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The Official Publication of the New York State Snowmobile Association

New York SNOWMOBILER Online March 2018

Here’s to March Madness!!

ACTION NEEDED:

Support for Adirondack Rail Trail

https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkStateSnowmobileAssociation

http://www.nysnowmobiler.com/

https://membership.nysnowmobiler.com/

http://nysnowmobiler.com/ride-ny-trails/

http://nysnowmobiler.com/about

http://nysnowmobiler.com/safety/

http://nysnowmobiler.com/events/

http://nysnowmobiler.com/membership/

http://nysnowmobiler.com/faq/

http://nysnowmobiler.com/partners/

http://nysnowmobiler.com/contact/

NYSSA Online Magazine

Contact NYSSA: PO Box 1040, Pine Bush, NY 12566-1040 * EMAIL - [email protected] March, 2018 - TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com

ACTION ALERT

Submit Comments to Adirondack Park Agency

on the Definition of a Travel Corridor

Dear NYSSA Member:

Since 1996 the snowmobile community has been awarded a permit to maintain the Adirondack Rail Road Travel Corridor from Remsen

to Lake Placid as a snowmobile trail. Six snowmobile clubs maintain the corridor and we have advocated for

the removal of the rails so that the snowmobile season can be extended and other recreational users can enjoy

this route.

In 2016, the State of NY adopted a revised Unit Management Plan that called for the rails to be removed from Tupper Lake to Lake Placid. A great start for what

promised to be a world class multi use rail-trail.

Unfortunately, the Adirondack Scenic Rail Road sued the state and an adverse decision to our position

was made by the court. In part the court found that the current definition of a Travel Corridor did not allow for

recreational uses without a track in place.

Because of your letters, the state has not lost sight of its desire to create a rail-trail and on March 9th

the APA began a rule making process to amend the State Land Master Plan to change the definition of a travel cor-

ridor to explicitly allow for recreational uses with or with-

out tracks on a travel corridor.

A full description of the APA's proposed action can be

found at https://apa.ny.gov/.

There are two alternatives which we support: Alternative 4 and Alternative 6.

Alternative 6 is the APA's preferred alternative.

Alternative 4. "Revise Travel Corridors Definition and Guidelines to allow rail trail on any

railroad corridor owned by the State. "

Alternative 6. "Revise Travel Corridors definition and guidelines for management and use to

allow rail and rail trail use on the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor and future State-owned

railroad corridors with existing rails. "

Alternative 4 is likely to be rather controversial since it would apply to over 800 miles

of rail corridors that have been long ago abandoned. Some of these would travel through wil-

derness areas to which we are very unlikely to gain access. (Continued on page 3)

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.nysnowmobiler.com

https://apa.ny.gov/



Alternative 6 has broad based support among all interest groups and is clearly the least controversial. It will provide access to the corridor from Tupper Lake to Lake Placid, keep our

current access on the rest of the corridor and ensure our access to the Saratoga to Tahawus

line should the state ever acquire it.

We have come this far because of the thousands of snowmobilers who have raised their

voices for the rail trail. It is time to raise our voices once again for the sport.

Please submit comments to the APA in writing or in person at one of three public hearings:

(Continued from page 2)

April 11, 2018

7:00 pm

Adirondack Park Agency

1133 NYS Route 86

Ray Brook, NY

This meeting will be broadcast live via the Agency's webcast system.

April 24, 2018

7:00 pm

The View

3273 NYS Route 28

Old Forge, NY

April 25, 2018

11:00 am

NYS DEC Offices

625 Broadway

Albany, NY

Written comments may be submitted to:

Kathy Regan

Deputy Director for Planning

NYS Adirondack Park Agency

P.O. Box 99

Ray Brook, NY 12977

Fax: 518-891-3938

Email - [email protected]

Please submit all written comments to the APA by May 7, 2018.

Your comments need not be long, you simply need to state

that you support Alternative 6 (or 4); and

THANK YOU!!





