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NEWS & OPINION
Kim Raap selected to International Snowmobile Hall of Fame
Posted: 8/14/2012
Kim Raap was recently selected to the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in the category of Trail and Program Developer. He currently resides in Sioux Falls, SD and has dedicated most of his life to making snowmobiling better across the United States and Canada. His accomplishments range from trail development and partnership building to national leadership and program development.
Raap's trail development career started with SD Game, Fish & Parks as a park manager when he created the first snowmobile trail in the Sioux Falls area in 1979 and later managed the Roy Lake snowmobile trail. He served as South Dakota's state snowmobile coordinator from 1985-1995; highlights from this service include growing the Black Hills snowmobile trail system from 195 to over 300 miles, starting the grant-in-aid program which provides eastern South Dakota snowmobile trails, and development of the George S. Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills.
Raap served as the state of Wyoming's trails program manager from 1995-2004 where he was instrumental in developing and improving Wyoming's world-class snowmobiling opportunities. He also established the state's ORV trails program and was at the forefront of efforts to continue allowing winter access to Yellowstone National Park by snowmobile.
In 2004 Raap started Trails Work Consulting where he continues to work for snowmobiling and motorized trail interests across the U.S. and Canada. In this new capacity he has produced numerous publications and materials on trail development and maintenance, access, and snowmobiling safety that are used by many state and national trails programs. He also works directly with state and provincial organizations to provide training, problem solving, planning, and technical assistance with federal land use planning that affects snowmobiling access.
Raap's passion for snowmobiling has carried him well beyond "job duties" and has led to his being recognized many times over the past 30 years for his untiring efforts as a snowmobile trails program administrator and consultant. Among these honors are: Snow Goer Magazine for Best Snowmobile Trail System (Black Hills), Professional Excellence Award from International Association of Snowmobile Administrators, Iron Dog Brigade Distinguished Service Award, and Most Valuable Snowmobiler award from Snowmobile Magazine. His passion continues and is once again recognized with induction into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.
The 2012 induction ceremony will be held September 15 at Eagle River, WI. ISHOF is located in the World Snowmobile Headquarters building just north of the famed Eagle River Derby Track. It also hosts the Iron Dog Brigade, Antique and Vintage Snowmobile Museum, Derby Hall of Fame, Women on Snow and Radloff Gallery. Details on the induction weekend can be had by contacting Tom Anderson at admin@ishof.com or calling 1-800-746-8963.
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