William “Bill” Oakes, Vermont Snowmobiling Pioneer, Passes

Who was he? Bill Oakes is recognized as “a” if not “the” Father of organized statewide snowmobiling in Vermont and his vision has become one of the most acclaimed systems in the United States. You would never know of his pioneering role in The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (known as VAST) from having a conversation him, but his passion was always clear. He was never above you, but always with you and beside you as a fellow snowmobiler.  Together with the supportive partnership, mutual passion and assistance of his wife Mitzi and their children, he devoted countless hours to the vision of a North to South, East to West interconnected snowmobile trail system through a mutually supporting network of locally organized clubs.  His passion for and elevation of snowmobiling remained a bright light into his final months.

Bill, must have been drawn to cold air as it was a new ice rink being built at the University of Vermont that originally led to him to move his young family to Vermont and a dominate part of his life’s work was always in air conditioning and refrigeration. Bill’s first experience on a snowmobile was while on a service mission to the relay building of WCAX television on the top of Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield. From this first encounter, he was hooked. Bill would never again be without a snowmobile under his butt or on his mind. VAST was founded on Bill’s dining room table and he and Mitzi travelled throughout Vermont organizing local clubs and promoting the idea and benefits of a State organization.

I was a very young snowmobiler in the early days of the VAST organization; my personal involvement in my local club and beyond did not begin until 1981. I had the pleasure of working with Bill on a regional level from the mid 1980’s to mid 1990’s and have been proud to call him a respected friend ever since. During the time of my direct involvement with Bill, I was part of a new mod squad of snowmobiling, full of energy and impatient ideas for advancement.  In Bill’s then role with our regional Chittenden County Trails Association, I was aware that he was a past President of VAST and an early force within the organization. I had no idea of just what a primary founding role he played in the organizational structure of Vermont snowmobiling, which I was now a part of. Bill never made you feel like you should have known it. He never highlighted it, bragged about it or boasted of it and he never dismissed or overruled the ideas or positive efforts of others. Bill Oakes was an “includer” not an excluder of new people, energy and ideas.  At the time, he invited, welcomed and encouraged the efforts of then 20 year olds to join in making the sport even bigger and better. Bill Oakes did this in a gentle, supportive, participating, yet unassuming way and we often never noticed the assistance of his guiding hand.

Just think of it, a common man doing something uncommon and unheard of at the time.  A good man dedicated to the organization, growth and betterment of snowmobiling, who attended meetings in that regard in the 60,s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 00’s and’10’s.  We should all give a tip of our hats to the aging pioneers of our sport throughout the United States and Canada. We can learn from their ways and their dedication. They did not rely on others to advance the sport of snowmobiling; they took a personal responsibility and made a personal investment of their skills, time and effort. Modern day snowmobiling could benefit greatly from a return to these grass roots ideals.

Bill Oakes was fun loving with vision, determination, perseverance, and commitment.  Throughout his adult life Bill enjoyed all the best that snowmobiling offers….natural beauty, family, friends, camaraderie and a unique self reliance and responsibility for our own sport. 

A celebration of Bill’s life was appropriately held at the snowmobile “Sleighs to Sleds” exhibit currently being held at Vermont’s famous ShelburneMuseum and continuing through the 28^th of October. The event was attended by well over 100 friends from throughout Vermont. It was one of the nicest life celebration tributes that I have ever witnessed, highlighted by words and stories from several who had the good fortune to cross paths with an ultimate friend, neighbor and snowmobiler. 

Bill enjoyed and promoted the sport to his final years and months and is recognized by the ShelburneMuseum as a motivating force and contributor in the creation and presentation of the snowmobile exhibit, which also included items from Bill’s personal “infamous basement” collection.

Bill gave an enormous amount to our sport, but it is equally clear that the sport of snowmobiling gave an enormous amount back to Bill. The sport became the man and the man became the sport.  May crisp air, deep snow, smooth trails and the camaraderie of good times be with Bill Oakes always.

 William “Bill” Oakes                                                                                                                                                1/20/31 – 8/1/12

We are all guilty of making the assumption that those around us will always be there. I assumed that Bill and Mitzi would be seen at snowmobile meetings and events forever. During a meeting at the International Snowmobile Congress (ISC) this June, I asked if Bill and Mitzi would be attending, only to learn of Bill’s declining health. Let us all thank and recognize the pioneers of our sport while they are able to enjoy our recognition.

*snowmobile photos courtesy of ShelburneMuseum, Shelburne Vermont

To enjoy and re-live the sights and memories of the early days of our sport, we invite you to visit Motoneiges.ca and SledMagazine.com throughout the coming season for video clips from the Oakes family collection of personal home movies.