Hello everyone, 

Most of us are starting to see the fall colors in the woods and the leaves falling from the trees.  We get excited when we start thinking of the snowmobile riding season!

Many of our clubs have been busy getting the snowmobile trails in their respective areas in shape for when the first snows start.  Due to the recent high winds, heavy rains, and some tornados rolling through, there is much work to be done.  There is no better group of volunteers around than those supporting the sport of snowmobiling.

As many of you know, the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association (PSSA) is extremely grateful to have our resident grant expert, Lori Elliot, submitting the proper paperwork as well as administering the many grants after they are awarded.  She has been extremely successful in getting funds for our clubs and projects from both the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DCNR) and the Department of Commerce and Economic Development (DCED).  Many of our clubs benefit from her work in defraying grooming costs.  The grant from DCED got the RidePA off the ground and up and running smoothly for the benefit of all riders in our state.  We appreciate everything Lori does in this area! 

PSSA leadership is having ongoing meetings concerning a possible 2027 Powersports Show.  Many people are interested in holding this event next year.  Our officers toured the Erie Convention Center last month and are investigating all options available to us there.  A decision has not been made as of yet; however we will keep you all informed as we proceed with the analysis and planning that is required to make such a big decision.

Membership renewals, Fall Raffle ticket stubs, and money are flooding in. Both of the raffle tickets are highly desirable with the gold one’s first prize being a 2-place Blizzard snowmobile trailer and the green one for some serious cash! Please renew your PSSA membership by mailing in a check or by going online with your credit card, if you have not done so already.   Raffle tickets must be purchased with cash or check, so send them in before the December 5^th deadline. The winning tickets will be drawn on Wednesday, December 9^th, 2026, at the A.C.E. Snowmobile Club Christmas party at 7:30 PM at the Enterprise Grange, 810 Torrey Road, Honesdale, PA, 18431.

As always, think snow!

Rich Hayes, President

Hello everyone, I hope this summer is treating you well! Despite the rain and heat, I’m sure there has been plenty of family fun to be had.

It’s possible that some clubs are already discussing their trail maintenance plans. If so, it would be great to see some photos and articles about your projects sent to member@pasnow.org. We would love to share them in the Keystone Snowmobiler. Make sure the subject line of your email says: Keystone Snowmobiler.

You can expect your Fall Raffle tickets to arrive in the mail at the end of September. There are some great prizes this time around! Good luck to everyone who purchases tickets.

Our PSSA membership dues are now due. Of course, we also encourage everyone to spread the word about the fun of snowmobiling and help us gain some new members.

The mini-grants have all been distributed and are being put to good use. This is another great opportunity to send in photos and articles for the Keystone Snowmobiler.

Finally, there is some discussion about a possible Fall Powersports Show in 2027 in Erie. We will keep everyone posted as plans develop, and we appreciate your input.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Rich

Hello everyone,

Now that the rainy weather has finally passed, we can look forward to enjoying the upcoming summer season.

The good news is that the mini-grants have been approved by both the Mini-Grant committee and the PSSA Board. The final step in the process is approval by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), which leads to the distribution of approved funds to the clubs. As we all know, these mini-grants are extremely important. They help defray the costs of trail maintenance and support many other planned projects. We would love to hear how your projects and improvements are progressing, so please keep us updated.

We hope you all have a fun, safe, and enjoyable summer.

Thanks,

Rich Hayes

#thinkspring

How quickly that excellent snowmobile season passed us by! I hope many of you had the opportunity to enjoy some great riding this year. Now it’s time to look ahead to everything the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association (PSSA) has planned for the upcoming year.

We are continuing to explore the best way to increase state snowmobile registrations for the greater benefit of snowmobilers here. Any increase needs to go directly toward grooming and trail improvements as our state currently falls well below the average level of other states.

Mini Grant applications for the latest round have been received, will be reviewed, and will be awarded soon. These grants are a valuable resource in helping offset the costs of maintaining our snowmobile clubs' trails and equipment.

The Spring Meeting will be held on April 18th at the God’s Country Black Forest Snowmobile Club, 529 Pigeon Road, Galeton, PA, 16922. Please be sure to register online through the PSSA website. Also, kindly sell and return your ticket stubs and funds by April 13th, as the drawing will take place during the meeting. Good luck to everyone who purchased a ticket!

We truly appreciate your participation and support of PSSA and all that we are working on. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting and hearing your thoughts and feedback, as always.

Rich Hayes

Don't miss our Annual Meeting at God's Country Black Forest Snowmobile Club on April 18th!

Register to attend HERE!

Our Spring Raffle is underway - check your mail! See all the Raffle details HERE!

It’s time to send in the names of exceptional individuals who have outstanding records in support of snowmobiling in Pennsylvania! We are looking for recommendations in the following 5 categories:

Snowmobiler of the Year

Snowmobiling Family of the Year

Teen Snowmobiler of the Year

Dealer of the Year

Government Official/Forester of the Year

Full details and nomination information can be found HERE!

Hello, everyone!

What an amazing snowmobile season this has been! From across the state of Pennsylvania we’ve received great reports of many miles of riding over the past two months.

