There are at least 50,000 Illinoisans praying for snow–registered snowmobile owners yearning to hop on the trails.
“Snowmobiling is a chance to get close to wildlife,” said Steve Hefel, president of the Illinois Association of Snowmobile Clubs. “My daughter and I recently were just a few feet away from white-tail deer.”
That’s just one of the changes to the sport as it works to shed a bad-boy image.
“I feel the image is improving because of increased safety awareness,” said Hefel. “There are still some wild `cowboys’ and unfortunately these few give a bad name to snowmobiling. But we now have nation wide programs on safety that emphasize that drunk driving is drunk driving no matter what kind of vehicle you drive. And the message is sinking in.”
“Ten years ago, 99 percent of the snowmobilers were men; now that number is 60 percent and it’s a family activity,” added Ed Klim, president of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association in Haslett, Mich.
Besides, “more safety is being built into the vehicles,” Klim said. “The strength of the gas tanks and braking standards have been improved and are reviewed every few years by the SAE [Society of Automotive Engineers] in Philadelphia.”
Improved suspension systems that provide better control also have enhanced the safety of these vehicles.
And the Environmental Protection Agency has begun programs to reduce pollution from snowmobiles. Already, it’s down 50 percent, with the new standards being phased in through 2012.
Snowmobile clubs throughout Illinois are responsible for grooming, marking and mapping trails, many on private property that’s open to the public. There are 80 clubs in Illinois and 2,500 miles of trails.
There are also some public forest preserves with trails.
Anyone older than 12 can legally drive a snowmobile, said Jeff Hopkins, safety education administrator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, who recommends a free one-day, eight-hour safety class taught by volunteers throughout the state. Visit www.ilsnowmobile.com or call the DNR at 217-782-6431 for information about the classes.
Adults need only a driver’s license to snowmobile. Kids age 12 to 6 must have a certificate to prove they have attended the eight-hour safety class. Helmets are not required, said Hefel, who added that he, his family and virtually all snowmobilers he knows wear helmets. “If for no other reason they all wear helmets to protect them from the cold,” he said.
And responsible snowmobilers are making inroads against those who operate the vehicle impaired. “When driving a vehicle that can go 90 miles an hour–drinking is the biggest no-no,” said Hopkins who cautioned that one can be heavily fined, starting at $75.
According to the DNR, trespassing on private land not authorized for snowmobiling and can result in a minimum $75 fine and arrests. Besides, such trails are not groomed by the clubs. They also are unmarked and can be dangerous because there are no warnings about hazards.
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Don’t drink and ride
These are safety tips recommended by the Illinois Safety Education Department:
– Don’t drink and operate a snowmobile.
– Be sure your snowmobile is in top mechanical condition.
– Snowmobile with at least one or more friends
– Study maps and know the trails.
– Learn about bridges, ponds or obstructions (some maps designate such obstacles).
– Do not attempt to jump obstructions. (If you see what looks like a mound of snow, you may have encountered a tree stump, rock or other immovable object.)
– Stay off ponds and ice.
– Keep your vehicle at no more than 40 miles per hour. “You can snowmobile at 10 or 60 m.p.h., depending on your level of experience and the conditions,” said Steve Hefel, president of the Illinois Association of Snowmobile Clubs. Because there are no posted speed limits in Illinois, “one has to use common sense,” he said. “If you are on hilly or curvy terrain–you slow down. If you are on dense, hard-packed snow–you can go real fast.”
– Stay in your lane. Trails are only 6 feet wide.
– When you operate at night, don’t travel faster than the reach of your headlights.
– Know about impending weather fronts.
– Dress appropriately for the weather.
– Wear a protective helmet over a balaclava (tight nylon liner that fits over the head and neck) and goggles.
– Carry a maintenance kit.
– Carry a cell phone, two-way radio or walkie-talkie (should you get separated from your friends).
– Carry extra warm clothes and a first-aid kit.
— Mel Novit
