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snowmobiling in northern new hampshire snowmobiling in northern new hampshire

Snowmobiling

From Pelham to Pittsburg and everywhere in between, New Hampshire offers some of the best snowmobiling in all of New England. With 7,000 miles of snowmobile trails and not one leads to your office, it has become a New Hampshire lifestyle for the snowmobile enthusiast.

This is made possible through the partnerships with thousands of landowners who generously open up their land for the recreation of snowmobiling. Countless club volunteers work tirelessly to construct and maintain this vast trail system. It's New Hampshire Naturally!

CAUTION: Because of the low snowpack, Great River Hydro is reducing outflows which may result in lake levels increasing at Lake Francis and First Connecticut Lake.  This may make the ice along the shoreline unstable and impact snowmobiling and ice fishing.

Resources and Information

Snowmobile Trail Conditions Reports

Snowmobile Trail Report for Clubs - Please submit your condition report by Wednesday afternoon to be included in the weekend report.

That’s a wrap folks! Mud season is here. Trails and gates are closing.
This will be the last snowmobile trail condition update for this season.

Sending out a HUGE thank you to all of the clubs, landowners, and dedicated volunteers who worked so hard through this weird weather season to keep the trails open and in good condition for the riders!  Without all of you, NH would absolutely not have a trail system…there is power in numbers.  And without the trail system, the State would not bring in the billions of tourism dollars they do.  Local businesses would lose out as well.  It’s all dependent on the landowners and the volunteers…remember that and be sure to register, join a club, become a volunteer, be respectful on the trails, and thank a landowner!

This report is “as of the above date”.  Trail conditions change depending on weather and use and will be rapidly changing with warm weather.  If you have concerns about possible condition changes, contact the local club before you go out.

Trail Conditions Condition Report for Clubs - must be submitted by Wednesday afternoon to be included. 

This report’s rating system:
Good - Trail is flat with a good base, there may be ice underneath, and while groomed snow could become a bit mushy.
Moderate - Trail has decent riding, but may have bare spots, ice, or rough sections.
Marginal - Trail is passable, but may have thin snow, open or partially filled water bars, bare spots, ice, or trees down.

GREAT NORTH WOODS REGION

  • Pittsburg Ridge Runners, Pittsburg: No report from club this week.
  • Colebrook Ski-Bees, Colebrook/Stewartstown: No report from club this week.
  • Swift Diamond Riders, Stewartstown (Coleman State Park/Diamond Pond): No report from club this week.
  • Umbagog Snowmobile Association, Errol/Cambridge/Millsfield: No report from club this week.
  • Stratford Nighthawks, Stratford/Columbia: No report this week.
  • Groveton Trailblazers, Northumberland/Groveton/Stark: No report from club this week.
  • Milan All Weather Riders, Milan: No report from club this week.
  • Lancaster Snowdrifters, Lancaster:  CLOSED
  • Jefferson Hi-Landers, Jefferson: CLOSED
  • White Mountain Ridge Runners, Berlin/Success: CLOSED
    • Berlin/Success Trail: CLOSED
  • Jericho State Park: CLOSED
  • Dalton Ridge Runners:  CLOSED
  • Monroe Bumper Humpers, Bath/Monroe/Lyman/Littleton: CLOSED

WHITE MOUNTAIN REGION
  • Mount Agassiz Trail Association, Bethlehem:  CLOSED
  • Waumbek Methna Snowmobile Club, Jefferson: CLOSED
  • Presidential Range Riders, Gorham: CLOSED
  • Whitefield Sno-Kings, Whitefield: CLOSED
  • Twin Mountain Snowmobile Club: CLOSED
  • Lisbon Stump Jumpers, Lisbon: CLOSED
  • Connecticut Valley Snowmobile Club: CLOSED
  • Franconia Notch State Park: CLOSED
  • White Mountain Snowmobile Club, Lincoln: CLOSED
  • Asquamchumaukee Valley Snowmobile Club, Warren: No report from club this week.
  • Central NH SC, Campton/Ellsworth/Thornton: CLOSED
  • White Mountain Trail Club, Bartlett/Bear Notch: Riders should check trail conditions page for latest conditions, will update after storm.   Conditions changing on daily basis. Up to date trail conditions can be found at  at www.whitemountaintrailclub.org/trail-conditions
  • Mountain Meadow Riders, Conway: CLOSED
  • Corridor 19 Hurricane Mt Road to Maine: Gates are CLOSED.

