Snowmobilers Travel The Northeast To Hit The Trails At Old Forge
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: December 28, 2012
The arrival of the fresh snow also means welcoming some outdoor
activities. Eyewitness News reporter Rachel Polansky spent the day in
"the snowmobiling capital of the Northeast."
Over this weekend, thousands of snowmobilers will hit those snowy, white trails and give Old Forge nearly 40% of its revenue.
"We're coming up from a place called Honeybrook, Pennsylvania," says snowmobiler.
"Freehold, New Jersey," says snowmobiler.
"Lancaster, Pennsylvania," says snowmobiler.
"Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It's about 4 and a half hour trip." says snowmobiler.
People travel from all over the northeast to reach Old Forge. And one man says he's been doing it his whole life.
"I've been coming up here since I was 2 years old. I used to stay in some cabins across the street called Harts Cottages, it's just a good family time," says Chris Hudson, Pennsylvania resident.
Some riders say the freedom keeps them coming back.
"It's like the wilderness, take any trail and go on for hours, it's nonstop riding, no one telling you what to do, you're at peace," says Vincent Masdonati, New Jersey resident.
"It's hard to describe, its exhilarating, like being out in the open. They have a lot of power, it's just, it's an incredible feeling," says Hudson.
And the town's tourism director says they've been waiting for snow like this for 2 years.
"Winter recreation is why this area exists. Tourism is not only our driver, it's our whole economic engine," says Mike Farmer, Town of Webb tourism director.
And Farmer says heavy amounts of snow means heavy amounts of visitors for the weekend. And that's enjoyment and revenue coming into Old Forge.
"This gets us off and going. The holiday week between Christmas and New Years is absolutely essential for businesses," says Farmer.
But to snowmobilers, it's just a fun time.
"Kids enjoy it, they love the snow, something we can't get at home," says Masdonati.
"Gives you 3 more months to enjoy the outdoors, get outside and enjoy the weather," says Hudson.
The official snowmobile kick-off was in early December but tourism experts say this will be the first big weekend of the year. And they expect to see about 6,000- 8,000 snowmobilers on the trails.
Over this weekend, thousands of snowmobilers will hit those snowy, white trails and give Old Forge nearly 40% of its revenue.
"We're coming up from a place called Honeybrook, Pennsylvania," says snowmobiler.
"Freehold, New Jersey," says snowmobiler.
"Lancaster, Pennsylvania," says snowmobiler.
"Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It's about 4 and a half hour trip." says snowmobiler.
People travel from all over the northeast to reach Old Forge. And one man says he's been doing it his whole life.
"I've been coming up here since I was 2 years old. I used to stay in some cabins across the street called Harts Cottages, it's just a good family time," says Chris Hudson, Pennsylvania resident.
Some riders say the freedom keeps them coming back.
"It's like the wilderness, take any trail and go on for hours, it's nonstop riding, no one telling you what to do, you're at peace," says Vincent Masdonati, New Jersey resident.
"It's hard to describe, its exhilarating, like being out in the open. They have a lot of power, it's just, it's an incredible feeling," says Hudson.
And the town's tourism director says they've been waiting for snow like this for 2 years.
"Winter recreation is why this area exists. Tourism is not only our driver, it's our whole economic engine," says Mike Farmer, Town of Webb tourism director.
And Farmer says heavy amounts of snow means heavy amounts of visitors for the weekend. And that's enjoyment and revenue coming into Old Forge.
"This gets us off and going. The holiday week between Christmas and New Years is absolutely essential for businesses," says Farmer.
But to snowmobilers, it's just a fun time.
"Kids enjoy it, they love the snow, something we can't get at home," says Masdonati.
"Gives you 3 more months to enjoy the outdoors, get outside and enjoy the weather," says Hudson.
The official snowmobile kick-off was in early December but tourism experts say this will be the first big weekend of the year. And they expect to see about 6,000- 8,000 snowmobilers on the trails.
