6 | Snowmobile VERMONT 6 | Snowmobile VERMONT VAST News TRAIL TIPS By Mike Mutascio Looking for a great problem-solver on the trail? A collapsible automotive or camping snow shovel might be the answer. It is a lightweight tool that can easily be secured to most snowmobiles. Bungee cords are usually all you need to keep it in place. A shovel is a must for removing snow that surrounds a stuck sled. Plus, it is useful in preparing roadside plow lines for safer crossings. Repacking trail base erosion with fir branches and snow is much easier when you have the right tool. TETREAULT RECIEVES AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE If you have access to nearby water, load a shovel with snow and give it a dip. What you are left with is winter cement, often necessary for stabilizing loose stakes. Some models include a detachable handle which is an excellent tool for probing the depth of water, slush or snow. For an unexpected trailside repair, lay a shovel flat and use it as a parts tray. Losing a cotter pin, bolt or tool can hamper your snowy adventure. During emergencies, a shovel might be necessary to clear an area for a campfire. Hopefully, you will never have to use it as a splint for an injured arm or leg. Erecting a shovel upright on a trail can quickly gain the attention of approaching riders. Scratch a message on the shovel with a sharp object to convey life-saving information or direct emergency responders. Yes, a shovel mounted on your sled can be cool. So dig it! The VAST staff is so pleased to announce that our very own Matt Tetreault received the 2018 IASA Award for Professional Excellence. We nominated Matt for this auspicious award because we believe he embodies both the description of the words “professional” and “excellence.” Matt has been with VAST for more than fifteen years. He began his career here right out of college, starting as a trails assistant and has moved up to his current position of trails administrator for all of Vermont. • Matt is a leader with his wealth of knowledge in the snowmobiling industry. • He talks endlessly to club members, the state of Vermont, and his counterparts in other states and provinces about how to improve the snowmobiling industry. • He actively participates in regional snowmobile events and initiatives. • He works very hard to determine how to disburse the limited funds that he has to work with to keep the trails in Vermont at their best quality, safest and most exciting. • Matt has been instrumental in getting the approximately 4,500 miles of VAST trails GPS’d for our trail maps and SD cards that we offer. This is also very helpful in keeping track of all the grooming mileage contracts for over 120 clubs in Vermont. • He is a leader within the VAST office and has a lot of insight to offer to his co-workers regarding every aspect of snowmobiling, whether it’s budgeting, marketing or general office functions. • He continues to work on getting GPS units into the groomers to track the mileage of trails groomed and connect with our online mapping system and virtual trail updates. • He participates in discussions with law enforcement and members of the Vermont Snowmobile Governor’s Council about safety and ways to improve it. • Matt also volunteers in his own community and likes to spend as much free time as he can find with his two children. (Mike Mutascio photo)