Safe, responsible riding is actively supported and promoted by organized snowmobiling. Snowmobile safety trainers have been conducting snowmobile safety classes for decades in the United States and Canada and in 1995 the community embraced the Safe Riders! You Make Snowmobiling Safe safety campaign – the guidepost for safe snowmobiling behavior.

The Safe Riders! campaign highlights that individual behavior and responsibility is the key to making snowmobiling safe. Snowmobilers understand that snowmobiling is fun, but it is work too. It challenges the body and the mind and you need to be attentive while snowmobiling. Safe snowmobilers know their abilities and understand not to go beyond them.

Snowmobile safety begins with the machine, which is built to the highest standards. It is the responsibility of snowmobilers to keep their machine in top running condition following all of the recommended pre-ride checklists found in the owner’s manual and making sure the vehicle is in top notch shape before riding.

Snowmobilers also understand the need to dress appropriately while snowmobiling. Individuals must wear warm clothing, generally supplied through the snowmobile manufacturers and dealers. The clothing includes, dressing in layers with high quality jackets, bibbs, boots, gloves and a certified helmet.

Snowmobilers need to think ahead and prepare where they are going to ride. It is best to file a plan with family or friends and let people where you are going to snowmobile. You need to be familiar with the riding area and or ride with individuals who have been there before.

Safe snowmobilers follow the key guidelines of the Safe Riders! campaign:

* Snowmobiling and alcohol don’t mix – don’t drink and ride
* Ride safe, stay on the trail and respect private property
* One is the loneliest number, never ride alone
* When riding on the trail, ride right and ride smart. Stay in Control
* Smart Riders are safe riders and they take snowmobile safety training/refresher courses.
* Snowmobilers know before they go and always check local ice conditions
* When night riding, safe riders slow down and expect the unexpected

Safe mountain riders know that avalanche safety training and awareness is of special importance. There are 5 key avalanche safety guidelines which should always be remembered when riding in the mountains:

Get the Gear: Ensure everyone has an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe on their person and knows how to use them
Get the Training: Take an avalanche course which will highlight key issues.
Get the Forecast: Make a riding plan based on the current avalanche and weather forecast.
Get the Picture: If you see recent avalanche activity, unstable snow exists. Riding on or under slopes is dangerous.
Get Out of Harm’s Way: One at a time on all avalanche slopes. Don’t go to help your stuck friend, the extra weight could initiate an avalanche. Also, don’t group up in runout zones or at the base of mountains.

Snowmobile safety training courses are available throughout North America and can be found by visiting your state or provincial snowmobile association website.

SNOWfest is a celebration of snowmobiling wrapped around a snowmobile film festival.

“SNOWfest features the best snowmobile action films. This year’s films literally bring the art form to a higher level with tighter chutes, bigger drops, and the best riders in the business, showing how to take no prisoners, said Steve Dubbs, event organizer and Chairman of the Wahkon Arts & Film Board.

The invited films are 509 Vol. 9, BRAAP 14, Boondockers 11, Sledneck 17 Thunderstruck 12 and Alpine Assasins 5 with some old school sled movies in the morning. The most popular film will be awarded “Best in S.N.O.W.” trophy or as Dubbs refers to it the “SNOWY”

More than just a snowmobile film festival. There is also a vintage rally in the morning, new snowmobile displays, and demo rides on 2015 sleds. It’s a family friendly day. Admission is free and there is free popcorn and pop for the kids.

Proceeds from the event go directly to the 3 local clubs who maintain over 400 miles of trails in the Lake Mille Lacs Area. The benefiting clubs are the Mille Lacs Trails Club, the Garrison Commercial Club and the Mille Lacs Driftskippers. It’s a party with a purpose.

The event is held snow or no snow. If there is snow bring your own sled, Wahkon is on the Soo Line Trail, so there is great snowmobiling nearby. Be sure to check out the famous Red Top Loop.

More event and lodging information is available at www.snowfest.info

Tucker Hibbert’s 2015 official merchandise is now available. With over 20 uniquely branded items, Hibbert’s merchandise line offers clothing and accessories for every Team 68 fan.

The popular T-Train t-shirt has a fresh look for 2015 with bright orange graphics to reflect the orange featured on Hibbert’s helmet and race gear. This design is carried over to the all-new T-Train hooded sweatshirt. Both the t-shirt and sweatshirt are available in adult and youth sizes.

Other items returning to the line-up with updated designs include Hibbert’s podium snap-back hat and knit beanie featuring the logos of Monster Energy, Arctic Cat and Ram Truck along with the women’s specific, soft touch t-shirt.

Hibbert’s official merchandise is available exclusively through his online store and trackside at every stop of the ISOC National Snocross tour. His online store features same-day shipping to customers in the US, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

“Working on the designs and styles for my merchandise line is one of my favorite projects every year. It’s a huge honor to know my fans are proud to wear my name and number. I’ll never take that for granted.” says Tucker “The best part about my merchandise line is getting to meet so many fans at my trackside booth after the finals at the national events. Since day one, I’ve committed to staying until I get the opportunity to meet every fan standing in line. No matter how the race goes, I know I can go to my booth and there will be Team 68 fans to remind me why I love to race my snowmobile.”

Shop online at: tuckerstore.mybigcommerce.com/ or Tucker Hibbert’s official merchandise booth will be trackside at every stop of the 14/15 ISOC National Snocross tour.

Featured 2015 Tucker Hibbert Official Merchandise Items

Team Monster Energy / Arctic Cat / Ram Truck Podium Hat 2015: $25

The official snap-back hat of Hibbert and his crew. Monster Energy, Arctic Cat and Ram Truck logos are featured in raised embroidery. The brim features his number and is accented by grey and green graphics.

