Holiday Inn Turf staff blaze connection to snowmobile system
LAKE GEORGE -- The Holiday Inn Turf is working to provide direct access from the hotel to nearby snowmobiling trails this winter.
Michael Hoffman, president of Turf Hotels, said arrangements have been made with the landowner behind the property for guests to ride to the trail system. Previously, riders had to go through the village or trespass across private property.
Hotel employees were grooming the path recently and expect it to be ready by the first big snowfall.
Hoffman said accommodating the sport is an important part of growing tourism during what is considered by many to be the off season. The majority of the hotel's winter business is weekend leisure, especially around the holidays.
"I always hear great reports about them," Hoffman said of the trails in Warren County. "Having direct access from our hotel will strengthen and support that.
"It's a segment that could become bigger for our hotel."
Mike Fazio, president of the South Warren Snowmobile Club, said Warren County's profile as a snowmobiling destination has increased in recent years.
Fazio noted an improvement in trail maintenance and said the extensive trail system allows riders to connect from Warren County to Old Forge.
"It's more of a destination now than an afterthought," Fazio said.
SnowGoer magazine, a national publication with 68,000 readers, agreed. A contributing editor visited Warren County this summer for a feature article that was planned for the February 2010 edition.
Fazio estimated snowmobiling already brings in thousands of visitors each weekend who fill the trailhead parking lots and spend money on gasoline, food and lodging.
He said the average snowmobiler spends about $150 per day while on the trails.
"It's a lucrative sport to have," he said.
Posted in Local on Saturday, November 7, 2009 10:45 pm Updated: 10:46 pm. | Tags: Business, Tourism, Snowmobile
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