It’s clear that all the maintenance and grooming efforts by our clubs have truly paid off. The dedication and hard work across the state have made this season a success. Now is a great time for clubs to begin discussing ideas for continued projects and future improvements. Minigrant applications are available on the website and are due by March 31, 2026.

RidePA also is having a successful first season. A few improvements are already in the works based on suggestions received from users who are increasing in number by the day! A huge thank you to everyone involved in developing and supporting this app.

Special thanks go out to Daryl Busch and the members of the Presque Isle Club for hosting the recent Legislative Ride on February 17th, 2026. This event provided a valuable opportunity to speak with legislators about the importance of increasing our state registration fee. I am confident that these discussions will continue moving in a positive direction.

Our Spring Meeting will be held on April 18, 2026, at God’s Country Black Forest Snowmobile Club, 529 Pigeon Road, Galeton, PA, 16922. Spring raffle tickets will be distributed soon for PSSA members and clubs to buy and sell, and the raffle drawing for the cash prizes will take place at the meeting.

Please visit the PSSA website to nominate the outstanding snowmobiling supporters for the following categories of annual awards:

• Snowmobiler of the Year
• Snowmobiling Family of the Year
• Teen Snowmobiler of the Year
• Dealer of the Year
• Government Official of the Year

Please send me your nominations as soon as possible at rehazey@yahoo.com. The deadline for submissions is March 27, 2026.

Thank you,

Rich Hayes, PSSA President

Hello everyone!

Our winter riding season is turning out to be a fantastic one. Reports from all clubs have been very positive. The Willow Creek Snowmobile Club located near Bradford, PA, has been grooming and riding since mid-December, and the long-term forecast for that area is favorable as well.

We’ve received a lot of positive and helpful feedback on the PA Ride app. I know the PA Snowseekers Snowmobile Club members have been teaching each other how to use it and are really enjoying it. If you haven’t already, be sure to download the app and give it a try.

I would like to give a big thank you to our website administrator, Maura Donley, who also publishes news from snowmobile clubs across the state in the Keystone Snowmobiler. She could really use our help by receiving photos and stories from your club adventures this winter. Please be sure to check out our website and Facebook page—and thank you, Maura, for all that you do for us!

Please keep in mind that the PSSA website has all the details and application schedules for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) mini-grants. There’s always a project or purchase on every club’s wish list.

Stay safe and keep on riding!

Thanks,
Rich

Hello, everyone, and Happy New Year!

Winter in Pennsylvania is off to a great start. The Allegheny National Forest has already enjoyed two fantastic weekends of riding, and we’re now seeing snow coverage of various depths in many areas of the state, even up in the northeastern part in Wayne County—excellent news for all riders!

We’ve received very positive feedback on the new Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association (PSSA) trail mapping application, RidePA. It’s working well and is gaining strong acceptance among those who are using it to navigate PA trails across the state. If you haven’t already, log on to its official website, Ride-PA.com, to see what it’s all about. For just $4.99, you can upgrade to the enhanced version, which includes gas stations, convenience stores, and parking locations. We’d love to hear your opinions and comments as you use it.

You may also notice a new RidePA billboard on Interstate 80—be sure to check it out!

Please remember to stay informed about the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) application dates for mini-grants. Clubs across the state have growing project lists and applying for a grantis one way to help move those projects forward.

My hope is that everyone gets out on the trails to get some safe snowmobile rides and enjoy this beautiful Pennsylvania winter!

Rich Hayes
PSSA President

Hello, everyone!

The weather forecasts for snowfall are certainly teasing all of us anxious snowmobilers! Reports of significant accumulation are coming in from across the state, and who doesn’t love the beauty of a Pennsylvania winter?

With temperatures continuing to drop, please be cautious on our wonderful trails — and enjoy every moment out there!

You should have received your PSSA Raffle tickets by now. They’re packed with great gift certificate prizes and even three snowmobile trips you could win and experience. Please make every effort to return your tickets as soon as possible, as the drawing will be held on December 10th.

Be sure to try out the new PSSA trails application, RIDE PA, during the upcoming snowmobile season — it’s a great tool to explore. A lot of work is going into this new option to help us navigate the beautiful country sights on the trails in our state using GPS. Check it out and have fun!

Thank you for your support with memberships and raffle tickets!  Have a wonderful holiday season!

Think snow!

Rich Hayes, President

Hello, everyone,

After a few frosty mornings here in Pennsylvania, it’s safe to say our favorite season is on its way!

Our clubs are busy with trail clearing and groomer maintenance. It’s also time to check our snowmobiles to ensure they’re ready to perform well this winter. Don’t forget to inspect your helmets and clothing, too. With that all being said—let’s hope for plenty of snow this season!

Please help spread the word that the RIDE PA program is up and running. A huge thank-you to Rob Housley and Randy Green for their commitment to getting this GPS project complete across the state. You can learn more about the program on Facebook, Instagram, and our website. Your feedback is always appreciated.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has informed us that proof of insurance will now be required to purchase a new snowmobile. It will also be needed when registering your current sled.

Your PSSA yearly membership dues are open for payment now. Please submit your payment through your club or on your own through the mail or online on the PSSA Website. These funds help provide grants that clubs may qualify for—supporting important projects and even covering grooming fuel costs.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone!

Thanks,

Rich Hayes