Blackwoods Blizzard Tour is still on despite concerns amid snowfall

LAKE VERMILLION, Minn. — Despite nervousness after a lackluster snowfall this year, the Blackwoods Blizzard Tour is still on. Over 200 snowmobile riders will be heading up to Lake Vermillion on Feb. 5 through 8.

The snowfall by Lake Vermillion has been adequate, and the trails are being groomed. This year, 70 new riders are being welcomed to the tour. Every year the Blackwoods Blizzard Tour raises money towards local and regional care for those diagnosed with ALS.

“So we’re just excited about the opportunity to get out and ride,” said David Kolquist, president of Never Surrender. “These people love to ride snowmobile, so the only place in the state we’ve been able to find snow is up on Lake Vermilion, so we’ll trailer up there. We have two great days of riding planned, and the forecast is telling us maybe three to six inches of snow this weekend, which would certainly help. But we’re put on by a tremendous amount of volunteers that make it all possible.”

So far this year they’ve raised nearly one-million dollars.

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. There is no cure for ALS, but with research funding there have been advancements on understanding what causes it.