Submitted by guest blogger: David Knapp

It's time!

The Malone Region of upstate NY has miles and miles of excellent winter riding. Whether you want to cruise through fields, foothills, forests, or the Adirondack mountains, you'll find your connection through our picturesque trails.

Start planning for your snowmobile trip now, and join us as soon as the snow falls and the gates open!

First things first

The time to renew your local membership to the New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) is NOW, and it is also the time to join clubs that maintain the trails where you ride! Memberships can be processed quickly and easily online through the New York State Snowmobile Assoiation website. When you become a member of a local club, in addition to supporting your local trail system, you are automatically a member of NYSSA and you'll gain access to many perks including a nice discount on all your snowmobile registrations.

Now is also the time to renew your NYS DMV snowmobile registrations! Membership in a NYSSA Club reduces your registration fee from $100.00 to $45.00. Thanks to your State legislative representatives who lobbied on behave of snowmobiling, for the 2016-17 season an additional $5.00 of your registration goes directly to the Trail Fund - regardless of WHERE you ride! 

Although it is early in the season and there isn't any snow on the ground yet, now is an important time to process your of renewals. It's a time of year when local clubs utilize the funds to maintain their equipment, signing, bridges, etc. You know, to prep for your upcoming adventures! It is also important establish the NYS Trail Fund which reimburses some of the costs directly related to the grooming and maintenance of the trails that you ride. The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) Snowmobile Division evaluate the balance of the Trail Fund in early December to set the mileage rate for the season. This is the rate that sets the budgets for Clubs to operate!

While you are at it, NOW is the time for youth to participate in the NYS Snowmobile Safety Course. Classes scheduled for the 2016-17 season can be viewed online at the NYS Parks website under safety courses.

Please keep in mind that just because we may get that early-season snowfall and the trails appear to be covered with enough snow to ride, this doesn't mean the trails are open! Trails here in Franklin County don't typically open until after the big game hunting season the second week in December. Access to a number of trails are controlled by the DEC who unlock the gates when the trails are cleared and deemed save to travel. Other lands fall under conservation easements that allow for a travel corridor for snowmobiles, and riders must respect that there are multiple users - the quickest way to trail closures is to go around a gate or barrier.

Ready to hit the trails in the Malone Region this season? Check out this blog that highlights a few local faves! After a long day on the trails, grab a hearty bite to eat and settle into a comfy room. We'll see you on the trails!

Another reason I Love NY.