LAKES REGION
  • Bridgewater Mt. SMC, Bridgewater/New Hampton: CLOSED
  • Sandwich Sidehillers, Sandwich: No report from club this week.
  • Moultonboro Snowmobile Club, Moultonborough: CLOSED 
  • Squam Trail-Busters, Holderness/Ashland/Sandwich/Thornton: No report from club this week.
  • Powder Mill SC, New Durham: – CLOSED 
  • Scrub Oak Scramblers, Madison: CLOSED As with many clubs the Scrub Oak Scramblers System has been closed and all gates shut. This will remain for the season unless Winter makes a full return.
  • Ossipee Valley Snowmobile Club, Tamworth: CLOSED 
  • Hardy Country Snowmobile Club, Hebron: No report from club this week.
  • Meredith Sno-Streakers, Meredith: CLOSED
  • Alexandria Ledge Climbers, Alexandria: CLOSED
  • Belknap Snowmobilers, Gilford/Laconia: CLOSED
  • Mohawk Trail Riders, Sanbornton/New Hampton: CLOSED
  • Seven Lakes Snowmobile Club, Wakefield: CLOSED
  • Wolfeboro Snowmobile Club, Wolfeboro:  CLOSED 
  • Mount Major SC, Alton: CLOSED
  • Evergreen Valley SMC, Milton: CLOSED
  • Snow Drifters, Rumney, Plymouth, Groton, Hebron: No report from club this week.
  • Baker River Valley Snowmobile Club, Dorchester/Groton/Wentworth: No report from club this week.
    • Our clubhouse is normally open from 8 am - 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, however, we have not yet made a determination about this coming weekend. Check out our website for more information - mybrvsc.org
  • Castle in the Clouds: CLOSED
DARTMOUTH/LAKE SUNAPEE REGION
  • Lyme Pinnacle Snowmobile Club, Lyme: CLOSED
  • Washington Snow Riders, Washington, Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region: CLOSED
  • Twin State Trailbusters, Lebanon: CLOSED  All trails are closed.  Thank you to our generous landowners and members.  
  • Mount Cardigan Snowmobile Club, Canaan: No report at this time.
  • Blow-Me-Down Snowriders, Cornish/Plainfield: CLOSED
  • Mascoma Valley Snow Travelers, Springfield: No report from club this week.  
  • Sutton Ridge Runners, Sutton: No report from club at this time.
  • Andover Snowmobile Club, Andover: CLOSED
  • Lakes Region SC, Franklin: CLOSED
  • Pillsbury State Park, Washington: CLOSED
  • Lake Sunapee Snowmobile Club, Bradford/Newbury/Sunapee: CLOSED All trails are closed, gates are being closed and signage taken down. Thanks to all of our landowners for the use of their land, and to all our members for your support! Trail work will continue as weather/conditions permit. See our Facebook page for updates.
  • Shugah Valley Snow Riders, Claremont: CLOSED
  • Kearsarge Trail Snails, Warner: CLOSED
  • Twin Ridge Mountaineers, Goshen: No report from club this week.

SEACOAST REGION
  • Derry Pathfinders (Derry/Windham/Hampstead): No report from club this week.
  •  Great Bay Sno Rollers (Durham/Newmarket):  CLOSED

MONADNOCK REGION
  • Monadnock Sno-Moles, Rindge: CLOSED
  • Hop/Ev Riding Area, Hopkinton: CLOSED
  • Night Riders, Hillsborough: CLOSED
  • Henniker Trail Travelers: CLOSED
  • Greenfield State Park, Greenfield: CLOSED
  • Pisgah State Park, Winchester: CLOSED
  • Winchester Trail Riders, Winchester: No report from club this week.

