Adventure Travel - East

MAINE
There are more than 14,000 miles of snowmobile trails in this gorgeous state, and nearly a third of them make up the well-groomed and well-marked Interconnected Trail System (ITS). Terrain varies from the rugged mountains of the west to the wide-open spaces of the northeast. Over 200 inches of snow blanket Maine annually.
Spectacular mountain and lake views can be enjoyed in the Rangeley Lakes region; there, plenty of exploring can only be done by snowmobile. Hop on the New England Snowmobile Trail Network (NEST) and Black Fly Loop, or take a day trip on the Ronald W. Sargent Trail System, which offers more than 130 miles of ITS trails. Recommended stops include the beautiful Grand Falls on the Dead River, and the summit of Coburn Mountain, the highest point you can reach by snowmobile in Maine.

AmSnow has ridden the northeast across the Kennebec Valley to the Moosehead Lake area many times. It is a great place for riders of all skill levels to explore. Maine’s largest lake is encircled by the 160-mile Moosehead trail, which is connected to the ITS and areas in New Hampshire and Canada. Greenville Junction offers lodging options in this region.

The view from Mount Katahdin, Maine’s highest point is like something out of an old novel. It is one of 46 mountain peaks in the Maine Highlands region. Baxter State Park is another rider favorite.

Aroostook County boasts 2,400 miles of trails and recognition as one of the top snowmobile destinations in the U.S. The area is known as the “Crown of Maine,” and Madawaska, Ashland, Presque Isle, and Caribou are all great starting spots. There is also no shortage of trailside pit stops.
Wildlife such as moose, deer and other animals can be see often on the trails of Maine.

Helpful Sites
• Snowmobile Maine: www.mesnow.com
• Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: www.maine.gov/ifw
• Maine Chamber of Commerce: www.mainetourism.com
• Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club: www.rangeleysnowmobile.com
• Guide Services: www.maineguides.org, www.mainewildernessguides.org
• LODGING: Northern Outdoors 1771 US Route 201, The Forks, 800-765-7238, www.northernoutdoors.com Chesuncook Lake House Chesuncook Lake Rd, Chesuncook, 207-745-5330, www.chesuncooklakehouse.com Cozy Moose Lakeside Family Cabin Rentals 71 Nelson Rd, Greenville, 207-695-0242, www.mooseheadcabins.com
Crown Park Inn 30 Access Highway, Caribou, 207-493-3311, www.crownparkinn.com Historic Pittston Farm Lodge 53 Pittston Farm Road, Rockwood, 207-280-0000, www.pittstonfarm.com

MASSACHUSETTS
Western Massachusetts is a diamond in the rough; a place not always on the snowmobile map, but worthy of our accolades. This small area of the country has amassed 2,100-plus miles of trails.

For those who prefer shorter joyrides to high-mileage excursions, there are a number of state parks with designated snowmobiling areas. At Mount Greylock State Reservation near Lanesborough, you’ll find multiple snowmobile trails heading up and around the highest peak in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts has plenty to see on the trail including Old Glory, a 16x18-foot painted U.S. flag that was erected in the aftermath of 9/11; and the Shelburne Fire Tower, a 65-foot-tall stone structure that has stood on Massaemett Mountain for more than a century.

Catamount State Park, Rainbow Hill, and the Berkshire Mountains are all must-see spots. If you are wondering about snow depths, Berkshire County averages 66 inches per year.

Unfortunately, there are regulations in places like the North Region, where the use of snowmobiles is only permitted during daylight hours. Also, there is a Snow Cover Law in this state that says to operate snowmobiles on public land there must be “a minimum average depth of four inches of packed snow.” Check www.mass.gov for a complete list of state properties that are open to snowmobiles. The biggest challenge faced by the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts is the lack of trail funding. Registration fees go into the state’s general fund; if you get the chance be sure to hit up one of the 30 clubs’ fundraisers to support the trails.

Helpful Sites
• Snowmobile Association of
• Massachusetts: www.sledmass.com
Commonwealth of Massachusetts: www.mass.gov
• Visit New England: www.visit-massachusetts.com
• Berkshire Snow Seekers: www.berkshiresnowseekers.com
• LODGING: The Spring’s Inn 94 Route 7, New Ashford, 413-458-7090, www.thespringsinnandresort.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Each fall, the Race Into Winter annual event at Peterson’s Brookvale Farm in Fremont, kicks off the snowmobile season for the state of New Hampshire. It features high-octane action in the form of grass drags, watercross and a huge swap meet.

