ASK A YOOPER: What’s a snowmachine?

OK, I’ve been in this great state for just over two months now and I’m discovering more and things to question. I have a preponderance of comparing most everything here from my former digs back in the Yoop (Michigan’s Upper Peninsula). As I’ve stated in my past musings, the U.P. and Alaska have much in common. But there are some differences that perplex the heck out of me.

Frontiersman editor Matt Hickman—being a new Alaskan himself—and I agreed. You, the readers, might be able enlighten me on my shortsightedness. Some of these queries are on the serious side, others are not—at least in my train of thought. Readers are welcomed to email or call Matt or myself with your thoughts. If it’s a really pertinent topic, I’ll even try to find out the real answer. I think a couple of my questions could actually make legitimate stories.

So with that, I throw myself to the wolves. My first quandary concerns the words “snow machine.” Alaskans seem hell-bent on using this term to describe a vehicle, used to traverse across snow-covered terrain—either recreationally or work. It has a two-or four stroke engine, a paddled track, handle bars, a seat and skis in front.

The first thing I started talking to people about up here was the fact that I had to leave my SNOWMOBILE and 4-wheeler back in the Yoop until I got settled. Almost immediately, and by everyone I brought the subject up with, I was scorned.

“They’re not snowmobiles, they’re snow machines. There are no snowmobiles in Alaska,” I was told. “That’s one sure way to show you’re not from Alaska.”

I asked how the term came to be. I have yet to get a good answer. People here refer to the vehicle that gets them to work as an “automobile”, not an “auto machine”. Why don’t Alaskans call their rigs by the latter instead of the former?

It’s my understanding that most motels and hotels worldwide have something called an “ice machine”. This is a refrigerator-type device that freezes water into small cubes used to cool liquids. In my mind, a “snow machine” is a device that makes snow.

And if snowmobiles indeed, do not exist in Alaska, I have another question.

I drove to Hatcher Pass in late September from the Willow side over to Palmer. I did this for the first time when I made my initial trip to the area in August of 2015. As I turned right onto Fishhook Willow Road heading back to Palmer, a sign along the right of way caught my eye. It said “Snowmobile Crossing”. The sign was still there last month. Why would the Mat-Su Borough put up a caution sign on a very heavily-traveled road for something that doesn’t exist?

Hmmmm.

All kidding aside, I would love to know where the term “snow machine” came from and when Alaska parted paths with most of the Lower 48’s terminology. I have found a picture of an official 1976 Nome Alaska registration sticker online. So I’m guessing the change occurred sometime after that. Additionally, why are those people who use the term snowmobile so frowned upon up here?

You can email me at chris.ford@frontiersman.com. The office number is 352-2250. I’m not sure if you have to dial 1-907 or 907 before the other digits. But that’s a question for another column!