International Snowmobile Ride Day is on Feb. 14 as part of Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week, Feb. 7–16.
Teton Gravity Research/Courtesy photo

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center and are emphasizing International Snowmobile Ride Day on Feb. 14 as part of Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week, Feb. 7–16.

The designated week and day serve as a reminder, according to a press release, “that sharing the sport also means sharing the responsibility to ride safely.” CAIC and CPW have committed to supporting riders with clear, reliable safety information with the aim of reducing risk and bolstering informed decision-making in the mountains as participation in the sport grows.

According to the release, snowmobilers account for approximately 22% of avalanche fatalities over the past decade (2016–2025) in Colorado, compared to almost 33% nationally.

“Snowmobiling is a great way to experience Colorado’s backcountry, and many riders are introducing friends to the sport this winter,” CAIC Director Ethan Greene said in the release. “Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week is a good opportunity to introduce new riders to avalanche awareness, as many popular riding areas include avalanche-prone terrain. Every time you head into the backcountry, check the avalanche forecast, avoid the most dangerous slopes, and carry avalanche rescue equipment.”

All snowmobilers operating snowmobiles on public land, state parks, or trails in Colorado must register their snowmobile with CPW, the release states. Registration fees are used to fund trail grooming, maintenance, and construction across Colorado.

“CPW is incredibly grateful to the snowmobile community whose registration fees directly support winter trail maintenance in Colorado,” CPW’s Assistant Director for Outdoor Recreation and Lands Fletcher Jacobs said in the release. “Combined with the tireless efforts of local snowmobile clubs and volunteers who groom and maintain these routes, this partnership helps  improve rider safety and sustain the future of snowmobiling in our state.”

Snowmobilers are able to access real-time avalanche forecasts and warnings through the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) app, with CAIC avalanche information available for safe trip and route planning. The release confirms more than 40 agency partners use COTREX to post real-time advisories, including trail closures, safety hazards, and other essential alerts.

“Users can plan routes, view allowed use types such as snowmobiling, download offline maps, and see trip recommendations from participating partners across the state,” the release states.

For the 2025–26 winter season, CAIC has partnered with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education and the Northwest Avalanche Center to launch Avalanche Aware eLearning, a free online course offering an introduction to avalanche awareness before riders head into the backcountry. The course includes a snowmobiling-specific module and is available at avalanche.state.co.us/avalanche-aware.

Safety Tips for Snowmobilers

Check CAIC Avalanche Forecast at colorado.gov/avalanche and plan routes accordingly.

Be ready to change plans if there are signs of higher avalanche danger, which include recent avalanches, cracking in the snow, and audible collapsing. Avoid traveling on or under similar slopes. 

Make sure everyone in a group is wearing an avalanche transceiver (beacon), carrying a probe and shovel on their person, and knows how to use them. 

Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain and avoid stopping in runout zones.

Snowmobilers are encouraged to submit a field report at colorado.gov/avalanche or through CAIC’s mobile app.

“Even observations without avalanches help forecasters provide better information for all backcountry users,” the release reads.