March 2008 - New York State Snowmobile Association

Transcription

Forum & Annual Meeting
To Be Held in Niagara Falls
Think
Before You Ride!
Ride New York:
Warren County and Lake George
Snowmobile Trails
PRSRT STD
U.S.Postage
PAID
Flint, MI
Permit No. 512
The Official Voice of the New York State
Snowmobile Association
P.O. Box 612, Long Lake, NY 12847-0612
(518) 624-3849 Fax: (518) 624-2441
(888) 624-3849
www.nyssnowassoc.org
e-mail: jimjennings@nyssnowassoc.org
New York Snowmobiler
2929 Davison Rd., Flint, MI 48506
(800) 935-1592 ext. 189
Fax: (810) 239-8642
e-mail: mgrogitsky@printcomm.com
March 2008, Vol. 4, No. 5
A New York State Snowmobile Association Magazine
Publisher
Kevin Naughton
Managing Editor
Marie Grogitsky
(800) 935-1592 ext. 189
e-mail: mgrogitsky@printcomm.com
Copy Editor
Anne O’Dell
Contributing Writer
Jim Urquhart
Graphic Designer
Michele L. Peterson
Proofreader
Stacey Rex
Publication Coordinator
John Bitters
Advertising Sales
Hal Fleischman
(716) 864-4283
6
12
20
Features
5 Think Before You Ride!
One snowmobiler’s list of questions to ask yourself before you hit the trails.
6 Snowmobile Program Director Promises
Good Things to Come
Director of snowmobiling for the NYSOPRHP offers insight on his first
snowmobile season on the job.
12 Forum and Annual Meeting Slated for Niagara Falls
Join hundreds of other NYSSA members at the 2008 NYSSA Informational
Forum and Annual Meeting on April 11-13. There will be seminars, NYSSA’s
annual business meeting and an opportunity for a little fun, snowmobiler style.
16 Trail Watch Program Hailed a Success
ADVERTISING POLICY: The New York State
Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) reserves the right
to reject advertising in the New York Snowmobiler
based on content and does not accept advertising
that is in conflict with a service or position of
NYSSA. Acceptance of advertising does not imply
endorsement or approval of the product or service.
NEW YORK SNOWMOBILER is published five
times a year, October, November, December/
January, February and March by the New York State
Snowmobile Association, P.O. Box 612, Long Lake,
NY 12847-0612.
Snowmobilers do their part in the war on terrorism.
17 Taking a Look Back at Our Season
A pictorial look back at the 2007-08 snowmobile season in New York.
20 Ride New York: Warren County and
the Lake George Snowmobile Trails
While many think of the Lake George, the Lake Luzerne and the Warren
County areas as summertime vacation destinations, with over 300 miles
of trail, they are also hotspots for snowmobilers.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to New
York Snowmobiler, c/o PrintComm, 2929 Davison
Rd., Flint, MI 48506.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscriptions are available
through membership to the New York State
Snowmobile Association.
On the Cover: Rich Rozzi, NYSSA Director-at-Large and chair of the Super Raffle, enjoys
an end-of-season ride on C4 in Speculator. Ahead of Rich is his nephew, Stephen Rozzi.
Photo by Anne O’Dell. If you would like to submit your photos for consideration, please
send high-resolution, digital photos on CD to the NYSSA office.
Departments
President’s Message.............. 3
Vice President........................ 4
Officer Information................. 4
Executive Director.................. 9
Trails Coordinator................. 10
Calendar of Events............... 14
NYSSA Membership Discounts......15
Marketplace Ads.................. 22
Youth Page........................... 22
Contributors: We welcome unsolicited materials and letters for possible publication. News stories, manuscripts, photographs, artwork and
other contributions must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you wish it returned. New York Snowmobiler accepts no
responsibility for returns, losses or damage of unsolicited materials. Letters to the Editor must be signed with address and telephone number
of the sender. Copyright: All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher.
New York Snowmobiler ❅ March 2008
perry44@frontiernet.net
When You Think Snowmobiling, Think Safety
A
s I put my column together in early February, it is raining and 39
degrees. It seems like it’s been an up and down winter and the
temperature has not been too severe. To some degree I can’t
complain, my delivery truck did not “gel up.” I hope that everyone had an
enjoyable winter and got to do some extended riding. Thanks to some
good people in the Cranberry Lake area, I even got in some riding.
I’d like to remind everyone in my last column for the season, that
when we think snowmobiling, we should always be thinking safety.
We had a rough start to an early season with a few fatalities. We can’t
redo that period, but we can learn from it. If we remember that our
sleds are bigger in size, weight and horsepower; remember that
changing weather conditions have an effect on the snow and the trails
and remember that as we get older our abilities may diminish, then we
can safely enjoy the riding season.
Remember that NYSSA has a zero tolerance policy. If we adhere
to some basic safety rules that we all have learned and picked up
through the years, then we can make it through the season without
injuring ourselves or others. Everyone’s goal should be to ride safely
and encourage others to do the same. Maybe we can start off next
year’s riding season with a simple slogan. SAFE — Snowmobiling
And Friendship means Enjoyment.
NYSSA Accomplishments
I feel that NYSSA has accomplished a great deal this season. Our
Online Membership program is up and running and our Membership
Discount program has been a success. We put together a comprehensive strategic plan that we will continue to work on for the benefit of
all our members. We have secured the services of a public relations
firm to professionally handle our media issues. We have instituted
an Online Magazine that you can view by going to the NYSSA Web
site. NYSSA has also attended numerous events around the state.
The list goes on and on.
I personally attended some events and found out that snowmobilers from all over want to be informed and want to protect
snowmobiling. We had an early start to the riding season and that
gave a much needed shot in the arm to the snowmobiling industry.
With that said, a big thank you to all the fine folks in the Cranberry
Lake area for the great riding I experienced. Thanks for the use of
the sleds, the hospitality and the groomed trails. Their names are
too numerous for this limited space.
Super Raffle and the Forum
Forum information has been sent to
your club. Start selecting delegates
for the Annual Meeting, and make
your reservations.
Meeting for every 30 members. Forum attendance, however, is
unlimited. Let’s make this Forum bigger and better than last year’s
Forum. There will be issues that need to be voted on, two bylaw
changes, and of course our seminars are geared to inform you.
