Moose Snowmobile Trail Reports for Thursday, January 2, 2025

Snowmobiling 2024 – 2025 is underway across upstate New York and the North Country.

Just recently for the end of 2024, Mother Nature finished the year up with another prolonged warm spell across the North Country, thus resulting in a devastating blow to our snowpack.

In fact, bare ground has been observed over the last few days all over the local region - up until the latest dusting of snowfall Wednesday night.

Several clubs recently have shut their trail systems down completely and some have yet to even officially open this season - but fortunately that will hopefully change very soon as we ease our way into 2025.

Lake Effect Snow Warnings have been issued for the Tug Hill Plateau Region; Central New York and Oneida County; and Old Forge/Western Adirondacks Region through Sunday, January 5, with some of the heaviest accumulations expected across Southern Tug Hill and Northern Oneida County.

Generally, forecasters are calling for upwards of 3-feet of snow for parts of Tug Hill; up to 3-feet for parts of Oneida County; and up to 18-inches for the Western Adirondacks.

With snow accumulation expected over the next few days, several local snowmobile clubs are hoping to fire up their grooming fleets as quickly as possible.

Keep in mind that several trail systems are basically starting over after losing their entire base and snowpack, so snowmobilers are asked to be patient and to expect varying conditions once the trails open back up.

With that said, some of the seasonal roads on Tug Hill have held up to a certain extent. As of this report, officials in the town of Webb said that conditions there were marginal as of Thursday, January 2.

Here are the latest reports we have gathered from around the North Country:

NOTE: Conditions are likely and do tend to change on a moment’s notice. Be sure to keep checking our website for any updates (you can also check in with your favorite snowmobile clubs for more in-depth details).

Barnes Corners Sno-Pals: Trails are CLOSED.

Brantingham Snowmobile Club: No official reports yet.

Long Pond Sno Sled Club: Unfavorable conditions persist for the time being.

Lost Trail Snowmobile Club: Trails are still CLOSED.

Missing Link Snowmobile Club: Trails CLOSED.

Osceola Snowmobile Association: No reports since December 27.

Ohio Ridge Riders: No recent reports.

Old Forge/Town of Webb: Trails are marginal as of this publication.

Penn Mountain Snow Riders: Trails are CLOSED.

Southern Tug Hill Sno-Riders: Trails are CLOSED.

Trackside Blazers: Trails are CLOSED.

Turin Ridge Riders: Lower trails are CLOSED; conditions on Tug Hill Seasonal Roads vary.

Valley Snow Travelers: Trails to Montague and Tabolts Corners have varying coverage; Lowville and Maples Trails remain CLOSED.

NOTICE: Local law enforcement and snowmobile club officials are warning all riders to obey any and all rules and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to: respecting closed trails and staying off from private property. Police warn to never snowmobile while intoxicated or under the influence of any substance. Watch your speeds and remember to look out for and give right-of-way to groomers on the trails.

Image via the Southern Tug Hill Sno-Riders from December 30, 2024.