b'Great RidesThe International Trail By Mike MutascioIts not just the destination riding that Vermont snowmobilers savor. Riders want to experience the immeasurable backstories that are uncovered during their excursions. Enthusiasts share accounts of club accomplishments and individual achievements during brief stops at trail intersections, or perhaps gatherings at trailside businesses. Such lore exists at the Orleans County Vermont border with Canada. The Drift Dusters Snowmobile Club balanced opportunities with exceptional planning. The result was The International Trail, and it is a must-have on your snowmobiling bucket list.VAST Corridor 105A weaves throughfor a few with a sense of humorlandowner closure required a section Derby and Holland. But the sharp turnThe No-Touch-Zone. Although theof Corridor 105A to be rerouted. The north at its mid-section leads to severalgoal was a straight clearing whenDrift Dusters envisioned the possibility miles of riding on the USCanadaconceived, it was easier said thanof relocating the trail to the border. It border. The route is shared with thedone. After completion it actuallywould involve complex coordination Three Villages Snowmobile Club ofmoved north and south nine hundredfirst with landowners that owned the Quebec Federation of Snowmobiletimes.They did their best, includinglarge tracts, then a thumbs-up from Clubs. Two groomed trails from twothe ninety miles at Vermonts northernfederal agencies. The club struck up different countries, and snowmobilersborder. a confident relationship with the US are nearly a high-five away from eachBorder Patrol. The agency is charged other as they pass. Its super-cool toAmongst the zigs and zags betweenwith maintaining security along the see Quebec sleds going by, says Mikethe two nations, some areas includeborder. Leadership was concerned Koehler, Vice President of the Driftunique accommodations andabout a snowmobile trail at first. Dusters. Sometimes, you pass theirshared agreements. This includesHowever, after some consideration groomer too. Super-cool began asthe construction of the Haskell Freethey determined the trail would offer historic treaties more than a centuryLibrary and Opera House at Derbyeasier access for surveillance. It would before the first snowmobile was everLine Vermont and Stanstead Quebecalso enhance visibility and likely be a imagined. in 1904. It lays acclaim to the famousdeterrent for illegal crossings. Today, The USCanada border is the longestblack line across the floor wherethe Border Patrol supports the clubs in the world, over 5,500 miles. Afterthe border crosses right throughinitiatives and communicates regularly securing nearly two dozen treatiesthe building. It also includes twowith the organization. Strong work!during the 1800s, the countries agreedmailing addresses. Residents from the 45th Parallel would represent theboth countries can use the facility, butAlso in the mix is The International border. They also consented a twenty- procedures are in place to ensure theyBoundary Commission. The agency foot wide swath would be cleared soreturn to their country of origin. Trustwas created in 1908 and is responsible the average person would know theyand personal responsibility remainfor maintaining the border plus are on the border. The finishing toucha treasured sentiment amongst theclearing 1,350 miles of forested land would be thousands of markers andresidents. every six years. The club quickly monuments along the route. Fifty years after Vermontlearned establishing a trail and tackling As decades passed, the historic projectsnowmobiling began in the 1960s, thethe ongoing upkeep would be rather acquired various names like Thepreceding chord reemerged amidstsophisticated. Any work performed Slash, The Border Cut, and recentlymore trail development. In 2018 arequired Commission support from both US and Canadian agency 12 | Snowmobile VERMONT'