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Snowmobiling
Whether it is an extended multi-day trip in Northern Maine on some of
the state's 12,000 miles of trails or a day of riding in Acadia National
Park, snowmobiling is big business.
Officials estimate the sport pumps tens of millions of dollars into the
state's economy each year. Those who do not own sleds can rent them.
Maine has more than 75,000 registered snowmobiles. On any given
weekend in winter when the weather is good, many riders are out enjoy-
ing the winter wild lands of Maine. At Mount Kineo on Moosehead Lake
wardens have counted in excess of 3,000 snowmobiles a day passing just
one checkpoint. In fact, for most winter weekends hotels and sporting
camps from Rangeley to Fort Kent are often booked weeks in advance.
Because of riding's soaring popularity, state officials and groups such as
the Maine Snowmobile Association have joined forces to increase safety
and improve riding habits. While the machines themselves are quieter
and less smoky than in the past, they are also more powerful, sporting
bigger engines. Safety training is helping to lower accident rates and
fatalities.
Common sense, courtesy and safety are the basis of snowmobiling regu-
lations in the State of Maine. If you know the laws, respect other people's
rights and sled safely, you'll have fun, rather than problems, note officials
of the Maine Snowmobile Association (MSA).
Snowmobiling Safety
Snowmobile safety is largely common sense. Don't ride too fast; don't
drink alcohol and ride; do not cross ice you are not sure is thick enough;
and dress for the weather. Still, scores of people each year forget these
most basic tenets, often with tragic results.
Always wear a helmet and dress in layers of warm clothes.
Tooling along at 40 miles per hour on a cold day can often send
the wind chill factor off the scale.
Ride in a group or let someone know your plans.
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