2018 SLEDNY EDUCATIONAL FORUM

& NYSSA ANNUAL MEETING April 20-22, 2018

Conference & Event Center NIAGARA FALLS

www.slednyforum.com



http://www.slednyforum.com/

https://www.regonline.com/2018-forum




SNOWMOBILER Online

New York

Publisher: The New York State

Snowmobile Association

P. O. Box 1040,

Pine Bush, NY 12566-1040

Editor: Anne O’Dell

[email protected]

888-624-3849 x101

2017-18 Officers

President Rosanne Warner, 315-697-8130

[email protected]

Vice

President

Craig LaPlante, 315-854-6719

[email protected]

Secretary Erin Pittsley, 607-316-6587

[email protected]

Treasurer John Occhino, 845-225-3140

[email protected]

Staff

Executive

Director

Dominic Jacangelo, 888-624-3849 x104

[email protected]

Trail

Coordinator

Jim Rolf, 888-624-3849 x102

[email protected]

General

Manager

Anne O’Dell, 888-624-3849 x101

[email protected]

Membership

Helpline

888-624-3849 x103

[email protected]

Join or Renew Membership Online:

Our Website: www.nysnowmobiler.com

www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles

DMV, Register a Sled: NY Resident

DMV, Register a Sled: Out of State

CONTENTS

ACTION NEEDED: Support for Adirondack Rail Trail P. 2

President’s Message ..Rosanne Warner P. 6

From the Desk of the Executive Director ..D.Jacangelo P. 8

Hand Signals: Two hands are better than one! P. 9

Trail Coordinator Report ...Jim Rolf P. 11

An Experience while Grooming … G. Stinson P. 14

ARTA News P. 16

The Kids are Alright P. 17

Top Ten Reasons to Join A Snowmobile Club! P. 21

National News from ACSA P. 22

AD RATES

March Madness means trimming the overstory on Corridor Trail 4

to Perkins Clearing, aka Melody trail, for these volunteers from

the D.R.A.G. of Speculator Club.

...Photo stolen from their Facebook page.

MARCH MADNESS!






http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles

https://transact.dmv.ny.gov/RegistrationRenew/index.cfm

https://transact.dmv.ny.gov/SnowmobileOutofState/

https://membership.nysnowmobiler.com/


http://www.nysnowmobiler.com/pdf/2015/NYSSA-Online-Magazine-Rates-2015-16.pdf

http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles



President’s Message: Snow!! It’s out there!! by Rosanne Warner, NYSSA President 315-697-8130 [email protected]

As many of you know, NYSSA works every month on legislatives issues that have an effect on the sport we all love –

Snowmobiling.

While out and about, I often get asked questions from members about where certain legislation stands so I wanted to give

all of our members a little update on the four most common legislations questions I get and where those issues stand.

Increased Registration Fees for Non-Club Members

Last year there was a request from clubs that we ask the legislature to increase the registration fees to non-club members. It

was thought by many that the cost difference between being a member and not being one was not large enough to make a

difference between being a member who participates in education and volunteerism and not being a member at all. At the

request of the clubs, NYSSA’s Government Affairs Committee discussed the issue and contacted some of our elected offi-

cials to see if the bill could be introduced. As of the March meeting, it was reported that the Legislative Director stated that

this was not a good year to introduce the legislation, for a number of reasons, one being the limited snow this year.

Vintage Snowmobile Registration S4454 / A3109

Vintage Snowmobile Registration is by and far the

most common question I receive from members.

NYSSA drafted a simplified version of a vintage

snowmobile bill exempting sleds manufactured be-

fore 1980 from registration. Vintage sled owners

would still be required to carry liability insurance.

This bill has been presented for 3 years with no trac-

tion. S4454 / A3109… Passed Senate 6-20-17 also

passed 6-15-16, but failed in Assembly.

At this time, we are asking vintage snowmobile en-

thusiasts to write to their legislators and urge them

to move the bill forward. Without your support, this

will continue to sit in limbo.

Youth Special Events Legislation A4503 / S136

Youth Special Events legislation was proposed sev-

eral years ago and if passed, would allow youth rid-

ers under the age of 18 to participate in certain or-

ganized and competitive events involving snowmo-

biles. In the 2018 session, the Senate bill, S136 by Senator Little has been reported from committee and is presently on its

third reading the Senate Calendar awaiting a vote.

Landowner Tax Credits S4258 / A5712

Landowner Tax Credits were proposed by NYSSA in an effort to bring some kind of value to landowners who open their prop-

erty for recreational snowmobile trails. This NYSSA believes would also assist in promoting landowner participation in the

creating of trails that promote our New York economy. The most recent report is that the bill has remained in the Tourism

Committee in the Assembly and in the Finance Committee in the Senate. It is believed that with the 2 Billion dollar deficit in

the state budget, this will not be moved forward this year.

