The Adirondack Ski Touring Council was formed in 1986 by local skiers who saw an opportunity to link up traditional ski routes and create a trail system that connected local towns to each other and to backcountry areas of the Forest Preserve. ASTC's first project was the construction of the 34-mile Jackrabbit Ski Trail, which now links Keene, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Paul Smiths. ASTC also assumed responsibility for "skier-specific" maintenance of other popular ski trails in the region, including the Wright Peak, Mount Marcy, Mr. Van, Whales Tale, Connery Pond, and Hays Brook ski trails.
Barkeater Trails Alliance was founded in 2010 to advocate for and develop an interconnected mountain bike trail system in the region. BETA's first projects were the construction of the Hardy Road trails in Wilmington and the Lussi trails in Lake Placid. Since then thousands of volunteer hours have been devoted to building, rehabilitating and maintaining over 50 miles of single track on state Forest Preserve, municipal and private lands in the region.
In 2011 BETA entered into a "fiscal sponsorship" agreement with ASTC, allowing BETA to benefit from ASTC's non-profit status and insurance coverage. In 2014, the two groups were legally combined and assumed the name "Barkeater Trails Alliance" for the newly expanded organization.
In fall 2016 we'll celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of ASTC. With the combination of BETA and ASTC, we look forward to another 30 years of connecting and enhancing our communities through a diverse, sustainable and interconnected trail system.
TRAIL CONSTRUCTION YEAR BY YEAR (Click below for the complete history - large file, but lots of photos.)
Barkeater Trails Alliance was founded in 2010 to advocate for and develop an interconnected mountain bike trail system in the region. BETA's first projects were the construction of the Hardy Road trails in Wilmington and the Lussi trails in Lake Placid. Since then thousands of volunteer hours have been devoted to building, rehabilitating and maintaining over 50 miles of single track on state Forest Preserve, municipal and private lands in the region.
In 2011 BETA entered into a "fiscal sponsorship" agreement with ASTC, allowing BETA to benefit from ASTC's non-profit status and insurance coverage. In 2014, the two groups were legally combined and assumed the name "Barkeater Trails Alliance" for the newly expanded organization.
In fall 2016 we'll celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of ASTC. With the combination of BETA and ASTC, we look forward to another 30 years of connecting and enhancing our communities through a diverse, sustainable and interconnected trail system.
TRAIL CONSTRUCTION YEAR BY YEAR (Click below for the complete history - large file, but lots of photos.)
