In the 2020-21 season, five snowmobilers died in Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

According to the DNR’s fatality report, speed and alcohol were involved in three of those crashes, inexperience was a factor in a fourth, and the final crash involved falling through unsafe ice when snowmobiling on a lake.

Snowmobiling is a fun and major part of life Up North, but it has to be done safely. The DNR offers the following tips:

∫ Ride on the right side of the trail.

∫ Ride at a safe speed.

∫ Ride sober.

∫ Anticipate and yield to groomers.

∫ Don’t use modified exhausts.

∫ When approaching an intersection, come to a complete stop, raise off the seat and look both ways for traffic.

∫ Ride safe, so you make it home to your family and friends.

We would add to always make sure someone knows where you’re going and what time you expect to be back so they can send someone searching for you if you’re injured out on the trail.

Stay safe out there, riders.