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Updated February 6th 2010 at 8:00 am


Not much has changed this week. We are in a heavy snow drought. For that reason we have parked the groomer again this week. Its location is in a low spot surrounded by trails that are primarily ledge. The potential for damage to the Trail Bully and the damage to the trails is too great for us to risk it. We will roll when we get measurable snow.


Once again we have a major snow storm in the south and mid Atlantic states. They hate it and we want it so what is the sense of wasting a perfectly good snow storm down there? Our trails are in poor shape. The dustings we received this week were either melted by sun or blown away by wind. Bare spots are everywhere there is exposure to both those elements. I am hearing reports of good riding in the Essex County area but trails to services are sketchy. Use the link on this web site to access the VAST trails reports in that area.

I am STILL not closing the Caledonia County Snowmobile Trail Club trail system but I am urging everyone to hold off on using any trails through the greater St. Johnsbury area. This is for your benefit as well as any landowners that may be sensitive to travel on bare ground. Machines need snow to cool and lubricate. Carbide runners will wear out quickly on trails with exposed dirt and stones.

I will ride to Waterfords Ham Dinner......in my car, unfortunately. Here we are at week 8 of our grooming contract- the mid point of the season and I have to go to snowmobile ride ins by car!! If we do not get snow soon, the next report may not make sense as I will be heavily medicated (legally!) to cure my depression. I suspect we will have one of those years that gets snow late in the winter into spring. Lets hope!


If we ever get the snow we deserve, I want everyone to keep safe and always remember to Ride Right and Ride Safe. Mike
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Trail Club Purchases New Trail Bully by Kässbohrer

Ten years ago, the Caledonia County Snowmobile Trail Club was part of the initial VAST groomer lease program. At that time, the Trail Club received two Pisten Bullies to groom the 100 miles of trail that the Trail Club was responsible for maintaining. Five years ago, the Trail Club had to purchase the Pisten Bully that we had been using as part of the first five years of the groomer purchase program. The Trail Club directors decided not to continue grooming the northern portion of Caledonia County and sold the second Pisten Bully. The Trail Club continues to groom the eastern portion of Caledonia County and into the western side of Essex County.


The Pisten Bully PB100 worked very well over the years, but it was 10 years old. This year, the directors of the Caledonia County Snowmobile Trail Club decided it was time to stop putting more money into repairing and maintaining the Pisten Bully. The directors felt it would be a wise move to sell the PB100 while the resale value was still high enough to get a good price.


The Trail Club directors chose to continue using Kassborher’s grooming equipment because there had been so few problems with the PB100 that had been used for the past five years.


The groomer that the directors and operators felt would do the best job on the trails that the Trail Club maintains was the Trail Bully. The Trail Bully is a little heavier and has a larger machine with the same size engine as the PB 100 but is more economical on fuel consumption.


The Trail Club groomer operators test-drove a Kassbohrer Trail Bully last winter to see if it would perform like they expected. The three operators were very pleased with the handling and traction of the Trail Bully.


After considerable discussion, the Trail Club directors voted to purchase a new 2009 Kassbohrer Trail Bully. The Trail Club will have to provide a $7200 down payment for the new Trail Bully as well as take out a mortgage for $75,000 at a 6.5% interest rate for five years to pay for the new Trail Bully. The monthly payment will be $1467.50. The VAST grant-in-aid portion of the payment will be $45,000, for a total cost of $151,500.


The new Trail Bully was delivered to the Trail Club’s groomer garage in St. Johnsbury, Vermont on November 13, 2008.


The goose-neck hitch used on the PB100 was modified to fit the new Trail Bully and Mogul Master drag that the Trail Club has been using for several years. After a few slight modifications to the door and the floor of the Pisten Bully garage, the new Trail Bully fit snuggly into its new home.


The Caledonia County Snowmobile Trail Club directors are looking forward to as many years of quality grooming with the new Trail Bully as we enjoyed using the PB100. We appreciate everyone’s continued support and donations to the upkeep and maintenance of these expensive pieces of equipment that make our sport so enjoyable.
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