Tourism entities, DNR urge caution on Vilas, Oneida snowmobile trails

Collaborative website encourages snowmobilers to ‘ride right, ride safe’

Vilas and Oneida County tourism entities are asking snowmobile riders to commit to sledding safely this winter.

Their website, snowmobilenorthwoods.com, funded by a joint effort marketing grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, as well as Vilas County Tourism & Publicity and the Oneida County Tourism Council, includes trail info, maps, club details, and up-to-date trail conditions, but also a page specifically dedicated to rules and safety.

“Every year there are unfortunate accidents that happen on the trails and we urge riders to slow down, ride only on marked trails, and stay sober,” said Collette Sorgel, director of Vilas County Tourism & Publicity. “Snowmobilenorthwoods.com is a great place for riders to brush up on the rules and riding etiquette so we can all make the North Woods a safer place to ride.”

On the site, users will find Wisconsin snowmobiling laws and safety tips, a short video from the Vilas County Snowmobile Alliance, and the Ride Right snowmobiling safety pledge, which reminds riders of easy ways they can commit to protecting their safety and the safety of others on the trails. It also includes club trail reports, which are an important tool for riders.

“Checking trail reports before you head out is crucial,” said Jacqui Sharpe, chair of the Oneida County Tourism Council. “Our hardworking club volunteers are dedicated to ensuring access to the latest trail conditions and closures so riders know what’s safe and where to avoid, all in the name of sledder safety.”

Riders can also head to local chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus in Oneida and Vilas County to pick up printed materials and Snowmobile Northwoods swag, including reflective decals and safety checklists, encouraging people to stay on the trails, ride right and stay safe.

To learn more about Vilas County, visit vilas.org. More information about Oneida County is available at oneidacountywi.com. Both counties are also active on social media.

Safe Sled weekend Feb. 6-8

The Wisconsin DNR has reported six snowmobile fatalities so far in this new year — including three in neighboring counties of Iron and Oneida — and urges all snowmobile operators to wait to drink any alcoholic beverages until they get home for the day.

This is the top safety message operators will hear from DNR conservation wardens patrolling as a theme of the upcoming Sled Safe education/enforcement weekend Feb. 6-8. This initiative also occurred last weekend, Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

Throughout the weekend, wardens will share snowmobile safety tips with riders and watch for operators who may be impaired or causing safety problems for themselves and others.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is for snowmobile operators to be safe, responsible and sober. Impairment of any kind can have tragic consequences,” said DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator Lt. Jacob Holsclaw. “Alcohol is among the top factors in fatal crashes.”

Holsclaw urges operators to ride safely and sober for themselves, for others sharing the trails and for those waiting for their return. “Think of the people you care about, then please don’t drink and ride.”

Holsclaw also recommended the following snowmobile safety tips:

• Avoid impairment of any kind, as drugs or alcohol can have tragic consequences.
• Always operate within the limits of your skills, visibility and snowmobile.
• Stop and look both ways before crossing a road. All snowmobile operators are required to obey stop sign postings and stop. Be sure the path is clear of all oncoming traffic.
• Avoid ice-covered waters.
• Stay on marked trails.
• Slow down.
• Ride with others.