Hundreds of snowmobile enthusiasts from around Michigan and beyond gathered last Saturday for the 33rd Annual Relic Ride for Charity.

Hosted by the Long Riders club, this beloved event celebrates the rich history and enduring appeal of vintage snowmobiles.

As attendees arrived at Jack Pine Lodge in Manistique, the air was thick with the nostalgic scent of two-stroke exhaust and the excited chatter of snowmobile aficionados.

Rows of gleaming vintage sleds lined the parking lot, ranging from classic 1960s models to the sturdy workhorses of the 1970s and high-performance sleds of the 1980s.

“There’s just something special about these old machines,” Joe Butcher said, proudly displaying his 1962 Arctic Cat 450. “They may not be as fast or flashy as the modern sleds, but they have a character and ruggedness that you just can’t replicate.

Butcher won a trophy for displaying the oldest snowmobile at the event. “We have more fun with these than the modern sleds,” a friend of his said.

Indeed, the appeal of these vintage snowmobiles lies in their simplicity. With their simple engines and bare-bones design, they represent a bygone era when snowmobiling was more about the journey than the destination.

And for many participants, the Relic Ride is as much about the camaraderie and shared love of the sport as it is about the machines themselves.

“We’ve been coming to this event for years,” one longtime attendee said, “and it’s always a highlight of the winter. It’s a chance to catch up with old friends, swap stories and just enjoy the thrill of riding these amazing machines through the woods.”

The event started early Saturday with breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by judging at 10 a.m., including a crowd-favorite competition: the loudest sled.

Organizers shared the route details before Alger County native Heather McNally sang the national anthem to the crowded field of riders.

The last words overheard were “Gentleman, start your engines!” before the old snowmobiles were aggressively yanked to life. Within seconds, a thick white cloud of exhaust smoke billowed into the snowy sky, marking the official start of the ride.

As the day progressed, the participants set out on a carefully planned route that took them through scenic backroads and trails of the Hiawatha National Forest.

Starting at Jack Pine, the sleds took off in a parade fashion, with spectators lining the trail to watch the relics speed away. After navigating the Haywire Trail north, the riders stopped in Steuben for bonfires, food and drink at All Seasons Cabins and Store.

Then heading southwest on Bass Lake Road, riders passed over the Indian River, where the convoy of vintage sleds made its way through a series of small trails that ended at the Thunderbowl, a local outdoor landmark for motorsports enthusiasts.

At the Thunderbowl, a crew from The Big Springs Tavern served refreshments, while a large bonfire was slowly surrounded by hundreds of old and new snowmobiles.

“The best part is just being out on the trail, riding these old machines and talking with people who love them,” said Larry Nelson, who traveled from Green Bay, Wisconsin, for the event.

As the sun began to set, the riders slowly made their way back to the Jack Pine. With plans already in motion for next year’s Relic Ride, this long-standing tradition continues to thrive, proving that the love for vintage snowmobiles is as strong as ever. It is not just a fun event, but it also serves a good cause.

“All the money we raised today is staying local,” a Long Riders spokesman said, “so thanks for the generosity.”