We have been touring in Ontario for many years and thought this might be a good year to see Vermont (or New Hamshore /Maine). I have not ridden in any of these areas. I am looking for some helpful information on determining where we should go. Normally we ride in a group of 4-8 people. We travel around 160-240 miles a day, although we did ride 327 miles in one day from Hearst to Chapleau. I am not familiar with the trail permit fees or if there are any plans that include more than one state. What trails and accomodations do you feel should not be missed on such an adventure? What time of the winter are the trails normally at their best?
Your knowledge and assistance are very much appreciated.
Full Version: Vermont trip
I could be up all night explaining this to you, but ill try and keep it short..
- www.vtvast.org VERY handy site. Prices of trail passes are on there. Sled must be registered to a state and liabiliy insurance is required... something to look into would be the new 5 day trail pass being offered...
- In the middle of the winter, all of Vermont is good to ride... but the hot spots are the North East corner also known as the North East Kingdom... and the South West Corner (Woodford, etc.) NOTE: I hear the best riding can be found in the Derby area...
So, in all reality, the best thing to do would be to spend a couple days on one side of the state, and then ride to the other! Vermont has all kinds of trails to offer and you are sure to see many interesting things along the way.
Well, feel free to ask more questions..
GaderX
- www.vtvast.org VERY handy site. Prices of trail passes are on there. Sled must be registered to a state and liabiliy insurance is required... something to look into would be the new 5 day trail pass being offered...
- In the middle of the winter, all of Vermont is good to ride... but the hot spots are the North East corner also known as the North East Kingdom... and the South West Corner (Woodford, etc.) NOTE: I hear the best riding can be found in the Derby area...
So, in all reality, the best thing to do would be to spend a couple days on one side of the state, and then ride to the other! Vermont has all kinds of trails to offer and you are sure to see many interesting things along the way.Well, feel free to ask more questions..
GaderX
Thank-You for your information.
I went on the Vast website and could only find information for the 2006/2007 season so I could not see what the 5 day pass is. I find it interesting that they would have a 5 day pass. Why not a week? Anyway i would love to hear more about your trails and great places to stay / eat ect.........
I went on the Vast website and could only find information for the 2006/2007 season so I could not see what the 5 day pass is. I find it interesting that they would have a 5 day pass. Why not a week? Anyway i would love to hear more about your trails and great places to stay / eat ect.........
Come on Guys... I said my piece... tell em why Vermonts trails are so ..... VAST! 
Good advice from Gaderx. Here are the TMA details http://vtvast.org/TMA/index.htm. For some reason, a 5-day pass is the same price as a pre-season purchase of a full year pass.
I guess the exchange rate is doing some crazy things...who thought people from Ontario [or Quebec] would go out of there way to ride here. Riding here is very different than Canada, there are several trails and a lot of congestion. The clubs do an excellent job of keeping up with the trails and the markings are getting better, but it's difficult to get 200 miles in a day with no experience, say nothing about loops. The weather is also a big factor. Last year was horrible and difficult to get in a days ride with good snow, except for maybe a couple weeks.
I don't mean to sound negative, but I've been trying to plan a quebec to ontario ~7-day ride for the last two years, and for some reason or another, the conditions were too poor for our time frame. Your best bet may be to stay somewhere in the middle of the state and do day trips to the north, south, east, west.
I guess the exchange rate is doing some crazy things...who thought people from Ontario [or Quebec] would go out of there way to ride here. Riding here is very different than Canada, there are several trails and a lot of congestion. The clubs do an excellent job of keeping up with the trails and the markings are getting better, but it's difficult to get 200 miles in a day with no experience, say nothing about loops. The weather is also a big factor. Last year was horrible and difficult to get in a days ride with good snow, except for maybe a couple weeks.
I don't mean to sound negative, but I've been trying to plan a quebec to ontario ~7-day ride for the last two years, and for some reason or another, the conditions were too poor for our time frame. Your best bet may be to stay somewhere in the middle of the state and do day trips to the north, south, east, west.
As GaderX suggested...I would stay in the Northeast portion of Vermont....Derby, Canaan, Newport areas. You can get some nice riding in this area, plenty of places to stay and eat that cater to snowmobilers. You can do some nice loops south of here and east towards Jay Peak..hit the rail trails, pipeline,etc. Another advantage of being in this area is if you have a Quebec pass...you can jump across the border for some nice wide open riding and do some awesome day loops into the Eastern townships and Chaudiere Applaches region....assuming it is a "normal" snow year.
we may be doing this more this year...the exchange rate is just not as favorable this year....escpecially when you are talking gas. $5 a gallon is a little steep now without the slight exchange rate difference. Fill up in VT then cross the border
Buy food up there(poutine...yummmy!), maybe stay a night.
we may be doing this more this year...the exchange rate is just not as favorable this year....escpecially when you are talking gas. $5 a gallon is a little steep now without the slight exchange rate difference. Fill up in VT then cross the border
Buy food up there(poutine...yummmy!), maybe stay a night.
