• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

NH Snowmobile Association

  • Join a Club
  • Snowmobilers
    • Snowmobile NH
    • Registration
    • Trail Map
    • Trail Conditions
    • Snowmobile Safety
  • News
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Grass Drags & Watercross
    • Ride-In
    • Trails Workshop
    • Annual Meeting
  • NH Grass Drags
    • Grass Drags & Watercross
    • Spectators
    • Race Schedule
    • Camping
    • Lodging
    • Racer Info
    • Race Results
    • Vendor Info
    • Sponsorship
    • Swap Meet
    • Directions
    • Fundraising Opportunities
  • Clubs
    • Club Resources
    • Fundraising Opportunities
    • Volunteers
    • Landowners
    • Annual Awards
    • Scholarships
    • Resources
  • Contact
    • Membership Voucher Help
    • Contact Your Club
    • Contact NHSA
    • Advertise
    • Officers and Directors
    • Committees
  • Shop
    • Club Membership
    • Store Account
    • Cart

Club Membership Is The Cheapest Part of Snowmobiling

January 2, 2024 by Dan Gould

Club Membership Is The Cheapest Part of Snowmobiling

If you think owning a snowmobiling is expensive, you should look at what it costs to keep the trail system open. Despite popular myths, there are no trail elves that come out at night to make everything right. Clubs manage and maintain the majority of snowmobile trails in New Hampshire. It’s a monumental undertaking by a handful of volunteers.

Your club memberships and donations fill a big chunk of the financial burden. By joining a club early, you are directly investing in the trails. That start-up cash is critical as clubs pre-buy fuel, repair groomers, install signs and fix bridges.

Looking like an abandoned shipwreck, Kmiec’s bridge in Alstead lists starboard after a storm washed it aside. Photo/Tony Marino

Mother Nature delivered a gut punch before the snowmobile season started, as heavy downpours caused major trail damage across New England. Whole trails – bridge and all – vanished from the woods of New Hampshire. While the rains were great for the garden, the rate of brush growth and downed trees has choked access. Without resources (volunteers and funding) there could be detours.  

Club Membership Is The Cheapest Part of Snowmobiling

In reality, registrations and club memberships are the cheapest part of snowmobiling. Seriously. A simplified weekend calculation for two riders (200-mile+ each) run along these lines:

  • Fuel costs for two sleds, $150.
  • Factor in $30 of two-stroke oil, if needed.
  • A restaurant break and snacks for two is at least $35 per day, for $70.
  • Let’s call it a $225 weekend, hoping nothing stalls or cracks.
  • Tow vehicles require gas, $50 to $300-plus, depending on the destination.
  • Staying overnight adds $150-plus.
  • A $500 weekend is beyond plausible.

Now, multiply that weekend by a factor of however many weekends/days you ride. Or don’t, because ignorance is bliss, and bliss is what snowmobiling is all about. Yup, that registration and club membership is chump-change.

Sure, packing lunch and riding from the backyard saves cash, but even then it’s still more expensive than counting snowflakes from the window. Which ultimately is what we’re trying to escape.

100% of Registration Funds Dedicated to Snowmobile Program

Even though 100% of your registration dollars are dedicated to the NH snowmobile program, those funds only cover 50-70% of actual costs, depending on the club. Clubs bank on memberships, donations and fundraisers to fill the gaps, often scrounging for every dollar.

Club Membership Includes Perks

Beyond better trails, being a club member has valuable perks and advantages.

  • Registration discounts – Members get a $30 discount on NH snowmobile registrations.
  • Events – Clubs events, rides and social events. Plus a chance to volunteer, if you’d like.
  • Sno-Traveler subscription – NH’s snowmobile magazine, delivered to your home.
  • NHSA membership included – With a professional office staff to assist members.
  • Full-time legislative lobbying – Represents snowmobile interests throughout the state.

If you have a sled, you know you’re gonna ride. It’s vital that we support the clubs at every possible level. Membership at a minimum. Donations and volunteering is a bonus. Show some love, join a club.

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Related

Filed Under: Executive Director Tagged With: Clubs, Volunteers

About Dan Gould

Dan is the executive director of the NHSA, editor of the Sno-Traveler and slednh.com.

Primary Sidebar

Poll

Trail Food - What's your pleasure?

FOLLOW US

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Tags

Access Arctic Cat Awards Camp Sno-Mo Charity Clubs Design DIY Electric family Freestyle Fundraising Guest Writer Health History Ice ISMA Landowners Let’s Get Cookin Map New Hampshire Snowmobile Museum NH Grass Drags NHSA Office Polaris Race Into Winter Registration Fees Reviews Ride-In RTP Russia Ski-Doo Snowmobile People Snowmobile Rentals Snowmobile Safety Technology Trail Conditions Trailers Trail Riding Trail Work United Snowmobile Alliance Volunteers Watercross Yamaha

Footer

Shortcuts

  • Purpose of New Hampshire Snowmobile Association
  • New Hampshire Snowmobile Association History
  • NHSA Board Minutes
  • Privacy Policy

FOLLOW US

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • 2025 NHSA Annual Awards
  • NH Snowmobile Clubs Raise $105,541 for Easterseals Camp Sno-Mo
  • How to Lead a Group of Snowmobiles: Essential Tips for Effective Rides
  • Seth Meyers Thanks Clubs – Win 4 Tickets to His NYC Show in Exclusive Auction
  • Snowmobile Clubs Donate Winter Gear to North Carolina Storm Victims
  • Ultimate Redneck Ice Cream Recipe: A Hilarious Sweet Treat!
  • North Carolina Hurricane Victims Request Help From NH Snowmobilers

Tags

Access Arctic Cat Awards Camp Sno-Mo Charity Clubs Design DIY Electric family Freestyle Fundraising Guest Writer Health History Ice ISMA Landowners Let’s Get Cookin Map New Hampshire Snowmobile Museum NH Grass Drags NHSA Office Polaris Race Into Winter Registration Fees Reviews Ride-In RTP Russia Ski-Doo Snowmobile People Snowmobile Rentals Snowmobile Safety Technology Trail Conditions Trailers Trail Riding Trail Work United Snowmobile Alliance Volunteers Watercross Yamaha

New Hampshire Snowmobile Association © 2025

 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.