Racers And Boating Friends Anticipate Another Eventful Powerboaters Snowmobile Rally – Speed on the Water

Whether you’re an offshore racer, a fan of the sport or just a fan of great snowmobiling, and you’ve ever thought about heading to Wyoming to participate in the Powerboaters Snowmobile Rally, now’s your chance to get in on the fun at the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort in Saratoga, Wy., as there are still a few spots remaining for the Jan. 25-28 happening.

The Powerboaters Snowmobile Rally at the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort in Wyoming at the end of January always attracts some of offshore racing’s most accomplished competitors. Photo courtesy Lindsey Miller.

The annual event, which helps kickstart a new year of socialization and exhilaration for many performance boaters in a different “water” setting, is organized by Michael “Doc” Janssen, a name well-known in the industry for winning world championships, running pleasure boats and, as of late, volunteering to lead medical teams at offshore races. Janssen, who owns the resort and is a founding spine surgeon at the Center for Spine & Orthopedics in Denver, can’t wait to welcome friends from all corners of the country and Canada for some “speed on the frozen water.”

A longtime participant of the Powerboaters Snowmobile Rally thanks to his connection with Janssen as owners of Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats V-bottoms, Wisconsin’s Vinnie Diorio never misses the event. The owner and throttleman of the SV Offshore/Rollin Transport Super Cat-class team and his wife, Danielle, love snowmobiling in Wyoming with their friends because it’s quite polarizing compared to the riding they do at home.

“For us, it’s like a like a family reunion,” Diorio said. “Every year it’s a little different, but it’s a lot of the same people we know from boat racing and poker runs. We’re actually bringing some different people this year, some guys who are on our crew. They’re going to love it. We’re big snowmobilers around home in Wisconsin, but the snowmobiling in those mountains is so different—and so much fun. The setup they have now is really nice, too.

“And what makes the whole thing that much better is that everyone involved with the event helps put on such a good show,” he added. “We always have a good time and everyone is positive and helpful.”

Another couple who plans to return to the event in January is Illinois-based performance boaters Reese and Sara Langheim, the lovable owners of the reigning Super Stock-class world champion Jackhammer team.

“Sara and I have been going for years; we love it, well she loves it—I’d rather be in Mexico with my shorts and flip-flops on,” Langheim said and then chuckled. “Seriously it’s a super fun event and Doc and his team go out of their way to host a phenomenal event. Not only do they provide incredible breakfast, lunch and dinners, they rent equipment, have guides available and make everything so easy. And, at the end of the day, everyone can soak in the hot springs and enjoy their favorite drink from the bar or the brewery.”

The brewery Langheim is referring to is Janssen’s award-winning Snowy Mountain Brewery, which is one of several enhancement Janssen has made to the resort throughout the years.

Langheim said that he and Sara love the picturesque and quaint southern Wyoming town. They also appreciate the resort’s food and drink selection. But best of all, they enjoy spending time with their friends. Running wide-open, he said, in the white wilderness of the Medicine Bow Mountains with some of the most accomplished offshore racers on the planet is an added bonus.

“Just tell everyone they can come ride with the world champion Jackhammer team—that will get them to sign up,” Langheim added with a laugh.

There are a few spots remaining for the 2024 rally, which includes a farm animal-themed costume party on Friday night. And no need to worry if you aren’t an experienced snowmobile rider, the team at the resort will take care of you. For more information or to register for the event or book rooms and rental equipment, call Lori Roman at 307-326-5261 or email [email protected].