b'Trails ReportBy Matt Tetreault, VAST Trails Administrator but some of the pieces that stand out to me based on this winters weather are as follows:Page 57 How Much Snow is Required to Start Grooming Operations?The amount of snow depth required to begin grooming operations will vary by area and is affected by the type of terrain and by the type of snow. Remember that it requires a lot more snow to safely and effectively operate a groomer than it does to operate a snowmobile. And it can be a good thing to let snowmobiles run on the snow first before you start grooming operations because it starts the de-aeration and compression process. Generally, at least 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) of wet snow on smooth terrain like a road is enough to begin grooming operations. However, if the snow is drier, or if the terrain is rough or uneven, at least 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) of snow (or more) may be required to safely begin effective grooming operations.Page 57 Best GroomingThe winter of 2023 did not deliverlengthy period. We rarely had both Temperatures much of the general conditions notedcoincide with one another! Clubs still Generally, when using a drag,above, and hence the groomingdid the best they could with what they grooming operations should beequipment did not operate muchhad. They performed maintenance suspended when the temperaturein many areas. Clubs who choseon the equipment, purchased diesel is below -25 degrees Fahrenheit (-32to operate in less than favorablefuel for it, will need to save for future degrees Celsius) or above +40 degreesconditions will ultimately pay therepairs, and, unfortunately, the bank Fahrenheit (+5 degrees Celsius)price with repairs and maintenance towill still be looking for the payments at because it can cause snow to stick intheir equipment. Tracks on groomingthe end of each month. They dont care the blades or build up on the packingequipment cost upwards of $9,000if it was a poor winter!pan enough of the time to makea piece, depending on the type ofFor some additional reading, you can grooming a smooth trail impossible. equipment. Other parts associatedreview the snowpack map for Vermont with the undercarriage of the machineat the following link; https://www.Page 58: Building Trail Base vs.are also thousands of dollars. To buynohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/html/Maintaining Trail Base a new machine, clubs are looking at amap.html$250,000 minimum. A drag is $28,000 Anytime there is new snow to workand as you all know fuel for theYou can click through the map and with, either through new snowfall,machine is costly as well. If groomingreview the snowpack by day if blown-in snow, or snow that is pulledin low snow conditions, can causeyou wish. There is a great deal of in from the trail edges, groomingthousands of dollars in damage, andscientific information on this site that will build (increase) the trails base/ possibly downtime is a consequence,is valuable. Between this and the depth. If new snow is not available,and what is the real benefit to the trail?groomer operators manual, you will grooming will simply maintainNothing, other than the perception thathave reading and research to get you the trail base, which is a much lessit has been groomed.through the summer months and back desirable situation. Remember that aI will end this article the way I startedinto the next riding season. Meanwhile, drags blades must always have snowit off. Conditions this winter werewe can all hope for a better season next in them to accomplish either trailsimply poor! Rarely did we haveyear, where grooming equipment has building or maintenance. 12-18 inches of snow to work with orsufficient conditions to roll on a regular temperatures below 25 degrees for anybasis. Late Winter 2023 | 15'