MERRIMACK VALLEY REGION
  • Fort Mountain Trailwinders, Epsom: CLOSED
  • NH Trail Dawgs, Allenstown/Chichester/Epsom/Loudon/Pembroke: CLOSED 
  • Bear Brook State Park, Allenstown: CLOSED
  • Southern NH Snow Slickers, Candia:  CLOSED - 
  • Pawtuckaway State Park, Nottingham: CLOSED
  • Weare Winter Wanderers, Dunbarton/Weare: CLOSED
  • Pelham Border Riders: CLOSED

RAILROAD LINES

  • Concord to Tilton: Active Line: CLOSED. This is an active railroad line.
  • Tilton to Lincoln: CLOSED
  • Red Stone Line (N Conway-Fryeburg ME): CLOSED


RECREATIONAL RAIL TRAILS

  • Ammonoosuc Recreational Trail: Gates closed; trail closed.   
  • Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail (Keene to Hinsdale): Gates physically closed, no reportable riding at this time. If snowfall, use man pass.
  • Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail North (Walpole-Keene): Gates physically closed, no reportable riding at this time. If snowfall, use man pass.
  • Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail South (Keene-Fitzwilliam): OPEN – Gates physically closed, no reportable riding at this time. If snowfall, use man pass.
  • Conway Branch Recreational Rail Trail (Ossipee to Conway): CLOSED
  • Fort Hill Recreational Rail Trail (Hinsdale): Gates physically closed, no reportable riding at this time. If snowfall, use man pass
  • Hillsborough Recreational Rail Trail: OPEN, NOTE: Rail Trail is CLOSED from Lyndeborough to Bennington per Dept. of Transportation, Bureau of Rail & Transit.
  • Monadnock (Rindge-Jaffrey): Gates physically closed, no reportable riding at this time. If snowfall, use man pass
  • Northern Rail Trail (Boscawen-Lebanon): Gates physically closed, no reportable riding at this time. If snowfall, use man pass.
  • Presidential Rail Line (Jefferson to Gorham): Gates closed; trail closed.   
  • Rochester to Farmington Recreational Rail Trail: Gates physically closed, no reportable riding at this time. If snowfall, use man pass
  • Rockingham Recreational Trail, Fremont Branch (Windham to Epping): Windham to Fremont open to ATV’s 50" or less. Gates physically closed, no reportable riding at this time. If snowfall, use man pass.  
  • Rockingham Recreational Trail, Portsmouth Branch (Manchester to Newfields): Gates physically closed, no reportable riding at this time. If snowfall, use man pass.  
  • Sugar River Recreational Trail (Newport to Claremont): Gates physically closed, no reportable riding at this time. If snowfall, use man pass.  
  • Upper Coos Recreational Trail (Colebrook to Beecher Falls): Gates closed; trail closed.  
  • Warren Recreational Trail (Warren): Gates closed; trail closed.   

Additional Resources and Information


Club Information

The well maintained snowmobile trails that everyone enjoys in New Hampshire are due to an enormous volunteer effort by the snowmobile clubs throughout the state. Without these dedicated, hardworking volunteers, snowmobiling in New Hampshire wouldn't be the sought after sport that it is.

Snowmobile enthusiasts,  as well as cross country skiers, snow shoers, dog mushers and others, who can't wait for the snow to start falling so they can enjoy their winter activities in New Hampshire, owe a huge THANK YOU to the priceless volunteers who groom and maintain New Hampshire's snowmobile trail system. Please review the Trail Grooming Tips to see how you can assist them.

Join a club and you will never ride alone!

Snowmobiling in NH

Snowmobiling in New Hampshire is one of the state’s most popular forms of winter recreation. With 7,000 miles of snowmobile trails throughout the state, it’s easy to see why.

