Outdoor Channel program to feature Sault Michigan

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT CONVENTION AND VISITORS' BUREAU

************************* Outdoor Channel program to feature EUP

SAULT STE. MARIE - With a long history as a must-visit location for snowmobiling, the Eastern Upper Peninsula will gain national recognition for a different motorized sport next spring when the area’s trails are featured on Destination Polaris.

The Outdoor Channel program that caters to all terrain vehicle (ATV) enthusiasts and visits top spots around the country made a five-day stop here in October.

The production team visited the area with a larger group of travel writers who were touring the EUP, hosted by the Sault Convention and Visitors Bureau and Travel Michigan.

A camera crew from Ron Schara Productions road the trails with some local guides and said they were surprised by what they found.

“We expected the trails in the U.P. to be forest only, but there was a good variety in the landscape here,” said Adam McFarlane, a producer for the production company, which is responsible for nearly a dozen cable shows. “We came across an abandoned airport, a World War II artillery range, and saw lots of beautiful scenery.”

Destination Polaris will feature two five-minute segments shot in the EUP.

The first highlights the Sault Ste. Marie area.

McFarlane said it will showcase the town, the trails, and tell ATV enthusiasts why they would want to visit the Soo.

“In a place like this it’s not hard to tell the story. You just have to turn the camera on,” the producer said.

The second story will feature one of the local guides, Sault Ste. Marie resident Gordy Gilray (shown), 78.

Gilray and two other local men helped the production team to navigate trails and discover the area’s hidden treasures.

It’s no surprise that Gilray was featured for the program.

He has been a trail leader for years, has played an instrumental role in area snowmobiling initiatives, and has an uncanny sense of direction in the woods.

“I can take you to Hurley, Wisconsin and never look at a trail map,” he admits with a laugh.

Gilray said he puts about 3,000 miles on his Polaris Sportsman 800 every summer.

Asked if he has a favorite between ATVs and snowmobiles, he said he doesn’t.

In fact, you can add personal watercraft to his list of favorite toys.

“I retired and I enjoy myself. When I’m 90, I’m going over the hill on a new snow machine. That’s how you keep yourself young,” he explained.

Chippewa Motors played an instrumental role in hosting Destination Polaris during their visit.

“We loaned them three ATVs and two extra people,” explained one of the owners, Christina Smith. “They needed extra people to go with them so they could film people riding the ATVs.”

In addition to selling ATVs, the dealership also distributes trail maps and can answer questions about the trail system and the recreational vehicles.

The exact air date of the Outdoor Channel program featuring the EUP is unknown, but McFarlane predicted a March broadcast.

As spring approaches, Chippewa Motors expects to know the exact date the program will air.

*************************