These are the 4 most common areas of legislation that I get

but if any of our members have any questions on legislative

issues not listed, please feel free to contact me at:

[email protected]

Ride Safe and See You on the Trails!

Keep an eye on any bill, by searching here:

https://www.nysenate.gov/search/legislation

Photo by Jane Chaddock





https://www.nysenate.gov/search/legislation



ADIRONDACK POWERSPORTS

www.adirondackpowersports.com

APPOLSON'S

www.appolson.com

BIBBEN'S SALES

www.bibbenssales.com

BOB WEAVER'S MOTORSPORTS

www.weaverfever.com

BUCK'S MOTORSPORTS

www.bucksmotorsports.com

CAPRARA'S OUTDOOR WORLD

www.capraraoutdoor.com

CYCLE SHACK

www.cycleshackpolaris.com

DELLA MOTORSPORTS

www.dellamotorsports.net

DON'S POLARIS

www.donspolaris.com

EDELMANN SALES, INC

www.edelmannsales.com

EXCELL MOTORSPORTS

www.excellmotorsports.com

FUN UNLIMITED

www.fununlimitedpolaris.com

GAMBLE DISTRIBUTORS

www.gogambles.com

GRIFFIN MOTORSPORTS

www.griffinmotorsports.com

INGLES PERFORMANCE

www.inglesperformance.com

JAN-CEN AUTOMOTIVE

www.shopjancen.com

KUBECKA'S POLARIS

www.kubeckas.s5.com

LEISURE TIME

www.leisuretimepowersports.com

M&M POWERSPORTS

www.mmpolarisny.com

MADDIE'S MOTORSPORTS

www.maddiesmotorsports.com

MATT'S CYCLE CENTER

www.mattshonda.com

MENNETO POWERSPORTS

www.menneto.com

MOODY POLARIS

www.moodyspolaris.com

PIONEER MOTORSPORTS

www.pioneermotorsports.com

POLARIS OF RIVERHEAD

www.hondaofriverhead.com

POWERHOUSE MOTORSPORTS

www.powerhousems.com

PRECISION POWER

www.precisionpowerservices.com

PREFERRED POWERSPORTS

www.preferredpowersports.com

SCHOFF POLARIS

www.schoffpolaris.com

SSR POWERSPORTS

www.ssrpowersports.com

SPORTLINE POWER

www.sportlinepower.com

SPORTS UNLIMITED

www.sportsunlimited.com

T. NELSON SALES

www.tnelsonsales.com

TC SPORTS

www.tc-sports.net

TEIXEIRA'S POLARIS

www.texeiraspolaris.com

WAITE MOTORSPORTS

www.waitemotorsports.com

ZAMBRI MOTORSPORTS

www.zambrismotorsports.com





From the Desk of the Executive Director By Dominic Jacangelo, Executive Director [email protected] 888-624-3849 x104

A season of mixed blessings.

There is no doubt that this year has been a challenging snowmobile season for me. The last two snows of the season

which dumped good amounts of snow on the eastern to southeastern part of the state, left the west side with little snow

to run. There is certainly enough snow on this side to have me thinking of running up the hill to Grafton today and tak-ing a local ride for a change.

While the season has had its ups and downs, registrations are up over 3,000 past last year’s mark and NYSSA and club memberships look like they are up about 1,000 over last year. Those are encouraging numbers but they do make me

think how much more would they have been had we not gotten the repeated heavy rains. While we certainly lament the less than stellar conditions we cannot lament that this season has produce a far lower number of fatalities than last

year’s 24. Still five fatalities are too many. Most are the result of too much speed.

On the topic of “misery likes company,” I just came back

from a North East Chapter meeting of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations up in Pittsburgh, NH. Pitts-

burgh is only a few miles short of the Canadian border and

is the Old Forge of that state. When we arrived on Wednesday evening the situation was looking sad with

mostly icy conditions and little snow. Overnight and the next two days fixed that with a dump of up to eighteen

inches of snow which turned riding from passable to good.

Pittsburgh Snowmobile Club runs four Piston Bully’s to cover 240 miles and they make an effort to groom every

foot of trail double wide each night. They don’t quite make their goal but they certainly make the effort.

