12-16-24

The official opening date of the VAST trails has arrived, and the good news is that the ground is white in most places. Clubs will be out over the course of the week and into the weekend opening trails for the season where conditions permit. There are many wet areas to freeze up, trees to remove, gates to open and small tweaks to the trail system that need to be made. Please have some patience. More snow is in the forecast for later in the week, which should improve conditions, so stay tuned for changing conditions for the weekend. 

VAST Snowmobile Season is defined under the Vermont State Statues, Title 23, Chapter 29 § 3201.  “Closed season” shall be defined as the time from April 16 to December 15. This means that VAST trails may legally be opened for use by clubs beginning on December 16th until April 15th. 

VAST/Clubs can open and close trails at their discretion between December 16th and April 15th. This discretion is based on several factors including, but not limited to conditions of the trail beneath the snow, snow conditions and landowner requests. The ability for VAST/Clubs to open and close trails at their discretion is defined in the Vermont Statutes, Title 23, Chapter 29, § 3206 which reads; (a) A person shall operate, or cause to be operated, a snowmobile only in accordance with this chapter. (b) A snowmobile shall not be operated………….(23) During the open season when the Statewide Snowmobile Trail System has not been officially opened by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, Inc., due to lack of snow or for temporary closures caused by lack of snow or dangerous trail conditions.

Simply put, just because there is snow on the ground does not mean that landowners are agreeable to the clubs opening trails or that clubs must open trails. Relationships with landowners are fragile and sometimes complicated and decisions must be made with the landowner's best interests in mind if we are to continue using the land for snowmobiling. Scroll down below the map for seasonal alerts and closures.

Check with local clubs on social media for detailed conditions and reports.

Vermont state law states you must operate your snowmobile at a speed that is reasonable and prudent, taking into consideration current conditions, trail traffic and other hazards present on the trail.

No ice is safe ice!

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEW TRAILS MAP!