The first meeting of the newly-formed snowmachine club was held on October 16, 1966 at the Lunenburg Town Hall in Essex County. Among the 20 members present, ‘Scrub’ Benoit made a motion to call the organization the Lunenburg Polar Bears. The concept was an instant hit and group events were scheduled.

It was agreed each member would pay $1 to be a member of the Lunenburg Polar Bears (LPB), plus another $1 which went to VAST. On December 2, 1971 the LPB ordered patches that included a logo. Two weeks later, the Club began investigating ways to make the trails smoother. So Bob Desmarais suggested trying a ‘drag’ that he was making himself.

In February 1972, ninety-two members started receiving the VAST Newsletter and decals. Months later, the first LPB delegates attended the VAST Annual Meeting. In April of 1973, the Club was incorporated.  At the January VAST Directors Meeting it was determined trail signs were affordable.

On November 6, 1975 the Club began raising money to purchase snow machines and drags that could groom the trails.  By the end of the season, 40 miles of Club trails extended from Copps Store at Victory Road through Lunenburg into Guildhall.  Individual permission slips from St Regis Paper & VELCO were needed to ride trails further north.  In addition, the LPB Board of Directors authorized the 1978 purchase of a clubhouse on Dance Hall Road for $5,000.

Amongst years of continued success and trail expansion, the LPB accepted an award from VAST in 1992 for the 'Pipeline Project.'  With the help of funding from the LPB & VAST, the Lancaster New Hampshire Bridge was modified so more trailside services were accessible by snowmobile.  Numerous grooming machines were acquired including Bombardier, Yamaha and Ski Doo. 

Currently the club operates a 2010 Pisten Bully 400 with Awesome & Mogul Master drags. 2005 Skandic 550 with a 4ft drag, and a 2021 CFMoto UTV and Happy Trails drag.  Other equipment includes a T.J. Mold & Tool custom brush bar and a 2020 ATV Swisher Trail Cutter.  In 2018 we built a large Rock Solid shelter on Pond Hill Road and added a Shelter Logic on Baptist Hill Road.

Today the club is responsible for seventy-five miles of trails in southern Essex County Vermont.   Club leadership includes four Officers and three Directors.  Meetings are typically held September - April and announced on our website.  Stay tuned to our Facebook page for the latest information and pictures.  Our YouTube channel features movies of events and trails.  NEW- club apparel available at Lunenburg Variety!  

Moving forward, members continue to maintain the Club's unique trail system and support its mission.  We encourage members to be involved!  Share your ideas and talents!.

Welcome to Polar Bear Country!