Beginning this month, Snowbound will feature regularly an interview with someone “in the know” about snowmobiling. This month’s interview is with Jim Rolf, vice president of the Oneida County Snowmobiling Association:

SNOWBOUND: What are some of the most important things to remember in terms of safety when riding snowmobiles?

JIM ROLF: Stay Right! Watch for other sleds, pay attention to the trail signs, know the terrain, know your sled's as well as your own limits, be prepared with extra parts (belt, spark plugs, flashlight, etc.), and understand that the things under the snow like rocks, stumps, ruts, and the sort are numerous. Riders should remember this warning when riding on those first rides of each year.

SB - What type of regulations are in effect that are the most important for people to be aware of?

JR - Helmet law, 55 mph speed limit, DWI    laws, trespass laws, sled registration and insurance laws, loud exhaust laws, among others are regulated by law enforcement agencies on snowmobile trails.

Riders that choose to change their sled's exhaust systems to pipes or canisters that are above that sled's original equipment decibel sound level will and should be held accountable and pay the consequences for their desire to break the law. Clubs rely heavily on neighbors to allow trails to pass by their homes and neighborhoods.

The unnecessary noise from these altered sleds is the #1 complaint from landowners and also the #2 reason for trail closures (behind illegal ATV use of the snowmobile trails).

Another unwritten "law" is to respect landowners. Staying on the marked trails and not littering is demanded by the clubs and the property owners that they represent.

SB - Are there any regulations to note that may have just taken effect in the recent past?

JR - That snowmobile registrations are lowered  by $55 per sled if one belongs to a New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) recognized club and the 55 mph speed limit (unless posted as lower) are some of the newest.

The new youthful operator laws also raised the minimum age to 14 to ride by themselves with a safety course certificate.

Visit the New York State Parks and Recreation web-site at http://nysparks.state.ny.us/ for the complete snowmobile laws and regulations, as well as Safety Course locations across the state and some snowmobile guidelines.

Last year, a package of laws was passed called the Snowmobile Rights and Responsibility Act (SRRA) of 2005. SRRA gives landowners and clubs a bit more protection under the law by putting the responsibility onto the snowmobiler for their own actions, where it should be.

It also included the new speed limit and age regulations, as well as increasing the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles registration rates while giving a legal discount for those that choose to join and support at least one NYSSA club. The NYSSA web site has the entire text of this important law at
http://nyssnowassoc.org/srra/srrabriefing.htm.

SB - Do you find the sport growing in popularity in recent years? If so, why do you think that is?

JR - Actually, with the winter of the past two years (and of course this year so far), the sport as a whole has declined in New York as well as across the snowbelt areas of the U.S. Numbers have dwindled by almost 10 percent over the past three years. But as a "family sport," it seems to be growing. Groomer operators have reported seeing many more younger riders with their parents out on group trips in recent years.

SBF - or someone who might be unfamiliar with them, what is it that snowmobile clubs do?

RSnowmobile clubs are the life lines to the sport of snowmobiling in New York. Clubs ask for and receive permission from the private as well as public landowners for snowmobile use. Without securing such permissions from these generous taxpayers, this sport would be without such a vast system as we now have in New York (which stands at over 11,000 maintained miles).

In addition to this most important privilege that clubs secure for snowmobilers’ trail access, they cut trees (with permission and/or permits), put up signs for safety, build bridges/culverts, and groom the trails when the snow conditions allow it. Supporting clubs is the most important thing a rider can do for the future of this sport. Clubs in turn support the communities that they are in.

Most clubs also hold special functions each year to benefit local charities and/or organizations. The West Rome Riders club has two such events planned this winter, weather permitting. The first, in mid-February, will benefit a long-standing community member, Mr. Al Williams Sr. and one of his benefactors (The Rome Youth Hockey league), while the second will help out Lucy's House, a shelter for battered women at the YMCA.

SB - Why is it advantageous for people to join snowmobiling clubs?

JR - As I stated above, without supporting at  least one club in New York, snowmobile registrations are higher, covering the many expenses associated with trail maintenance would not be obtainable for clubs, and those individuals that consistently volunteer yearly for the clubs to maintain club equipment and trails would have no help. It is also advantageous for a snowmobiler to join a club so that they can meet others with their same hobby and enjoy group rides.

SB - What's considered a safe speed for different types of terrain and conditions?

JR - Each individual needs to  know their own physical limits. Each trail has different degrees of difficulty. The only way to judge a safe speed is to take it slow and learn the trails, staying under the speed limit and making it home safely each ride.

SB - Is it easy to be going faster than one may think they're going?

JR - Just like with a car or truck on a road, if one doesn't pay attention, of course one could go a bit faster than they may have thought they were going.

SB - Is it important to watch how much one may be drinking before heading out into high speeds on a trail?

JR - Drinking and driving a snowmobile is never a good choice. Zero tolerance is what snowmobile clubs, manufacturers, and state associations strive to have on our trails. Of course, there are those that choose to have a few beverages while riding. They need to understand that they are not the only ones on the trails and their actions could endanger others. Just as one should understand this same thing while in a vehicle and in an establishment that serves alcohol. There is no difference.