

2023 Jul, ASCOA Highlights

HIGHLIGHTS FROM ASCOA SUMMER MEETING 2023 - For ASCOA members and the public, a Saturday driving-tour was offered, and many chose to visit various locations of historical significance to Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles. At each stop, fascinating oral histories were provided by Les Pinz and Randy Harrison. At this location (site of the present-day skate park) the firm’s former manufacturing facility was discussed (previously located here but destroyed by fire in 1967).

2023 Jul, ASCOA Highlights

HIGHLIGHTS ASCOA SUMMER MEETING 2023 - During the Saturday driving tour, former Scorpion dealer, racer and R&D wiz-kid Les Pinz (on left) treats the group to an oral history of the firm and the various area locations once utilized by Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles.

2023 Jun, ASCOA Highlights

HIGHLIGHTS FROM ASCOA SUMMER MEETING 2023 - Among the dozens of antique snowmobiles on display during the Saturday open house, these five were of particular interest to Scorpion enthusiasts. These machines are early prototypes from 1962 and represent Trail-A-Sled, Inc’s earliest forays into tracked, forward-engine snow-machines (later to be known as snowmobiles). Only a relative handful remain, and to have five here at the ASCOA Summer Meeting was quite a treat. With their owners standing alongside, from left to right: John and Aaron Anderson, Terry Nies, Tony Rolfes, Dick Harrison, Lee Kasper.

2023 Jun, ASCOA Highlights

HIGHLIGHTS FROM ASCOA SUMMER MEETING 2023 – As part of the Antique Snowmobile Club of America's general meeting, former Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion, Inc. employees Les Pinz and Louie Smilich discussed, among other things, the challenges of building and sustaining an effective dealer network in the late 1960’s and Louie’s fascinating involvement with the Trail-A-Sail team. The duo answered numerous questions from the group. Les served as a Scorpion dealer, racer and in the research and development division. Louie was a sales representative for the firm.

2023 Jun, ASCOA Highlights

OFFICIAL GROUP PHOTO – Antique Snowmobile Club of America (ASCOA) Summer Meeting 2023 – Saturday night attendees gathered beneath the “Brave It!” mural on the south side of the Deerwood Bank in Deerwood, Minnesota. 135 members attended the Summer Meeting from throughout the snowbelt, including Montana, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota.

2023 Mar, Homecoming Highlights

Site prep and event support courtesy Sno-Serpents Snowmobile Club

Scorpion Homecoming 2023

Special thanks to Sno-Serpents Snowmobile Club who once again provided exceptional site prep with their Bombardier BR-180 groomer (one of two groomers the club maintains). Club members also facilitated on-ice sled registration and button sales. A particular shout-out to members Rob Geske, Mark Johnson, John Taylor and Duey Erlien. Thank you!

Established in 1973 and based in Deerwood, Minnesota, the Sno-Serpents were formed by a group of friends that decided it was time to formalize riding trails in the area and help promote safe snowmobiling for young people. The groomers of the Sno-Serpents Club take great pride in making sure snowmobile riders have the best groomed trails in the state. The club currently grooms 87 miles within beautiful, scenic Crow Wing County. Interested in becoming a member? Check-out their website at: http://www.snoserpents.com/

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.

@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest

2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights

Display Highlights

Scorpion Homecoming 2023

Highlights from our on-ice display area, Scorpion Homecoming 2023. A great showing a original, restored and custom Scorpions!

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.

@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 @cykel_cuyuna #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest

2023 Feb, Homecoming Highlights

Expert Judging

Scorpion Homecoming 2023

Members of the Antique Snowmobile Society (A.S.S.) were on-hand once again to provide us with expert judging for Scorpion Homecoming 2023. The A.S.S. has been our official judging resource since 2007, and we applaud their annual efforts. Thank you! Founded nearly 20 years ago, the A.S.S. meets annually in Cohasset, Minnesota and members volunteer at numerous antique snowmobile activities and events throughout the state. The A.S.S. is an all-volunteer, Minnesota-based organization of approximately 50 members, united in their love of vintage and antique snowmobiles.

From L to R, A.S.S. members Steve Pierce, Tim Quast, Brian Smith and Don Adams.

Celebrating the lasting legacy of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and Scorpion Snowmobiles, hometown creators and manufacturers of the legendary Scorpion Snowmobile.

@scorpionsleds @cuyuna_lakes @thehudson_218 @cykel_cuyuna #ScorpionSnowmobiles #ScorpionHomecoming #CuyunaLakes #CuyunaLakesContest