Q: How did you get started?
A: I started in the 1960s. One guy showed up with one and somebody else showed up with one and we just started riding. In those days, you couldn't go that fast. There weren't really any trails; you had to blaze your own trails. The biggest sled you could get was about a 440cc. And they weren't that reliable.

Q: For a beginner, what's the first step? Take a class?
A: I would recommend, if I was going to start out, that you find a friend who can take you for a ride to see if you really like it. Make sure this is something you want to do. Once you know you like it, go pick out your sled.

Q: So the next step is to buy a snowmobile. How do you choose the right one?
A: Right now, for ATVs, it's not a law but they recommend certain size ATVs for certain ages. The same applies for snowmobiles. If you have a son and he weighs 85 pounds I wouldn't go out sticking him on a 800 or 900 cc machine. Put him on a 440 or 600 cc machine, something he can handle. Make sure you are fitted to the right machine. It's going to be a little scary for a beginner so if it's too big he may not enjoy it.

I would not recommend that you buy a brand new machine. Because what's going to happen is you're going to go out riding and meet people. And of course the talk turns to sleds. If you sit and listen and absorb this, you end up deciding what you want on your next machine. You're always going to be chasing technology.

Q: After you have the sled, then should you take a class or can you just start riding?
A: I would definitely recommend a safety course. Courses are usually broken up into three or four weeks, two and a half hours a night once a week. In some courses, in the last week we take them out on the snow with the sleds and let them drive. I always have a sled at the course so we can go over where the throttle is and brake is, make sure they don't stick, what to look for, how to check the chains and belts and so on. Right now a safety course is not mandatory — like it is for ATVs — but it will be some day.

And then I would recommend that you sit down at night — and I know when you get that new machine you can't wait to get out there and ride — but sit down and read your owner's manual.

Every snowmobile is different, so if there are labels or parts you don't know, the only real answers you'll get are in the manuals. When you go out on the trail, carry the owner's manual with you.

If you buy a used machine, from a neighbor or someone else, take the serial number off the machine and go to a dealer or write to the company and they will get you an owner's manual. You should have an owner's manual.

Q: Where can you find a safety course?
A: The Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife lists them. [You can find a list on the Department's Web site.] It may be that if you call, they will be full. They may refer you to someone in your area to schedule a class.

Q: How hard is it to learn to drive a snowmobile?
A: It's not that difficult. It's just a matter of practice, of eye coordination. It's like downhill skiing; you have to learn body english. Although with the trails the way they are today, it's almost like riding down Route 1.

Basically all you have on a snowmobile is a throttle and handbrake. And you can have two identical machines next to each other and the throttles will be a little different. So you get used to how your throttle works.

So go out in a field and practice. That's the only way you're going to learn. Of course, make sure you have permission from whoever owns that field.

Q: How old do you need to be to ride a snowmobile? What age is appropriate to begin?
A: If you are 14 years or older, you can ride a snowmobile unsupervised. The state strongly recommends that you wear a helmet.

If you are 10 to 13 years of age, you can ride unsupervised by an adult but you cannot take a snowmobile across a public way. An adult must take the child's sled and bring it across the public way. If you are under 10 years of age, you must always be accompanied by an adult. The exception to that is if you are on your own property. [Click here for the complete list of Maine snowmobile laws from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.]

Q: What are some safety tips for beginners?
A: Ride sensibly and ride with people that are experienced. It's the same in any sport, say, like basketball. You don't get better playing with guys that are worse than you, you get better by playing with people that are better than you. So ride with people who are experienced. Always ride under supervision. Never ever ever ride alone.

Always ride those trails as if you've never been on them. I don't care how many times you've been on them. Say you've just ridden a trail and you say "that's a beautiful trail, we're going to ride it again tommorow." Is it the same trail? No. Suppose wind blew a tree across or a hole opened up. Ride a trail like you've never ridden it before.

Q: Do you recommend joining a snowmobile club or the Maine Snowmobile Association?
A: This is extremely important: join a club. You will learn from the club, you'll work with the club, work the trails, know the trails better. You get to know people, get chances to go on more rides, you get into community activities. And when you join a club in this state, you automatically become a member of the Maine Snowmobile Association [see Resources for more information].

Q: What do out-of-staters need to know?
A: Even if you live out of state, you should still join the MSA and join a club. You could come up and work on trail. If you come up and you are not used to the area, you can go to the clubs and get advice on where to ride.

And you do need to register your sled in Maine. Maine no longer has reciprocity with any state [see Resources for more information].

Q: What are some common mistakes that beginners make?
A: Three things: being improperly dressed; not knowing the machine; and riding to endanger, either themselves or property.

People speed, people drink, people dress improperly. Or they don't know where they are going, or they ride off poorly equipped. Those are the things that will get you in some major trouble.

You get people who ride improperly - because they don't have the experience, and because there's no speed limit here. In Maine we use what's called proper and prudent speed. The proper and prudent speed can be determined by any law-enforcement agent. So you have to use common sense.

Q: What if you want to learn but aren't ready to buy? Can you rent or go on a guided trip?
A: When you rent, make sure you are renting from someone with a good reputation. Know what you are renting. If they are reliable renters, they should ask you a lot of questions and make sure you are renting the right machine.

Rental agents will rent you clothing and technically they are supposed to give you training. You maybe get a walk-around, a ride in the parking lot and a videotape. I don't think this is the best way to get started. It's just like taking off with no knowledge.

