To legally ride a snowmobile in Minnesota, residents born after Dec. 31, 1976 need a valid snowmobile safety certificate. Options for both classroom and online classes can be found at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/vehicle/snowmobi…

Please also visit Mn DNR for more listing of local safety classes offered by your local communities!

In addition to recommending the safety certification classes, MnUSA offers the following advice for snowmobilers as they head back to the trails this season.

Ride Straight – no alcohol or drugs· even a small amount of alcohol can impair judgment and response time significantly · drugs can impair judgment and response time

Know the trail or terrain and ride for the conditions · many accidents involve hitting a fixed object, fence, tree, rock or other objects · hidden objects on lakes hit at high speeds can result in serious accidents · riding on frozen lakes is especially dangerous early or late in the season

Slow it down, especially at night · maximum speed allowed on public land, frozen waters, roadside ditches and groomed trails in Minnesota is 50 mph or what is reasonable and prudent for conditions or as posted · at night, speeds should be slower because of reduced visibility · at 50 mph, riders need a football field – or 300 feet – to come to a complete stop · don’t ride too closely – maintain space between snowmobiles to avoid collisions

Stay on marked snowmobile trails · marked trails offer signs that alert snowmobilers to trail changes, stops, curves, etc. · respect private property and stay on marked snowmobile trails – objects may be hidden under the snow off marked snowmobile trails

Sign up for a class – today · it’s the law – anyone born after December 31, 1976 must take a Snowmobile Safety Certification course · MnUSA and certified snowmobile club volunteers and the DNR offer Youth and Young Adult/Adult classes. · for information about scheduled classes,contact MnUSA at (763) 577-0185 or online at info@mnsnowmobiler.org or the DNR at 1-888-MINNDNR or online at www.dnr.state.mn.us

This an opportunity for the Department of Natural Resources, volunteer safety instructors, the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MNUSA) and its 250 member snowmobile clubs to join together to recognize the importance of safe, responsible snowmobiling.

“It’s a fun and exciting activity, but snowmobilers should always remember to make safety a top priority,” said Conservation Officer Bruce Lawrence, DNR recreational vehicle coordinator. “They should also always use common sense and keep a clear head when riding.”

Here are some other key safety points:

• Snowmobiling and alcohol don’t mix – don’t drink and ride.
• Smart riders are safe riders – take a snowmobile safety training course.
• Always wear a helmet and adequate clothing.
• When night riding slow down – expect the unexpected.
• Know before the ride – always check local trail and ice conditions.
• Cross with care.
• Know risks and be prepared – make every trip a round trip.
• One is the loneliest number – never ride alone.
• Ride safe, stay on the trail – respect private property.

To legally ride a snowmobile in Minnesota, residents born after Dec. 31, 1976 need a valid snowmobile safety certificate. Options for both classroom and online classes can be found at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/vehicle/snowmobi…

People can find Minnesota snowmobiling events and activities on the MNUSA webpage: https://www.mnsnowmobiler.org/get-involved/mnusa/event….

Mountain riding is a fast growing activity for North American snowmobilers. With spectacular mountain terrains comes the added safety concern of avalanches. You can minimize your risk by taking an avalanche awareness course and carrying the proper equipment. If you don’t live in the mountains, but plan to ride there occasionally, you should prepare yourself before leaving.

1. Take an Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course.

2. Carry Avalanche Safety Equipment: Transceiver (beacon), shovel and probe – AND KNOW HOW TO USE THEM.

3. Check the Avalanche bulletin (plan your trip according to current conditions)

4. Don’t group up in terrain that is threatened from above; allow a wide margin of safety around avalanche run out zones.

5. Speak up when you see others grouping together in avalanche threatened areas.

6. Don’t tolerate fellow riders not being prepared with rescue gear.

7. Practice with your own rescue gear at least once a month. Good search and rescue technique saves lives. Focus on quick transceiver search, effective probing and efficient shoveling.

8. Match terrain selection to what the avalanche danger will allow. Read the bulletin and plan your day to avoid the avalanche problems that are highlighted.

9. Understanding the type of avalanche problem is as important as knowing the danger rating.

* Example: managing Considerable Danger due to a deep slab requires

different technique than managing Considerable Danger due to wind slab.

10. Strategic shoveling saves valuable minutes

* Learn the best shoveling techniques. And carry a strong shovel that

you have tested on HARD packed snow.

11. Post the Avalanche Bulletins on your Facebook page or garage door. Make sure your Dealer and friends get the Bulletins.

12. Know the terrain rating with the current danger rating. This provides you with good decision making guidance.

13. For current class offerings, other tips and snow conditions bulletins, review these two web sites:

United States: www.avalanche.org

Canada: www.avalanche.ca

Canadian Pacific Railway receives complaints every winter of snowmobilers riding on the right of way, the railroad property on both sides of the track. Railroad police who handle these complaints want to warn snowmobilers who do this that they are putting themselves at risk of injury or even death.

A few years ago, a snowmobiler got his sled stuck on CPR tracks in Farmington while a train was approaching. The rider managed to free his sled with only seconds to spare. Imagine how helpless the train crew felt as they witnessed this near-tragedy, knowing that the law of physics wouldn’t allow them to stop a train traveling 45 mph in time.

Elsewhere, snowmobile riders have been struck and killed crossing tracks because they couldn’t hear the train whistle over the roar of their sled’s engine. Or didn’t see the train just around a bend or didn’t look the other way down a parallel second track once a train passed by on the first track.

In Rosemount, CPR maintenance-of-way employees complain about their safety when snowmobile riders speed past them on railroad property. Snowmobilers along railroad tracks also risk striking objects buried under snow, such as long portions of rail and other track equipment or even material dumped by the public. “I also see areas along our tracks where the snowmobile riders have to lift their sleds over the tracks because they box themselves in between tracks,” CPR Investigator Bob Reardon said. “I could go on and on about how some, not all, snowmobile riders are trespassing on railway property and are putting themselves at risk.”

Railroads generally own the land that extends about 50 feet on each side straight out from the center of the track. In some places, the right of way is wider or narrower than 100 feet, but it’s generally 100 feet. The right of way is unsafe for snowmobiling or any other kind of traffic. What’s more, as private property, it’s illegal to trespass on it. “But the railroad’s biggest concern, as yours, is that no one gets injured or killed while snowmobiling,” Reardon said.

Here are some statistics:

When a train crushes a snowmobile, it is equivalent to the force with which a car crushes a pop can.

A typical train weighs the same as 4,000 automobiles combined.

In 2001 in the United States, 423 people – including five in Minnesota — were killed while trespassing on railroad right of way and property. An additional 345 trespassers were injured, including five in Minnesota.

Trains can take up to a mile and a half to stop. By the time a train crew sees a snowmobiler stuck on the track ahead, it may already be too late to stop.