How Do We Choose? Local Trails Committees are Key

BETA stewards over 130 miles of trails across five main community hubs: Elizabethtown, Keene, Wilmington, Lake Placid, and Saranac Lake. With so much to do each season across so large an area, how do we decide which trails receive what treatment? 

BETA’s Local Trails Committees are key. 

Local Trails Committees (LTCs), one based in each of the five community hubs in addition to the new Ski Trails Committee, are composed of dedicated, knowledgeable local riders and skiers. They work in concert with BETA staff to identify and prioritize trail work needs in their community every season. 

This multi step process begins with a review of all the projects LTC members would like to have considered for new trail builds, restoration, and maintenance. Those are then prioritized in advance of the development of a budget. Those priorities help guide the allocation of funds for staff, materials, and contractors that is captured in the budget. Finally, the budget is approved by the board and the staff returns to the LTC to review the resource allocation and confirm the priorities one last time (there are often some changes at this point depending on available funding). 

In short, members of LTCs give their valuable time and energy to make the trails in their area more sustainable and more enjoyable for their friends, neighbors, and visitors. We are deeply grateful for their dedication, collaboration, and partnership and extend a heartfelt thanks to every LTC member. ​