The birthplace of the snowmobile!
Sayner, Wisconsin is the birthplace of the snowmobile. It is a small town 15 miles northwest of Eagle River in Vilas County. I never knew the snowmobile was invented here until last weekend. Shame on me.
The inventor of the snowmobile: Carl Eliason
Snowmobiling was born here in the 1920s, when Carl Eliason, of Sayner, invented the first snowmobile in 1924. He called it a motor toboggan. Ellison took his first patent out on November 24, 1927 and eventually manufactured and sold 40 motor toboggans. Unfortunately, he was forced to sell his business in 1939 because he couldn’t manufacture the amount of motor toboggans the Army wanted and needed. The new company, FWD Corporation, produced the last motor toboggan in 1964. Ellison has been featured in History Magazine in the Modern Marvels section.
The snowmobile is the best winter transportation in the Northwoods!
If you don’t snowmobile you should! There is something special about suiting up to brave the elements, and spending time outdoors riding through the forest while being with friends and family. The winter forest will literally take your breath away.
I don’t remember ever seeing this many sleds out on the trails before. The cold, the lack of wind, the amazingly groomed trails, and how the holidays fell on the weekend, made it almost PERFECT!
Sayner, WI is a winter wonderland! The forest will NEVER disappoint you!
The forest scenes in Wisconsin’s Northwoods will take your breath away! 
There is so much ✌️ in the tree’s!
Sayner, WI is at the heart of it all. Sayner Pub feeds everyone, keeps them warm, and brings people together. We were up last weekend and it was an amazing experience. The wings are the best in Wisconsin and the Old Fashioned’s and Bloody Mary’s are pretty darn good too.
I have never seen anyone get the sugar to froth this high EVER. Taylor at Sayner Pub makes it look easy!
Snowmobile museum in Sayner, WI
A few years ago we were camping in the area and had the chance to visit the The Vilas Historical Museum. It’s a pretty cool place and definitely not what we were expecting. It’s a great place to take the kids for sure.
They are closed for winter but will reopen in May.
Enjoy the Northwoods in the Winter
Get out and enjoy the season! I highly recommend thinking out of the box. Wether it’s snowshoes, hiking, sledding or just sitting in the quiet. If you dress in layers you can enjoy the winter months more than you know.
There is a calm, peaceful, and quiet in the winter forest that does not exist at any other time of the year. If you are able to snowmobile you can get to places most other’s can’t and you will be AMAZED and what you can see.
About 25 years ago we took a trip on the sleds I will never forget. We ended up followed the groomer super early in the morning home to the hotel. We came upon a clearing full of about 200 deer. Immediately we shut off the sled and just sat and watched them, under the moonlight just being together, and searching for food. It was magical.
The night air was still and the moonlight almost made it feel almost as light as day. It is an experience I will never forget. I thank God for the times I have been able to see things I know most don’t ever get the chance to experience, and believe I am changed for it too!
Enjoy the season, it’s calm and it’s rest! I promise to bring you more things to do and experience until we welcome in spring in all her glory!
~Have an amazing day Wisconsin, and remember the only one who fills your cup is you, Amy!
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