Reminders from Snowmobile Safety Week

January 10 through 16, 2010 was Utah Snowmobile Safety Week. Utah snowmobilers are encouraged to ride safely this season by:


- Taking Utah's Know Before You Go! Snowmobile Education Course online at stateparks.utah.gov. This course is mandatory for youth eight to 16, but is recommended for all Utah snowmobilers.
- Checking avalanche and weather forecasts at utahavalanchecenter.org before venturing on their ride.
- Wearing a helmet at all times.
- Carrying all recommended safety equipment, including an avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and first aid kit.

After the declaration signing, join Utah State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Education Specialist Ann Evans and USDA Forest Service outside the capitol for a brief safety demonstration. Evans will also review snowmobile safety equipment, including a helmet, shovel, beacon and probe.

UtahState Parks and Recreation is the state off-highway vehicle authority, providing access, education, and search and rescue on Utah's motorized trails. The agency operates 12 grooming machines, which groom and re-groom Utah's 1,200 miles of snowmobile trails for a total of 25,000 miles each season.