State to provide free weekends for snowmobiling
AUGUSTA, Maine — This winter, the state of Maine is participating in two special weekends to provide enhanced opportunity for snowmobilers.
The annual Tri-State Snowmobile Weekend, a three-day event, will take place Jan. 29-31, 2016 and allows all legally registered Maine snowmobiles to be operated in New Hampshire and Vermont without being registered in those states. This also means that all snowmobiles legally registered in New Hampshire and Vermont can be operated in Maine without a current Maine registration.
Maine and New Brunswick Free Trail Weekend is planned Feb. 12-14. For this weekend, snowmobilers from Maine can obtain a free three-day trail permit to ride in New Brunswick. The special free permit must be obtained online by visiting www.nbfsc.com. All snowmobiles and snowmobilers on NBFSC trails will still be required to carry personal PLPD insurance ($200,000 minimum) and have a current 2016 snowmobile registration from Maine. Additionally, riders from New Brunswick will be permitted to operate in Maine without a current Maine registration on those dates.
“We welcome these snowmobilers to explore more than 14,000 miles of Maine’s interconnected, groomed and marked trails,” said Gov. Paul R. LePage. “As always, we encourage them to enjoy Maine’s beautiful outdoors, but also urge them to ride safely.”
The Maine Warden Service reminds snowmobilers to ride with caution at all times.
“With the increased traffic anticipated during the reciprocal snowmobile weekends, we remind all riders to obey laws of prudent operation, do not drink and drive, and be mindful that this is a family sport, so please keep our trails safe,” said Maine Warden Service Colonel Joel Wilkinson.
“Pay extra close attention to ice conditions on all Maine waterways especially when travelling at night, and ride with caution. We hope that enthusiasts participate in these great opportunities to discover Maine’s tremendous snowmobiling opportunity,” Wilkinson added.
Snowmobilers should stay off roads, ride at a reasonable speed, use hand signals and ride to the right.
