Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
By Bill Preis
Bridgton Easy Riders
BRIDGTON — As this year’s snowmobiling season draws to a close, the Bridgton Easy Riders Snowmobile Club would like to thank all the landowners who make it possible for us to enjoy our local network of snowmobile trails. More than 500 miles of snowmobile trails are spread across Bridgton and neighboring towns, and most of those cross private land. Our local Lake Region Snowmobile Trail Map is available at local businesses in Bridgton and surrounding towns. Without the generosity of landowners, there would be no trail system for snowmobilers to enjoy.
Volunteers from Maine’s 280 snowmobile clubs work hard to create their local trail systems, get landowner permission, put up signs, print trail maps, raise money for grooming equipment, and of course, groom the trails. In the entire state, there are 14,000 miles of snowmobile trails, about 95% of which are on private property, and those trails exist thanks to landowner permission.
Bridgton had one of the first organized snowmobile clubs in Maine, starting in January 1966. But not many people know that Bridgton was visited in December 1966 by snowmobilers who had ridden from British Colombia on their way to Portland. Those snowmobiles were equipped with wheels, since there were no snowmobile trails at the time.
This was described, with photo, in a Bridgton News article on Dec. 29, 1966. Today, you can re-create that trip on snowmobile trails, starting in Bridgton, just by heading north on ITS 89 and making a left on ITS 80. That trail leads to New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and beyond — and all of those trails have landowner permission. Remarkable!
Over the years, many private landowners have allowed snowmobile trails to be created and maintained on their land. To the landowners, we do our very best to treat your land with respect.
Thank You!
PHOTOS: The Bridgton News, on Dec. 29, 1966, chronicled an international cross-country snowmobile journey, from British Columbia to Portland. (Submitted photos)