Finally, it’s been a pleasure to serve as NYSSA President again
this year. The learning process never ends. I have advised the
nominating committee that I will again run for NYSSA President
for one last term. Enjoy what is left of the riding season, stay safe,
keep in touch and hopefully I’ll talk to you soon. Thanks to all of
you who have volunteered to make snowmobiling as great as it is
in New York. Thanks to all our NYSSA members and welcome to
all our new members. ❅
If you still haven’t picked up your Super Raffle tickets, what’s the
hold up? NYSSA has provided your Club with a way to make a few
bucks. NYSSA prints the tickets and posters and secures the prizes. All
you have to do is sell the tickets, and your Club receives half of what you
collect. The big drawing will be held at the NYSSA Annual Meeting and
Forum, April 11-13 at the Niagara Falls Conference Center.
Forum information has been sent to your club and is available on the
NYSSA Web site. Start selecting delegates for the Annual Meeting, and
make your reservations (Crowne Plaza, Niagara Falls, (800) 496-7621).
Remember, your Club is allowed one voting delegate at the Annual
March 2008 ❅ New York Snowmobiler
niagaradirector@frontiernet.net
Back to Riding
W
ell, at least I hope you are riding
by now. The season was off to
such a great start before
Christmas and then Mother Nature threw us
a curve ball. As I write this, it’s about 40
degrees here in Western New York, but snow
and freezing temperatures are in the forecast.
As this is the last edition of the magazine for
this year, I hope you have had and continue
to have a great and safe season!
With the fast start to the season, all of us
are alarmed at the spike in fatalities. Last
season, we had 17 snowmobile-related
deaths in New York State. I hope this was
an aberration: as of Jan. 5, we were only a
few short from equaling last year’s total.
While we mourn every death, at the same
time I hope all of us, you and I, are
learning. Based on information supplied
by the New York State Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation
(NYS OPRHP), most of these accidents
occurred off trail; almost all were attributable to excessive speed, alcohol or a
mixture of both. Please remember alcohol
and any kind of motorized vehicle don’t
mix. Trails are marked for several reasons,
mostly to keep people where the landowners want them, but also to keep you
away from hazards like rocks, stumps,
holes, low hanging branches, etc. We want
you to be a member tomorrow and next
year, but you have to help us make that
wish come true.
Besides the loss of life and the loss of
one of our brothers or sisters in the sport,
every death generates bad press
(Remember that bad news sells.) These
types of stories lead people to question our
ability to police our sport from within, and
they give politicians the opportunity to
legislate even more restrictions on the
sport we love — all in the name of making
things safer for us. The bottom line is if
we don’t police ourselves, someone else
will, whether it is with more restrictive
legislation or increased law enforcement
presence on the trails or both.
With the fast start
to the season,
all of us are alarmed
at the spike
in fatalities.
Step in and Put a Stop to It
What can you do? If your buddy is
drinking heavily at a “refreshment” stop,
step in and put a stop to it. Refuse to ride
with him; if he’s acting like a Sno-Cross
wannabe, pull that person aside and tell
them to knock it off. I don’t know if there
is anything worse than attending the
funeral of a friend because you thought he
(or she) would think you were “un-cool” if
you said anything about the type of riding
that ultimately killed them.
Those who have been to my sled camp
know “the rule.” There’s only one. The
sleds are in the garage and the garage is
locked up for the night before the first beer
is opened. It’s pretty much the only rule at
the camp. You can adopt this rule too.
I hope to see many of you at the NYSSA
Spring Forum in Niagara Falls in April.
Debbie Perkins, Jim Jennings and our
Public Relations and Education Committee
are working hard to make this annual event
better than ever. We hope to have a “mini
Big East” type of show on the floor of the
convention center along with several
vendors, representatives from our
Membership Discount Program, a charity
auction during the Ice Breaker Reception
on Friday Night to benefit NYSSA’s
Charity of Choice, Easter Seals and the
Food Bank of Western New York. Don’t
forget that when you pack the car, throw in
a couple cans of non-perishable food for the
Food Drive! The Food Bank also accepts
monetary donations, if you so choose.
It has been my pleasure to serve as your
Vice President again this year. I hope you
have a great end of season, a wonderful
and safe off-season and I look forward to
seeing you next season. To all our
members, thanks for all you do and to our
new members, welcome!❅
Officer Information
President: Robert V. Perry
perry44@frontiernet.net
(518) 993-2653, 27 Kellogg St.,
Fort Plain, NY 13339
Secretary: Linda Middleton
osp2@twcny.rr.com
(315) 668-2127, 108 Baum Rd.,
Hastings, NY 13076
Past-President: Hal Fleischman
NewYorkSnowmobiler@msn.com
(716) 864-4283
2867 River Rd., Buffalo, NY 14207
Executive Director: Jim Jennings
jimjennings@nyssnowassoc.org
(518) 624-3849, P.O. Box 612, Long
Lake, NY 12847
Vice President:
Gary J. Broderick
NiagaraDirector@frontiernet.net
(716) 731-1719, 5785 West St.,
Sanborn, NY 14132-9206
Treasurer: Roger McCabe
cumminsram44@earthlink.net
(716) 655-1593, S 3915 Four Rod Rd.,
East Aurora, NY 14052
Web Master: Ed Graham
nyssawebmaster@snowclubs.com
(585) 598-9447
93 New Wickham Dr.,
Penfield, NY 14526
Trails Coordinator: Dave Perkins
jenval@adelphia.net
(518) 747-4609, PO Box 13, Hudson
Falls, NY 12839
The Message Is Clear
This billboard is located one mile north of Cicero, N.Y. on Interstate 81 and is viewed from the
southbound lanes. The billboard space was donated by B.J.Potter, a member of the Snow Owls of
Cicero/Clay, Onondaga County. The vinyl for the sign was supplied by NYSSA. Thanks to Onondaga
Director Ernie Roosevelt for the photo! ❅
Think Before You Ride
Submitted by Marty Bull
1What are the anticipated
weather conditions for that day?
2What are the current trail
conditions for that day?
3Will my sled handle as well as
the sled in front of me or
behind me on this ride?
4 Do I have the ability to ride the
same way as the rider in front
of me or behind me?
A. Do I have the eye sight to
see the changes in the
trail at the speed we will
be riding at?
B. D o I have the strength to
handle the sled in sudden
changes in the trail
conditions?
C. Do I have the hand-eye
coordination to make
changes fast enough
when needed?
D. Will my sled handle the
changes of the trail as
well as the sleds in front
of me or behind me?
5Am I riding with riders with more
or less experience than myself?
6 Is there an understanding
among the group that they will
stop at all intersections and
road crossings to make sure
everyone is still with the group
and in good condition?
7Each rider needs to be responsible
for the rider behind them.
8 Never ride alone!!
These are just some
basic ideas that all
riders should follow
for a safe ride.
I am sure some others
could add to this list.
Steve Lewis (L) and
Jim MacFarland (R)
of the NYSOPRHP
Snowmobile Unit
get ready to ride.