While there are a number of trails on state owned or managed land that are maintained by the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails, the majority of trails are on private land. 70% of New Hampshire land is privately owned. Private land trails are maintained by the local snowmobile clubs. The clubs are responsible for obtaining landowner permission and maintaining the trails based on their wishes. It is essential that snowmobilers respect landowners’ wishes and their land. NO RESPECT = NO TRAILS

New Hampshire State law provides certain protections for landowners who open their land to those using it for outdoor recreation.

Snowmobilers can only ride on trails designated and signed as a snowmobile trail. Riders should familiarize themselves with signage and state laws.

A free state-wide interactive snowmobile map (maintained by the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association) can be accessed here.  The interactive map is where you can find all NH snowmobile trails and services close to them.  You can also download the application to your cell phone for $4.99.  If you prefer a hard copy map of each trail system maintained by the local clubs, you can obtain them by contacting the club’s directly.

Registering Your Snowmobile

In New Hampshire snowmobiles must be registered when operated anywhere other than the owner’s property. Riding is only allowed on approved trails or on someone’s land that has provided the rider with written permission. There are no additional trail user fees in N.H.

2016/2017 snowmobile registrations are valid from the date of issue through June 30, 2017 and are not prorated. Registrations can be obtained in person at authorized registration agents throughout the state. They may also be obtained in person from the New Hampshire Fish & Game Headquarters, or by calling Fish & Game at (603) 271-4300.

Current registration fees may be accessed here. Fees are reduced for both resident and non-resident snowmobilers if they are a member of a snowmobile club. To learn more about joining a club contact the club that maintains the trails in the area you ride.
 

Your Snowmobile Registration Fees at Work

Registration fees in New Hampshire are split between two state agencies, NH Fish and Game and the NH Dept. of Resources and Economic Development, Division of Parks and Recreation’s Bureau of Trails. In addition, $1 from each registration goes into the Fish & Game Search and Rescue Fund, $3 from each registration goes to the registration agent, and $2 from each registration goes to the vendor of the electronic registration system.

NH Fish and Game is responsible for the administration of the snowmobile registration program, snowmobile safety education, and law enforcement out on the trails.

The majority of monies the Bureau of Trails receives are returned to the local snowmobile clubs through the Bureau’s Grant-In-Aid Program. There are two types of snowmobile GIA grants, the Summer Grant that provides funds to the clubs for snowmobile trail construction and maintenance (including bridge building/maintenance) and updating or replacement of snowmobile trail grooming equipment, and the Winter Grant that provides funding to snowmobile clubs to help with fuel costs of grooming the snowmobile trails.

New Hampshire has a reputation for excellence with its nationally recognized wealth of wide, well-groomed snowmobile trails. By encouraging snowmobile club membership, providing Safety Education and enforcing snowmobile laws, we work together to provide a safe and enjoyable riding experience. These high standards are maintained by snowmobile registration fees. 

Snowmobile Trail Signage

New Hampshire’s snowmobile trail signs have been created based on international standards for the safety of riders, as well as the rest of the public.
 

Why?
Because who wants to be out on the trail lost? It’s not a good feeling when your gas is getting low and you don’t know where you are or how far away the pumps are. Or what if a rider experiences a medical emergency and needs to let help know their location? And riders should always be able to tell if they are still on an authorized trail system, or have taken an incorrect turn.

It is the rider’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with trail signs and follow direction of them while using New Hampshire’s trail system.

Snowmobile clubs should keep in mind that trail users may not be familiar with their trail system and sign appropriately and adequately. The Bureau of Trails (BOT) has created Trail Signing Guidelines to assist clubs in knowing where and how to post trail signs. The BOT urges all clubs to follow these guidelines and to use the signs supplied by the Bureau so that trails are uniformly marked throughout the State.

Remember to respect landowners and stay on designated trails! Without landowners' permission, there would be no trail system!
 

Links of Interest

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