The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding snowmobile riders to put safety first this weekend.
Riders should operate at a safe speed, be sober, and remain on the right side of the trail.
At least 10 people have been killed as of Feb. 4, 2025, during the 2024-25 snowmobile riding season, according to the DNR.
“Unfortunately, many of the fatalities we see are related to factors that could have been avoided: speed, primarily, such as taking a corner too fast, not being able to stop in time and colliding into a tree, vehicle or another rider,” said Cpl. Mike Hearn, snowmobile and off-road vehicle specialist with the DNR Law Enforcement Division.
In Michigan, all snowmobile operators ages 12 through 16 are required to obtain a Michigan-approved snowmobile safety certificate to operate without a legal guardian or to cross a highway or street.
Find out how to get your snowmobile safety certificate or purchase a trail permit at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling.
Ride Right snowmobile safety tips from the DNR:
- Riding within the limits of your snowmobile and your own abilities.
- Not exceeding the abilities of your group’s least experienced rider.
- Always wearing a helmet.
- Keeping headlights on while riding.
- Keeping a safe distance from the rider in front of you.
- Operating with extreme caution in reduced visibility.
- Only transporting passengers if the snowmobile is manufactured to do so.
- Coming to a complete stop before crossing intersections.
If riding on or near the ice, check the ice before riding on it and watch for pressure cracks or other signs of water as you continue to ride. Just because the ice is strong in one area doesn’t mean it will have the same thickness or strength in other places.
Additional ice safety tips include:
- Keeping ice picks in an accessible spot, such as in a chest pocket.
- Not relying on what others tell you regarding ice conditions; check the ice for yourself.
- Using a spud, auger, stick or axe to check the ice before you go on it.