QUOTE(JamiLynn @ Sep 30 2007, 08:39 PM) 
We have been touring in Ontario for many years and thought this might be a good year to see Vermont (or New Hamshore /Maine).
All 3 states are excellant riding, especially northern sections of the states. They all have there own personality and are differant in there own way. Everyone of them do get very busy on weekends.
I have not ridden in any of these areas. I am looking for some helpful information on determining where we should go. Normally we ride in a group of 4-8 people. We travel around 160-240 miles a day, although we did ride 327 miles in one day from Hearst to Chapleau.
This is from my own personal experance and this is only my opinion.
Vermont has the best mapped and marked intersections. One map is pretty much all you need. Sometimes it gets a little confusing because you end up at the same intersection you started out at, another words there's a lot of loops. There's plenty of 8'+ trails, a couple of suspended bridges and some rail trails. 150-250 miles a day is no problem.
New Hampshire has a state map, but it doesn't show half the secondary trails. Those are put out by the local club. They have awesome views and some really nice secondary trails. 100-150 miles is a good day.
Maine I only rode in once, but have a lot of friends who swear by it. There is a state map. Just like anywhere else close to town is beat but once you get out its wide open. Real long runs where you have to plan your fuel stops and maybe stay over night. I'm guessing 200-300+ miles a day
I am not familiar with the trail permit fees or if there are any plans that include more than one state. It kinda sucks but you'll need registrations for all 3 states. Maine being the least expensive, then NH and then VT being the most expensive.
What trails and accomodations do you feel should not be missed on such an adventure? Wow thats a tough question. I'd recommend getting your states trail map and (pick your poison) stay as far north as you can. Then plan day trips. Like I said all 3 states offer excellant riding.
What time of the winter are the trails normally at their best? Late February early March I found to be the best riding kinda chilly but real nice trails.
Your knowledge and assistance are very much appreciated.
Good luck, have fun and don't forget to support the local clubs
All 3 states are excellant riding, especially northern sections of the states. They all have there own personality and are differant in there own way. Everyone of them do get very busy on weekends.
I have not ridden in any of these areas. I am looking for some helpful information on determining where we should go. Normally we ride in a group of 4-8 people. We travel around 160-240 miles a day, although we did ride 327 miles in one day from Hearst to Chapleau.
This is from my own personal experance and this is only my opinion.
Vermont has the best mapped and marked intersections. One map is pretty much all you need. Sometimes it gets a little confusing because you end up at the same intersection you started out at, another words there's a lot of loops. There's plenty of 8'+ trails, a couple of suspended bridges and some rail trails. 150-250 miles a day is no problem.
New Hampshire has a state map, but it doesn't show half the secondary trails. Those are put out by the local club. They have awesome views and some really nice secondary trails. 100-150 miles is a good day.
Maine I only rode in once, but have a lot of friends who swear by it. There is a state map. Just like anywhere else close to town is beat but once you get out its wide open. Real long runs where you have to plan your fuel stops and maybe stay over night. I'm guessing 200-300+ miles a day
I am not familiar with the trail permit fees or if there are any plans that include more than one state. It kinda sucks but you'll need registrations for all 3 states. Maine being the least expensive, then NH and then VT being the most expensive.
What trails and accomodations do you feel should not be missed on such an adventure? Wow thats a tough question. I'd recommend getting your states trail map and (pick your poison) stay as far north as you can. Then plan day trips. Like I said all 3 states offer excellant riding.
What time of the winter are the trails normally at their best? Late February early March I found to be the best riding kinda chilly but real nice trails.
Your knowledge and assistance are very much appreciated.
Good luck, have fun and don't forget to support the local clubs
This is going to be a lot of fun putting this together. I can see that we will probably not back pack. Maybe house on the west side of Vermont for 3-4 days and then move to finish the othe rarea of Vermont. I am going to the Big Eat show in Syracuse this weekend and hoped to find some tourism from Vermont there so I could talk in person with them but looking at the vendors it looks like Canada is the only one that sends reps.
I hope that as I research this area and try to put together an awesome ride - I will continue to get help from you guys.
I hope that as I research this area and try to put together an awesome ride - I will continue to get help from you guys.
I do know VAST will have representation at the New England Snowmobile Expo in West Springfield, MA on the 13th & 14th of October. I know it's a long trip but just an idea.
VAST is also in the process of updating their Tourist brochure which should be ready shortly - I'll post again as more information is available.
Contacting local clubs - information on VAST webiste - is also another good source of information. The Business Directory of the VAST will also give you some idea of what's available for lodging and restaurants.
Keep us posted - I'm sure there may even be "guides" available on this site as your trip gets closer - think snow and welcome to Vermont!!!!
VAST is also in the process of updating their Tourist brochure which should be ready shortly - I'll post again as more information is available.
Contacting local clubs - information on VAST webiste - is also another good source of information. The Business Directory of the VAST will also give you some idea of what's available for lodging and restaurants.
Keep us posted - I'm sure there may even be "guides" available on this site as your trip gets closer - think snow and welcome to Vermont!!!!
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