Seasons Change
& Conditions Will Improve
©2008 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. All rights reserved. ®, ™ Trademark of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or
its affiliates. Always ride responsibly and safely. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Always wear appropriate
clothing, including a helmet. Don’t drink and drive. *Based on BRP internal testing. **Based on 2008 competitive product
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Steve grins
during a
recent ride at
Speculator.
by Stephen Lewis,
Director of Snowmobiling, NYSOPRHP
any of you may not realize that this
was my first snowmobiling season
as Director — and what a first
season it has been! Within days of accepting the
responsibility of managing the snowmobile
program, I was meeting with the NYSSA President, Past President, Executive Director, Trail
Coordinator and a team from Capitol Group.
From that first meeting, to this very day, I learn
more and more of the difficulties and challenges
facing the sport of snowmobiling. My primary
challenge has been learning all the ins and outs
of the program while trying to come up with
equitable improvements to it, all in the context
of severely declining registrations, lower
numbers of youth showing interest in entering
the sport, reduced snowfall over wide spread
areas, rising equipment/sled costs, rising grooming costs and the need to maintain economic
viability within each and every county.
M
Steve shares a laugh with NYSSA directors John Occhino
and Kevin Makuen at the Flat Rock Inn (Tug Hill).
Streamlining the three-phased Grant
Application/documentation process and
speeding up the mileage award distribution
process are my highest priorities and will
be completed before next season. My plan
is to draft changes to the program, to be
presented in separate meetings with local
sponsors and the NYSSA Board of
Directors for their comments and additional suggestions. I will also be doing a
presentation of the program at the NYSSA
Forum in Niagara Falls.
A Variety of Challenges
The majority of snowmobilers I meet have
not thought about all of the difficulties and
challenges, but quickly begin to understand
once they are pointed out to them. I often hear
of their concern with making ends meet in
order to have some weekends in the “high
snow areas” since their local riding areas are
mostly void of snow. I do receive good advice,
quick criticism and even harsh comments, but
the bottom line is that everyone wants to
Continued on page 14
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observe applicable local laws and regulations. Don’t drink and drive.
jimjennings@nyssnowassoc.org
Organizing NYSSA
C
urrently NYSSA has more than
60,000 members, belonging to
more than 230 Clubs, and represented by 33 District Directors and three
Directors-at-large (there are 40 Districts,
but seven do not have a Director). These
Directors and the NYSSA Officers meet
monthly to discuss issues and to move the
agenda set forth at the Annual Meeting. On
the day of the Board meeting, Directors
attend various committee meetings and then
reports are given to the full Board after
lunch. Sometimes it is very hard for
Directors, Officers and Staff to comprehend
the issues on the table as they are not
normally in any written form. There have
been times when a motion was made, and
when asked to repeat the motion the
repeated motion wasn’t exactly the same as
the original motion.
How do we make this organization
perform to better represent our constituency? Some ideas to be considered at a
much later date include:
• Board of Directors meetings held less
frequently than monthly
• Focus more on committee meetings
between Board meetings, using
electronic means of communication
• Give the Executive Committee and/or
Executive Director more control over
the day-to-day functions
• Expand the Executive Committee to
include the other committee chairs
• Provide written committee reports and
written action items such as motions
The justification for these ideas is simple.
They will help make the organization more
efficient. Expenses would diminish as
NYSSA would no longer need to reimburse
directors for monthly travel and lunch.
Proposed Bylaws
This column is being written just prior
to the February meeting. Currently there
are seven bylaw amendments being
brought to the Board at the Feb. 9 Board of
Directors’ Meeting. Although I don’t
normally state my opinion regarding issues
like this, this time I feel compelled to
insert my thoughts on two of the proposed
bylaws. Both deal with representation at
the Annual Meeting.
Over the years, I’ve been personally
involved with organizing the Annual
Meeting. This year, NYSSA has grown to
more than 60,000 members, with the
potential of having 2,000 delegates at the
Annual Meeting. Last year in Rochester,
there were nearly 800 attendees at the
Annual Meeting and Forum, which
included seminars on Saturday, the Awards
Banquet Saturday night and the Annual
Meeting on Sunday. This was fantastic, but
at the same time expensive ($48,724, a
more than $12,000 loss to NYSSA). As we
try to move around the state, prices tend to
increase to the east and west. In addition to
the hotel rooms costing more, we are
possibly going to need to rent conference
centers to hold our events. Clubs are
expected to bear the cost of sending their
delegates to the Annual Meeting, and with
funds at a premium, that does put Clubs in
a bind as they cannot be fully represented
at the Annual Meeting, especially if they
are traveling long distances.
One of the bylaw amendments recognizes
this and is suggesting a weighted voting
system whereas only one designated
member of the Club would need to be at the
Annual Meeting, but that designee would
have the ability to vote all his/her Club’s
delegate votes. For instance, if the Club had
600 members, that designee’s vote would
be worth 20 votes based upon the current
ratio of one delegate to 30 members. This
would lessen the cost to the Club as well as
giving each Club fair representation
regarding the issues.
The other bylaw amendment that I
support, if the weighted vote is not
approved by the Board, is changing the
delegate ratio. As mentioned before, it is
currently one delegate to 30 members. If
it were changed to one delegate to 100
members then there would be a maximum
of 600 delegates, which would enable
NYSSA to select from a larger pool of
hotels with in-house meeting facilities and
more reasonable prices.
Governor’s Ride
I’m writing this article when in fact I
should be riding the great trails of
Chautauqua County, but because we
scheduled NYSSA’s Annual Governor’s
Ride, the grass is green in western N.Y. as
it was green last year in Rome, N.Y., and
green the year before in Cobleskill. Maybe
it is time to suggest that counties have
their own legislative rides and invite their
respective legislators (the NYSSA
Executive Director is willing to entertain
invitations, too). I do know that Monroe
and Lewis counties have had very
successful legislative rides in the past.
Membership
As I stated earlier, we now have more
than 60,000 members with about 25
percent of these joining via credit card.
We have received kudos from many Club
membership administrators regarding the
ease of using the system and how it has
made their job so much easier. Use of this
year’s voucher expires March 31, 2008;
therefore if anyone needs to register a sled
after March 31, they will need to renew
their membership in their Club to obtain a
2008-09 voucher. ❅
Corrections
I
n the February issue of NY
Snowmobiler on page 13,
the Groomer of the Year for 2006
should have listed Al VanSanford,
Square Valley Trail Blazers.
Also, in the February issue of
NY Snowmobiler, Norris Brusoe’s
name was misspelled on page 16.
