NY offers 2 free snowmobile weekends in March to Canadians, out-of-staters

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

File photo: Sawyer Braley of Carlton took this photo in February 2019.

Governor Kathy Hochul today designated March 5-6 and March 12-13 for free snowmobiling by all out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers.

During these promotional weekends, the requirement to register in New York is waived for properly registered and insured out-of-state snowmobiling enthusiasts wishing to explore New York’s 10,500 miles of snowmobile trails. The Governor also announced up to $4.2 million for snowmobile trail maintenance and grooming will be distributed to local partners across New York State.

“New York is unrivaled in its natural beauty in all four seasons and offers a vast recreational trail system for snowmobilers to enjoy our stunning winter landscape,” Governor Hochul said. “New York State partners with local governments and snowmobile clubs who work hard to create an exceptional snowmobile network. By offering free snowmobile weekends, we are helping to highlight our trails to out-of-state visitors and boost our upstate tourism economy, while giving New Yorkers greater opportunity to explore their state.”

Outside of this promotion, out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers are required to register their snowmobiles with New York State before hitting the state’s trails, stretching from the Hudson Valley to the North Country to Western New York. Participants in the free snowmobiling event must operate a snowmobile that is validly registered in their home state/Canadian Province and must carry any applicable insurance as required by their home state/province.

This year’s Free Snowmobiling Weekends reinforce the importance of tourism to state and local economies, and New York’s commitment to rebuilding the industry in the wake of the pandemic. The invitation to out-of-state snowmobilers complements the governor’s multi-faceted “Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs” initiative. Earlier this month, I LOVE NY launched a new global marketing effort that included paid tourism advertising in overseas markets for the first time. Additionally, guidelines and eligibility screening tools for two tourism industry relief programs totaling $125 million in support are available online.

New York State is distributing up to $4.2 million for snowmobile trail maintenance to local communities in New York this winter. The local grants program is funded by snowmobile registration fees collected by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and deposited into the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund. County and municipal governments distribute the grants to about 230 snowmobile clubs across the state, which in turn groom and maintain the trails. The trail grants support 10,500 miles of designated trails across the state for snowmobilers to safely enjoy.

A guide from I LOVE NY to snowmobile trips available in the state can be found by clicking here.