Courtesy photo In a photo provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), snowmobilers enjoy a trail ride to Lake of the Clouds at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon County. Snowmobiling is a beloved pastime in the Upper Peninsula during the winter months, but the DNR is encouraging people to keep some safety tips in mind.

ESCANABA — Snowmobiling is a beloved pastime in the Upper Peninsula during the winter months. However, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging people who enjoy snowmobiling to keep some safety tips in mind while heading out on their trail of choice.

Rob Katona, central U.P. trails specialist at the DNR Marquette Customer Service Center, said snowmobiling may be slightly more popular in the area this winter than it was during the winter of 2018-19.

“As of the end of January, our snowmobile trail permit sales are up slightly from last year,” he said.

He noted weather conditions have had an impact on where people have been riding this winter.

“The entire Upper Peninsula has received abundant snowfall this year, which has allowed riders to spread out across the entire trail system instead of concentrating use to the typical high snowfall areas, so those typical high snowfall areas may have lower numbers while the other areas are seeing an increase in use,” Katona said.

Katona said recent effects of winter weather have not been entirely positive.

“We were off to a rather challenging start of the season with the wet, heavy snowstorms that impacted many trails across the Upper Peninsula, causing a lot of trail clearing work for the clubs to open the trails up for the season,” he said.

Precipitation during the fall of 2019 and mild January weather have also created problems for some U.P. trails.

“Besides that, we have had abundant snowfall with minimal warmups so the snow depth and condition has been great for trail grooming,” Katona said.

So far, there have been eight snowmobiling fatalities across Michigan in the winter of 2019-20. According to Katona, this marked a slight decline compared to this time last year.

Still, Katona said it is important for snowmobilers to stay safe. With this in mind, he referred to “Ride Right,” the DNR’s snowmobile safety campaign.

One of Ride Right’s key messages is the importance of traveling at a safe speed while snowmobiling.

“Speed is a large (80 percent) factor of U.P. snowmobile accidents and deaths,” Katona said.

The Ride Right campaign also asks Michigan snowmobilers to keep the following safety tips in mind:

– Ride on the right side of the trail.

– Do not ride while intoxicated.

– Anticipate and yield to groomers.

– Keep your snowmobile in top mechanical condition.

– Keep headlights and tail lights free of snow and on at all times.

– Wear insulated boots and protective clothing.

– Check weather conditions before leaving.

– Do not go snowmobiling alone.

– Avoid crossing frozen bodies of water when possible. If you must do so, do not ride in a single-file line.

– Be aware of fences, low-strung wires and branches.

– When coming up to an intersection, come to a complete stop, raise off the seat and check both ways for traffic.

“Ride Right and know your abilities as a rider,” Katona said.