SAM Groomer Details and Definitions

Clarification of trails for the Grooming Contract

Click here to return to the online groomer contract form or click here to download a printable version.

Grooming Contract details & definitions, from MAP to Grooming Contract 

  • Corridor Trail: Is defined as THE primary main route that connects a club/town to a club/town and may also, ideally, connect east to west and north to south, etc. There should be only ONE main corridor trail between towns/clubs.
  • Qualifying Trail: A qualified trail aka/Secondary Trail must meet one or more of the following criteria:
  1. Any trail 8’ or wider
  2. Any trail that is contiguously 10 miles long
  3. Any trail on state, town, or federal land
  4. Any trail that has a permanent (deeded) right of way or permanent access for snowmobiles
  5. Any trail to or through gas, parking, food, clubhouse, or meeting location (even if a dead-end)
  6. Any trail that provides access to a location selling trail passes
  7. Any trail providing access to emergency services
  8. Any corridor trail connecting clubs/towns
  9. The final decision of a “qualified trail” will be up to the Grooming Committee.
  10. Newly developed trails may qualify for contract provided the GPS data has been provided to SAM for inclusion on the next scheduled map.
  • Qualifying for Payment: To get paid for grooming, a trail must be on the map, have a route number, and intersections to define it. Note: Just because a trail is on the map, doesn’t mean it will be paid for grooming if it does not fall under a “qualified trail”. **Newly developed trails may qualify for contract provided the GPS data has been provided to SAM for inclusion on the next scheduled map. This data MUST be included with the contract.
  • Signage: Trails on the grooming contract must be signed according to the Trail Improvement Guidelines. Trails on the grooming contract must have clear intersection and corridor trail signage.
  • Grooming contracts & logs: Grooming contracts and the reporting logs MUST be identical in description using the map intersection system.
  • Reporting: If logs are not completely and accurately completed within the time frame noted on the grooming contract; they will be subject to non-payment. Reporting deadline is two weeks.
  • Power Units: The power unit form must be included with the original contract. A Grooming Pass will be issued to each club power unit. The first pass, labeled #1 will be awarded to that years’ winner of the Groomer of the Year award from the Annual Meeting.
  • Grooming Committee: All disputes, challenges and changes to a grooming contract must be presented to the grooming committee for review. The committee will make recommendations to the Board of Directors/Delegates for final approval.
  • Grooming Zero Tolerance: See SOP & Policy Manual for details.

Note on Classes

A – Large Power Unit = Weighs more than 5,000 lbs. Large machine designed and sold by a grooming equipment manufacturer (Prinoth, Pisten Bulley, Tucker) specifically for grooming or a large tractor (none in Mass at this time) converted for grooming. Must use a minimum 8′ drag.

B – Medium Power Unit = Weighs more than 2,500 lbs or more than 2,000 lbs if specifically manufactured for grooming. Medium machine designed and sold by a grooming equipment manufacturer (IMP, Bombi, ASV, AllTracks) specifically for grooming or a unit converted for grooming with modifications and tracks added. Examples include IMP, Bombi BR100, Sidewalk Plows, Chevy Blazer, and Medium Sized Tractors. Must use a minimum 6′ drag.

C – Small Power Unit = Weighs less than 2,500 lbs. Includes converted UTVs, ATVs, side x sides, compact tractors, and mini-trucks. Must use a minimum 5′ drag. Small units using less than a 5′ drag will be, for contract purposes, classified as a snowmobile.

D – Snowmobile = Purpose built utility snowmobile (such as Bearcat, Skandic, VK, etc.) with a sole purpose of grooming and trail maintenance only.

IMPORTANT NOTES…

Rates are based on value of service only. Actual payments will be prorated based on amount of funds in the grooming budget. Payments will be made at season’s end. Only corridor trails and SAM approved secondary trails are eligible for funding. A qualifying secondary trail must meet at least 1 of 8 criteria. 

Contract dates: For a maximum of 10 weeks for the season. This does not have to be consecutive weeks; however logs must be sent within two weeks following the grooming week. IMPORTANT: The grooming committee voted (4/23/2015) and established a no exceptions policy to this requirement.

Meeting attendance: It his highly recommended that clubs who groom plan to have their groomer chair/boss attend the SAM December meeting and any grooming meetings.

Minimum Contract/Brown Grooming: The board voted 5/4/17 to pay a minimum of two full weeks grooming to each approved contracted club regardless of snowfall (brown grooming). The board voted on 10/1/2020 to NOT pay brown grooming for the 2020/2021 season. *10/7/21 vote needed.

Timeliness: Grooming logs not received within the guidelines of the contract will not be paid.


Click here to return to the online groomer contract form or click here to download a printable version.

Updated September 1, 2021