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 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80Winter 2017 | 27 Why I Snowmobile Gabriella Ruggiero, Sandy Hook, Conn. I started riding on the back of my father’s snowmobile when I was about 3 years old. From that moment, I was hooked. Growing up snowmobiling had always been more than just a sport or a hobby in my family. It is a way of life, and it is still the thing I look forward to the most. When I was about seven years old, my father began to build a weekend home in southern Vermont. I always looked forward to the weekends when we would go to my family’s home, especially in the winter. That meant it was snowmobiling time and all I had to do was bundle up, drive right out of the driveway, and I was on the trails. I’ll never forget the day I passed my snowmobile safety test. I was in middle school and had taken a course at Mount Snow. I remember my parents picking me up and how proud I was that I could finally drive my own sled. We went to Cherry Creek that very day to purchase my first sled. As a recent law school graduate, snowmobiling was always my stress release during winter finals. I would sometimes drive up to Vermont just for the day to take out my sled and unwind. Even now, as a newly barred attorney, I look forward to the weekends when I can spend my time snowmobiling. Curving through the VAST trails while the snow is falling, the captivating mountain views you can only see while driving your sled in the middle of a forest, the various Gabby has been riding with her family from the time she was in elementary school. She has since graduated from law school and is now working as a lawyer. (Helmet removed for photo-op) wildlife and of course, the heavenly find of a cabin selling hot dogs and hot chocolate, are just some of the reasons that I will forever love snowmobiling. Sydney Thomas, Southern Vermont Ever since I could remember, my parents included me and my siblings on all their outdoor adventures. It was normal in our household to ride snowmobiles, quads, dirt bikes and motorcycles. I can remember my mom putting several layers of clothing on me and then going out with Sydney enjoys both snowmobiling and helping her dad with trail work. my parents on their snowmobiles. It was always something to look forward to. I love walking outside into the cold Vermont air, seeing the snow covered pines and going on our trails. I always felt the sense of comfort and security on the back of my mom or dad’s machines. It felt so safe, like nothing could happen to us in that moment. I was thrilled when I finally got my own snowmobile and was able to ride on my own. I remember studying for four days straight to pass my safety test. Every time you get on the machine it’s a new adventure. Becoming one with the machine and having total control is truly one of the purest forms of freedom. I go into a happy zone like no other feeling I know. It’s almost indescribable. The only thing that is important in that moment is moving forward, and you are not worried about your everyday problems. It’s an escape from reality. Snowmobiling will always have a special place in my heart. It’s something me and my family do that we all enjoy so much and it has always brought us together and I will forever cherish that. What’s your story!? Tell us “Why I Snowmobile.” Please send your stories and high resolution photo files by e-mail to vtsnowmobiler@outlook.com