SAFETY ISSUES
Who needs safety training?
Minnesota law requires anyone born after Dec. 31, 1976 to be safety certified
in order to legally drive a snowmobile. Youth age 12-16 are required to take the 10-hour
Youth Snowmobile Safety Certification course, whereas those 16 and older can take
the new four-hour Young Adult/Adult class.
The Ash River/Kabetogama Snowdrifters now have 4 Certified Youth Safety Instructors;
Arlan Gunnerson, Ron Travis, Paul Kiner & Scott Birnie.
CD Based Youth Snowmobile Safety Classes
The CD Based youth snowmobile safety training class is an introductory class designed
primarily for the snowmobile rider with little or no experience in snowmobile operation.
Students obtain and study the safety information on the interactive CD at their own pace in the
comfort of their own home under the guidance of a parent or guardian. Depending on the
youth’s age and experience, the CD should take approximately 2-4 hours to complete.
Ron Travis in Littlefork (218-278-4854) and Paul Kiner at Voyageur Marine, Kabetogama, (218-875-2023)
will have the CDs. You can call or e-mail Ron or Paul if you need to have one left somewhere for pickup.
Once they complete the CD, students print out a ‘voucher of completion’ and bring
it to the training class the club is putting on. Contact Ron Travis to sign up for the class.
The one day class will begin at 8am on Saturday January 28th at the Littlefork school and
includes classroom review of priority safety information and a performance driving course.
A fee of $5.00 will be collected by the instructors to conduct the class. Each student will also
pay an on-line DNR fee of $5.00 upon completion of the course.
Parent or legal guardian must accompany the youth to register.
All students must bring appropriate clothing and a helmet to wear during the driving portion
of the test. If you do not own a helmet, contact either of the above people to be sure they
have one available for the test.
Please Note: You will not be allowed to participate in the classroom review/performance
test unless you have first completed the Youth Snowmobile Safety CD.
To obtain the Snowmobile Safety Training CD, or for general information, please call
(888) 646-6367, (651) 296-6157, or (800) 366-8917, or email at info.dnr@state.mn.us.
SAFETY REMINDERS
The Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MnUSA), the state's largest snowmobiling
organization, reminds operators of the nearly 298,000 licensed snowmobiles in Minnesota
to keep safety and responsibility top-of-mind as they head to the trails this snowmobile season.
"Our top priority is safe snowmobiling and we're very pleased to see that Minnesota snowmobilers
continue to make safety a priority on the trails by taking safety courses and practicing safe
and responsible snowmobiling," said Bob Linn, MnUSA's president.
SAFETY TIPS
In addition to recommending the safety certification classes, MnUSA offers the following
advice for snowmobilers as they head back to the trails this season.
Ride Straight - no alcohol or drugs · even a small amount of alcohol can impair judgment
and response time significantly · drugs can impair judgment and response time
Know the trail or terrain and ride for the conditions · many accidents involve hitting a fixed
object, fence, tree, rock or other objects · hidden objects on lakes hit at high speeds can
result in serious accidents · riding on frozen lakes is especially dangerous early or late in the season
Slow it down, especially at night · maximum speed allowed on public land, frozen waters,
roadside ditches and groomed trails in Minnesota is 50 mph or what is reasonable and
prudent for conditions or as posted · at night, speeds should be slower because of reduced visibility
At 50 mph, riders need a football field - or 300 feet - to come to a complete stop
· don't ride too closely - maintain space between snowmobiles to avoid collisions
Stay on marked snowmobile trails · marked trails offer signs that alert snowmobilers to
trail changes, stops, curves, etc. · respect private property and stay on marked
snowmobile trails - objects may be hidden under the snow off marked snowmobile trails.
The Ash River/Kabetogama Snowdrifters and sponsors endorse this site but assume no
liability for the trails maintained by the VTSI, MN DNR, NPS and other area clubs.
Minnesota law requires anyone born after Dec. 31, 1976 to be safety certified
in order to legally drive a snowmobile. Youth age 12-16 are required to take the 10-hour
Youth Snowmobile Safety Certification course, whereas those 16 and older can take
the new four-hour Young Adult/Adult class.
The Ash River/Kabetogama Snowdrifters now have 4 Certified Youth Safety Instructors;
Arlan Gunnerson, Ron Travis, Paul Kiner & Scott Birnie.
CD Based Youth Snowmobile Safety Classes
The CD Based youth snowmobile safety training class is an introductory class designed
primarily for the snowmobile rider with little or no experience in snowmobile operation.
Students obtain and study the safety information on the interactive CD at their own pace in the
comfort of their own home under the guidance of a parent or guardian. Depending on the
youth’s age and experience, the CD should take approximately 2-4 hours to complete.
Ron Travis in Littlefork (218-278-4854) and Paul Kiner at Voyageur Marine, Kabetogama, (218-875-2023)
will have the CDs. You can call or e-mail Ron or Paul if you need to have one left somewhere for pickup.
Once they complete the CD, students print out a ‘voucher of completion’ and bring
it to the training class the club is putting on. Contact Ron Travis to sign up for the class.
The one day class will begin at 8am on Saturday January 28th at the Littlefork school and
includes classroom review of priority safety information and a performance driving course.
A fee of $5.00 will be collected by the instructors to conduct the class. Each student will also
pay an on-line DNR fee of $5.00 upon completion of the course.
Parent or legal guardian must accompany the youth to register.
All students must bring appropriate clothing and a helmet to wear during the driving portion
of the test. If you do not own a helmet, contact either of the above people to be sure they
have one available for the test.
Please Note: You will not be allowed to participate in the classroom review/performance
test unless you have first completed the Youth Snowmobile Safety CD.
To obtain the Snowmobile Safety Training CD, or for general information, please call
(888) 646-6367, (651) 296-6157, or (800) 366-8917, or email at info.dnr@state.mn.us.
SAFETY REMINDERS
The Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MnUSA), the state's largest snowmobiling
organization, reminds operators of the nearly 298,000 licensed snowmobiles in Minnesota
to keep safety and responsibility top-of-mind as they head to the trails this snowmobile season.
"Our top priority is safe snowmobiling and we're very pleased to see that Minnesota snowmobilers
continue to make safety a priority on the trails by taking safety courses and practicing safe
and responsible snowmobiling," said Bob Linn, MnUSA's president.
SAFETY TIPS
In addition to recommending the safety certification classes, MnUSA offers the following
advice for snowmobilers as they head back to the trails this season.
Ride Straight - no alcohol or drugs · even a small amount of alcohol can impair judgment
and response time significantly · drugs can impair judgment and response time
Know the trail or terrain and ride for the conditions · many accidents involve hitting a fixed
object, fence, tree, rock or other objects · hidden objects on lakes hit at high speeds can
result in serious accidents · riding on frozen lakes is especially dangerous early or late in the season
Slow it down, especially at night · maximum speed allowed on public land, frozen waters,
roadside ditches and groomed trails in Minnesota is 50 mph or what is reasonable and
prudent for conditions or as posted · at night, speeds should be slower because of reduced visibility
At 50 mph, riders need a football field - or 300 feet - to come to a complete stop
· don't ride too closely - maintain space between snowmobiles to avoid collisions
Stay on marked snowmobile trails · marked trails offer signs that alert snowmobilers to
trail changes, stops, curves, etc. · respect private property and stay on marked
snowmobile trails - objects may be hidden under the snow off marked snowmobile trails.
The Ash River/Kabetogama Snowdrifters and sponsors endorse this site but assume no
liability for the trails maintained by the VTSI, MN DNR, NPS and other area clubs.
