Lake Tahoe, CA – When Jason L., a longtime snowmobiler from Truckee, veered off a ridge near Mammoth Lakes last February, his machine tumbled 20 feet into a ravine. “I’d been riding for years,” he said, “but one hidden rock and a split-second mistake almost cost me my life.”
According to the Accident Data Center, roughly 200 people die in snowmobile accidents nationwide each year, with speed, alcohol, and poor visibility among the top causes. California officials say riders should prepare early this winter, as heavy Sierra snow can hide hazards beneath seemingly solid powder.
California offers about 1,800 miles of groomed trails, shared across the Sierra Nevada and northern Nevada ranges. Trail permits are not required for out-of-state snowmobilers, but all sleds must be licensed or display a non-resident permit if their home state doesn’t require registration. The registration fee is $21 for two years, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
While helmets are not legally required, safety officers strongly encourage them, especially for riders under 18. Riders may use most public roads but not road shoulders or ditches, and should observe a 15 mph speed limit in congested areas such as lodges, staging zones, or family recreation sites.
Officials with the U.S. Forest Service and California State Parks urge snowmobilers to carry avalanche transceivers, check avalanche advisories before riding, and stay within designated trail zones. Popular routes in Bear Valley, Tahoe National Forest, and Shaver Lake open in early December, weather permitting.
For more details, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at wildlife.ca.gov.