T-Train T-Shirt 2015: $20 – Adult / $15 – Youth

Bright orange and green graphics highlight a detailed image of Hibbert racing on the front and his name and number on the back. The T-Train t-shirt is available in adult and youth sizes.
T-Train Hooded Sweatshirt 2015: $45 – Adult / $35 – Youth

Bright orange and green graphics highlight Hibbert’s name and number on the front and a detailed image of him racing on the back. The T-Train hooded sweatshirt is available in adult and youth sizes.

68 Women’s T-Shirt 2015: $20

Hibbert’s name and number are framed by green and grey graphics on this fitted, soft touch t-shirt.

Dear New York Snowmobiler:

During the summer of 2013, many of you participated in the public comment process which resulted in land classifications for the Essex Chain of Lakes which provided expanded opportunities for recreation on this newly State-acquired tract of land.

Because of the many comments offered by the snowmobile community, a conceptual snowmobile route was laid out on the tract potentially connecting the ADK communities of Indian Lake, Minerva and Newcomb.

Key to this connection is a bridge over the Cedar River that can carry snowmobiles as well as many other recreational users across the river.

This is what we wrote about the crossing last year: “Many of our NYSSA members engage in equestrian activities. NYSSA supports the construction of the Cedar River Bridge in the location the Department has proposed. Several of our members have cautioned us that the width of the bridge is inadequate to accommodate two horses passing or a horse and wagon passing. Complicating this issue is the fact that the bridge will be a popular spot for picture taking, to take in the landscape and to fish. Rather than attempt to regulate people’s use, it would be preferable to plan now for those uses and construct a bridge of adequate width to accommodate how people will no doubt use it. We propose that a 12 foot wide bridge be considered.”

If the bridge is constructed totally of wood, the bridge would be enormous and be visually damaging to the Cedar River view shed. If the state allows steel to be used to construct the bridge, it will result in a structure with a much lower profile, have the opportunity to be wider, and would better serve the entire recreating public.

NYSSA also supports the idea of allowing mountain bikes in the Essex Chain Primitive Area. Our fellow trail users should not be prohibited from enjoying this natural and recreational resource.

While the APA press release focused on these two issues, there is no reason that other issues should not be introduced into the discussion. Limiting new snowmobile trails to character of a foot path does not serve the Adirondack Community economy.

While we appreciate the work that has been done to construct the Seventh Lake Mountain Trail, this trail is a very unattractive choice to running the lakes or taking more enjoyable alternative snowmobile routes.

The trail ends up being very winding, requiring very slow speeds and a well above average skill level to navigate. No one wants high speed highways in the forest, but the character of the trail should be dictated by the surrounding forest and the trail opportunities that are inherent in the land.

These new constructed snowmobile trails should be able to support reasonable speeds.

Tens of thousands of acres have been added to the Forest Preserve over recent years. However, the snowmobile trail mileage cap has never been allowed to increase. When the cap was put into place, no one imagined how much new land would be added to the Adk Park. Newly acquired lands should allow the trail cap to increase and should not be considered a “material increase.”.

Most of our members will not be able to attend these listening sessions, but we highly encourage you to send in written comments to the APA.

The following was sent out by the APA:

ADIRONDACK PARK AGENCY ANNOUNCES MEETING DATES FOR PUBLIC LISTENING SESSIONS REGARDING ADIRONDACK PARK STATE LAND MASTER PLAN AMENDMENTS RAY BROOK, NY – The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) will hold a series of public listening sessions to solicit comments regarding possible amendments to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP) including proposals identified as part of the Essex Chain Lakes classification.

As part of the Essex Chain Lakes Complex classification, the APA agreed to consider amendments to the APSLMP that would allow the use of all-terrain bicycles in the Essex Chain Lakes Primitive Area and the use of non-natural materials for the construction of a bridge over the Cedar River.

The public will have the opportunity to make suggestions about changes to the APSLMP in relation to the Essex Chain Lakes commitments as well as suggest additional recommendations during a series of four public listening sessions. The meeting format will include opportunities for individuals to interact directly with APA staff, ask questions and provide suggestions about possible revisions to the APSLMP for further consideration.

The public is encouraged to bring written comments to support their input. At the conclusion of each listening session, agency staff will present an overview of the process required to amend the APSLMP.

The APA has scheduled four public listening sessions to be held at the following times and locations (two sessions have already taken place): November 17, 2014 – 11AM-2PM NYS DEC Headquarters 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233 November 18 – 5PM-8PM Town of Webb Union Free School District School Gymnasium 3002 State Route 28 Old Forge, NY 13420 In addition to the listening sessions, APA will accept written comments on APSLMP amendments until December 5, 2014.

Please submit written comments to: Deputy Director, Planning Kathy Regan PO Box 99 Ray Brook, NY 12977 Or via email – PublicComment@apa.ny.gov

At the conclusion of the public sessions, the APA will discuss topics for further consideration with DEC and engage stakeholders to identify amendment recommendations. Following public and stakeholder engagement, the APA will undertake the State Environmental Quality Review Act process on the Essex Chain Lakes Complex proposals. APA will also develop a timeline to consider other possible APSLMP amendment recommendations.

The Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan defines permissible activities on State-owned Forest Preserve land in the Adirondack Park. The APSLMP was written in 1972, but since 1987, there have been no major amendments to the APSLMP, despite changing recreational activities, such as mountain biking and easement land purchases that included snowmobile trails. The meeting facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Please provide any requests for specific accommodations to Keith P. McKeever at 518-891-4050. The mission of the Adirondack Park Agency is to protect the public and private resources of the Adirondack Park through the exercise of the powers and duties of the Agency as provided by law.

For more information, call the APA at (518) 891-4050 or visit www.apa.ny.gov.