Great Escapes Winter 2026 | Page 9

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There’ s something undeniably thrilling about planning a snowmobile trip to a place you’ ve never explored before. It’ s more than just a ride— it’ s an adventure waiting to unfold. The moment you roll out the map or scroll through trail systems online, the excitement starts to build.

New terrain means new challenges, fresh scenery and stories that haven’ t been written yet. Whether it’ s the deep powder of the mountains or the frozen lakes and wooded trails of the Midwest and East, every destination offers its own kind of magic.

A new snowmobile destination gives you the chance to break routine. You’ ll meet locals who share your passion, discover hidden gems like backcountry lookouts or trailside shelters and experience the unique personality of each region’ s snowmobiling culture.

Planning the trip is half the fun— researching trail maps, checking lodging options, planning great pitstops and prepping your gear all add to the anticipation. Then comes that first throttle pull in a new area— the crisp air, the rush of acceleration and the freedom of open country. Exploring new areas keeps the sport exciting and keeps riders coming back season after season.

So if you’ ve been hitting the same trails for years, it’ s time to branch out. Load up the sleds, grab a few friends and point your trailer somewhere new. Because the best snowmobile trip is often the one you haven’ t taken yet.

Renowned as the“ Snowmobile Capital of the East,” Old Forge serves as base camp for the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park. The Old Forge area has 39 trails covering 500 square miles, which connect to New York State trails in every direction. Those trails are maintained by full-time, professional groomers.

Families and touring riders love cruising through pine glades, along rivers and up to scenic mountain overlooks. The trail system links the communities of Old Forge, Thendara, Eagle Bay, Big Moose, Stillwater, Beaver River and Inlet, with 60 lodging facilities and 40 restaurants and pubs, every one of which is accessible by snowmobiles.

Each community has a distinct personality, from the bustling“ Snowmobile Central” flavor of Old Forge to the deepwoods resort of Big Moose and the wilderness adventure of Stillwater and Beaver River. The consistent theme is“ Family Snowmobiling.”

Riders in the Old Forge area prefer looping through the forests on wide, meandering trails to enjoy the scenery and winter wonderland atmosphere. Riders looking for longer trips use Old Forge as their base camp and venture out on

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state trails to neighboring Hamilton County, Tug Hill and outlying communities.

The trail network is a paid-permit system, and the trail fees support the Snowmobile Trail Maintenance Department, with a dozen full-time employees and five PistenBully groomers. Groomers are scheduled for two shifts daily, seven days per week, ensuring reliably good and consistent conditions.

The season kicks off with the annual SNODEO festival December 12-13, 2025. It wraps up with SNOFEST on Friday and Saturday, March 7-8, 2026.

Old Forge has been catering to snowmobilers for well over 50 years. This season, come experience why it’ s known as“ Snowmobile Capital of the East.”

the road ends and adventure begins. copperharbor. org

Connect to NYState Trails in every direction

500sq. miles of professionally groomed trails