Photo by William Mohan Members of the Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Club stand in front of the grooming machine at their clubhouse in Mayville. In back, from left, are Jeff Richards, Chris Jaynes, Todd Peterson and Paul Weatherlow. In front are Bill Ottoway, Barb Farrell, Marcus Maloney and Steven Smith.

MAYVILLE — The Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Club has reached a milestone.

Founded in 1968, the purpose of the club was to create a safe recreational trail network in Chautauqua County. The 2018-19 operating season marks the club’s 50th anniversary. The club was originally formed by a group of “renegade” snowmobile riders.

Today, the club is the largest volunteer snowmobile club in New York state and maintains all the rails to trails paths as well as the horse paths in the county. The CLSC also works with private landowners to ensure paths on private property can be used throughout the trail network. The trails also link with network trails in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In total, the club maintains over 400 miles of trails.

“Our club has about half of it,” CLSC president Chris Jaynes said.

“We represent about 200 miles,” CLSC activities coordinator Marcus Maloney added.

The club is also the largest volunteer organization of its kind in Western New York. The only one that comes close to CLSC is a club in the Adirondack region of New York.

In addition, the club is also a member of the New York State Snowmobile Association and works with neighboring clubs in the region. Geographically the club is also in a key location in New York with regional annual snowfall numbers exceeding 250 inches. The club currently has 956 members who help ensure all paths are safe and usable for snowmobiles and other path users all year-round. The club operates 10 Class “A” Groomers.

“We keep railroad beds mowed that have year-round use, all the way from here to Brocton, Sherman and Findley Lake,” Jaynes said.

As well as maintaining horse trails the group also partners with Chautauqua Rails to Trails and other property owners to maintain established routes. Every route is maintained year-round by CLSC. A standard snowmobiling season lasts about three months barring weather shortages. If the weather does not bring snow early in winter, a later start is not uncommon.

There are many reasons to join a snowmobile club according to the NYSSA. Clubs help to keep the sport of snowmobiling alive and gives members a direct voice on trail creation, maintenance and signage. Joining a club is a great social outlet for the hobby. Snowmobile clubs also promote safe riding and sponsor safety training of young riders.

Clubs can also offer financial benefits by sponsoring and supporting local businesses. Clubs are also responsible for grooming their own trails and maintaining and installing trail signage. Clubs purchase insurance, groomers and other equipment for maintenance. Clubs build all the trails that they ride on, and they also gain land access to create those trails.

The 2018-19 snowmobile season began on Dec. 21, but the trails are still closed due to the lack of snow. Riders are encouraged to operate their sleds safely and to stay on designated trails.

CLSC will officially celebrate their 50th anniversary on Jan. 19 from 4-7 p.m. at their club house on Hannum Road in Mayville. There will be free food, a bonfire, a 50/50 drawing and a Chinese auction. Vintage snowmobiles will also be on display. Snowmobile rides will also be given, weather permitting. Other events are coming soon and will be posted on CLSC’s website.

Club meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of every month from September to April. Additional meetings are also held on the first Wednesday only from May to August.

Volunteers are welcome. For more information, visit CLSC at chautauquasnow.com or call 785-8723 after 5 p.m. To learn more about NYSSA visit nysnowmobiler.com or sledny.org. CLSC is also available on Facebook.

CLSC is located at 7239 Hannum Road in Mayville.