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Trail Chat with VAST President Patty
Volunteers: Getting Ready for Riding Season
Well, October has arrived!
If you look around Vermont right now, the leaves are changing, and it is truly a beautiful time of year.
Behind the scenes, our 100-plus VAST clubs are busy getting ready for the upcoming riding season. Volunteers are out working on bridges and culverts, debrushing, rerouting sections, installing signs, and working with landowners to make sure the necessary permissions are in place for the season ahead.
There is a tremendous amount of time, energy, and coordination that goes into getting our trail system ready before the first snowflake falls.
And that brings me to this month's message: volunteers.
Our Clubs Need You!
Many clubs are already posting workdays and other volunteer opportunities on their Facebook pages & the VAST website Events section.
If you'd like to help but aren't sure who to contact, please reach out to me or to the VAST office. We would be happy to connect you with someone in a club in the area where you ride.
You don't have to be an expert trail builder or own a piece of equipment to make a difference. Every club has different needs, and there are many ways to help.
Maybe you can spend a Saturday helping with a workday. Maybe you can help with fundraising, events, trail maintenance, signing, or administrative work. And if you aren't able to attend an event in person, reach out to your local club and ask if there is something you can do remotely to support them. I'm sure they will have ideas! Every volunteer hour makes a difference.
Early Bird TMA Sales Are Underway!
Our TMA sales opened October 1 at 8:00 a.m., and members are already purchasing their trail passes for the upcoming season. That's always an exciting milestone because it means we're getting closer and closer to riding season!
Remember, our Early Bird TMA period gives you the opportunity to purchase your TMA at a discounted price for a limited time, so take advantage of it while you can.
We never know exactly what Mother Nature — or Father Winter — has in store for us.
But one thing we do know is that the work and expenses don't wait for the snow.
Long before the first sled hits the trail, our clubs are investing time, money, equipment, and countless volunteer hours into preparing the trail system. Whether we get a banner snow year or a challenging one, that work still has to happen.
That's why purchasing your TMA is so important. Your local club depends on that support to help maintain the trails we all enjoy.
A Few TMA Reminders
Before accessing the online TMA ordering system, please have the following ready:
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Your state DMV/ORV snowmobile registration information to enter during the ordering process. This applies to registrations from any state.
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A digital image of your snowmobile registration ready to upload.
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Snowmobile Safety Course: If you were born after July 1, 1983, you will need to complete a snowmobile safety course in order to ride in Vermont.
How Can You Help?
So, as we head into October, there are a few things you can do to help:
Volunteer. Find a club workday or event and lend a hand.
Support your local club. Attend a fundraiser, participate in an event, or find another way to contribute.
Work with your club. If you have a particular skill, resource, or idea that could help, let them know.
Purchase your Early Bird TMA. Your TMA purchase directly supports the work being done by our clubs and helps us prepare for the season ahead.
Most importantly, thank you.
Thank you to the volunteers who are already out there working. Thank you to the landowners who allow our trail system to cross their property. Thank you to the clubs and counties coordinating all of this work. And thank you to everyone who supports riding in Vermont by purchasing a TMA and participating in the activities that keep our organization moving forward.
There is a lot happening behind the scenes right now, and it takes all of us to make it happen.
Thank you for choosing to ride in Vermont!
Patty Companik
VAST President
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