I certainly don’t promote going to other states to ride but if you ever wondered what the Adirondacks might be like if not for the limitation on trail mileage and width, this is a great place

to visit. Trails tend to be twelve to 15 feet wide with a brushed out zone that run mostly working forest land on woods roads. Registra-

tions run significantly more than NY’s registration but not as much

as Vermont and you do like NY get a discount for being a club mem-ber but are charged a premium for being a non-resident. Almost all

their state funding is spent on grooming. The club uses both club funds and RTP grants to buy a new groomer every few years.

Vermont, NH and Massachusetts all reported a modest decrease in membership and registrations as snow conditions have been worse

than ours.

Off-Trail Riding (NOT… Riding off trail)

One of the most interesting discussions which occurred during the meeting was “Off Trail Riding” not to be confused with riding off

trail. It seems as though many new riders are buying mountain sleds and are seeking places to go bushwhacking. These riders are young and tend not to be club members. This is clearly a new type of rider to the eastern part of the

country and challenges us all. Can we provide them this riding opportunity or is it beyond our ability to coordinate with

the private land owner we depend on? I am sure this is an issue we will be exploring over the next several years.

It appears much like last year that March may provide some good riding opportunities as cold and snow is in the near

term forecast. So get out and ride before summer is here.






Hand Signals: Two Hands are always better than one! By Dom Jacangelo

There has been a quite controversy taking place in the snowmobile community about signaling that a rider or riders are following. Should you take your hands off your controls to indicate riders are following? My ad-vice is never in a turn and never when you are uncomfortable doing it. And finally, two hands are always better than one.

So you still feel some desire to warn oncoming traffic that riders are following? The Rad Light may be an an-swer. At the Big East this fall, RoczToyz.com was kind enough to supply me with several Rad Lights to test out. It is a very simple device that shows either a Green Light or an Amber/Yellow Light. You display the Yellow Light to indicate that sleds are following and the green light if you are the last sled in line. The unit is relatively inexpensive compared to past similar products and installs without tools in minutes using the Velcro strips that come with the unit and your RCA type power outlet. The unit comes with a power lead but I found that a splitter and your existing outlet for you heated shield works fine. The unit uses very little power as it is LED based.

Several years ago I heard someone state that these lights were illegal since a green light may only be used on an EMT’s vehicle. My read on this is that since a snowmobile is not a motor vehicle as expressly stated in the Vehicle and Traffic law and that the prohibition is contained in Article 9, Section 375 relating to motor vehicles the restriction does not apply to snowmobiles. This understanding was confirmed by the DMV and does not seem to involve any other state agency.

Remember that every system has its weakness and it is the same for these devices. You can believe you are the last snowmobile in line and not realize that there are sleds relatively close behind you. Proving, that while not required, mirrors are a good thing! Or you can see the green light coming towards you and make assumptions about oncoming traffic. Always stay to the right!





2018

SUPER RAFFLE!

Arctic Cat ZR200

1 of 3 snowmobile grand prizes

Donated By:

Sun & Snow

Recreation

Arctic Cat dealer

Look for the

2018 SUPER RAFFLE tickets

coming soon to your local club!

2018 Arctic Cat ZR200

THANK YOU

To the

SADALLAH FAMILY!



http://www.sunandsnowrecreation.com/



Trail Coordinator Report by Jim Rolf, NYSSA Trail Coordinator 888-624-3849 x 102 [email protected]

TRAIL NEWS

Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor UMP multi-use plan

The lawsuit from the railroad vendor against the NYS DEC, DOT, and APA was a major news item this past fall, and is

ongoing in that the State is appealing the Judge’s ruling against the State’s Unit Management Plan (UMP) to transform the northernmost section of the Travel Corridor into a Multi-use Rail-Trail between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid, where snowmo-

biles will continue to be allowed. One of the 3 major points that the Judge made in ruling against the State was his interpreta-tion of the term “Travel Corridor”, with the others being the Corridor’s historic preservation designation and 2 sections that

were not yet owned by the State. In perfecting their appeal of the Judge’s ruling, the State is undertaking initiatives to correct and/or to clarify the issues brought forth. Steps to secure full ownership of those sections not yet owned by the State, obtain

Parks’ approval to keep the Corridor’s historic designation for the design of the old railroad corridor, and to update the State’s

definition of a Travel Corridor are all well underway.