Seven-thousand-plus miles of groomed trails await riders in the winter, claimed to be the best in the world by the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association. In our experience, the Pittsburg area is the biggest place snowmobiles converge in NH and the area averages 180 inches of snow annually. Thousands of acres of undeveloped woods and great elevation changes make this place exciting. Plus the relative lack of urban sprawl that has enveloped most of the eastern states. Note that New Hampshire has some pretty strict speed limits though with 45 mph being the max on all trails where no speed limit is posted.

An example of this is the ride through 127 acres (complete with a scenic gorge and waterfalls) to reach Diamond Ridge Overlook in Dixville Notch State Park.
In the Great North Woods region, you’ll find connections with trails to Vermont, Maine, and Quebec.

The Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee region is New Hampshire’s “high country,” while the Merrimack Valley region and the Seacoast region offer flat-country riding and rolling hills in the southern part of the state.

Finally, vintage sled lovers will enjoy the New Hampshire Snowmobile Museum in Bear Brook State Park. The complex boasts a collection of more than 80 snow machines and a large assortment of memorabilia.

Helpful Sites
• N.H. Snowmobiling Association: www.nhsa.com
• N.H. Living: www.nhliving.com/snowmobiling
• Visit N.H.: www.visitnh.gov
• New Hampshire Snowmobile Museum: www.nhsnowmobilemuseum.com
• LODGING: * Nootka Lodge 36 Smith Street, Woodsville, 800-626-9105, www.nootkalodge.com Cabins at Lopstick 45 Stewart Young Road, Pittsburg, 800-538-6659, www.cabinsatlopstick.com
Town & Country Inn & Resort 20 State RT. 2, Shelburne, 603-466-3315, www.townandcountryinn.com The Old Red Inn & Cottages Route 16, North Conway Village, 800-338-1356, www.oldredinn.com
Riverbank Motel & Cabins 183 Connector Road, Lincoln, 800-633-5624, www.riverbankmotel.com

NEW YORK
From Niagara Falls to the Adirondacks, New York has over 10,000 miles of trails that span 45 counties, which is one reason it is always one of the top snowmobiling states in the country. Few states can boast what New York has to offer.

AmSnow comes to the Inlet/Old Forge area in upstate N.Y. every year and this is sometimes called the “snowmobile capital of the East.” It’s where AmSnow holds its annual New York Shootout - a can’t-miss event that features the newest stock and fastest modified snowmobiles in the country! Perfect for couples and families seeking a fun weekend, the Old Forge trail system boasts more than 500 miles of trails, while Inlet trails wind through 50,000 acres of wilderness.

Lake-effect snow is the big contributor in New York to its often snowy climate. Lewis County is a big benefactor and its nearly 500 miles of trails. We’ve spent plenty of time in the terrain of the Tug Hill Plateau, but there’s also plenty of exploring to be done in the foothills of Adirondack Park and the scenic Black River Trail in Black River Valley.

Oneida, Madison, Herkimer and Otsego counties make up the Central Leatherstocking region and arguably the most popular is Oneida. It has 540 miles of groomed trails that span the state and connect with Tug Hill. Here you will find forests, mountains and gorges to play in.

Just south of the Adirondacks is an extensive trail network that connects towns of Lake Luzerne, Queensbury, Glen Falls, Brant Lake, Chestertown, Pottersville and Warrensberg. The summit of Prospect Mountain, gives you views of Lake George.

Hamilton County has the largest trail system in New York (750 miles), with plenty of wildlife, frozen waterfalls and panoramic views.