Please accept our apologies for
these errors. ❅
jenval@adelphia.net
So Much Goes Into Making It
a Successful Season
H
aving a successful snowmobiling
season can be measured in the
uninterrupted presence of snow on
trails and remaining safe and healthy to
enjoy snowmobiling next winter. That is
likely how most snowmobilers evaluate this
sport. Another aspect is the quality of the
trails. Were they groomed? Could you get
from one place to another by following
existing signage without getting lost? Do
you have the urge to let someone know if
things weren’t the way you believe they
should be?
Snowmobiling has a tradition of being
managed by local Clubs. Within Clubs are
volunteers, generously donating their time
to provide these trails. Volunteers who
groom trails have got to learn what is
involved in that process. As a snowmobiler,
have you ever been to the groomer safety
class? It would likely be an eye-opening
experience. When operating a groomer,
most attention is given to what is happening
behind the operator. Within feet, a drag can
be emptied of its snow load and is no
longer depositing any snow for the packer
pan. The amount of snow in the drag must
be monitored at all times. And at the same
time, the operator has to be watching for
riders coming down the trail.
Trail Signage:
No Hard and Fast Rules
Trail signage is another part of trail
maintenance that gets a great deal of
attention. Did you know that when you
cross onto state land that the signing
guidelines change? Clubs sign private land
according to trail signing guidelines
established by the New York State Office
of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation (NYSOPRHP). But on some
state land the DEC establishes what trail
signage will be allowed. The most
common signs on state land are Stop, Stop
Ahead and Caution. Clubs are often told
that they can’t put up anything else.
What does it take to sign a mile of trail?
There is not a hard and fast rule because of
10
the variety of trail characteristics that
could appear on a trail. For example,
within a mile of trail there may be a couple
of trail junctions, a couple of bridges and
culverts, and a couple of road crossings. In
addition, the trail may cross an open field
and then turn sharply just before a deep
ditch or barbed wire.
Why not contact the
Club you belong to —
or whose trails you
ride most — and ask
if you can help?
In the scenario described above, each
junction needs nine signs. Each bridge or
culvert needs six signs. A road crossing
needs four signs. Open fields need stakes to
delineate the trail across the field, and a
sharp turn would need six signs. Each sign
likely will be on its own stake which needs
to be installed in the fall and removed in the
spring. A few lucky Clubs have the luxury
of being able to leave the signs up all year.
Take the Time to Help
Why not contact the Club you belong
to — or whose trails you ride most — and
ask if you can help? Spring sign removal
presents a great opportunity to learn which
signs go where (and why).
Trail signage in New York is improving.
Clubs are making sincere efforts to get their
trail volunteers to a trail signing workshop.
County organizations are hosting these
events so that all Clubs in the county can
learn the same thing at the same time. We
will know that the job is done right when
snowmobilers ride a Club’s trails without
knowing a different person is doing the
signage — and ride from one Club area to
the next without feeling a different Club
must be signing the trails.
Trail Signage Revisions
A session on trail signage will be held at
this year’s Forum, as there are some
revisions to the NYSOPRHP signing
guidelines. The revisions will be
announced at the Forum. In addition, the
groomer operator class will be given on
Friday. On Saturday a session will explain
how county organizations participated in
the Satellite STEP Signage program.
Some Clubs have asked if a trail
identification scheme can be established
for Club trails. Club trails are defined as
legal trails (landowner permission has
been obtained) that are not designated for
funding from NYSOPRHP. Club trails are
not numbered as part of the statewide
network of funded trails. A Club trail
number sign and method of identification
is being developed.
Groomer Operator Safety
The groomer operator safety class
mentioned previously is being offered by
more and more Clubs. Clubs need to
document annually how they are striving
to train their equipment operators.
Attendance at the safety class should be
part of that documentation. For those of
you who may not be aware, the class has
undergone some revisions and is now
about four hours long. It is divided up into
several units and ends with a quiz. The
final chapter is a series of grooming
pictures for which participants offer
concerns and consideration of what is seen
both in terms of things being done
correctly and incorrectly.
Picture yourself behind the controls of
a $150,000 piece of grooming equipment.
Continued on page 22
NYSSA Director Don Roark
accepts the President’s Award
from President Bob Perry at
the 2007 Awards Banquet.
NYSSA at Niagara Falls
by Debbie Perkins, Public Relations
and Education Committee Chair
he 2008 NYSSA
Informational Forum
and Annual Meeting
will be held Friday, April 11-13
in beautiful Niagara Falls.
Each year, NYSSA staff
and volunteers put together a
day and a half (Friday and
Saturday) conference filled
with informational sessions, a
“mini Big East” vendor trade
show and social opportunities.
It’s both an opportunity to
learn and an opportunity to
share great ideas with your
fellow snowmobilers. Saturday
night, the Awards Banquet is
held, with awards presented
for Snowmobiler of the Year,
Snowmobile Family of the
Year, Groomer of the Year,
Club of the Year and
Snowmobile Dealer of the
Year. On Sunday, the Annual
Meeting of the corporation is
held, with voting delegates
from each Club in attendance
to move the business of
NYSSA forward for another
year. Elections of officers for
the coming year are held at
this meeting. Last year over
720 people attended.
T
12
This year, Forum sessions,
vendor exhibits and the Annual
meeting will be held at the
Niagara Falls Convention
Center, with luxurious rooms
available for $89 per night at
the Crowne Plaza just across
the street. For reservations,
call (800)496-7621 and tell
them you are with NYSSA.
Join your fellow snowmobilers
for some fun, learn something
new, meet and greet NYSSA
Officers and Board and make
your voice heard! We’re also
planning a winery tour.
Information will be in the
registration package.
Who May Attend
According to NYSSA’s
bylaws, each Club may send
one voting delegate per each
30 members in the Club to
vote at the Annual Meeting.
Attendance at the Forum is
unlimited, therefore “the more
the merrier” — anyone may
attend. The cost to attend is
$10 for the Annual Meeting
only and $60 for the entire
Forum weekend.
Niagara is a great place to
bring the family, with shopping,
exhibits, tourist attractions and
of course the mighty Falls to
visit. Visitors 19 years and older
expecting to enter Canada to
view the Falls will need to
present government-issued
photo ID (such as a driver’s
license) as proof of identity,
along with proof of citizenship
(such as a birth certificate,
naturalization certificate or a
passport). Children age 18 and
under will be able to enter with
proof of citizenship. Verbal
claims of citizenship and
identity alone will not be
sufficient. The only exceptions
are for persons who have
applied for their passport and
can show documentation that
their application is in progress.
