Snowmobile Clubs
The backbone of state's quickest growing sportS
nowmobiling is one of the most exhilarating sports found in New York State with trails stretching from the Canadian border to every point south.The growth of this sport can be directly attributed to the many snowmobile clubs throughout the state, with Oneida County having the second highest number of registered sleds. If not for these clubs, the trail system would cease to exist and the sport would fade into obscurity.
But due to established clubs like The Taberg Trail Blazers, The Lee Center Trailbusters, The West Rome Riders, and The TC Riders, snowmobiling has become a family activity.
For these reasons, it has fallen onto the shoulders of clubs to inform members, both young and old, of rules and regulations which are designed for safe snowmobiling. Such common sense practices as staying to the trail, always keep right, never pass on a hill and obey trail signs are emphasized.
To help teach youngsters how to ride safely, the Department of New York State Parks and Recreation has designed a program called Safe Riders Snowmobile Course which is taught locally by various volunteers in cooperation with Oneida County organizations and local businesses.
This 10-hour course, which all 10-16 year-old riders must pass, covers everything from the history of the sport, how to respect the trails and environment, along with teaching the different parts of the sled and how to make it operate safely. Also included are first aid procedures.
Along with educating riders, snowmobile clubs are responsible for maintaining thousands of miles of trails. This is a year round project with members fixing washed out sections, bridge reinforcements and replacing culverts, along with cutting saplings back 20 feet during the summer and fall months.
The clubs also maintain contact with private land owners for trail access, and if not for the clubs many of the trails would be off-limits.
Without the generosity of the private land owners, there wouldn't have a trail system. Everyone must respect their property rights by not littering on their property and by obeying the signs that mark these trails.
The Taberg Trail Blazers take care of approximately 70 miles of trails leading from Lee to Point Rock to Cleveland and on to Stokes Hill. During the winter, the local clubs cover the expenses of keeping the trails smooth with groomers, many of which cost over $100,000.
As well as footing the bill for maintaining trails, snowmobile clubs are responsible for carrying liability insurance for their systems. In the last two years, the cost of this insurance has skyrocketed and is now well in excess of $7,000 per year for the Taberg Trail Blazers trails alone. As recently as two years ago, the same coverage cost approximately $1,600.
To find out more about Snowmobiling in
New York State, write to the