By NICOLE L. CVETNIC, Observer-Dispatch, link to original post
With more than 30 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, the Black River Environmental Improvement Association trail system is one of the largest in the East. Created in 1984 as a gift to the people of New York, the nonprofit corporation is funded by a private family foundation and accepts no donations.
The public has free access to three trail systems – Canal, Egypt Road and Jackson Hill – all located within northern Oneida County and available for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and mountain biking. The Great Trail, part of the Egypt Road system, is only open for public use during the winter season.
The ultimate goal at BREIA is for “families to use the trails together,” said Carl Anderson, association spokesperson.
Outhouses and warming huts are on all three trail systems, and the general public can borrow cross-country ski equipment on Saturdays and Sundays for a donation at the Boonville Search and Rescue building on state Route 12.
Some trails may be temporarily closed seasonally or when being used by the Potato Hill Farm Outdoor Education Center.
For the latest trail conditions and access information, visit www.breiax-countryski.org or call 942-2299. The association is at 11903 Potato Hill Road, Boonville NY.