NYSSA has been working
hard on developing some new
seminars this year. We’ll start
off Friday afternoon with two
seminars related to safe trails —
helping to reduce the possibility
of accidents and helping to
reduce the cost of our liability
insurance by consistent signing
and grooming.
Friday Seminars
Grooming Seminar: This
seminar brings together those
who groom our trails to learn
new techniques, how to “read”
the snow for conditions and
much more. This program
follows NYSOPRHP guidelines for safe trail grooming.
Trail Signing Seminars: This
important seminar also follows
the NYSOPRHP Trail Signing
Guidelines for safe trails.
These two sessions will be
followed by the social from 810 p.m. DJ Crazy Eddy will be
bringing us some great music
and we have some other events
planned for the evening also.
Saturday Seminars
Seminars for Saturday will
be offered both morning and
afternoon, so everyone can attend:
Grooming Guidelines: This
important seminar is for every
Club and will encourage them to
look at their own operating
guidelines and make updates for
their operators, how to train
them for specific equipment,
keeping reports and much more.
GPS: If Clubs have disputes
on their funded trail mileage, it
needs to be validated by GPS.
This session will help you with
questions on using the system,
how to convert to GIS and more.
Club Administrators
Roundtable for Membership
Questions: Now that the 2-tier
system has been operating along
with the online membership
programs, we felt it necessary
for the Club Administrators to
gather, brainstorm and learn
some of the finer details of the
system including how to print
mailing labels and Club
membership lists, make notes
for volunteer help and more.
NYSSA Budget: This
important session reviews the
proposed budget which will be
presented and voted on at the
Annual Meeting. Ways and
Means will answer all your
questions. This very informative session on the financial
side of running the organization can also be used as a
guide for your Club’s own
financial aspects and budgets.
Working with the Media:
This is one of the most
important seminars ever! All
of us are responsible for good
public relations of our sport.
This session will address how
to contact the media, how to
get your story printed, how to
make “friends” with the media
and many other issues.
Tourism and Snowmobiling:
We’ll have presentations on what
tourism is, who to contact, what
they look for in events and how
everyone can work together in
promoting the event. Another must
for each Club. Snowmobiling
brings in over $875 million to
NYS economy. Learn how to use
this information with your local
tourism department.
What Clubs Need to
Know: Have you ever been to
a Club meeting that is poorly
run? Do you know what
motions and votes are needed
and when, what records need
to be kept in the secretary’s
notes, how bylaw changes
need to be made? A professional parliamentarian will
make this presentation —
another MUST for each Club.
Volunteerism: We’re all
volunteers, and this session will
bring you ideas on how to make
your Club members want to step
up. It will help you learn how to
make them feel appreciated
without breaking your Club
treasury! Learn how important a
simple thank you can make or
break your Club events.
Trails Coordinator Report:
This session will bring you
report of our trails coordinator
and the reports of our volunteer trail advisors. See photos
of great trail signing and how
your Club can ensure safe
trails for all riders.
Insurance & Liability:
This presentation, by NYSSA
Attorney and Insurance
provider, will give your Club
ideas on how to make your
trails safe from both legal and
insurance avenues. With safe
trails our liability and insurance costs both reduce, which
is every Club’s responsibility.
501c3 and Charities
Reporting for Clubs: Find out
how your Club may become
eligible for this tax exempt
opportunity. Also gather
information on the new charities
reporting requirements.
NYSOPRHP: Parks will be
making presentations all day
on their programs, how they
work with NYSSA, other state
agencies and much more.
Automated Work Logs: In
this seminar you’ll learn how to
automate your trail grooming
and work logs for easier
preparation for your trails grant.
Trail Signing: Same as
Friday afternoon.
Saturday evening we’ll have
the Awards Banquet, with
several honored guests and of
course the NYSSA Super
Raffle drawing!
There will be many vendor
displays, with space for each
Club or Association to set up a
display showcasing their area.
To reserve your Club’s space by
March 15, please contact Debbie
Perkins, perkins_debbie@
hotmail.com, (518) 796-1462.
Easter Seals continues to be the
charity of choice for NYSSA, and
again this year we’re asking for
each Club to donate $100 toward
this great organization. A 50/50
raffle will be held during the
weekend to benefit Easter Seals.
We’ll be making a presentation to
them at the Banquet.
Last year we had fun with
some door prizes which were
donated by Clubs, associations
and local business. If you want
be involved this year, let us know
that you’re interested. This was a
fun time, and we’ll make several
drawings during the Forum.
Each Club has received
official registration information,
proposed bylaw changes, a
proposed budget and even some
outside trip signups for winery
tours! All Club memberships
must be entered into the Online
System by March 8 to be
included for your Delegate
count. The deadline for early
registration is March 15. No
registrations will be accepted
after March 30.
The Niagara Falls Tourism
Department will be on hand all
weekend to help with your
questions about the area. There
will also be an information
desk at the hotel. This is such
a beautiful place to visit as the
parks on the American side
lend themselves for leisurely
strolls above and around the
Falls. The Falls themselves are
spectacular and you’ll be
overwhelmed by the volume of
water! The Canadian Falls are
a short walk away from the
hotel and offer different
viewing vantage points.
Fun Facts About
Niagara Falls
• The word “Niagara” is
derived from the Iroquois
Indian word “Onguiaahra”
meaning “the strait.”
• The Horseshoe Falls is 167
feet high. 600,000 U.S. gallons
per second pass over it.
•Niagara Falls is the second
•
•
•
•
largest falls on the globe
next to Victoria Falls in
southern Africa.
In the past 10 years, two
daredevils lost their lives
trying to conquer Niagara.
The first person to go over
the Falls in a barrel and
survive was a 63-year-old
female schoolteacher.
Twenty percent of the
world’s freshwater lies in
the four Upper Great Lakes:
Michigan, Huron, Superior
and Erie, and most flows
over Niagara Falls.
Does Niagara Falls ever
freeze? The tremendous
volume of water never stops
flowing. However, the
falling water and mist create
ice formations along the
banks of the falls and river.
This can result in mounds of
ice as thick as 50 feet. If the
winter is cold for long
enough, the ice will
completely stretch across
the river and form what is
known as the “ice bridge.”
This ice bridge can extend
for several miles down river
until it reaches the area
known as the lower rapids.
Please plan to join us at
the Forum in beautiful
Niagara Falls …. bring the
family to enjoy the Falls! ❅
Don’t Forget!
T
he NYSSA Online Magazine will continue to be
published monthly throughout the spring, summer
and fall months. If your Club has news items or
events to include, please send them to the NYSSA Office.
