Snowmobiling in the

Northeast Kingdom

TRAIL SYSTEM

The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) system does not officially open until Dec. 16 each year and until the trails are groomed. Specific trail information can be found by clicking here.

The Northeast Kingdom, with its hundreds of miles of trails, offers some of the best snowmobiling in the Northeast. The VAST system is extensive in the Kingdom, wending through Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties. Our many mountains and vistas, well-groomed trails and abundant snowfall attract snow travelers from all over the nation and Canada. We welcome snowmobilers to the region, wholeheartedly, and encourage you to travel the trails of the Northeast Kingdom.

SNOWMOBILE REQUIREMENTS

It is a requirement that all snowmobiles operating on the VAST trail systems be registered in Vermont or any other state or province. Eighty-five percent of all registration fees, fines and penalties are also returned to VAST to operate the Statewide Snowmobile Trails Program (SSTP).

In addition, all operators of snowmobiles have to belong to both a local snowmobile club and VAST, which give snowmobilers permission to operate on private land. These fees for membership go toward operating the SSTP. More than 85 percent of the more than 5,000 miles of VAST trails are on private land.

In addition to liability insurance, Vermont requires the following if you operate a snowmobile on a VAST trail:

• A valid snowmobile registration decal from any state or province.
• A valid Vermont Trails Maintenance Assessment (TMA) decal.

This registration decal allows you to operate your snowmobile within the state of Vermont. The TMA is a trails pass that allows you or anyone else to operate your snowmobile on the VAST statewide snowmobile trails system.

The TMAs are sold in the following versions:

• Vermont registered.
• Non-Vermont registered.
• Commercial (tour and rental operators).
• Three-Day TMAs (for visitors).
• Family, for those who own more than one sled.

ICE CROSSINGS - VAST reminds riders that no ice is safe ice.

RESPECT ALL LAWS

Speed limits should be respected when on state and federal lands. Laws are made in the best interest of everyone: snowmobilers, landowners and the general public. That means register your snowmobile, wear a helmet and drive only in designated areas. Contact VAST for up-to-date registration prices.

SNOWMOBILE TOURS & RENTALS

NEK Adventures, one of our longtime Northeast Kingdom Chamber members, offers two-hour snowmobile tours that include the snowmobile, helmet and a guide.

NEK Adventures also features an 8-hour, self-guided snowmobile rental that covers everything from the snowmobile and trail map to the necessary snowmobile trail passes (there are minimum age requirements to rent). For more information, please click the NEK Adventures' link.