b'VAST NewsA message from VAST President Patty Companik FIND THE HELMETOur new Trails App launchedtrails are open under caution this year. It has been a bit of anstatus. Please, if you are out riding, unexpected challenge. The staff attake into consideration the terrain, VAST has been working very hardsnow coverage, potential ice, open to answer your questions, compilewater bars, and any unexpected your suggestions, and work withfallen trees or branches. Our lower the folks who manage the app toelevations are still strugglingCharlene Pion found the helmet in the enhance it to meet our membershipwithout sufficient snow coverage,last issue on page 8 on the Ludlow needs. Much progress has beenbut the higher elevations appear toSidehill Cronchers golf tournament made! Your county directors havehave good riding. Sometimes youEllison family dedication sign. If you been receiving regular updateshave to go through the bad to getcan find the helmet in this issue, send as changes are being made. Weto the good, so adjust your ridingan email to editor@vtvast.org and you understand that change can beaccordingly. could win a VAST t-shirt!uncomfortable at first, and weA common-sense message to appreciate your patience andeveryone, every year: Please honor understanding. our agreements with the generousSEEKING SNOW Our volunteer committee teamslandowners who provide us theANGELS!have been meeting. This year, weprivilege of riding on their property opened the opportunity for anyby only riding on the signed VASTSend your Snow Angel pictures (kids VAST member to join a committee.trails (no off-trail riding). Cheers tovolunteering and/or enjoying VAST Having people with differentthe majority of our members whotrails) to editor@vtvast.org! We will backgrounds, work experiences,respect and honor this privilege send you a t-shirt for your angel if we talents, ideas, and history addsthank you! use your photo in the magazine.a creative component to eachTo all our volunteers, thank you for committee team. A few committeesall that you do each year. No matter have already begun working on newthe weathersnow or minimal and exciting projects. snowthe work our dedicated Many clubs have been hostingvolunteers do in preparing the events. The majority of events aretrails for the upcoming season is not weather-dependent. For manyoutstanding. Our volunteers put in clubs, events are a necessarythousands of hours into building fundraising opportunity. Forbridges, installing culverts, putting members, its a great way toup signage, debrushing, re-routing support a club and an opportunitytrails, and much more. There to mingle with other members. It isare also many more dedicated also a chance to thank those criticalvolunteers who care for a clubs and committed club volunteers forsocial media, officer positions, andGet a Grip!all they do. associated responsibilities, as well Congratulations to the Early Birdas the planning and execution of eventsand so much more. AndHands on for safety!Raffle winners! The list of winnerslast, but definitely not least, thank has been shared via VAST eNewsyou to our groomer operators. notifications, posted on the VASTMany of these folks work regular Facebook page and published injobs but make the time to groom this issue of the magazine. the trails at nightwhile most of January was Internationalus sleep and dream about our Snowmobile Safety Week (Jan. 18- upcoming riding adventures.25, 2025). At VAST, we care aboutHopefully, by the time this goes safety. We have approximatelyto print and youre reading it, we 40 trained safety ambassadors, aare in the middle of a great ridingRemoving your hands from the committee whose focus is safetyseason! We are Volunteer Strong. handlebars while riding is unsafe.awareness, and solid partnershipsVAST discourages the use of countdown hand signalswith Vermont law enforcementPatty Companik agencies. VAST PresidentAs I write this in mid-January, manyVermont Association of Snow Travelers26 Vast Lane, Barre, VT 05641802-229-0005 www.vtvast.orgGetaGrip.indd 1 1/29/20 9:04 AM4 | Snowmobile VERMONT'