4 | Snowmobile VERMONT A message from VAST President Tim Mills So here we are smack-dab in the middle of a typical Vermont winter. Right out of the gate we started hard with some good heavy snow across the state. It was the perfect beginning. There was seriously measurable amounts of snow in the upper elevations along with pretty decent coverage in the valleys. When the season starts out like this, it makes a snowmobiler’s heart feel full. You have waited all year for this and here it is. You can see it, touch it and literally smell it in the air. Clubs are racing around trying to tie up those last-minute items on the to-do list for readying the trails. Landowner permissions have been signed, de- brushing is done, bridges repaired and the trails have been signed. The grooming equipment has been serviced, grooming drags repaired, fueled and ready to go. The opening date is right around the corner and “snap,” what happens? Well, Mother Nature throws you a curve ball. How about some high winds mixed with some freezing rain? Then she tops it off with a few days of warm weather! Nothing like a little reality to make you humble and remind you that yes, we do live in New England. This is nothing new for any of us who have lived here our whole lives. It is actually pretty typical for winter to start out this way. It’s just a reality and to top it off we now have a forecast for a potentially epic Nor’easter, If you are like most of us and spend any amount of time on social media, you have seen what the clubs have had to deal with. They have been tasked with re- clearing and de-brushing their trails, cutting trees that are now down from the winds and heavy snowfall. This is when your club needs you the most. They have spent the entire year prepping for the upcoming riding season, and now they are faced with an opening day deadline. They are expected to have everything done and ready for you to ride by opening day. Talk about pressure! This is when you have to ask yourself as a snowmobiler what you can do to help your local club. Pick up that phone, send your local club a Facebook message, or talk to another active club member and see what you and your friends can do to help. Your local club is made up primarily of volunteers and they are everyday people just like you. These volunteers have family obligations, jobs and commitments just like everyone else does. What sets them apart from the rest is what they do for the snowmobiling community here in Vermont. What sets these people apart from just being a rider is the commitment they have taken on. That commitment is to make sure that snowmobilers have the best riding experience possible while out enjoying this great state during the snowmobiling season. The next time you meet the groomer out on the trails or you’re on social media and see one of their posts, take a moment and tell them thanks for everything they do for snowmobiling! And remember, they are doing it for you! Ride safely and smooth trails! – Tim Mills, VAST President VAST News Worlds Largest in Used Snowmobile Parts 802-487-1000 AlsSnowmobile.com ATVparts.com ATVparts.com All Years, Makes & Models, New Parts Tracks, Slides, Clothing, Helmets, Carbides Send your Snow Angel photos to editor@vtvast.org. If we use your photo, we’ll send you a VAST t-shirt for your angel and a one for you! Abigail Dodge, age 10, practices in the fields of her grandparents, Bill and Susan Dodge. She is driving her grandfather’s sled in learning mode! A couple more years before she can be a arider of the Worcester Rangers Club. FIND THE HELMET Mark Owens found the helmet on page 3 in the last issue on the “Stay on Trail” sign. Mark has found the helmet in the past 12 issues! He finally got lucky and was the random selected winner from all the right answers this time. If you find the helmet in this issue, send an email to editor@vtvast.org and you could win a VAST hat or t-shirt!