Recently, the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) presented within their monthly meeting agenda and subsequent vote to

approve a clarification of the term “Travel Corridor definition” within the Adirondack State Land Master Plan (ASLMP). The clarification amendment provides that a travel corridor is not just a railroad corridor and that rail-trail conversions as well as

snowmobile use is acceptable. There will be 3 public meetings on this ASLMP amendment as well as a call for letters of sup-port. Watch for this important CALL FOR ACTION email alert from NYSSA that will give all of the particulars as well as the

process to submit user-group comments. This new amendment includes a few alternatives which the State could undertake, with the favored alternative for the snowmobile community to include “redeveloping a segment of the Remsen-Lake Placid

Travel Corridor or any newly acquired rail corridors with existing rails into rail trails. Use of portions of the Remsen-Lake Placid Corridor for travel and recreational uses, including rail and snowmobiling, has existed since the corridor was classified. How-

ever, the lack of clarity within the definition and guidelines for management and use, specifically for the Remsen-Lake Placid

Corridor, prevented the removal of any segment of the rails”. This alternative would also mean that a proposed plan for the State to secure ownership of a railroad in Essex County which connects to Warren and Saratoga Counties would also meet the

definition of a rail-trail conversion, giving 88 + miles back to the system in those counties which were lost when the scenic train there started up back in 2011. Stay tuned for more info in the form of an email from NYSSA.

Heavy Snows

Over the past couple of weeks the weather went from “summer-like” with high temperatures in the 70’s for a good

portion of Upstate NY, to winter making its return in a big way! Heavy snows, especially in the eastern portion of NY put an incredible amount of strain on some clubs there to get out to open trails. Dealing with their own personal life issues such as

family, jobs, digging out their own homes & businesses, making sure their farm livestock (in many cases) were attended to as required, removing the heavy, wet snow from their own home and/or barn roofs, and then anything else that pops up in a

severe weather event like the one gave them on March 2nd. All of these important items had to be attended to before the club

volunteers could even think about taking care of the trails. And then when they got that opportunity, what did they find? Trees or large limbs were down EVERYWHERE, sign stakes that were standing in unfrozen wet ground were knocked down

from the winds and the snow banks to get to the trails were pretty big.

My point here is that there were some complaints that came in over the days right after the

storm wondering why the trails weren’t opened yet. In most of those calls that I received, the callers didn’t really think about everything else that was involved which may have left some club volunteers

from getting out to open back up in the timeframe that the clubs themselves even wished could occur. Most of the callers had a better understanding of the issues surrounding the situation, and the clubs

then stepped up to take care of their trails so everyone (including the volunteers who sign, build, and groom the trails) could get out to ride. Many times, callers complaining about clubs don’t truly under-

stand the plight of the club volunteers. I see social media posts pointing to the clubs’ volunteers ex-

claiming that “getting the trails in shape right away is what the club gets paid for” or suggesting “that’s your JOB, isn’t it?”.. THAT IS UTTERLY LAUGHABLE! Club volunteers have lives outside of their clubs, and others who may not help at all should really start looking deep down to comprehend that, respect

(Continued on page 12)






that, and step up to volunteer themselves. It would truly give most a different perspective on what is really the situation with

the trail system here in NYS.

Saying all of that,…yes, at times there are legitimate signage complaints about clubs that are then followed up on util-

izing the NYSSA Safe Trails Education Program processes. I don’t wish to discourage anyone from contacting NYSSA with a trail complaint if trails aren’t signed properly, because that’s what STEP is all about. And all signing complaints are taken seri-

ously and inspections are set to check into the complaint. Trail rides are also undertaken by me or other certified advisers, which more often than not proves that the signs are up and that the clubs generally understand the signing handbook guide-

lines. Many times, a few missing signs or incorrect signage is identified and passed onto the clubs to take care of them-selves. Most clubs are accepting of the findings and get right out to correct their oversights. No club WANTS to have

unsafe trails, in my experience speaking to most of the 231 clubs who are responsible for trail maintenance.

(Continued from page 11)

SLEDNY FORUM

Within this month’s online magazine you will find information about the 2018 SLEDNY Educational Forum and NYSSA Annual Meeting, being held in Niagara Falls, NY over the weekend of April 20th to the 22nd. As with any “business”

conference, attendees get out of what they put into it. I suggest each club request that their attendees go to sessions all day on Saturday, attend the lunch and dinner events, interacting with as many other club reps as they can to compare

notes on trail-related subjects as well as on important club organizational issues in order to gain new ideas and/or pass-on suggestions that work for other clubs. The networking that a convention like this offers is only as good as attendees want to take from it. There are MANY successful snowmobile club officials that attend the Forum each year and are more than willing to share their successes with anyone who asks. Take them up on that offer to better your own club!

