Our History

The Belknap Snowmobiler’s Inc. started long ago in 1972 at Labonte’s field, located near the center of Gilford Village. A carnival atmosphere prevailed with people cooking over campfires on any given Saturday and Sunday.  Participants included families, old, young, male & female...  it didn't matter.  Everyone had a great time and today's goal is to maintain that tradition.

Our original grooming operation consisted of two 2x6 planks with steel cutters pulled by our snowmobiles. Forty seasons later we've come a long way. Our present club consists of over 600 members from all over New England.

Volunteers groom our trails every single night in the winter season. For the 2011-2012 season, our grooming equipment consists of a 1996 Tucker 2000 that grooms the West side of Paugus Bay, referred to as the Laconia side. The other groomer is a 2005 Tucker 1000 that grooms the East side of Paugus Bay, referred to as the Gilford side. Both machines are equipped with Mogul Master drags and each maintains 30 miles of trails. All told we maintain 60 miles of trails with the help of dedicated operators.

Our grooming operation is top of the line but like all nonprofit organizations, we depend on volunteer for donations of both money and time. We are awarded Grant-In-Aid from the State of New Hampshire which barely covers the cost of the fuel to run these two machines. Any repairs, maintenance cost, etc. come out of our club's account. We are involved in many fund raising and sponsorship events to help defer these costs.  Out trails are not only used by snowmobilers but also cross country skiers, hikers, mountain bikers, and only in the summer, 4-wheelers.

We are a very dedicated group of people who enjoy the sport of snowmobiling and are looking to make it a safe and more enjoyable sport for others.

Our Aims & Purposes are:

1) To promote and foster snowmobiling as a sport and recreation for its members.

2) To aid and guide in the enacting sensible legislation governing snow traveling vehicles and related activities.

3) To exchange, within the association, ideas, trail information, group activities and information pertinent to the welfare of snowmobiling.

4) To create and maintain, mark and map a system of trails, public and private, for the use of snowmobilers.

5) To promote good conduct, sportsmanship, safety and conservation practices.

6) To assist Fish & Game Department as well as other law enforcement agencies, in rescue work.

7) To provide members with membership cards and decals.

8) The undersigned agrees to obey all rules and regulations of the Belknap Snowmobiler's Inc.

 

Our Leadership