LEBANON, N.H. (WCAX) – Snowmobiling can be a fun way to see the outdoors, but it can also be dangerous, according to those who have been riding their entire lives.
While the industry pumps hundreds of millions of dollars into the region’s economy, crashes are inevitable with more snowfall.
Rory Allen grooms the trails for the Frigid Frost Fighters snowmobile club out of Chelsea.
“Most snow-machiners ride in the center until they meet somebody. So, if you go around a corner, if they are not staying to the right, there are close calls,” Allen said.
With more snow, more crashes are inevitable. That includes a recent accident in Washington, New Hampshire.
“It was kind of a blind corner where they both met and I think it was instinct to swerve,” Washington Fire Chief Shawn Atkinson said.
The driver suffered multiple broken bones after crashing into a stone wall while trying to avoid a coyote on the trail. He was pulled out of the woods by the local fire department and eventually airlifted to the hospital.
“We train for these time of incidents to happen and hope that they don’t happen, but we are prepared for it,” Atkinson said.
New Hampshire sees an average of about 65 crashes a year. Fish and Game officials say the two common factors are excessive speed and inexperience.
“When you have the snow, you are going to have the accidents, you are going to have the DWI arrests,” N.H. Fish and Game Capt. Michael Eastman said.
Experts say to expect the unexpected and stay in control.
“Very quickly, you can get into a situation where that terrain is going to change, so just operate within your capabilities and operate cautiously,” Eastman said.
A message that applies in any state where riders are welcome.
“Ride to the right and ride to your ability,” Allen said.
On average, the region sees a handful of fatal snowmobile crashes every year. It’s a reminder that while the sport can be exhilarating, the stakes can also be high.
