The excitement of being in an awesome location with all of next season's sleds is always an incredible experience. (Let the experience begin)
The opportunity to experience and evaluate the latest snowmobiles is always a high point. (My most memorable experience, was experience)
Our next group of 2015's, ready to ride
My first “true” high mountain “Snow Shoot” experience was an unforgettable life highlight that I have also written about in the past. (My personal mountain experience)
But, what really caught my notice at Snow Shoot 2015 was watching all of those things through the wide eyes and smiles of 2 members of our SledMagazine.com / Motoneiges.ca team who were participating in the Snow Shoot experience for the first time. Their reactions and interactions renewed the spirit of our entire team and allowed us to appreciate the event like it was all brand new for us as well.
 Mathieu Lavoie |
 Gino Saint-Laurent |
One of our team's first timers was Mathieu Lavoie. Mathieu has been a Columnist / Test Rider with our organization for the past 2 years . His focus has been on the youth perspective and he brings the newest generations of snowmobilers information in a way that only a member of their age group can.
It is sometimes not obvious that snowmobile media members are beginning to get older. When you are at a meeting or event with people most similar to you, everything seems normal. When someone enters the room that stands out in a particular way, you become a little more group/ self aware?
I noted with interest, the comments of a seasoned Manufacturers representative who recalled a recent dinner that included a group of esteemed well known snowmobile journalist. During the course of dinner, the conversation turned to the realization that the same group who had once prided themselves on being around at closing time, were now near nodding off at the dinner table and looking to go comfortably horizontal before 9.
I often have heard media members making comparisons and references to the old days or snowmobiles long gone. I even catch myself doing it. While history can be of interest to many, such references do little in connecting with or reaching newer and younger riders.
Age brings inherent benefits of experience, skill and wisdom; it can also bring negatives of complacency, loss of enthusiasm or an innocent failure to effectively connect with newer generations. I'm not saying that this is always the case, but we must consider it as an increasing possibility.
Now back to SledMagazine.com / Motoneiges.ca Columnist Mathieu. His enthusiasm and excitement were contagious. Watching him watching everything all at once was a real treat. His wide eyed energy made our entire team better. He made the team more effective with the higher energy level that we maintained throughout the entire week. Lead, follow or get out of the way! Mathieu made us younger in spirit and younger in attitude toward all that was new.
Mathieu wasn't some kid along for the ride. He was an equal, who was respectful of the opportunity and responsibility that comes with embargoed media access. He worked hard to learn the ropes, was responsive to direction and was impressive in every way.
I watched him take a leadership role in encouraging the rest of our “Snow Shoot” team to up our game in response to his high level of awe and his visible recognition of the unique opportunity and respect that our organization has earned.
At SledMagazine.com/Motoneiges.ca, accuracy is critical
I watched him put extra energy, effort and diligence into the collection and recording of data, features and observations on over 70 models. Mathieu's organizational skills and attention to detail resulted in SledMagazine.com's most complete and comprehensive “Buyers Guide” ever, to be published.
His outlook was fresh and he looked at things from a new point of view. He liked and responded to the 2015 color schemes that many seasoned veterans quickly dismissed as being hideous.
We will continue to teach Mathieu how to refine his communication skills and he in turn will continue to teach the rest of us about being fresh and open minded. He has our respect, our support and our guidance. His unique perspective will keep us younger longer and he will be a relevant reporter of inside snowmobile information to all generations for years to come.
 Fresh perspectives! |
 Refreshing ideas! |
Whether you are older or younger, enjoy the interesting, relevant and refreshing perspective of an article by Mathieu Lavoie and Gino St-Laurent. We may all look at the same thing, but we may not all see the same thing. That's the beauty of snowmobilers.
At SledMagazine.com / Motoneiges.ca we have you covered.
Our entire Snow Shoot team gave 100%, Gino gave 110%
My most memorable experience of Snow Shoot 2015 was seeing the future of snowmobile journalism in action and the future looks great.
