7836-R4_MSA_SnowmobileMaine

Photo by: Eileen & Larry Lefland - ITS 83 where Big Valley and Smoki-Haulers meet

Finally, in light of terrorism, illegal entry, human traffick- ing, and drug smuggling concerns, it’s a poor idea to ride the border slash between the US and Canada. Keep it simple, stick with the marked and groomed snow- mobile trails, where landowner permission has already been granted, signs posted and reasonable efforts made to keep the trail free of hazards. Younger operators Younger operators are not legally required to take a safety course before operating a snowmobile in Maine. The MSA strongly encourages that they do so. Be aware that anyone who allows a person under 18 to operate a snowmobile is jointly liable with the minor’s parent or guardian for any resultant damages. All snowmobilers under the age of 18 (operator or pas- senger) must wear a helmet. Children under the age of ten who are operating a sled must be accompanied by an adult (under visual-voice control), unless they are riding on their parents’ property with their parents’ permission. Children under the age of 14 may not cross a road maintained for travel while operating a snowmobile. An older operator must cross the sled for them. Operating a snowmobile requires some maturity, skill and strength. Many Maine kids have ridden graduated size snowmobiles since they could manipulate the controls of a mini sled. They become competent operators at a fairly young age, instructed in the rules and ethics of snowmo- biling by their parents and grandparents. Children who haven’t benefitted from such experience should not be al- lowed to operate a snowmobile without training and adult supervision.

Where’s the snow? The MSA maintains trail condition reports on line at www. mainesnowmobileassociation.com , updated weekdays during the snowmobiling season. Along with reports vol- untarily submitted by club trailmasters, groomers, riders and business members, the site has a number of links to other trail report pages maintained by clubs and businesses throughout Maine. The trail report page was originally cre- ated as a courtesy to riders, and continues in that spirit. It was quite a novelty at the time it first appeared on the scene many years ago; now there are numerous internet sources for winter trails information. Reports should not be considered a guarantee of conditions, as conditions can change rapidly. If you have trouble finding a report from the area where you plan to ride, try contacting the local snowmobile club, your lodging facility or the area Chamber of Commerce. The MSA trail report focuses on groomed trail riding. Gen- erally groomed riding can be found somewhere in the state from mid-December through early April, with prime rid- ing found in the months of January, February and March. The longest grooming season is usually found in a north- erly widening swath running from the elevated western mountains and foothills up through northern Maine. Great riding can be found in all areas of the state, but southern and coastal areas usually see a somewhat shorter season due to earlier warming trends and proximity to the ocean. Local clubs determine when conditions are right to open the trails in their area. Snow pack alone is no guarantee that trails will be open. The determination is based on factors like the amount of snow on the ground, progress of preseason trail work such as signage, and whether the ground is well frozen. In some areas landowners will re- quire an opening date that doesn’t conflict with their pri- mary use of the land, and the clubs will of course comply. Please respect “Trail Closed” signs.

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SNOWMOBILE MAINE 2021-2022

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