MARSHALL — The snowmobile season may be officially underway in Minnesota, but the Department of Natural Resources says most trails still aren’t ready for riding. DNR Snowmobile Program Consultant Wade Miller says conditions remain unsafe in many areas.
“Many of the low areas, swamps and especially lakes aren’t frozen up yet, and we need at least 5 to 7 inches of good, clear ice for a snowmobile to operate on a lake. But the groomers are still going to need another few inches of snow before they can pack and start grooming the trails.”
While riders wait for improved conditions, Miller encourages snowmobilers to make sure their machines and paperwork are in order.
“Folks should make sure that their registrations are current on their snowmobiles. Make sure you have your trail pass your registration on your snowmobile, and then you should be checking your snowmobile over. Check your bogie wheels. Check your carbides. Make sure all your parts of your snowmobile are operating correctly. Sometimes you have to do some minor maintenance.”
He also recommends planning routes now, especially in the parts of Minnesota that have already received snow.
“Now is a good time to look at where snow across our state has fallen, and it’s mostly in the middle part to upper part of the state. So, start looking at planning routes. Talk to your buddies and your partners that you ride with because you shouldn’t ride snowmobiles alone. So, make sure that everybody else is checking their sleds for the same things and getting ready for the snowmobile season.”
The DNR says most trails will remain closed until colder temperatures and additional snowfall arrive. Trail status updates and safety tips are available on the DNR’s website.
