4 minute read
The Thrill of the Chill
Snowmobiling in the Laurel Highlands offers ‘throttle therapy’ in the winter months.
Article by Josie Cellone
Photos courtesy Laurel Highlands Snowmobile Club
As soon as the first snowflakes of the season fall, the members of the Laurel Highlands Snowmobile Club start a text chain following the weather report.
“We all get so excited,” says club secretary Shelly Buckles. “We’re all asking each other, ‘Have you seen the weather report?’”
The Laurel Highlands boasts 150 miles of trails, heading north above Route 31 to the mountain overlooking Johnstown, all the way to the mountain overlooking Ohiopyle in the south.
“If you have not done it before, it’s not the same as anything else,” says Steve Matscherz, who serves as president of the LHSC. “You’re riding in a clean, pristine situation. You’re not riding through a bunch of mud like you are in a quad or offroading in a Jeep.”
Matscherz, whose son edits RollerCoaster! magazine, compared snowmobiling to the magnetic launch of the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. “When that thing takes off, that’s what riding a high-powered snowmobile is like.”
Unique Trail System
In most of the country, snowmobiling trails are primarily on private land, which makes western Pennsylvania’s trail system through state forestry and parks unique. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources maintains the trails and provides trail maps.
On busy winter weekends, the DCNR parking lots fill up quickly, and the Laurel Highlands Snowmobile Club has an exclusive area for members to park their trucks and trailers. The club owns 15 acres with a heated clubhouse that sits in the center of the state trail system, making it a great meeting area—not to mention ideal for running water and bathrooms. Plus, the kitchen is always stocked with hot cocoa, Buckles says.
“[Snowmobiling] gives you a freedom when you’re on that snowmobile, and everything around you seems so pure. Everything is covered in that sparkly white, and it just feels like floating.”
–SHELLY BUCKLES
“People from all walks of life come together to share something we’re passionate about,” Buckles says.
Founding member Bob Ainsley and his close friend Bob Nichols have been plowing the club lot since its beginning in 1973, she says. “Our club has wonderful lifelong relationships.”
The club averages 250 members, with events year-round. In February, they host a Radar Run to see who’s the fastest of the day. Matscherz organizes the Poker Run, dropping off boxes of playing cards along the trail for members to find. The riders select a card at each stop (usually five to seven checkpoints) on a scenic route of 50 to 75 miles, then bring their cards to the finish line to determine who has the winning hand. The prize is usually a trophy and bragging rights.
“We try to promote thoughtful family events,” Matscherz says.
Tours for All
For people who don’t own their own equipment, the Highlands Sporting Clays in Champion offers one-hour guided snowmobile tours. When weather and conditions permit, tours are available daily at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Snowmobile tours require natural snowfall on the State Park trails.
Buckle, who also teaches snowmobile safety classes, would like to see more people experience the connections offered by snowmobiling.
“It gives you a freedom when you’re on that snowmobile, and everything around you seems so pure,” Buckles says. “Everything is covered in that sparkly white, and it just feels like floating.”
For More
The Laurel Highlands Snowmobile Club
881 Camp Run Road | Donegal, PA 15628
734-593-7008
Facebook: Laurel Highlands Snowmobile club
