Riding is at its best this winter, thanks to plenty of powder on Michigan's thousands of miles of state-designated snowmobile and off-road vehicle riding trails.
If you're hitting the trails with friends for the long Presidents Day weekend (Feb. 14-16), make safety part of the plan and remember the importance of riding smart as a group. To Ride Right, together, keep these tips in mind:
- Keep a safe distance between you and the rider ahead.
- Always keep the group's most inexperienced rider in mind.
- Only transport a passenger if the machine is manufactured to carry a passenger.
- Use designated stop areas if you need to stop on the trail and remove your helmet. Never stop side-by-side, in the middle, at the crest of a hill, on a corner or in an intersection.
- Share the trail. Some designated snowmobile trails are also open to ORVs and other, nonmotorized users.
- Nonmotorized trail users and groomers have the right-of-way. If you see nonmotorized trail users or groomers coming from the opposite direction, pull over and yield.
Get ideas for where to ride, learn about trail conditions and brush up on more safety tips at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling.