Snowmobile Tour Benefits ALS

Story Published: Feb 5, 2009 at 11:36 AM CST

A year ago, the Black Woods Blizzard Tour snowmobile ride raised $500,000 to fight ALS.

Now that the Northland has plenty of snow, riders in the 2009 Blizzard Tour hope to top the half-million dollar mark during the three-day ride from Proctor to Tower to Two Harbors and back to Proctor.

Riders and guests will conclude the event at a Celebration Dinner Saturday evening at Greysolon Ballroom by Black Woods in downtown Duluth.

In its 10th year, the Black Woods Blizzard Tour features nearly 150 snowmobilers, all of whom have collected a minimum of $900 in pledges.

The rider who collects the most dollars will win a 2009 Polaris snowmobile.

Serving as Tour hosts again this year are Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire, winner of four division championships in his seven years as skipper of the Twins, and former Twins catcher Terry Steinbach, who lost his father to ALS in 1999.

Also taking part in this year’s ride are former Twin Kent Hrbek, current Twins coaches Rick Anderson and Joe Vavra and former Minnesota Wild hockey star Darby Hendrickson.

"We couldn't be more thrilled," said event organizer Bryan Flaherty of Black Woods Grill and Bar. "To see the generosity of our Tour riders, of those who made pledges, and of all Northlanders is really heartwarming.”

“It’s a highlight of the winter for us,” said Gardenhire, who will again be joined by his wife and son on the Tour. “We leave for spring training pretty much right when the ride is over, so it’s a great to time relax, talk some baseball, and raise money for this worthy cause.”

Also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a fatal disease that affects more than 30,000 people in the United States and 300 in Minnesota.

Thirteen new cases are diagnosed each day.

Patients eventually become paralyzed. Although there is currently no cure or treatment, research in recent years has made startling in-roads toward those ends.

Dollars raised will not only go toward furthering this research, but also toward helping ALS patients here in the Northland live as full life as possible.

Black Woods Blizzard Tour Schedule/Media Availability

Friday February 6th -8AM Riders begin departing Fortune Bay

3:30PM Riders begin arriving at the AmericInn and Country Inn in Two Harbors.

Saturday February 7th

10:30AM -Riders depart from Two Harbors

2:00PM -Riders finish the tour at the Black Woods Grill and Bar in Proctor

6:00PM -Blizzard Tour Banquet begins at Greysolon Ballroom by Black Woods in Duluth


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