The Online Magazine is distributed monthly, 10 days
after each Board of Directors’ Meeting. It contains a
synopsis of the meeting’s business as well as other
timely and urgent information.
Issues are posted on the NYSSA Web site, Online
Magazine category. ❅
13
Seasons Change
Continued from page 7
experience the camaraderie, joy and beauty of
winter in New York on a trail system that is
safe. So if we ever have the opportunity to
meet, I will listen to every thought offered in
order to best gauge how these inevitable
program changes may be received.
Two Very Different
Riding Experiences
As in the Book of Revelations, there is a
season for everything, and this season
brought two very stimulating and different
riding experiences in the North Country. I
had never ridden “The Hill,” so with all I
had been hearing about this unique area’s
problems, needs and great riding, I just had
to go. I was afforded the opportunity to visit
the “Hill” after attending the January
NYSSA Board meeting. This 150-mile-ina-day-and-a-half experience was fast (never
over 55 mph), thought provoking, at times
white knuckle startling and exhilarating.
The trails were wide, well groomed and
being experienced by many riders.
I find the most frightening thing encountered on the “Hill” and across the system is
meeting operators who are carrying too much
speed into the corners and crossing into the
oncoming traffic lane. Folks have got to slow
down in those curves. How many times do
you see tracks off the trail at curves? How
many times have you had to bail right to
avoid the oncoming sled? We teach groomers
to cut the embankments down; to flatten the
curve as a means to slow down riders. The
trails do not have to feel like the banking at
the NASCAR Bristol oval.
My second “thrill” was within the
Adirondacks. I rode in the Speculator area.
The riding experience was slower, due to
narrower trails and having to hand signal to
lots of riders. For the record, I am on the
fence about hand signals for group size —
I like both hands on the grips. The exhilaration came from trying to “Stay Right” on
the narrow trails. While they started out
beautiful and flat, it was a busy weekend
and the trails were crowded and beaten up
by the late afternoon.
A third ride had been planned for February;
the Governor’s Ride out in Chatauaua County.
Unfortunately, the event did not take place
due to the lack of snow in that area.
Since I was able to experience the trails
first hand, I now have a better understanding
of the needs of these two destination areas.
There is a need to find ways to meet the
unique challenges of high snow, high traffic
areas and improved rider comfort when
sledding in those conditions. And yet other
areas of the trail system must be maintained, and their needs met as well.
I truly enjoy this job, and I promise to
work hard to improve the image of
snowmobiling, to get more families on the
trails and to help those who are unsafe,
unlawful and destructive to mend their
ways. I hope to see you on the trails, at the
Forum or the State Fair. ❅
Calendar
of Events
April 11-13, NYSSA Annual Meeting
& Forum, Niagara Falls Conference
Center; stay at Crowne Plaza,
Niagara Falls, N.Y. For reservations,
call (800) 496-7621.
June 11-14, 40th International
Snowmobile Congress at the Grove
Hotel and Convention Center Boise,
Idaho — see http://snowmobilers.org/.
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14
NYSSA MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS
Use the instructions below to receive discounts from
participating companies.
Exclusive offer for members of NYSSA. You can save up to 30% a year on your snowmobile insurance with
a special group offer from Nationwide. Whether you have a perfect driving record, or a lapse in coverage,
Nationwide is on your side. For more information call 1-866-447-SNOW (7669).
Allstate offers extensive discounts — up to 40%. Such as Good Rider Discount, Multiple Vehicle Discount,
Transfer Discount, Multiple Policy Discount and Safety Course Discount. Stop by and receive a quote from
your local agent today.
Save up to 15% on your Hertz rental car needs. Call 1-800-654-2200 (members only hotline) or go to www.hertz.
com to reserve. Use code ‘CDP#1708788’ when reserving.
Choice Hotels — Save 15% on your hotel stay at any of Choice Hotels’ member hotels. Advance reservations
required: Call 1-800-258-2847 or go to www.choicehotels.com, click on the
‘Enter your Special Rate’ link. On that Link, type in ‘00803214’, confirm you are a member of NYSSA and
complete your reservation and earn Choice Privilege Points!
10% off all orders for NYSSA Members. Free Shipping from Shade Tree Powersports on orders over $100, free
shipping and a free T-Shirt on orders over $250. Order via the toll free line at
1-888-742-8523 and give the operator the discount code ‘22NYC’ and ‘NYSSA’ or go to
www.shadetreesnowmobile.com/?inMed=22nyc and enter the discount code on your order.
Impact Global Industries, the maker of the C.S.S. (Communication Safety System), a LED light system used to
replace the unsafe outdated hand-signals, is exclusively offering 10% off to NYSSA members. Discount orders
must be placed by phone at 508-865-9144. www.impactglobalindustries.com.
AmerLink offers 25% off the purchase of a log home to NYSSA members, plus a $10 full color planning guide/
free construction DVD. For 25 years we’ve been crafting dream homes that nurture, inspire and rejuvenate. To
get inspired, visit www.amerlink.com to order a planning guide and to see over 70 custom home designs we
offer or call 877-216-5647.
SnowTrails TV is a touring and destination TV show on PBS. NYSSA members may buy 2 DVDs from any season
and get the third one free to complete the 10 show season series. Visit www.snowtrailstv.com for ordering
and program information.
With new service activations, you are eligible for free or deeply discounted equipment (phones/BlackBerrys/
PDAs), waived activation fees ($35 per line) and a contract based on a one-year term instead of two years. To
take advantage of the discount, call (866) 464-8662 (option three) and mention NYSSA and promo code
(6619TMOFAV). For questions, contact eric.sarafin@t-mobile.com or call (516) 707-1758.
15
Trail Watch Snowmobilers
and Homeland Security
The theory behind this program is that our enemies will avoid areas that are protected
Submitted by Ernie Roosevelt,
Onondaga County Director
he Trail Watch Program was
introduced at NYSSA’s 2006
Forum and has been wellreceived, not only in New York, but in
other states as well. This program is
intended to contribute to the war against
terrorism by educating trail users on how
they can aid law enforcement officials.
Essentially, it is designed to inform
individuals on what to look for, how to
react to the situation, and finally, who to
contact. The theory behind this program
is that our enemies will avoid areas that
are protected by vigilant individuals.
Landowners
Like Trail Watch
Mixed Success
Problems Still Exist
During the first full season since the
program’s initiation, it has experienced
mixed success. In one situation there was a
break in a corridor trail because a critical
substation in the power grid could not be
bypassed. Trail Watch was presented to the
power company officials with the premise
that the facility would be safer with many
informed individuals frequenting the area.
The power company accepted this
reasoning and allowed access for the trail.
