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By Hilary Judd
MILLVILLE -- Snowmobiling as a family started years ago, when the Ropelato crew scheduled a vacation day--a rather rare occasion in the life of a dairy-farming family--and ventured away from herding, feeding and milking chores to traverse local mountain terrain together. Though snowmobiling is often referred to as a recreational or leisure activity, the Ropelato's felt a more fierce fury for the face-off of machine meeting nature, and gained a passion-powered edge for the competitive challenge of the sport. This quest to compete with the elements led the Ropelato tradition to include an annual excursion to Jackson, Wyo., for the World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb challenge. Each spring, after qualifying by a running point total from other hill climbs, father Kim Ropelato competed to conquer Snow King Mountain atop his machine--with a faster time than any other competitor--as the family fan club cheered from below. Fifteen years and four "King of the Hill" titles later, Kim's legacy lives on. Sons Tyler, 23, and Nick, 19, grew up on the seat of a snowmobile, and on the sidelines in Jackson, wife and mom Sharon Ropelato said. "I attribute their racing to being raised around it, because of their dad," Sharon said. "And, a little bit of craziness." But no matter the specific reason, somewhere along the ride competitive racing entered the boys' blood as well. "It's a rush," said Tyler, a racer since he was 18, of the emotions involved in competition. Both boys compete in snowcross and climbing races. Snowcross, as described by avid enthusiast Banner Robinson, is a contest that sets racers against each other, at the same time, on a closed, strategically designed track. The course involves obstacles such as jumps, stutter bumps and S-turns. "It's motocross on snow," Nick said, describing snowcross. "It's like riding a dirt bike on snow, but you ride a snowmobile." Different from snowcross because it involves one climber at a time, hill climbing pits a single rider and sled against nature, and the rugged terrain of a mountainous landscape. A climber's goal is to go from the bottom of the hill to the top, with the quickest time. The Ropelato crew returned to Jackson recently, for an additional installment in the hill-climbing series. But this time Kim and Sharon composed the cheering support and prayer-pleading section, as Tyler and Nick attempted to conquer and become king. Tyler had experienced the severity of Snow King's 1,500-foot vertical test a few years before, which, according to World Championship Hill Climb hosts--the Jackson Hole Snow Devils--steepens near the summit to an angle of nearly 45 degrees. Simply standing upright along some sections of the course is difficult. "Guts and a good sled will take you over the top," said 2002 King of the Hill winner David Sharp. Tyler obviously had both that year. Invited from the snowcross scene to the climbing scene for the first time, Tyler accepted the challenge and emerged from the encounter as King of the Hill. In March 2003, Tyler was the experienced Jackson rider, and Nick was the one to be initiated. Reminiscent of Tyler's first battle with Snow King hill, Nick too had recently come to climb from the snowcross scene. Dubbed "the Greatest Show on Snow" and nominated the No. 1 winter snowmobile event nationwide, Nick and Tyler would challenge the Jackson landscape in front of 10,000 to 14,000 spectators from around the globe. Taking his turn in the test against nature, Tyler and his sled aggressively attacked the intimidating incline. But fortune wasn't in his favor this year, as he hit a gate and didn't qualify to move on in the competition. As Nick prepared at the starting line, and then commenced confrontation with the hill's majesty, Sharon began bargaining. "I was making deals [with God] all the way up," she said. Sharon had reason to negotiate. According to the Snow Devils, climbers who lose it on the upper reaches of the course often tumble hundreds of feet back downhill. But Nick earned reason to celebrate. In mirror-like fashion to Tyler's rookie run in Jackson, Nick bested the competition during his first hill climbing contest, and was the only semi-pro competitor to go over the top. Nick emerged victorious with a 2003 King of the Hill title. "It was a one-shot deal. I definitely wasn't expecting that," Nick said. "It's the first time that's ever happened for me. I have bad luck." Sharon was thrilled at the success of both her boys. "For either of them to go up on the mountain and take [the title] the first time is amazing," she said. No stranger to amazing accomplishments herself, however, Sharon shows the quest for conquering and zest for achievement doesn't stop with the Ropelato men. A senior at Utah State University, she maintains her duties on the dairy while earning a business administration degree. Because of his success this year, Nick has already qualified to compete in Jackson next spring, and Tyler plans to join him. "It was very poor, I didn't do very good this year," Tyler said of his performance and missing qualification for the competition's final round. "But yes, I'm planning to be there next year." And Jackson will be waiting for their return. Funds generated from the annual contest, which invites all qualified, "die-hard snowmobilers" to participate, brings in revenue from spectators, competitor registration fees and sponsors, allow the Snow Devils to assist local charities, people in need, and support a new scholarship fund availabl to local students. "I only like Jackson for hill climbing, I'm already qualified for next year," Nick said. "I'll be there."
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