Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 6424 | Snowmobile VERMONT Jen Gould, Central Vt. I have to say, it all started before I can remember. My parents were sled riders before I was born and before there was this beautiful trail system that VAST enjoys today. My family is very involved with the sport, club and community. I alway get a big grin on my face when I turn that key and smell that 2 stroke exhaust to enjoy the thrill of the ride in the wilderness. My 2004 sled is “old,” but it has reverse and key start and has always given me everything I have asked of it and taken me several thousand miles over many years. I have always loved being given the opportunity to ride my sled and see places that many never see. It is a generous exchange by landowners for respecting their property. I have been a club officer, a sledding website moderator, a sled racing director and promoter, trail reporter, grooming coordinator, volunteer and all-around fun rider, and plan to spend many more years doing these things. I support sledding even if we have a bad year, because it’s for the bigger picture, the sport and to encourage others to do so too. I ride in front of the groomers after a big snowstorm and help clear trees, or track the groomers down and give Snowmobiling with friends is a way of life for Jen in the winter. Why I Snowmobile them a Snickers bar and a soda mid-shift, because I know it’s nice to be appreciated. I ride snowmobiles to enjoy the magic white carpet that takes me away from my day-to- day and delivers me to Nirvana! Brian Grondalski, Wilbraham, Mass. I began snowmobiling at a very young age. My father had a 1980 Ski-Doo Blizzard 5500. I couldn’t wait for winter and for there to be enough snow to ride around the yard. As I grew older, my passion for snowmobiling also grew. Years later, I found myself working and trying to save money to buy my very own snowmobile to head north to Vermont to finally ride the groomed snowmobile trails I had heard about. After gaining experience, I pushed myself to the limit. As the adrenaline and excitement sunk in, I knew I was hooked on snowmobiling and traveling north all over Vermont to explore different areas and take in the amazing scenery. I love the freedom of legally riding snowmobiles throughout the state on the VAST trail system, stopping for lunch and dinner on the trails and pulling into the gas stations on my sled. Through years of meeting new people, I developed many new friendships through this sport that so many love. Thirty years later, I still have a passion for snowmobiling. There is no greater feeling then being able to squeeze the throttle and hang on as the power of the machine pulls you down the trails. I have been very fortunate over the last 12 years, as a good friend of mine bought a home in Derby and was so generous as to tell us to “use it like it is yours.” The days of trailering up I91 N were done, and we now had a heated garage to keep our sleds in. If it wasn’t for the good friends and exciting snowmobile rides with them, my passion for snowmobiling might not be the same. Snowmobiling is a great release to get rid of life’s stresses. There isn’t another activity where you can explore the wilderness on some of the best groomed snowmobile trails, pushing your ability to the limits and cracking a huge smile inside your helmet as you ride through the groomed trails. The bottom line is that having great friends and great winters allows me to have wonderful memories throughout the season. Brian Grondalski and his friend, Pat McGaffigan, have shared the trails in Vermont for many winters.