STATE LAND NEWS

Adirondack Rail-Trail News

I have incorporated this heading’s news above within

the TRAIL NEWS section as there is a very important oppor-tunity for snowmobilers to become involved with regarding

the “Travel Corridor” designation since the Judge gave him opinion on that in his Court decision. I want to reiterate

here though as well, that we need snowmobilers to submit

their support comments to the APA right away (at the email address above) so NYS officials know where the snowmobile

community stands on the planned multi-use trail develop-ment on the northernmost section of the Travel Corridor.

Accepting and supporting Alternative #6 is the suggested option that snowmobilers wishing to give input on to the

State. Thank you again!

Snowmobile Connector Trail Lawsuit vs. DEC & APA

As reported last month, the previously Court-ordered

INJUNCTION that had been in place which stopped all com-munity connector snowmobile development and/or trail work

since the lawsuit was filed has been reversed. That injunc-

tion needed to be removed, so the DEC and clubs can final-ize and begin Adirondack snowmobile trail projects. We are

working with clubs and the DEC to help re-start the proc-esses in place to have he needed work done before next sea-

son starts.

American Trails International Symposium:

April, 2019

CONTINUED REMINDER: Syracuse, NY was

chosen as the “host city” for this every-other-year event which showcases trails, trail-building, sustain-

able trail workshops, and best practices for trail lon-gevity. This event will be held in April of 2019. The

announcement regarding The Empire Trail truly helped to bring excitement to this event being cho-

sen to be held in Upstate New York. The link to the

event is: http://americantrails.org/ee/index.php/symposium/2019 . I am a member of their Event

Planning Committee that will help with event set-up and tours in our area. The first planning meetings

have taken place and went very well with their staff

being very prepared and professional in every detail of the events program. There will be more meet-

ings leading up to the event; all held right near me in Syracuse or via conference calls.



http://americantrails.org/ee/index.php/symposium/2019

http://americantrails.org/ee/index.php/symposium/2019



AN EXPERIENCE, WHILE GROOMING ON TUG HILL By Gary Stinson, Barnes Corners Sno Pals

February 17th, 2018 started out like most other typical Saturday late-night grooming runs for our club, as it usually does on those nights my another

groomer operator and I set-out to tackle all the trails leading south and east out of Barnes Corners (commonly referred to as our Montague Runs). Things sure

changed though, in a split second!

Generally I groom the more southerly route trails, which takes me out to the Worth, Culpepper, and the Salmon River Roads. My turn around point where I

head back home is the gate at the Mad River Club. My counterpart’s grooming

route is more easterly, taking him out to the Tom Sawyer Trail as well as to Parkers, Flat Rock and Olin Roads. His turn around point is the Hook & Ladder

restaurant, where we try to meet each other as we head out for our runs.

The trails were beat-up really bad, as this was the first weekend of the schools’ winter break. Traffic was heavy and the trails consisted of large moguls made

up of sand-like snow. The drags easily flattened everything out, but the surface remained very “mealy”.

We met at the Hook and Ladder as planned. The place was full with standing room only, but we finally got a seat where we could eat. After our meal, we continued out on our separate runs. I finally made it to the Mad River Gate and started for

home. I still had to do Pitcher Road and then my plans were to back-track on the trails I had taken coming from Barnes Cor-ners, fuel up, and get home hopefully by midnight.

As I neared the end of Pitcher Road, my radio squawked and I immediately knew it was my grooming partner trying to contact

me. The reception was terrible but I thought I heard him say he “had a person under his drag”. I completed my run on Pitcher Rd. and as I came to the plowed portion of the road, I made straight for the Flat Rock Rd. intersection. I could not get

any response from the other groomer operator, despite repeated attempts to contact him. Flat Rock Rd. from Pitcher to Park-

ers Corner Road is not very long, and I could soon see the “glow” of the other machine’s lights reflecting off the snow. As I neared the last hill on Flat Rock Rd. just before the bridge and Parkers Corner Rd., I could see someone standing in the trail.

It turned out to be a State Trooper who had been transported back to area to investigate a snowmobile/Groomer accident. As I arrived, the Trooper explained to me that a snowmobiler had struck the other groomer’s drag, which resulted into what I

refer to as a “spectacular accident”.

