b'VAST Direction We also have in the past two yearsinstalling more high-elevation parking suffered from major flooding,lots, instrumenting an ITS trail system By VAST Executive Director Cindy Locke necessitating additional funding to fixlike other states have, or creativelyVERMONT ASSOCIATIONtrails and infrastructure. Last year andsharing resources between clubs. Its As we head into winter, there is plentythis year, we had around one milliontoo early to tell, but the staff, board to hope for and much to reflect on. Wedollars of repairs to do. Last year, theof directors, and committees are all hope that snow will be plentiful thismajority of that funding came from thecommitted to doing what we can.winter. Its not just Vermont that needsState of Vermont through money theyBecause we know our members can a great winter, but all the Northeast,had already allocated to VAST fromride anywhere and many do, we have Canada, and the West. Last winter,leftover federal dollars as a result ofincentives for Early Bird TMAs in snow ended quite a bit at our westernCOVID relief funding. That moneythe hope of encouraging folks to buy border and did not pick up again untildoes not exist anymore. VAST staffearly. When you buy early, you help the Rocky Mountains. States likeapplied for money through grantsthe clubs responsible for maintaining Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota,last year and this year, but if we keepour trails. We all love our sport, and part of the Dakotas, and the Canadianhaving low-snow winters or biggerby supporting it through legal riding, provinces to their north only recordedstorms, we may need to look at howwe contribute to amazing trails and about two weeks of riding. So, whileour trail system is structured. Thissupport our thousands of volunteers!we looked at our own riding lastyear, we also reduced spending in the season, we were more blessed thanadministrative budgets of VAST butBe well and thank you!many. We were able to see a smallkept up our regulatory obligations set number of riders at the last minuteby the State of Vermont.heading east from the Midwest. One way we can improve is by Dont forget to buy your Early Bird TMA before December 15 to be entered to win this brand new 2025 two-place Nitro snowmobile trailer or one of 18 $250 and $500 gift certificates to local New England dealerships. Buying your Early Bird TMA automatically enters you in the drawing. Thanks to former VAST President Jeff Fay for securing this amazing donation from Nitro and Perfection Motorsports!'