It’s middle December, and much of Iowa is covered under a thick blanket of snow with a weekend forecast calling for high temperatures that barely scratch double digits.
Winter has returned. And for Iowa’s snowmobilers, that’s music to their ears.
“Clubs are already grooming trails,” said Jessica Flatt, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau that oversees the snowmobile program. “With the early snowfall and cold temperatures in the forecast, the snowmobiling outlook is positive.”
And with the return of snow comes a safety reminder to those who haven’t had the sled out in a few years.
“It’s always good to review the safety aspects of snowmobiling,” she said.
Avoid alcohol or other drugs while operating a snowmobile, operate at reasonable speeds and stay on designated trails or routes, Flatt said. With Iowa in the crosshairs of another Alberta clipper this weekend, cold weather gear – including helmets - will be of upmost importance.
“Be aware of the weather and snow conditions, never ride alone and let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll return,” Flatt said. Traveling on unfamiliar frozen bodies of water is also discouraged.
These safety messages, along with rules and regulations, machine maintenance, general precautions, how to plan for emergencies and more are part of Iowa’s Snowmobile Education Course, that is required for Iowan’s aged 12-17 in order to operate a snowmobile.
Children under age of 16 may operate a snowmobile while under direct supervision of an adult.
Snowmobile Education Course is part of a national program, with regulations specific to Iowa. The course is currently only available online, with a onetime fee of $34.95; of which, $5 goes to support the snowmobile program.
The course is also available to adults who need to show they have completed a safety course in order to operate other states.
In Iowa, most snowmobiling is done on trails maintained by clubs affiliated with the Iowa State Snowmobile Association. The snowmobile program purchases small directional and hazard signs marking the trails and association volunteers install and maintain them.
The association’s website has links to different regions of the state, club contacts and officers, links to trail maps and more. “This is a volunteer-heavy program. Iowa State Snowmobile Association is an important partner that does the majority of the grooming and trail work,” Flatt said.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a web-based trail system that identifies recreational uses allowed on trails in each state park, including whether or not the park allows snowmobile use. However, few trails on public land are groomed.
Anyone operating a snowmobile on public land or ice – including ditches or highways – are required to have a current registration sticker, available from their local county recorder. Registration fees directly support the program through trail grants to local snowmobile clubs.