Brian Nelson - Bringing his expertise and passion to our tours.

BRIAN NELSON – has been in the recreational business since an early age.

He ran his first snowmobile race at the age of 12 and went on to have a stellar career with John Deere and Arctic Cat.

Brian won the famed International 500 from Winnipeg to St. Paul, MN twice and many other cross country races. In addition he was the ICCSF point champion in 1976 and 4th in 1977. In 2000 Brian was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in Eagle River, WI.

Brian and his mechanic and friend Hubert Fixsen were instrumental in many of the sled changes in the ‘70’s, especially the suspension systems. They designed 1978 and 1979 Cross Country Cat that won the I-500 and many other races. They also designed the chassis and suspension systems on the first ZR’s. The ZR went on to become the winningest snowmobile in history. In 1993, in its inaugural year the ZR won every ISOC endurance race, the International 500, the Iron Dog classic in Alaska, most of the classes at Eagle River and went on to dominate all forms of racing for a decade.

Brian owned and operated a large retail marine and snowmobile business (Nelson Marine) in Spicer, MN from 1979 through 1997. The store sold Arctic Cat and Polaris snowmobiles, and many lines of boats, motors and marine accessories. Nelson Marine was one of the largest dealers in the state. The retail store was sold in the fall of 1997 to a local car dealership and is now operated by the Brian’s former employees.

The tour business started as a way to promote the retail store in 1980 and has grown ever since, expanding into ATV and motorcycle trips in 2004.

Brian lives on Nest Lake near Spicer with his Golden Retriever, Storm. His son Sean attends college at NDSU in Fargo, ND.

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