As some snow begins to accumulate on New York trails, the New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) is urging sledders to join them and their local clubs for the 2012 season.

“In addition to membership dues, the small snowmobile registration fee riders pay goes a long way in partially reimbursing clubs to maintain the trails for a safe and successful snowmobile season,” said NYSSA Executive Director Dominic Jacangelo.

By joining a club, Jacangelo said, members save money on their snowmobile registration and receive a wide variety of member benefits from local and national sponsors. Clubs are always in need of additional volunteers to run their yearly endeavors as well. From fundraisers to trail work and grooming, it’s the club volunteers that maintain the more than 10,500 miles of snowmobile trails in New York State.

Riders are reminded to reach out to local clubs before taking their first rides of the season. Due to the destruction caused by flooding this past summer, some trails were washed out in the eastern New York and Adirondack regions. Also, recent heavy rain and high winds have made trail conditions inconsistent. Riders are advised to be alert to such changes.

In St. Lawrence County, there are several clubs offering sledders services, information and networking. They are:

• St. Lawrence County Snowmobile Association, http://www.slcsa.org/

• Boondockers Snowmobile Club, Russell and Clare, 386-2301

• Childwold Sno Packers Inc., http://www.childwoldsnowpackers.com/

• Cranberry Lake Mountaineers Snowmobile Club Inc., http://cranberrylakemountaineers.com/

• Dairyland Snowmobile Club, Ogdensburg, Morristown, http://dairylandsnowmobileclub.com/

• Edwards Snowmobile Club, sykesracing@tds.net, 375-4020

• Grasse River Groomers, Madrid, bmoulton@twcny.rr.com, 322-4041

• Hermon Sledders, mamo@twcny.rr.com, 714-2364

• Punchlock Travelers, Inc., Heuvelton, mgarmstrong67@yahoo.com, 393-1151

• Sno-Skippers, Inc., South Colton, dcollins6@twcny.rr.com, 212-0070

• Tri Town Trailblazers Snowmobile Club, Inc., bhewlett@mcs.k12.ny.us, 769-2195

Snowmobilers can visit www.nysnowmobiler.com for information on more clubs, on how to join online, as well as the latest news on snowmobiling in New York State.