December 2025

SNOWMOBILE REGISTRATION AND SAFETY

Message from MnDNR and the MnUSA Safety Committee

While snowmobilers wait for snow and groomed trails, now is a good time to make sure registrations are current and snowmobiles are in good operating order. It’s also an opportune time to review safety training and check local trail maps for route changes or new trails. Don’t forget to review the 2025 snowmobile regulations (mndnr.gov/regulations/snowmobile) to refresh on state laws.

New snowmobile registrations, registration renewals and out-of-state trail stickers can be purchased in person at a deputy registrar of motor vehicles or at the DNR License Bureau in St. Paul. Renewals and out-of-state stickers can also be obtained on the DNR’s licenses and vehicle registrations website (mndnr.gov/licenses).

Minnesota law requires a snowmobile safety certification for residents born after Dec. 31, 1976, but DNR recommends all riders complete a safety course. Information about safety training courses can be found on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/safety/vehicle/snowmobile).

Important snowmobile riding safety tips include:

• Be weather aware and don't ride in adverse weather conditions. · Check the DNR snow depth webpage (mndnr.gov/snow depth) and trail conditions before leaving home.
• Measure ice depth before riding on lakes and rivers. The DNR recommends a minimum of 5 to 7 inches of new, clear ice for snowmobiles. Full ice safety guidelines are available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/safety/ice/thickness.html).
• Always stay on designated snowmobile trails. Venturing off trails can result in accidents, and landowners can revoke right-of-way permission for trail riding on their property.
• Don't drink alcohol and ride. Alcohol is a factor in more than 60% of fatal snowmobile accidents in Minnesota.
• Always wear a quality DOT-approved helmet and facemask.

An interactive snowmobile trail map is available on the DNR’s snowmobiling website (mndnr.gov/snowmobiling). Paper trail maps are available from the DNR Information Center. Email info.dnr@state.mn.us or call 888-646-6367 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

MORE UPCOMING EVENTS!

JAN 3-4: Sunday Funday ERX Elk River, MN

JAN 3: Classic Cruise Ride North - ULTRA SC Detroit Lakes, MN

JAN 17-18: Sunday Funday Steeplechase Mazeppa, MN

JAN 9-10 2026: US Airforce Snowcross National Shakopee, MN

JAN 9: Elections/General Meeting - Naytahwaush Nightriders

JAN 10: Safety Certification - IGH SC - Inver Grove Heights, MN

JAN 10: Safety Certification - KM Snowdrifters - Mantorville, MN

JAN 10: Safety Certification - Cambridge Driftbusters Cambridge, MN



JAN 17: Madelia Snowhawks Vintage No Pride Ride St James, MN

JAN 17-18: Sunday Funday Steeplechase Mazeppa, MN

JAN 24: Safety Certification - Benton Cty SC Foley, MN

JAN 30-31: Midwest Ride-In - Dayton, MN

JAN 31: MSEAF Veterans Appreciation Ride Grand Rapids, MN

JAN 31: Classic Cruise Ride South - ULTRA SC Detroit Lakes, MN

JAN 31-FEB1: Sunday Funday ERX Elk River, MN

FEB 12-15 2026: MnUSA Winter Rendezvous - Bemidji, MN

MnUSA BOOTH APPEARANCES!

JAN 9-10: US Airforce Snocross National - Canterbury Park Shakopee, MN

Want FREE Admission to an event?

Help support MnUSA and volunteer to work at the MnUSA Booth and receive admission passes as a thank you for volunteering!

Contact Scott Wakefield at to schedule a time!

ATTENTION CLUBS!

Having an event? Have the MnUSA Membership Booth come join you!

Our Membership:Booth Committee is always looking for opportunities to be present for your event. If you would like a MnUSA Booth at your upcoming club/community event, please reach out to the Membership:Booth Committee.

Membership:Booth Committee Interim Chair

Scott Wakefield

612-483-5638

oliver1650@icloud.com

Could your snowmobile club use more money?

The 2026 Midwest Ride-In needs volunteers for its 35th annual show on January 30-31st. We are in a new location this year and are anticipating a robust hobbyist turnout.

