Winter is in full swing here in the Upper Peninsula and with it the familiar sights and sounds of snowmobiles.

Snowmobiling is big business in the Upper Peninsula. Beyond the locals who participate in the winter activity, tourists from all around the country head to the U.P. with their sleds to enjoy all that we have to offer. Restaurants, hotels, bars and many other local businesses benefit from the use tourism of our pristine trails.

While snowmobiling can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors during the winter, the recent death of a Wisconsin man in Ontonogan County shows the dangers of snowmobiling.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources shared these tips to ensure snowmobilers get home safely:

— Operate within the limits of the snowmobile/ORV and personal abilities.

— Ride at a safe speed.

— Ride sober.

— Ride on the right side of the trail; trails have two-way traffic.

— Always wear a helmet.

— Keep lights on while riding.

— Ride with the group’s most inexperienced rider in mind.

— Keep a safe distance from the rider in front and use caution in dust clouds.

— Only transport a passenger if the machine is manufactured to carry a passenger.

— Come to a complete stop at all intersections. Raise off the seat and look both ways for traffic before proceeding.

— Create a ride plan — times, route location and check-in points — and share it with others.

— Stay on the trail and be prepared to adjust for changing environmental conditions.

— Use designated stop areas if you need to stop on the trail and remove your helmet. Never stop side-by-side, in the middle, at the crest of a hill, on a corner or in an intersection.

— Always yield to uphill motorized traffic. Uphill traffic may have difficulty starting again if stopped.

— Share the trail. Some designated snowmobile trails are also open to ORVs and nonmotorized users.

— Nonmotorized trail users have the right-of-way. If you see nonmotorized trail users coming from the opposite direction, pull over and yield.

— Snowmobilers should watch out for, and yield to, trail groomers and avoid modified exhausts.

We hope that everyone will take these tips to heart and avoid further tragedies on the trail this year.