b'VAST NewsA message from VAST President Patty Companik FIND THE HELMETRick Bridgeman found the helmet on page 8 of the last issue. He says, I am new to the Vermont sledding community and this is my first year receiving the VAST magazine. It is very informative with lots of great information! I was reading and I believe that I stumbled across the helmet, looks like Its on page 8 top right, middle left of the map? Thanks for all of the helpful articles and club news!Wow, what a season! Great ridingupcoming riding destinations, theyIf you can find the helmet in this issue, was had this year throughout theare out there grooming the trails tosend an email to editor@vtvast.org and entire state of Vermont! I hopeensure the best riding experienceyou could win a VAST t-shirt!you were able to get out and ride,possible.check out club events, and enjoyPOLARIS GRANTthe special beauty of Vermont that- Business owners who support can only be seen while riding aclubs in so many different ways. AWARDEDsnowmobile.- VAST staff, who care for the dailyBy Tom ClarkClubs were able to host successfuloperations of our sport, supportIn the fall of 2024, the Mad River Ridge events this year. For many, theseour volunteers, and ensure ourRunners were awarded a $10,000 grant events are an important fundraisingsport is front and center with thosefrom the Polaris Powersports Trails opportunity. For others, they arein leadership roles in the state ofGrant Program. The grant was applied a great way to give back to theVermont. toward the repair of two bridges and community. Either way, its alwaysThough the riding season is nowtrail grading on Corridor 17, a vital wonderful getting together withover, the hard work continueseast/west artery of our trail system. other riders. through the summer and fall.The trail and bridge abutments were There are so many people to thankThis is a very busy time of yearseverely compromised due to flooding when I reflect on the season: for trail work, and I encouragefrom excessive rain events in the folks to reach out to the club theyprevious two successive Julys (2023 - Members who choose to ride injoined this year and ask how theyand 2024), a problem felt statewide. Vermont. can help. If each person couldThe Mad River Ridge Runners - Landowners for making our trailsvolunteer one day, it would be aSnowmobile Club would like to possible by generously sharinghuge relief for many clubs. express their heartfelt thanks to Polaris their private property for our trailWrapping up my first season asfor their generosity in supporting system. your president, I would like to sayboth our club and the sport of - Volunteers who are so dedicatedthank you! It has been an honorsnowmobiling. Without grants such and give so much in a variety ofand a privilege to serve you in thisas this, our sport would continue to ways, making things happen. capacitya humbling experience,function but with severely limited for sure. The one special thing Iveresources for trail repairs, which are - Volunteers who take on leadershiptruly enjoyed the most has beenan ongoing and potentially escalating rolesmany graciously stepthe opportunity to meet and shakeexpense, given the unusual weather up at their club, county, and/orhands with many of you and seepatterns in recent years. Polaris VAST level, taking on additionalfirsthand the amazing work soprovided us with a generous grant responsibilities. many of you are doing to promoteand showed their appreciation for - Grooming operators (the majoritythe sport. #VolunteerStrong our efforts in maintaining recreational are volunteers): Ive said it before Patty Companiktrails, stating, Without your efforts, while we sleep and dream about ourVAST President there would be little riding available for others.4 | Snowmobile VERMONT'