Guest blog by Lily Katherine Rasmus
Snowmobiling season is an activity that both visitors and locals patiently wait to arrive. Thanks to the hard work of local clubs including the Adirondack Trail Riders and the NYS Snowmobile Association, visitors have access to more than 20 miles of interconnected trails. The Trail Riders are a not-for-profit club and their trail system spans Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Moriah, and Schroon Lake with an integration of groomed trails and backwoods traveling. They are always working hard to improve trails and connect to other trails. Snowmobilers can access maps and safety plans at www.nysnowmobiler.com. Follow the Trail Riders on Facebook for up-to-date information on what is happening with trail conditions in the area.
The volunteer work this great group has been putting in is important to great trail riding, and it makes it easier for snowmobiling visitors to see more of the towns they are traveling through. Putnam, a town just just south of Ticonderoga, has snowmobile trails groomed and maintained by the Washington County Trail Blazers, making it so easy to extend your fun even farther!
Plan a weekend to stay
Make a weekend of snowmobiling with so many miles to travel on the trail. Do a loop, do different legs, but whatever you do don’t miss the opportunity to investigate the historic areas you will be traveling though! Events to catch this winter include living history events at Fort Ticonderoga, Hague Winter Weekend, Ticonderoga End of Winter Carnival, Trivia Night at Madden’s Pub, and Tap Take Over at the Burgoyne Grill. Ticonderoga and the surrounding communities are a great homebase when exploring the region, no matter the season.
Looking for a place to stay
The Lake Champlain Region has serval options for hotels and motels. Options include Collins Motel and Cabins, Trout House Village Resort, Heart Bay Lodges, Silver Bay Conference Center, Circle Court Motel, Stone House Motel, Super 8, and the Best Western Plus at Ticonderoga.
Looking for food and cocktails
After a fulfilling day of riding your hearts out in the region, rest for some food and drink. You can chose from The Hot Biscuit Diner, The Burleigh Luncheonette, Maddens Pub, The Burgoyne Grille, and Adirondack Lanes.
Winter activities while in the area
Getting up and moving around is a must while riding through the beautiful countryside. Hop off and go snowshoeing, checking maps from Champlain Area Trails for areas near you. Be sure to respect the snowmobile trails as well as the hiking trails, it is everyone working together that makes having so much land access available. Go bowling at Adirondack Lanes or cross-country ski in Bicentennial Park.
When trail conditions are right the Adirondack Trail Riders system goes right through Bicentennial Park, giving access to the downtown Ticonderoga area. Any adventurer knows that a truly great experience is well rounded and diverse. While traveling in the Lake Champlain Region there are options to keep the days as fresh as the powder you’re kicking up behind you. For snowmobile sales and servicing stop into Tony’s Ticonderoga Sports.
Whatever you do my friends do it passionately and with purpose. And stay safe!
