What Snowmobilers Need to Know Before They Go

SEELEY LAKE – Snowmobile season will soon be in full swing with more than three feet of new snow in the mountains over the past week. Missoula County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Robert Parcell and Seeley Swan Search & Rescue (SSSAR) Chief Gerry Connell offer a few tips for snowmobilers to keep them legal and safe this season.

Snowmobiles are required to follow the U.S. Forest Service Travel Plans for the specific national forest. The Over-the-Snow Vehicle Maps are available at the local ranger districts. The Seeley Lake Driftriders also offer a trails map that is available at businesses around Seeley Lake for a $5 donation.

All snowmobiles, snow bikes and other mechanized vehicles including fat tire and traditional pedal bikes must have a Snowmobile Trail Pass to operate on designated groomed snowmobile trails. The resident trail pass is $18 and is valid for three seasons, July 1 through June 30, regardless of the purchase date. Out-of-state permits are $25. They can be purchased locally at Kurt's Polaris and Rovero's or online at https://app.mt.gov/als/index/index.html.

Revenue generated by the trail pass supports the Montana State Parks Snowmobile Program with 40 percent of the funds used for grooming trails and 60 percent of the funds used to purchase and maintain grooming equipment.

Snowmobiles are allowed on the trail along the highway through Seeley Lake, even though the trail is designated non-motorized. The legal speed is 15 miles per hour. Riding on Highway 83 is illegal.

Snowmobiles can also ride on the county roads but must obey the speed limit, travel with their lights on and single file. All riders must have a valid driver's license or, if they are too young for a driver's license but are driving alone, they need to have successfully completed a Montana-approved snowmobile safety education course and be riding with someone who is 18 years or older.

"You are mixing with vehicles that are bigger than you are and higher and they can't see you as well. Take it very easy in town," said Parcell. "A common sense, slow speed [and] you shouldn't be bothered. But if you are ripping through driveways, that's dangerous. People in the area have been killed."

Knowing the snow conditions is important to avoiding areas at risk for an avalanche. Slopes more than 38 degree can slide when the snow conditions are right. Connell said that while there have not been any fatalities from avalanches in the area, there were people caught in an avalanche in the North Bowls in 2014 and in the Little Africa area four years ago.

"If there is enough snow to ride, there is enough snow to slide," said Connell. "Check the weather before you decide to head out for the day."

Snowmobilers are reminded to carry a shovel, probe and a transponder and know how to use them. Connell recommends all snowmobilers should take an avalanche safety course at least once and then take it again every few years to refresh their knowledge.

The Seeley Lake Ranger District installed Are You Beeping? signs at the Seeley Creek and West Side Bypass Trailheads. As snowmobilers pass, it lets them know their transponder is turned on and transmitting. SSSAR has also set up the Beacon Park again at the Elsina warming hut so snowmobilers can test their skills.

"Put new batteries in your beacons and practice with your riding partners," said Connell.

Bring enough provisions to stay out overnight. Parcell recommends carrying dry clothing including extra hat and gloves, fire starter and extra food even if the ride is supposed to be quick. Having the safety gear and emergency pack attached to the rider is essential for use if the rider is separated from [his/her] sled.

"Machines now days are made to perform better than probably most of [the riders] can perform on them," said Parcell. "They can get you into trouble with speed and where you can get to in a short time."

Connell feels peer pressure can also get riders into trouble. He said don't let riding partners take someone in farther than they are comfortable or encourage them to ride higher than they can handle. "Always be prepared to spend the night so it's not the last night you spend," said Connell.

Parcell reminds all snowmobilers to know where they are going at all times, be familiar with the area or ride with someone who is.

He cited several incidents where snowmobilers have made it into the Little Africa area around Lake Marshall. The area is a big drainage that channels riders towards Lake Elsina and Lake Dina. While it is fairly easy to ride into, if someone doesn't know the area and comes out the wrong way, they get funneled towards Lake Marshall.

"It's really bad terrain and bad vegetation and they get stuck back in there," said Parcell. "While we have riders that can ride in and get them out, if snowmobilers aren't prepared to spend the night it can cause major problems."

Parcell said always tell someone where the group or individuals will be riding. This includes the specific area and time expected to return. If plans change, let the contact know so if the riders do not return at a specific time, search and rescue knows where to begin looking.

"We always check the bars and motels first before going on in the field," said Parcell. "Many times we will find them there [because they finished riding early and didn't let anyone know]."

When riding across water, always check the ice conditions first. Connell said that the general rule of thumb for Seeley Lake is never ride on the lake until at least the middle of January.

"I wouldn't just take word of mouth," said Parcell. "Stop and check it yourself before you go flying across it otherwise it might be a bad surprise."

Both Parcell and Connell wish everyone a fun and safe snowmobile season.