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February 11, 2026
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers patrolled over 425 miles of snowmobile trails surrounding the 57th annual International-500 snowmobile race, which took place Feb. 7 in Sault Ste. Marie.
Officers focused their efforts on the DNR’s Ride Right snowmobile and ORV safety campaign – which promotes operating at a safe speed, sober and riding on the right side of the trail.
From Feb. 5 through the night of Feb.7, conservation officers contacted over 750 snowmobilers on the surrounding trails and roadways, encountering a diversity of out-of-state riders from: Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Ontario.
“Overall, activity on the Chippewa County trails was high,” said Lt. Mark Zitnik, DNR Law Enforcement Supervisor, based out of Newberry. “The recent snow and cold temperatures in the Upper Peninsula made for excellent trail conditions, which contributed to the large number of snowmobilers in the area. Temperatures were bitterly cold on Saturday (Feb. 7), which started off at 10 below zero and only warmed into single digits throughout the day.”
There were no major incidents reported on the surrounding trails during the enhanced patrols.
“We received a lot of positive feedback for our presence,” Zitnik said. “Word travels fast when officers are patrolling the trails, which reminds riders to slow down and operate a little more responsibly.
"This helps us achieve our goal – for everyone to have an enjoyable, safe riding experience and to make it home safe to their family and friends.”
Officers issued 44 citations and 97 verbal warnings for various violations, including:
Conservation officers also assisted the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department successfully locate a missing snowmobiler, and lodge one individual in the Chippewa County Jail for fleeing and eluding an officer, a felony offense.
“Some of the operators who were cited for careless operation expressed how they didn’t think their violations were really an issue,” said Zitnik. “They were reminded that these types of careless actions are often what lead to snowmobile crashes that cause serious physical injury or death.”
Fatal crashes frequently occur when riders are going way faster than they should be, particularly in unfamiliar territory – they ride into a curve too fast and can’t slow down to avoid blowing the curve, and unfortunately often strike a tree in their path.”
For more information on snowmobile safety, trail permits or where to ride, visit Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling.