Trail Watch signs were prominently
displayed, making sure to place some
where they were easily visible to highway
traffic to increase exposure. The result,
after one year in effect, is that the power
company is very pleased.
In fact, the automated security system at
the site has experienced a dramatic
decrease in alarms because the marked
trail is outside of the scanned area and trail
users are respecting the postings.
On the other side of the coin the picture
is not so bright. There are many more
Clubs with problems that might be solved
by using a creative approach, perhaps
similar to what is described above.
However, for whatever reason their
problem goes unaddressed. It’s true our
sport suffers from a short season and a
lack of volunteers, but using solutions
that have been pioneered by others may
be one of the answers.
First and foremost Trail Watch was
created to help in our war on terrorism.
Taking part in this effort doesn’t require a
great deal of your time. The effort is
minimal. Just familiarize yourself with the
Trail Watch material and be alert to your
surroundings. That mind set should
continue in your everyday life. There are no
meetings to attend and no dues to pay, so
join with the rest of us and you can make a
contribution to the security of our country.
T
16
Another area where Trail Watch has
helped open trails is with private landowners. Reportedly, landowners, who in
the past would not grant access to their
property exhibited a different attitude
when they were shown the Trail Watch
pamphlet and decal. Clubs have presented
a package to reluctant landowners
consisting of the Trail Watch material, the
General Obligations Law and the
Landowners Information Sheet. The result
is that many landowners see the benefit in
aligning with a Club, a bit of patriotism
reinforces that commitment.
Help Protect Our Country
Please consider the following items and
keep them in mind. Encourage your
friends to participate.
• Trail Watch was initiated to
help protect our country from
terrorist actions.
• Our trails pass by many sensitive
facilities like power lines and
water supplies.
• Read the pamphlet, place the decal
on your sled and talk to others about
Trail Watch. The pamphlet is available online by clicking on the Trail
Watch logo on our Web site,
nyssnowassoc.org.
• RIDE AWARE and be on the lookout
for suspicious situations.
• Observe and record as much detail as
possible (people, activity, location,
time, etc.) and report information
using the NYS Terrorism Tips Hotline
at (866) SAFE-NYS (for rescue and
routine police response use 911).
• DO NOT INTERVENE … if you
observe suspicious activity, your
actions could place yourself or others
at risk and you could interfere with
law enforcement’s ability to prosecute. Action on your part could even
carry the risk of legal liability. Leave
the action to trained professionals.
Trail Watch pamphlets, decals
and trail signs are available from
NYSSA. For information or
material, contact the NYSSA
office at (888) 624-3849 or
nyssaoffice@nyssnowassoc.org. ❅
Photos by Gary Broderick
Background photo: C2 outside of Franklinville. Top Left: Rushford Club collecting
GPS data on their trails. Left: On S30 in Wyoming County. Top Right: Giving sponsors
a bang for their buck on C3 in Cattaraugus County.
Photos by Anne O’Dell
Taking a Look Back at Our Season
Snowmobiling brings economic development. • The Brothers Cook strive to improve trail signage (Penn Mountain). • Trail Intersection signage improved this season.
Taking a look back at our 2007-08 season. • We paid and paid at the pump. • Snowmobilers enjoy the scenic winter (Adirondacks).
Snow Rat and Cat meet Doe (John Occhino, Snow Rats President). • Here’s to the unsung heroes — groomer operators everywhere! •
The Oxbow changes hands (Speculator).
17
©2008 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. All rights reserved. ® ™ Trademark of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates. Always ride responsibly and safely.
Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Always wear appropriate clothing, including a helmet. Don’t drink and drive. *Based on MY08 product brochure published weight.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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the brains behind the
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Scenic view from just off Hague
Sno-Goers trail 8C, Hague, NY.
Ride New York
Warren County
and the Lake George Snowmobile Trails
Fast Facts
•County: Warren
• NYSSA Director: Mike Fazio, P.O. Box
679, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846-0679
• Phone: (518) 696-3793 or 4068
• Clubs in Area: Northern Warren
Trailblazers, P.O. Box 613, Chestertown,
NY 12817. Snow Phone: (518) 494-0113.
Club E-mail: nwtrailblazers@aol.com.
Web site: www.northernwarrentrailblazers.snowclubs.com
• South Warren Snowmobile Club, Inc.,
P.O. Box 258, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846.
Snow Phone: (518) 696-3152. Club E-mail:
mfaz@roadrunner.com. Web site:
www.southwarrenclub.snowclubs.com
• Hague Sno-Goers Inc., 448 New
Hague Rd. Hague, NY 12836. Snow
Phone: (518) 585-9890. Club E-mail:
haguesnogoers@yahoo.com. Web
site: www.haguesno-goers.com
• The Thurman Connection Snowmobile
Club, Inc., P.O. Box 135, Athol, NY
12810. Snow Phone: (518) 623-2323.
Club E-mail: thurmanconnection@
snowclubs.com. Web site: www.
thurmanconnection.snowclubs.com
• Approximate Trail Mileage: Over
300 miles
• Corridor Trails: C4, C4A, C4B, C8B,
C8C and C8D
• Places to Stay: Information available
from the Warren County Tourism
Department, 1340 State Route 9,
Municipal Center, Lake George, NY
12845-9803. (800)-95-VISIT, ext. 143.
Fax: (518) 761-6368. E-mail: wctour@
co.warren.ny.us
20
by Anne M. O’Dell, Ulster County District Director
arren County is located about
an hour north of Albany, and is
located in the southeastern part
of the Adirondack Park. This trail system
is easily accessible from the Northway
(I-87 north of I-90), and it also offers
tremendous opportunities for vacationing
families year-round. Twenty-eight-milelong Lake George lies along the eastern
edge of the county. This area has something for everyone. There are outlet malls
for shoppers, plenty of places to stay,
restaurants ranging from hot dogs to
lobster, historic sites such as Fort William
Henry, skiing, snow shoeing and too
much more to list here.
While many folks think of the Lake George,
Lake Luzerne and the Warren County areas
as summertime vacation destinations, with
over 300 miles of trail, they are also hotspots
for snowmobilers in the heart of winter.
The annual Lake George Winter Carnival
(www.lakegeorgewintercarnival.com) was
first held here in the winter of 1961. Now
this celebration of all the great Adirondack
wintertime outdoor activities continues
through four activity-packed weekends in
the month of February.
W
History
Adirondack Park encompasses six
million acres of public and private land.
One-third of it is wilderness forest, the
largest tract in the east. It is less than five
hours drive from Boston, NYC, Montreal
and Ottawa. The Adirondack Mountains are
part of an ancient belt of rocks which were
formed over a billion years ago. Twentyone-mile long Lake George was formed
about 10,000 years ago when a melting
glacier blocked an ancient river bed.
