Minister Reminds Snowmobilers To Ride Safe In The Snow

Snowmobile Enthusiasts Should Keep Safety In Mind...

News Release

Snowmobile enthusiasts should keep safety in mind while enjoying the upcoming Manitoba winter recreation season, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers said today. "Manitoba features a network of groomed, marked trails for snowmobilers to enjoy while ensuring they respect private property when driving off trails," said Struthers.  "Proper equipment and well maintained snow machines mean a comfortable, safe riding experience and we urge riders to be very cautious when crossing any body of water that may have variable ice thickness."
 
Speed limits and warning signs are posted along provincial park trails at hills and curves.  Provincial natural resource officers and the RCMP travel the trails to ensure safe riding practices are followed including those regarding drinking and driving when operating a snowmobile. In Manitoba, approximately 12,000 kilometres of groomed trails on Crown and private lands are marked with signs and maintained by the Snowmobilers of Manitoba (Snoman) to ensure members of the public have a safe ride.  Snoman volunteers from 50 affiliate clubs groom trails on a regular basis throughout the winter snowmobiling season.
 
The province grooms about 1,100 kilometres of trails in the Whiteshell, Birds Hill, Grand Beach, Hecla and Spruce Woods provincial parks.  Local clubs groom trails in Turtle Mountain, Duck Mountain, Clearwater, Paint Lake and Nopiming provincial parks.  The trail system in the Whiteshell impacted by the summer windstorm will be open for the winter snowmobiling season but some areas will require winter access for further cleanup.  The Whiteshell Snowmobile Club is assisting with trail safety improvements and the cleanup in the areas in requiring winter access. "Snoman encourages riders to respect the laws and to respect private property," said Snoman executive director Duncan Stokes.  "Like any motorized vehicle, there is a personal responsibility to drive a machine you can handle, drive within suggested speed limits and stay on the groomed designated snowmobile trail system - it's the safest option for riders."
 
Snoman is able to maintain the trail system with funds raised by the Snopass system.  The annual Snopass is $85 on or before Dec. 1 and $115 after that date.  A seven-consecutive-day Snopass is $50. More information is available at www.snoman.mb.ca .

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