Snowmobile Safety

Forget that myth that alcohol warms up a chilled person. It opens the blood vessels and removes the feeling of chill, but it does nothing to increase body heat. Instead, it can increase the risk of hypothermia, a dangerous lowering of the body's core temperature. With alcohol, you may only feel warmer, while your body chills dangerously.

Alcohol increases fatigue, fogs your ability to make good decisions, and slows your reaction time. It's part of a formula for disaster. And don't forget—MOST STATES HAVE LAWS PROHIBITING THE OPERATION OF A SNOWMOBILE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.

We have almost 100 Land Use Agreements with individuals and government agencies that allow us to access their property.

The clubs in Wisconsin have a unique partnership with thousands of landowners and without their generosity, our statewide trail system would not be possible. Unlike other outdoor recreationists, we don't rely on public lands to provide the facilities. Snowmobilers rely on snowmobile clubs and their volunteer members (Dennis Mirr) to talk to private property landowners to get permission to be on their property via the trail(s)!.

What many snowmobilers don't understand is that the clubs are given permission to put a trail across that property in an agreed upon route which allows for riding only on the marked corridor. That means anytime someone rides outside of the marked trail, they are trespassing and can be prosecuted.

Every year trails are lost because of off-trail riding and loud exhausts, and re-routing a trail is not as easy as it sounds.

Please be respectful and stay on the trails at all times!

• Always give the right-of-way. When you approach others, slow down and give the right away to all of them. Especially..
  • skiers
  • hikers
  • snowshoers
  • horses
  • walkers
  • dog sledders
• Always give uphill riders the right-of-way. This is why you've been instructed to slow down before approaching the crests of hills. It takes more momentum to go up than down, so allowing the uphill riders to make their ascent means the hill will clear more quickly. Riders going uphill may have a difficult time continuing to move forward if they have to stop and yield the right of way to avoid a collision. NOT DOING SO MAY RESULT IN BECOMING A SNOWMOBILE STATISTIC. RIDE RIGHT!
• Remain in single file lines to avoid pile ups. Manage your distance between sleds so you can see in front of you when the snow is flying. And to ensure you're able to stop without hitting the sled in front of you. You never know when a trail will narrow, have a steep drop off or debris on it.
• Let faster riders pass
• Have a "lead dog" (first rider) and a "tail dog" (last rider) and create an agreed upon signal for the lead dog that tells them to stop or slow down
• Don't hog the hill or the road. It's always fun to stop on the trail to take pictures, talk with friends, stretch your legs or to get directions. Just remember, you're not alone on the trail or road. Also, if you need to stop at an intersection, be sure to be as far as possible from the stopping point of the intersection and pull far enough to the side so others can safely pass.

• Make sure your lights work properly, are clean, and are free of snow.
• Don't travel in unfamiliar areas.
• Stay on established trails. ...
• Always carry a flare or flashlight for emergency signaling.
• Always ride in a group of two or more—never alone.

Excessive speed is a leading cause of snowmobile crashes. While a burst of speed on a snowmobile can be exhilarating, make good choices to ensure you're in an appropriate location and in full control of your snowmobile at all times. Avoid putting yourself in danger by keeping your speed reasonable at all times for the conditions and locations you're riding in. Your speed should be slow enough to be able to safely respond to changing trail or terrain conditions, and should be reduced when visibility is poor or you are unfamiliar with the area. Never exceed posted speed limits on trails or roads, including those posted for roadways when you're operating in a road ditch.

When operating a snowmobile, make sure you are aware of your surroundings. Many snowmobile trails are located along or cross over roadways and railroads. Understand the hazard and where to avoid riding.

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