“Every year we work on building our trail system to make
it better,” said Adams. “Right now, I’m writing a grant for a
new groomer because the ones we currently use are 25 to 30
years old.”
The club has received grants in the past to purchase new
equipment. In 2019, the club applied for a grant to buy a new
trail paver drag for their Deansboro location. Still, even the
best equipment can’t wrestle with bad snowfall and persistent
rain.
“Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t been very kind this
year. We’re in a snow deficit,” said Adams. “Normally, we get
around 100 inches of snow, but we don’t have that yet. Along
with the warm weather, the average temperature is 10 to 12
degrees above what it should be – so, all the beautiful snow
melts – it’s far from perfect, but it’s adequate.”
Even with less-than-ideal trail conditions, that hasn’t
stopped people from putting on their snow boots to take a
ride on their snowmobile. Adams, who has led the organization
for the last 17 years, understands the positive impact
nature has on humans.
“I grew up outside,” said Adams, who bought his first snowmobile
for $200 in 1966. “I was 12 years old when I got my
first snowmobile and ever since I’ve lived outside. I have been
doing this my entire life.”
CNY Snow Travelers Inc. started in the 1990s when two
clubs merged with the Waterville Area Snow Travelers Association
to make it the largest club in New York, south of the
thruway. Due to the vast area that the club serves, it changed
its name to its current moniker, CNY (Central New York)
Snow Travelers Inc. to reflect more accurately what area the
club represents.
Prospective members can join online for a yearly fee of
$30, which includes a New York State Snowmobile Association
(NYSSA) membership. However, if someone is ready to
commit, other membership options are available. A Lifetime
Membership costs $255 with a $5 charge for NYSSA. A Trail
Defender membership costs $45 with an additional $20 going
towards NYSSA to reimburse clubs for defense costs related to
trail issues. Landowners have a free membership with the club
and NYSSA due to the donation of their land for the trails.
TRAIL TALES
46 April 2021 | snowopsmag.com
/snowopsmag.com