The Accident: I am reasonably certain that the snowmobiler was traveling at a very high rate of speed when he hit the rear of the grooming drag. The force of the contact with the drag sheared one ski off completely and mangled the sled, which I

believe is a total loss. The driver was catapulted right up and over the superstructure of the back of our drag, so when he

came down he passed through the drag cutting blades and stopped only when he hit the snow being groomed by the drags. Yes, he was right into the business end of the drag and was being pulled along by the drag while the blades were processing

the moguls and smoothing the trails!

To clarify a bit in an attempt to explain the situation leading up to that contact, the groomer was coming down the hill towards the bridge. Operators have a period of time at that point when they are concentrating on hitting the bridge “square” so that

the moguls do not push you to one side or the other into the bridge rails. Once on the bridge, it’s generally a good opportu-nity to look back and check the drag’s position. Imagine the surprise the operator felt when he looked back and saw two arms

reaching up from underneath his drags desperately searching for something to grab onto. The groomer operator immediately

stopped the tractor and got out to check on his “drag passenger”. He dug the snow off of the guy and explained that he would help him out but he first had to raise the drag up by putting the wheels down. Once this was done, the sledder was

removed from his position under the drag’s blades.

The police were called and the State Troopers responded, being transported to the accident scene by a passing snowmobiler. By now, I had arrived at the scene and we soon hitched a chain to the sled and dragged it down to Parkers Corner where it

(Continued on page 15)





2018 SLEDNY

Educational Forum &

NYSSA Annual Meeting April 20-22, 2018

Come join us at our end of year

celebration

in Niagara Falls NY!

Details: www.slednyforum.com

was loaded onto the back of the drag. Since the driver was injured, I loaded him into the jump seat in my groomer and

took him out to a waiting ambulance which had arrived and was stationed at the Montague Inn patiently awaiting the arri-

val of the injured party.

I learned the next day that he had suffered 4 cracked ribs, a broken left wrist as well as a broken left arm. He was ex-

tremely lucky, as in my eyes he could have very easily lost his

life.

I understand that he received two tickets for the accident. The 1st was for Imprudent Speed and the 2nd for Failure to

Yield to a Trail Groomer. In addition, as I suspected, his sled was totaled. When you consider his health issues, the sled,

and the tickets issued; it was truly an expensive night for this gentleman. In the end, the operator had been drinking, but

was not above the legal limit at the time of the test.

The lesson from this article would hopefully tell readers to

slow down and do not drink if you are driving a snowmobile. Always be prepared for others on the trails, being able to stop

before hitting anything. This accident could have been a lot worse, but the safety message I’d like to end with is to Ride Responsibly and with RESPECT for everyone else out on the trails. Get home safe after each ride!

Submitted by Gary Stinson, one of the Barnes Corner Sno Pals’ groomer operators

(Continued from page 14) Here are a few other signs you should take seriously when out on

the trail!




https://www.regonline.com/2018-forum



Dear Adirondack Rail Trail Supporter:

The Adirondack Park Agency met last week to consider a proposal to amend the State Land Use Master Plan. This is in reaction to Judge Robert Main's ruling last year that the SLMP does not have a category of land use that provides for rail trails. The proposed amendment would create a sepa-rate sub-category of travel corridor that would allow for the continued construction of the Adiron-dack Rail Trail and potentially others.

The Adirondack Park Agency is proposing changes to the State Land Use Master Plan that will allow for rail trail construction on qualifying rail lines across the state. The primary target is the Adiron-dack Rail Trail between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake whose construction was halted by a court or-der based on the definition of a 'travel corridor'. Rail trails would now be a sub-category of travel corridor. More detail is in this article from the March 6, 2018 Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

Adirondack Park Agency (APA) will accept public comment until May 7, 2018. Three public hearing sessions will be held on April 11, 24 and 25, 2018. The full notice is linked here.

We encourage all Adirondack Rail Trail supporters to register their support for the Park Agency’s proposed alternative that will allow for conversion of any portion of the railroad corridor determined appropriate for a rail trail, pursuant to an approved Unit Management Plan.

Please address all written comments to: Kathy Regan, Deputy Director for Planning, NYS Adirondack Park Agency, P.O. Box 99, Ray Brook, NY 12977. Fax: 518-891-3938 Email - [email protected]

Please submit all written comments to the APA by May 7, 2018.

Thanks for your continuing support!

