b'Whos In The Groomer?Michael Mann - Justin Morrill Drift SkippersTell us a recent fun(ny) story about a time in the groomer.Two seasons ago, I went grooming with Thomas Trottier from another local club, the Tri-town Trail Travelers. They had a new-to-them Tucker that hadnt required a winch all year. This trip was another story: his streak was ruined. I was promoted from just the ride-along passenger to the cable runner. Then this last year, Thomas joined me in our groomer. I had been 8 years without being stuck, but on this night he ruined my streak. Thomas insisted on running the come-along as repayment, but I When did you start grooming?What was the last critter you sawwouldnt give him the satisfaction!while grooming?Were getting out of this without a I started grooming about 10 years agohook, I said. After a few maneuvers, in 2010. I learned from Dave Lacasse ofThe last critter I saw while I wasthe machine came free.the Upper Valley Snow Packers. grooming was one of our landowners goats! He had jumped the fence andDo you ever take along guest riders?What is your favorite part aboutwas running down the trail. Our club policy is that there must grooming and why do you groomalways be two people in the groomer at VAST trails?How many miles of trails do youall times. I will always take anyone who My favorite part about grooming isgroom each season?is interested in learning. I believe it is being able to enjoy the beauty of theJustin Morrill Drift Skippers have aboutimportant to fuel the interest of others winter at night.I enjoy seeing the40 miles of trails. We average about 400- who want to learn.before and after of a trail. It starts out600 miles groomed a season, depending rough and bumpy, and then once goneon the years snow cover. Have you or your club received any over, it is smooth and transitioned. VAST awards?I groom VAST trails because when ITell us about your clubs groomers. I received the Trails Administrator was a child, my grandparents, GloriaThe Justin Morrill Drift Skippers haveAward for Effort in 2017.and Bruce Mann, were very involvedone groomer, a 2002 PistenBully 100 in the local club. They passed their lovewith a 1608 HD Mogul Master drag. WeDo you have shared responsibilities or down to me. Its a family tradition. also have a club sled, 2004 Arctic Catsomeone else in training? Bear Cat with a homemade FrenchieI am currently one of a four-man Do you also ride the trails on a sled?drag that grooms a secondary trailteam. The other groomer operators are Before I started grooming, I used tofor the county. This year, the clubAndrew Tiny Godfrey, Gary Kendall spend as much time as possible ridinghas been working on creating a newand Gary Southworth. Jeremy Kendall on the trails. Now I put on about asgroomer shed. New to the club thisruns the clubs Bear Cat grooming the many miles as I do with a groomer!year is a Surtrac brush bar that has beensecondary trails. We also have a few When I do get the chance to ride, itsmounted to the drag. other members who have interest in with family and friends. My childrenpursuing grooming.are currently too young to ride on theWhat are the biggest challenges you trails, but I am looking forward toface, and what advice would you offerAnything else youd like to say?passing on my passion to them and toabout them? my wife. I would say most of the time the biggestSnowmobiling has always been challenge I face is the lack of snow.something that ran deep in my family, What is your clubs biggestAlso, the severe weather events that arefrom my grandparents to my parents, accomplishment as a groomer?happening more and more throughoutand among friends. It is why I have the year can ruin the hard work put inan interest and want to help with the Our clubs biggest accomplishmentto keep our trails where they need to beefforts of our club. I want to be sure is the pride we take in our trails. Wefor the snowfalls. To try to work aroundthat these family traditions continue try to give our members the best trailsthis, we consistently go on our trailsthrough the years, as I hope they do possible with our continuous groomingwith machinery to fix bad spots andwith my daughters.and routine maintenance. clear culverts and bridges as needed.Winter 2020 | 15'