Our History
The organization began as two separate entities - the Adirondack Ski Touring Council (ASTC) and Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) - and combined forces as a single non-profit corporation in 2014 under BETA's name. ASTC-BETA were already partners, and collectively the groups were responsible for the continuous maintenance of over 100 miles of skiing and mountain biking trails in 6 municipalities and 2 counties, and more projects were either planned or underway to build additional mileage. Given the magnitude of the ever-growing list of projects, it was time for ASTC-BETA to join forces to expand the capacity and efficiency of the effort to build and maintain a world-class trail system.
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.
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.