The ARTA Board



https://www.dropbox.com/s/uejvt3a5942u2a3/2018%20DSEIS%20with%20Appendices.pdf?dl=0

https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2018/03/apa-proposal-allow-rail-trails.html?mc_cid=2280b3efb6&mc_eid=d30a43e415

https://www.dropbox.com/s/h4wrwt1jrgtpn0x/APA%20seeks%20to%20change%20%E2%80%98travel%20corridor%E2%80%99%20definition.pdf?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kvg8fupvuvz2axb/APA%20OPENS%20PUBLIC%20COMMENT%20PERIOD.pdf?dl=0




The Kids Are Alright!

The Struggle is Real...James Oliver

Above: Photo by Lisa Brown,

taken in Dickinson NY





P

hoto

by L

isa

Bro

wn







http://agency.nationwide.com/grant-l-getzoni-in-williamsville-ny?utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=affinity&utm_source=na&utm_content=auto:na:na:na:na:na:-1-na-2-3539-3-nysnowmobilersassn-4-web_banner-5-0817:&utm_term=na



Niagara Falls, New York will be the site of the next Forum and Annual Meeting and of

course, the 9th Annual NYSSA Vintage Show. Have you thought about bringing your

favorite vintage sleds to show?

This year’s show will include classes for both original and restored snowmobiles.

9 T H A N N U A L N E W Y O R K S T A T E V I N T A G E S H O W

Vintage Sled Corner

1 Antique 1968 and Older (Original)

2 Antique 1968 and Older (Restored)

3 Trail Sled 1969-1975 (Original)

4 Trail Sled 1969-1975 (Restored)

5 Trail Sled 1976-1985 (Original)

6 Trail Sled 1976-1985 (Restored)

7 Trail Muscle – All Years (Original)

8 Trail Muscle – All Years (Restored)

9 Factory Race Sled 1983 & Older

10 Active Race Sled 1986 & Older

11 Custom Class – Any Year

12 Most Unique

13 Cutter Combo Class

14 Mini Sled Class

15 Forgotten Wonders

16 Delegates Class

17 Farthest Traveled

18 Best of Show

19 People’s Choice

Registration opens on Friday, April 20, 2018 and judging will be held on Saturday,

April 21st. Awards will be presented at the Awards Luncheon (meal tickets sold

separately) Class registrations will be $5.00 with a $20 maximum for an unlimited

number of sleds.

Thank you to all of the shows sponsors including Super Trax Magazine, Voss Signs and

JGB Enterprises, Inc. as well as all of the clubs and associations who have supported the

event in the past.



As the unified voice for NY Snowmobiling, NYSSA works year-round to promote

the sport and protect the trails needed for winter enjoyment. NYSSA is recognized

and accepted in Albany, across the state, and nationally as the organization that

represents the rights and needs of New York’s snowmobilers.

PO Box 1040, Pine Bush, NY 12566-1040

888-624-3849 / Fax 888-317-2441

E-mail: [email protected]

www.nysnowmobiler.com

NEW YORK STAT E

SNOWMOBI LE ASSOCIATI ON

Club Events are listed on our website: www.nysnowmobiler.com/events

Safety Courses are listed at

http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles/safety-courses.aspx

NYSSA Calendar of Events

April 20 & 21, 2018 April 22, 2018

SLEDNY EDUCATIONAL FORUM & NYSSA Annual Meeting

Holiday Inn Niagara Falls - 716-285-2521 Ext. 2 (Say you are with SLEDNY)

Niagara Falls Conference Center 101 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls, NY

May 19 , 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting at 1 pm.

Rusty Rail, 3231 Seneca Turnpike, Canastota, NY

July 14, 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting at 1 pm.


Aug 25, 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting at 1 pm.


Sept 29, 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting at 1 pm.

OnCenter, Big East weekend

Nov 3, 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting at 1 pm.


Dec 1, 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting at 1 pm.


(11 days after each BOD Meeting).

May 2, 2018

May 30, 2018

July 25, 2018

Sept 6, 2018

Oct 11, 2018

Nov 15, 2018

Dec 12, 2018

NY Snowmobiler Publication Dates:

www.slednyforum.com


http://nysnowmobiler.com/events/

http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles/safety-courses.aspx

http://www.facebook.com/#!/NewYorkStateSnowmobileAssociation

http://www.youtube.com/user/NYSSnowmobiler



the official publication of the new york state...

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