What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
For nearly two decades, Tom Anderson has been the steady hand guiding the World Snowmobile Headquarters in Eagle River. Now he’s ready to hand off the keys to someone with fresh energy and new ideas for the iconic museum.
Anderson’s decision marks more than just a leadership change. It’s a pivotal moment for an institution that sits at the heart of what makes Eagle River the Snowmobile Capital of the World.
“It’s time to move on,” Anderson said. “I’ve had it for 19 years and I’ve done what I wanted to do with it. I’ve accomplished the goals I set out for and now it’s time to turn it over to a new young person with new energy and a new focus.”
When Anderson bought the building in 2006, it was just another strip mall. His vision? Transform it into a premier destination right next to the World Championship Derby Complex, where snowmobile enthusiasts from across the country already gathered each January.
The move paid off. Today the headquarters houses around 70 vintage and modern snowmobiles, documenting over a century of evolution from Carl Eliason’s early motorized sleds in nearby Sayner to the high-tech racing machines that scream around the Derby track at 124 mph.
Anderson expanded the facility to include the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Derby Championship Hall of Fame, and exhibits celebrating the Iron Dog Brigade, Antique Snowmobile Club, and Women on Snow. There’s a gift shop too, because you can’t visit the snowmobile capital without taking home a little piece of that heritage.
Eagle River didn’t become snowmobile central by accident. The region’s connection to the sport runs deep — deeper than the snow that blankets our trails each winter.
The whole thing started in 1964 when John and Betty Alward, along with Walter Goldsworthy, organized the first World Championship Snowmobile Derby as a way to boost the local winter economy. Back then, nobody knew it would become the Indianapolis 500 of snowmobile racing.
When ABC’s Wide World of Sports showed up in 1968 with Green Bay Packers legends Bart Starr and Ray Nitschke, Eagle River‘s Derby became a national phenomenon. At its peak, over 50,000 people packed the stands on Derby weekend.
The snowmobile industry generates an estimated $26 billion in annual economic impact across the United States, with the Northwoods serving as a major hub for both recreational riding and competitive racing.
Today, the Derby Complex still draws serious crowds each January. Racers push machines to their limits on the half-mile banked oval while spectators huddle with hot chocolate and cheer from heated grandstands.
The World Snowmobile Headquarters does more than preserve history — it celebrates the people who made that history possible. Anderson knows this better than anyone.
“The wonderful people have been the best part,” he said. “They have been very generous, very fun loving, and I was able to meet so many great people over the course of these 19 years.”
The International Snowmobile Hall of Fame has inducted over 140 individuals representing every corner of the sport. These aren’t just racers — they’re dealers, club leaders, trail groomers, and innovators who built snowmobiling into what it is today.
Each year the Hall of Fame recognizes four new inductees and awards honors like International Snowmobile Club of the Year and International Groomer of the Year. It’s a reminder that this sport thrives because of community, not just horsepower.
Anyone who’s ridden the trails around here knows that Eagle River sits at the center of something bigger. The area maintains over 500 miles of groomed trails, all managed by the Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club and neighboring organizations.
Those trails connect to thousands more miles crisscrossing the Northwoods. Winter weekends see riders from Illinois, Minnesota, and beyond exploring everything from lakeside runs to deep forest routes.
Local businesses depend on this. Hotels fill up. Restaurants serve up Friday fish fries to hungry riders. Gas stations stock up on two-stroke oil. The entire winter economy in Vilas County pulses with the hum of snowmobile engines.
Here’s what keeps the system running:
Anderson’s search for a successor isn’t just about finding someone to unlock the doors each morning. The next leader will shape how the headquarters evolves, what stories it tells, and how it connects with younger generations of riders.
The building at 1521 N Railroad Street stays open year-round, welcoming visitors even when there’s no snow on the ground. But the real magic happens in winter, when the trails are groomed and the Derby crowds roll into town.
Whoever takes over from Anderson inherits more than a museum. They inherit a piece of Northwoods identity, a winter tradition that spans generations, and a responsibility to preserve what makes this place special.
If you’ve ever dreamed of running a snowmobile museum in the heart of sled country, this might be your shot. Contact the World Snowmobile Headquarters directly or reach out to Anderson to learn more about taking on this unique role.
The sleds are waiting. The trails are calling. All that’s missing is someone ready to write the next chapter.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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