More recently, battles of the French and
Indian War and the American Revolution
were fought on the shores of Lake George.
Fort William Henry successfully withstood a
five-day siege by French forces during 1757.
Area Clubs
Four Clubs strive to provide safe and
enjoyable winter activities for the entire
family, and do an outstanding job of maintaining trails throughout Warren County. The
Northern Warren Trailblazers generally take
care of the area between Warrensburg and
Chestertown. The Hague Sno-Goers handle
the northeastern part of the county. The
Thurman Connection Snowmobile Club
provides the link between the South Warren
(L to R): Riders GPS the South Warren snowmobile trails. • A trail on the South Warren system. •
Riders gather at the Northern Warren Trailblazers’ Clubhouse after the 2007 Poker Run.
Club trails and Speculator (in Hamilton
County). The South Warren Snowmobile
Club maintains nearly 100 miles of trail in the
Lake Luzerne/Lake George vicinity. Together,
these Club s maintain over 300 miles of trail.
More trails are available on the eastern side of
Lake George, in Washington County (but
that’s a subject for another article!).
Parking and Maps
Parking is readily accessible throughout
the trail system, and maps to help you plan
your trip are available on each Club’s Web
site. Paper maps are available from Clubs
or from local businesses.
There are many more parking areas; just
a few are listed here.
• South Warren Area — Northway,
exit 21, take Route 9N north to park at
Prospect Mountain parking area
• Thurman Area — Northway, exit 23,
take Route 9 north to Route 418 West,
parking in Thurman Station
• North Warren Area — Northway, exit
23, take Route 9 north into Warrensburg
and park at Rob’s Motorsports
• North Warren Clubhouse —
Northway, exit 25 to Route 8 west to
Knapp Hill Road
• Hague Area — Northway, exit 25,
take Route 8 East about nine miles; go
past North Pond Parking area. In
about 1/2 mile you will see a Hague
landmark. “The Elephant Rock” on
the right. Parking is just past the
elephant on right side of road. Follow
signs to trail 8C. (A little lore about
the Elephant Rock: If you toot your
horn twice when you go past, he will
provide you with a safe journey!)
My Favorite Ride:
Up Prospect Mountain
Winter or summer, the ride up Prospect
Mountain is fun, and the view from on top
is spectacular. The summit is 2,034 feet
about sea level! In 1877, Dr. James
Ferguson of Glens Falls purchased the top
of the mountain and built The Prospect
Mountain House Hotel, accessible by
horse-drawn carriage. It was destroyed by
fire in 1880, rebuilt and finally destroyed
by fire in 1932. There also once was a cog
railway to the summit called the “Otis
Incline Railway.” In 1969, Prospect
Mountain State Parkway, as we ride it
today, opened as a Memorial Highway in
honor of America’s War Veterans.
Once you’ve ridden to the top of
Prospect Mountain and enjoyed the dropdead gorgeous view, ride down the back
side west on C4. Head south on S42 along
the river; it turns east to loop you back to
C4A northbound, back to Prospect.
Rent a Sled!
With so many other winter activities
available, this area is a great place to take
family members who don’t ride, and to
easily introduce your sled-less friends to
the sport! The following businesses have
snowmobiles for rent:
• 1/2 Mile Ranch Camping Resort:
479 Lake Ave., Lake Luzerne, new
Artic Cat sled rentals. (518) 6963113; www.halfmileranch.com
• Bolton Landing Snowmobile Tours:
Scenic tours through wilderness area.
(518) 644-9941
• Loon Lake Trail Rides: Guided
tours. (518) 494-5168 or (518)
623-4825
For more information on Lake George region
attractions, contact the Lake George Chamber
of Commerce, Route 9, Lake George, NY
12845, phone (518) 668‑5755. ❅
Enjoy Life’s
Little Perks!
You could save money on Snowmobile,
Auto, ATV and Motorcycle insurance
New York State Snowmobilers...
Call Today!
Grant L. Getzoni Agency
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(866) 447-SNOW (7669)
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Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Columbus, Ohio. Products and
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21
Youth Page
marketplace
Dealers
Arctic Cat
ARCTIC CAT CLEARANCE
We’re Overstocked – Save BIG!
(See answer at bottom of page.)
For the most exciting
experience on snow,
look to the most
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Authorized Dealer
Parts and Service
Trails Coordinator Continued from page 10
You are moving the tractor and drag down
the trail at about 7 mph. In the distance
you see a group of snowmobilers coming
down the trail, snow spraying in all
directions. They finally do stop after
nearly getting up close and personal with
the groomer’s windshield. Do you: A)
thank them for breaking up the snow for
you or B) compliment them on their snocross riding style on a snowmobile trail?
Sarcasm aside, grooming is a demanding
task that most snowmobilers don’t understand
or appreciate. The groomer operators who do
this year in and year out deserve all the praise,
recognition and thanks possible. How much
snow is needed before the groomers can
safely go out on the trail? What is the
optimum temperature for grooming? Is it
better for the groomed snow pack to have an
equal temperature or variable temperature?
These questions represent just a small fraction
of the immense amount of information
groomer operators need.
Ride safe, ride responsibly, ride
defensively and leave the signs out there
on the trail. ❅
Answer: Long Scarves
22
518-548-7705
Open
8:30-5:00
Polaris
Tanner’s Outdoor Sports, Inc.
Route 8 • Speculator, NY
ClOsed
Tuesday
marketplace
Dealers
marketplace
Parts & Accessories
Yamaha
marketplace
Products
www.SnowmobileSalvageParts.com
Buy, Sell, Trade • Parts for most makes & models
Buying & selling insurance salvage sleds • UPS available daily
Email: Snomosalvag@juno.com
(715) 723-9377
Ship Parts World Wide • Cranks (Rebuilt & Used)
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Hoods • Suspension • Tracks (New & Used)
Service on All Makes & Models
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Fax: (715) 723-9344
& ATV
Winter Hours (Starting Dec. 1): Mon.-Fri. 8-7, Some Sat.
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Parts & Accessories
Serving Sled Owners Since 1965
CURRENT & VINTAGE SALVAGE
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FOR LODGING - Tug Hill Plateau
Motel & Camps on Trail #4 - Call 315-831-5315.
FOR SALVAGED PARTS
CALL HUDON’S SLED SALVAGE
315-896-4357
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570-416-0690 • Fax: 570-784-4402
Lake Placid, NY
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Call for special pricing on Tracks.
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Look for us at
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800-256-7871 • 320-253-7878
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23
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