b'TRAILS REPORTBy Matt Tetreault, VAST Trails AdministratorIn the last edition of *SnowmobileI drone on and on about it until youmeetings, this truly is what these Vermont Magazine*, I discussedrealize 30 minutes of your life weremeetings and rides are all about. A the benchmark that defines a goodjust wasted, and youre not gettinglot gets accomplished outside of the season. I made a few jabs at whatit back ever. Rideable meansmeeting roomsat breakfast, on the the definition of good was, howthat Im willing to take my sled ontrail, or in the hallway, lobby, or hotel it is changing over time, and howit and feel okay with the decision.elevator. Networking is key, and Im its something thats in the eye ofPrior to that day, the trails were open,very thankful for it. We all have great the beholder. As the March sunshinebut I had no interest in riding just torespect for one another and appreciate melts the snow away, I can now admitreplace parts on snowmobiles. Itsthe relationships and knowledge we that this season was better than lastcostly enough without replacing partscan share. Many of us have known and, okay, probably a good season.damaged by little to no base and/oreach other for years and have watched It was one of the better snow yearssnow cover. Its a snowmobile, not aeach others children grow up to weve had in some time. It has beenrock crawler. Im what many wouldbe adults. For those who havent a few years since the entire state wasconsider a fair-weather rider. Insertexperienced this sort of camaraderie open for a solid 3 or 4 weeks. Higheryour comments here, please! yet, I sure hope you get to, and that elevation areas have provided ridingWhen I arrived in Malone, I could tellyou value it and understand it for to the membership for 8 to 12 weeks.that they had the snow earlier thanwhat it is.The amount of grooming taking placeus. With massive snowbanks takingWith the meetings held in the and the TMA sales also support thatup a third of the hotel parking lot, Ievenings, I was able to ride the New this was a good winterpossiblynot only struggled to find a place toYork trail system for two days, taking the benchmark were looking for topark the trailer but knew we were inin many scenic miles of trails and compare future winters? Maybe! for a good ride. The meetings weretaking notes of their trail signing, Even though Im willing to admit itvery productive, and it was a greatgrooming, bridge construction, and was a good winter, it still wasntturnout, with most states and evenother trail-related items. Its always a like the winters I remember as asome of Canada being represented.lot to digest when riding in another kid or even as a teen. Of course,Probably because we were so close toarea and looking at it from a trail maybe my memory is just fuzzy. Wethe border, I guess! Among multiplemanagement perspective. Ive never normally had a solid 10 weeks evenitems discussed, the mapping andridden in New York, so this was a first in Central Vermont, but maybe it onlyapp programs the northeast states arefor me. The Malone area was very seemed like a long time because I wasusing were reviewed at great length.welcoming, and the trails led right to younger. Remember when FebruaryDiscussions after the official meetingthe hotels front door, with gas and break lasted the entire month ofand at breakfast the next morningother amenities right there. In fact, February? It sure seemed like it. Theresulted in the idea that the northeastyou can run through the McDonalds winter was good while it was herestates using the same company fordrive-thru on your snowmobile if in Central Vermont, where I do mosttheir mapping and apps should allyoud like, as the trail passes directly of my riding, but it was shorter thanwork together collectively, as theresthrough the backside of their parking normal. The first part of Februarypower in numbers. If we can all agreelot. I thought about making a TikTok through the second weekend in Marchto have our maps look the same andbut wasnt sure how Id drink a was about it, so 6 good weeks with ahave the same legend, it would makeMcFlurry through my helmet, and I couple of mediocre weeks in there, Iriding in any of the northeast statesdont have TikToknot because I guess. Still better than the past few, soseamless. No relearning trail codes/ deleted it, but because I never had it! whats there to complain about? colors and what various symbols inSo, I chuckled at the idea and had a I was able to get out and rideeach states legend mean. Whethernice warm meal at a restaurant near approximately six times. I started mythis can actually happen is anotherthe hotel instead, and didnt post riding season in New York as part ofstory, but it seemed like a clever ideathis anywhere that I know of. Id the Northeast Chapter Ride, whichafter multiple cups of coffee andencourage anyone who enjoys riding took place there the first week inbacon in the hotel lobby, so we wentto head for Malone, New York, for a February. The day I left for Malone,with it. Im unsure what was in thesnowmobile trip. There are wonderful New York, with the snowmobiles incoffee, but we walked away withday trips from Malone to Saranac tow, I had to clean around 6 inchesthe idea wed meet with MapgearsLake, Lake Placid, through the wind of snow out of my driveway and offcollaboratively. I can report that therefarm, and multiple other locations. the trailer. I knew that this new snowhave been emails floating around justThe scenery is great, and the trails would be enough to make the trailsthis week that corroborate my story.are fantastic. NYSSA and the NYSA near my home rideable. Dont getLooks like well be having our firstParks & Recreation do a fantastic job. me started on the nuances betweenof many meetings as the northeastAlthough I only rode for two days, rideable and good. That couldstates group soon! As I poke fun atrides were taking off from the hotel be an entirely different article wherethe idea of these meetings after thefor a total of five days. Everyone I 10 | Snowmobile VERMONT'