We need volunteers! If you can take a four-hour shift, you will receive show admission and a meal ticket. Also, you and your club members will earn money for your snowmobile club. We donate money to clubs as a way to thank our volunteers. Check out our online volunteer signup page at:

MIDWEST RIDE IN VOLUNTEER SIGN UP PAGE

La Cresent Snowmobile Club had there annual "Groomer Fun Night" on Dec 13.

The clubhouse was decked out in Christmas decorations and the food was hot

and ready for everyone! Many games were played and everyone seemed to have

a great time. 

This has been a fun way for the club to kick off the winter season for many years. Last year, everyone put up with freezing rain, just cold this year with the temp hovering around 0 degrees F. 

Like many of the clubs in the area, they are patiently waiting for deer season to end. Hope to see everyone on the trails soon!!

OFFICE LIMITED HOLIDAY HOURS

Office staff will be out of the office over the upcoming holidays.

There will be limited office hours available

from December 24-January 1.

Please contact the office via phone or email first before stopping in.

Happy Holidays to all our members!

SNOWMOBILE SAFETY CERTIFICATION CLASSES

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS: To all clubs holding safety trainings, please do not forget to reach out to the MnUSA office for promotional magazines, safety stickers, DNR quadrant maps, activity books, and pens to offer at your classes.

MnUSA CALENDAR: If you would like your safety class added to the MnUSA calendar, please send a message to the office with any details so we can be sure to post your class online on the mnusa.org website! A fun graphic or flyer is always helpful too!

SUPPORT YOUR STATE!

BUY A WRAP!

use discount code

MUSA15

at checkout

Membership Benefits

Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association is a proud partner with American Income Life (aka Globe Life), a 100% union insurance company. Through this partnership, all members of Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association have $4000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy at no cost.

As a member of MnUSA, you should have received a second letter in the mail, in the past few weeks going over member benefits. If you have previously already responded to this request, please disregard this notice.

It is not a requirement for members to designate a beneficiary in order to receive this benefit, if you do, please note:

1. An AIL representative will be contacting you to confirm your beneficiary, and to inform you of additional benefits: AIL PLUS (saves 10-85% on out of pocket healthcare costs), FREE Will Kit, and FREE Child Safety Kits.
2. If you experience any issues with your AIL/Globe Life agent, or have any questions about AIL or your benefits, please feel free to contact the MnUSA Office or our AIL representatives directly for assistance:

IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH SALES CALLS FROM AIL, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE OFFICE OR TYLER HARLAN FOR ASSISTANCE

Tyler Harlan

763-464-0974

tlharlan@ailife.com

ATTENTION MEMBERS!

Help MnUSA save money and read Minnesota Snowmobiling digitally online! To remove yourself from our mailing list please CONTACT US, asking to be removed from our magazine mailing list.

Fun events? Exciting club news?

Share it in the magazine!

Have a business and want to advertise?

2026 RAFFLE CALENDAR UPDATE!

Thank you to everyone for all your support for the 2026 MnUSA Raffle Calendar! The 2026 winners drawing will take place Saturday Janurary 3rd at the MnUSA office. January winners will be posted the following Monday.

CLUBS: Raffle calendars have all been distributed! Please contact the fundraising committee as soon as possible to coordinate any returns! ALL calendar stubs and payments must be returned by DECEMBER 15th, 2025!

ATTENTION RAFFLE CALENDAR WINNERS!

Winning raffle calendar payments are now being sent directly from our QuickBooks BillPay system. When these checks come in the mail, they will come directly from QuickBooks and may look like junk mail!

PLEASE DO NOT THROW THESE PAYMENTS AWAY!

For those that included your email address on your raffle slip, you will also get a notification that your payment is on it's way and an expected delivery time.

CALENDAR PHOTO WINNER: DECEMBER

Photo by Anna Paul

"Night time with fresh groomed trial on the South Twin Trail"

THIS MONTHS QUESTION

OPTION 1

OPTION 2

LAST MONTHS RESULTS

Do you think we will be able to open any trails in Minnesota on

December 1st?

Smile and Hearts Face: 14%

Indifferent Face: 38%

Doubt It Face: 48%