SNOWMOBILE: With snowmobile season under way in New York state, the Cattaraugus County Tourism Department passed along tips for trail-riding.

These are written based on New York state laws, but they are good safety tips, too:

• Speed greater than reasonable or prudent under the surrounding conditions, or speed greater than 55 mph

• Any careless, reckless, or negligent manner

• White the operator is intoxicated

• Without the required lights

• On the tracks of an operating railroad

• In any tree nursery or planting in a manner that damages growing stock

• On private property without the consent of the owner

• Towing a sleigh or toboggan except with a rigid tow bar

 • In any way that the operator fails to yield to an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction

• In any way that fails to comply with a lawful order from a police officer

• On a frozen body of water within one hundred feet of a skater, ice fisherman, ice fishing house or other person not on a snowmobile except at the minimum speed required to maintain forward motion

• Within one hundred feet of a dwelling between midnight and 6 a.m. at a speed greater than the minimum speed required to maintain forward motion

Additionally, snowmobilers in New York state between the ages of 10 to 18 must take the New York State Approved Snowmobile Safety Course and get a snowmobile safety certificate to ride on public lands.Riders from age 10 through 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Wear a helmet and stay on the trails, too.

The tourism department also encouraged off-road enthusiasts to join one of the many local snowmobile club, which promote responsible snowmobiling.

Cattaraugus County trail maps can be found on EnchantedMountains.com or by mail.

On the Pennsylvania side of the border, riders ages 10 through 15 must also complete a snowmobile safety course in order to ride on land not owned by a parent or guardian, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Maps of some Pennsylvania trails can be found at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry and www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny.

Snowmobile season begins in both states after hunting season end.