b'VAST NewsA message from VAST President Jeff Fay FIND THE HELMETas easy to secure these days as they once were and the cost of creating new trails is staggering. Landowners are the lifeline of our sport. They deserve our respect at all times. We are guests on theirJames Callan found the helmet in the property and shouldlast issue on page 33, hidden on the treat it as if it were ourbridge with the Franklin County Snow own. Pack it in andRaiders. If you can find the helmet in pack it out. Dont leavethis issue, send an email to editor@your trash trailside.vtvast.org and you could win a VAST The trail disappears in the spring,t-shirt!Welcome to February. So far, itbut your trash will not. has not been much different thanAs the landowners are our primary January. We are still dancing for snow in parts of the state. But,concern, the health of the clubsSPRING statewide is as important. Clubs if youre lucky enough to liverely on fundraisers to assist withCONSTRUCTION in or been able to trailer to thethe expenses of maintainingCOURSEhigher elevations, youve had theand grooming trails for the opportunity to get some miles on.membership to experience. If at allAs a reminder, the mandatory Spring Club volunteers are doing the bestpossible, attend these fundraisersConstruction Course is coming soon.they can with what Mother Natureeven if conditions arent favorableMore information and details will has offered up so far this year.to ride in to them. Poker runs,be sent to clubs soon via eNews and Temperature swings, flooding, icepancake breakfasts and pastaemails. The 2024 Spring Construction storms and wind have not beendinners are fairly commonCourse will be in a similar online at all favorable to their efforts,throughout the season. Thereformat as last years course. The course causing many sections of trail toare other ways to assist clubs.will include brief videos on topics such be cleared and repaired multipleOnline raffles are popular theseas an overview of the VAST website, times over the last three months.days, even in the off season. Joinclub resources, signing, equipment It is not at all the way any of usan additional club or two, and ifgrant-in aid, construction grant-in-aid, wanted the season to start. youve decided not to ride thisdebrushing and more.Even with the limited riding, Iveseason, make a small donation to seen reports of trails being closedyour local club. It would be greatly or restricted because of riders thatappreciated.cant, wont or dont care to obeyDO YOUR SNOW Read through the club news posted signage. Its not hard tosection to see whats been goingDANCES!follow a path that is clearly markedon and whats upcoming as we and more often than not, definedcruise through another winter. by limits of grooming. LandownersThank a landowner when you provide clubs permission to useencounter them on the trail, slow their property for our recreationaldown, wave and remember you enjoyment. Not a single one ofare a guest. Visit your favorite us is entitled to disrespect thattrailside business, even if its not property by trespassing outsideby sled. They need your support of the defined trail. The VAST trailin seasons like this as well. Lastly, system is only available due tothank you to our volunteers! You the generosity of our landownersare doing an amazing job keeping and the commitment that our clubthe trail system in shape.volunteers have to the stewardship of those lands. It only takes oneRide Safe, Ride Right, Ride withVAST mascots Nattie and Frosty take a rest land closure to disrupt milesRespect from their hard work doing snow dances. of trail. Reroutes arent nearlyJeff Fay, VAST PresidentKeep doing your dances and praying to the Snow Gods! 4 | Snowmobile VERMONT'