By Julie Oliver

PROVIDENCE -- Verlin and Dot Simmons have been plowing their way through the United States and Canadian winter sports scene since 1992 thanks to Verlin's invention of a snowmobile ski called the Simmons Flexi-Ski.

The Simmons Flexi-Ski is unlike any other snowmobile ski because of its uniquely designed wear-bars, which are on both sides of the ski, rather than older models which have only one wear-bar in the center of the ski.

"He bought his first machine in 1970, and in 1984 he won the Jackson Hill climb," said Dot about her husband's achievement at the World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb, which takes place every year in Jackson Hole, Wyo., on Snow King Mountain.

Since the invention of the Flexi-Ski the entire Simmons family, which consists of four children, 21 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, have kept busy by doing their parts to help out the business.

The Simmons' current business operations are run out of an office in their home, but this work area will shortly be moving to a brand-new office that is being built on the side of their property. The new building will also allow space for the assembly of the Flexi-skis, which are completed by grandsons Thayne Simmons and Michael Olsen.

The materials needed for the construction of Simmons Flexi-skis are produced nationwide. The compression-molded metal is made in Indiana, the mounting brackets are manufactured in Logan and the wear-bars are produced in the Midwest.

While the Simmons work hard to expand their business there is another more pressing issue going on behind closed doors. The issue deals with a two-year-long pending lawsuit with Ski-doo, which involves the three patents owned by the Simmons. The next court date is set for August.

Even in their business's busy season the Simmons still find time to do the things they love. Dot keeps herself busy by producing works of art through painting and by having lunch parties for her friends.

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