Tim Haberberger of Alpine has been honored as the 2018 International Groomer of the Year by the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame. He is the first Wyoming snowmobile trail groomer to receive this prestigious award which was presented during Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Eagle River, Wisc. Haberberger and his family operate the Box-Y Lodge located 30 miles up the Grey’s River Road from Alpine – a remote location accessible only by snowmobile or snowcat during winter.

He has been the State of Wyoming’s snowmobile trail grooming contractor in the Greys River and Blind Bull areas of the Wyoming Range for the past 20 years and owns and operates three Tucker Sno-Cats based out of the Box-Y and Alpine. He personally grooms more than 2,800 miles per year – which equates to 500 to 600 hours in a Sno-Cat doing snowmobile trail set-up, dozing, and grooming in conditions that range from wind-swept flats to steep mountainous grades in very challenging terrain.

Besides being the trail groomer, Haberberger has also been very active in the development and operation of the Wyoming Range snowmobile trail system. State Trails Program Manager, Ron McKinney, stated in a letter of support for this award that, “Most of the trail system in the north end of the Wyoming and Salt River Range would not be here today without Tim’s dedication to the sport. This system is now one of the most popular in Wyoming and we have Tim to thank for this,” McKinney said. “Not only does he provide some of the best maintained trails in the state, he also truly shows a passion and talent that is an example for other grooming operations around the country. And it is not a coincidence that growth of the Wyoming Range really took off – and the quality of groomed snowmobile trails vastly improved – immediately after Tim took over grooming in 1998.”

Haberberger has faced many challenges while grooming over the past 20 years – including being caught in an avalanche with the groomer, as well as having to deal with major landslides that disrupted snowmobile trail routes in the Blind Bull and Grey’s River areas the past two winters. Without exception, he has always risen to the challenge and done his best to keep snowmobile trail access open. Taylor Jones, president of the Wyoming State Snowmobile stated in a letter of support that “Tim was there to help when my club took on rebuilding the Blind Bull warming hut several years ago and always does his best to keep snowmobile access open; whatever it takes, he is always on top of it.”

Haberberger’s commitment was echoed by a local snowmobile club’s support letter stating, “Tim has been like the mailman in that he is always out maintaining our trails regardless of the weather. He has been out many times all night so we would have great trails the next day. He has been caught in bad weather, even avalanches, yet he never quits – he delivers like the mailman.” Trails Program Manager McKinney added, “It’s truly a pleasure to see Tim Haberberger recognized at this high level for the dedication he has shown for the past 20 years providing high-quality, smooth trails for snowmobilers in western Wyoming while also putting his talents to work developing trails for access to world-class backcountry riding. Tim’s grooming contributions this year, and every year, show his tremendous dedication to something he truly loves. He continues to be a tremendous asset to Wyoming’s snowmobile trails program and we are proud to have him part of our team.”