A lack of snow coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic has put the brakes on early season snowmobile riding and related festivities in the North County -- for now.
With the end Sunday of the big game hunting season in the Northern Zone, the snowmobile riding season in that area of the state would have opened Monday, provided there was enough snow.
The reality at this point, though, “is that there are no trails with enough snow to open,” said Jim Rolf, trail coordinator for the New York State Snowmobile Association. The warm weather predicted for this coming weekend won’t help.
Meanwhile, trails in the Southern Zone, which includes Central and Western New York, the Capital Region, the Southern Tier and the Catskills, won’t open until after Dec. 22, when the big game hunting season ends in those areas. Sledders should stay off those trails until then, Rolf said.
Old Forge bills itself as "The Snowmobiling Capital of the East"
The Old Forge area pitches itself as “The Snowmobiling Capital of the East” and the “Southwest Gateway to the Adirondacks.” Snowmobile is a big deal here. Every hotel and motel, every restaurant and bar in the town of Webb is snowmobile-accessible.
The surrounding Webb/Inlet snowmobile trail system offers 39 trails and covers 500 square miles. It’s unique in that it’s the only paid permit system in the state.
For the past 43 years, Old Forge has put on the Snodeo, a snowmobile-oriented festival to kick off the snowmobile season. This year’s event was scheduled to take place this weekend. Due to the pandemic, it’s been cancelled.
The well-attended event typically features snowmobile manufacturers with their new models of sleds on display, a vintage snowmobile show and swap, youth snowmobile races, and a snowmobile raffle. The event also typically includes Kitty-Cat & 120cc races and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The only thing that’s happening is the annual snowmobile and cash prize raffle, with tickets for both being sold until Jan. 31, said Mike Farmer, director for the town of Webb’s Tourism Center in Old Forge. See details and purchase raffle tickets at visitmyadirondacks.com/snodeo.html.
The Old Forge area reaps big economic benefits from snowmobiling. The winter recreational sport contributes nearly $20 million per year to the local economy. Studies by the state Parks Department and the NYS Snowmobile Association estimate the average snowmobiler spends up to $220 to $315 per day, when one considers food, lodging, gas and other expenses.
Farmer said the Webb/inlet snowmobile trail system is the best kept in the Adirondacks, with full-time, paid staff working two shifts through the week grooming, clearing and maintaining the trails. They have five, state-of-the art grooming machines.
As a result, even when other nearby trails are closed because of lack of snow or unsafe, icy conditions, the Webb/Inlet trails are worked and reworked by the groomers to make them rideable.
The Webb/Inlet trails officially opened Monday, but the trails are currently closed to riding, Farmer said. Town workers are rolling and packing what little snow there is to establish a good, solid, icy base.
Farmer said it’s not usual for local trails to be closed this time of year due to lack of snow. One recent year, he said, they didn’t open until early January. It all depends on the weather.
Regardless, Farmer noted the local business scene in Old Forge is gearing up for the snowmobile season and the crowds of snowmobilers that come with it. For example, despite Covid-related restrictions on restaurants limiting the number of customers they can have, most businesses are adapting with good take-out services – something that developed over the fall and is expected to continue into the winter months.
“We’re already seeing a lot of people in town,” he said. “They’re bringing in their snowmobiles and gear to where they’re going to be staying to get ready for the snow. Private home rentals and vacation homes, they’re all locked in from the winter. The same with the short-term rentals. They’re all maxed out.”
Farmer added advance sales for snowmobiling permits and season passes are strong. He noted visitors also have the nearby McCauley Mountain ski resort andhe expects to see a big surge in cross country skiing this winter.
“People know they can come here, get outdoors and spread out. That’s worked this fall and it’s going to work this winter,” he said.
MORE:
What you need to know to get ready for snowmobiling in Upstate NY (video)
Winter hiking the Adirondacks: What you need to know for a safe and enjoyable outing (video)
DEC Forest Rangers located lost hunter by firing ‘signal shots’ into the air
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