Helpful Sites
• New York State Snowmobile Association: www.nysnowmobiler.com
• New York State Parks, Recreation and • Historic Preservation: www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles
• New York State Tourism: www.iloveny.com
• www.dmv.ny.gov
•*Town of Webb: www.townofwebb.org
• LODGING: Van Auken’s Inne 108 Forge Street, Thendara, 315-369-3033, www.vanaukensinne.com The Golden Shamrock 6205 Blue Street, Glenfield, 315-376-6689, www.thegoldenshamrock.com **19th Green Motel 2761 New York 28, Old Forge, 315-369-3575, www.19thgreenmotel.com

PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania’s forests and parks offer thousands of miles of picturesque trails, as well as many acres of open fields. The state has something to offer everyone, from adventuresome explorers to leisurely trail riders. Some slightly higher land elevations, and proximity on the eastern end to the great lakes allows for some significant snowfalls.

McKean County is the snowmobiling heart of Pennsylvania. Often deep lake-effect snow blankets more than 140 miles of trails here, including the beautiful 114-mile Allegheny Snowmobile Loop. These trails also connect to more than 360 miles of trails in the Allegheny National Forest, and to an extensive trail system in Allegany State Park, N.Y.

Coudersport/Potato City is also a prime spot to jump on the trails in North central Pennsylvania. South of Coudersport is Low Lands Trail in Potter County.

Snowmobilers may also ride on State Game Lands from the third Sunday in January to April on designated snowmobile areas, roads and trails marked with appropriate signs.

Trails usually open the day after the last day of regular or extended rifle deer season (around mid-December) and close April 1 (conditions permitting).

Helpful Sites
• Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association: www.pasnow.org
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/recreation/snowmobile/index.htm
• Pennsylvania Game Commission: www.pgc.pa.gov
• Visit Pennsylvania: www.visitpa.com
• LODGING: Laurelwood Inn & Steakhouse 1115 East Second Street, Coudersport, 814-274-9220, www.laurelwoodinnandsteakhouse.com The Lodge at Glendorn 1000 Glendorn Drive, Bradford, 800-843-8568, www.glendorn.com Rough Cut Lodge 2570 Route 6, Gaines, 814-435-2192, www.roughcutlodge.com Windows in the Woods 569 Irish Farm Road, Coudersport, 717-225-3921, www.windowsinthewoods.com

VERMONT
If you want a “VAST” snowmobile experience, then here is your chance! The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) maintains and grooms more than 5,000 miles of well-marked trails, a network covering the majority of the state. Much of Vermont gets an average of 100-250 inches (roughly 8-20 feet!) of snow every year.

One of AmSnow’s favorite stops in Vermont – the Coles Pond Sledders Cook Shack in Walden – is literally right next to the trail. This is in Vermont’s snowmobiling epicenter, Northeast Kingdom. We make sure we plan ahead to go through rustic dining establishments like this whenever we are in the area.

Snowmobiling-related activities such as poker rides and drag races are also ongoing in the winter in the northeast in areas like Orleans, Essex and Caledonia counties. Vermont is an absolutely beautiful state from the trails to Lake Champlain.

The snowmobiling season usually runs from mid-December to early April. Northern Vermont businesses cater to the snowmobiler, with trails that lead right to their doorsteps.

Helpful Sites
• VAST: www.vtvast.org
• Vermont Dept. of Tourism & Marketing: www.vermontvacation.com
• Vermont Chamber of Commerce: www.vtchamber.com
• LODGING: The Wildflower Inn 2059 Darling Hill Road, Lyndonville, 802-626-8310, www.wildflowerinn.com Smugglers’ Notch Resort 4323 Vermont Route 108 South, Smugglers’ Notch, 800-419-4615, www.smuggs.com
Mount Snow 39 Mount Snow Road, West Dover, 800-245-SNOW, www.mountsnow.com Mountain Top Inn & Resort 195 Mountain Top Rd, Chittenden, 802-483-2311, www.mountaintopinn.com
Sunset Motor Inn 160 VT Route 15 W, Morrisville, 802-888-4956, www.sunsetmotorinn.com Rodgers Country Inn & Cabins 582 Rodgers Road, West Glover

IMPORTANT INFO
NEW YORK Registration is $100 ($45 for NYSSA members).

PENNSYLVANIA Registration is $20 (two years). Title and liability insurance required.

VERMONT Registration is $25 (resident), $32 (non-resident, unless sled is already registered elsewhere). All riders must join a county and a local club as well as purchase a VAST TMA pass (see VAST website for pricing). Liability insurance is also required. 35 mph on all state land, 50 mph on lakes.