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 6454 | Snowmobile VERMONT 25 YEARS OF PROGRESS The club celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 1991. Snowmachines were now being called snowmobiles. The Polar Bears were proud of its achievements and amazing spirit. In addition to a large trail system, here are the numbers: Meeting Refreshments: 27 Club Dinners: 16 Dances: 4 Raffles: 24 Summer Picnics: 5 Club Lunches: 50 Snowmobile Bridges Constructed: 34 As the 1990s rolled on, amongst the good news was a chance meeting with Senator Illuzzi at a local restaurant. He vowed to write a letter to the state, allowing safe and legal passage of snowmobiles over the Connecticut River into Lancaster, New Hampshire. With the help of funding by the Polar Bears and VAST, the Lancaster Bridge was modified for snowmobile traffic. Soon a reciprocity experiment was conducted along the Vermont and New Hampshire border and was titled as a ‘Commerce Zone.’ It extended from the Polar Bears trail system north to Canada. But the concept met with criticism from some landowners. It was discontinued, with exception to offering access to services. The club also began to acquire snowmobiles to groom the trails. The Alpine and Yamaha VK540 were popular pullers. Trails improved and the club was recognized for the best trails in Vermont. They were also awarded ‘Project of the Year’ from VAST for completion of the Pipeline trail. By the end of the decade, the club witnessed not only an increase in trail development and quality, but also an increase in out-of-state membership. To meet the popular demand of Vermont snowmobiling, VAST and the state began retooling legal requirements and pricing options. Members realized a hobby was now becoming a boost for Vermont winter tourism. After the year 2000, interest in organized snowmobile events and club rides shifted towards trail management, ride quality and sustaining club operations. The clubhouse was considered a financial distraction and was sold. Meetings were relocated to the Town Hall. Club equipment was safeguarded by members and residents at various locations, which still exists today. TRAIL SYSTEM Today the Lunenburg Polar Bears maintain 63 miles of Class I trails with connectivity to four neighboring clubs. Included is the sweeping VAST 102 VELCO powerlines and the high elevation logging roads of VAST 1 in East Haven. VAST 2A winds through the Lunenburg woods to the Historic Town Common and services at EX68. Snowmobilers cruise through connected farm fields along the Connecticut River on VAST 2F1. Then there is the somewhat extreme VAST 2 Pipeline trail. Many NEK snowmobilers consider it the Black Diamond trail of snowmobiling. By mid-afternoon your eastbound ride often includes a spectacular view of Mt. Washington, set ablaze by brilliant sunlight. A hidden gem of the club is its additional 12 miles of variable-width Class IV trails. The VAST 102F3 ‘Horn of the