So if you are renting, I'd recommend that you get someone in the party who has ridden before. You also might want to ask what happens if you break down. Are they going to come get you? Carry a cell phone but remember the problem with a cell phone is that batteries can go down and in some places there's no service.

A guided trip is a good way to get started. You can get a guided tour or a touring package.The guides usually have two or three assistants. Make sure it's a registered Maine guide. The guides will look at the group and assess the level of experience, so the trip will be right for the people in the group. That's a good way to find out if you like the sport.

Q: What's your favorite Maine place to snowmobile and why? Where would be a good place for beginners?
A: I used to go to Rangeley but now I go to Millinocket. On the weekends, I don't ride in Rangeley or Jackman because it gets very crowded. Aroostook County is the best but it's a long drive.

For a first ride, I'd say go out on your local trails. They may or may not be the best but you'll get the feel of the machine.

Q: What about different snow conditions? What weather is best?
A: The best is two or three days of good snow. Don't ride with less than four or five inches of snow. There's a big temptation when two or three inches fall, to go out on golf course and ride around. You don't want to do this. Most sleds now have picks, like studs, in the tracks. That'll chew up the course and greens.

You will find conditions posted on the Internet [see Resources for more information]. Check the conditions first. If it's a first snowfall, wait a couple of days and let it pack down. I used to break trail but you've got to be strong. Let someone else break trails. The clubs will break trails and groom them, so wait a few days.

If it snows, then the sun comes out, it gets a little slushy, and that's not that much fun. Or if it gets cold again, then your tracks can freeze. Total icy conditions are not good.

As far as ice on ponds and lakes, if you come up to a lake or pond and see a snowmobile track going across it, does that mean it's safe? No. How do you find out? Ask the natives. Even then it may not be safe but they will have a better idea. But the rule of thumb is "if you don't know, you don't go." Always assume ice is not safe. That's the way I ride. I very seldom cross a body of water - some guys call me paranoid - but I don't care. Ice changes.

Q: How dangerous is it?
A: It is a dangerous sport. But it's like anything else. It's not dangerous if you do it right. You figure, you take a machine - even the smallest one - even that will do 60 to 70 miles an hour on snow. Now imagine yourself taking your car down an iced Route 95 and driving your car at 65 or 70 miles an hour. Is that dangerous? It's the same thing on a snowmobile. You are driving on a road made of ice.

Q: How loud is it? Can you talk to each other?
A: You can get the communication systems to talk between sleds. As far as I can see, most of them are good, if you are lucky, for about a mile and a half. Some people complain they get in the way.

Noise is a big factor; it's the one thing that is getting us to lose trails. It's sensitive especially if you are near someone's house and especially at night. It's an extremely important factor in terms of public relations with the landowner.

Q: What is special about snowmobiling in Maine?
A: First thing, and this isn't the chamber of commerce talking, this is right from the heart: Maine people are the nicest people in the world, and I've traveled all over the world. People are extremely friendly on the trails. They will stop and help you at the drop of a hat. The warden service is the most understanding and cooperative that I've ever seen.

Second of all, you probably have — and I'm going to go out on a limb here — the best trails in the country up here. The trails are excellent; the clubs do a beautiful job, a lot of them use groomers just like on the ski slopes.

Also, the accommodations are very good; the only problem is there aren't enough of them, especially during school vacation weeks, so make sure you book in advance. The people that own them are very nice, they'll go out of the way for you. A lot of them will make a point to have a heated garage where you can work on your sled. Most of shops and dealers are open on weekends; that's important. The restaurants are good here too. In Millinocket, at the Medway Diner, I'll put their whoopie pies up against any others.

I have one problem, I think there's too much drinking up here. But Maine has an extremely tough OUI law which makes snowmobiling that much better.

File photo by John Patriquin

Snowmobile safety instructors Lou Haskell, left, and Bill Billings conduct a outdoor class last winter with students from Lake Region Middle School. Billings also teaches classes at Bonny Eagle and Massabesic schools.

— Interview by Melissa Kim, MaineToday.com (November 2001)

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Bill Billings's gear recommendations: Snowmobile: "Make sure it's ergonomically correct, that it fits you. A lot of them now have handlebars that are adjustable. Make sure you are comfortable on it because you are going to spend a lot of hours on it." "There are basically four machines on the market today. In this day and age they are all good machines. They are all reliable. They have different features like different suspension, ski stance, material, just things you want to look at and decide that you like or don't like." Helmet: "You do need and should have a brain bucket, what I call the helmet. Make sure you get one that is DOT (Dept of Transportation) or SNELL approved. That's usually printed on the back. They will vary in price, and may be a little more expensive than others, but that's the one you want to buy. You also need to make sure it fits properly." "The best and safest ones are closed face, with a full face shield that comes down over your face. The only problem is that sometimes they fog up." Boots: "There are boots specially made for snowmobiling. The basic one is like the Eskimo mukluk; it's a rubber soled boot, with canvas on top, that laces up and ties. Some now have Velcro." Suits: "Snowmobile suits are ideal. You don't have to worry about keeping warm with them. They are fairly expensive. I would recommend the two-piece suit with the high bib in front; the women's have a flap in back. The more expensive suits are the ones that match the sleds. A lot of people go for that, but it's not necessary. Looks come second. The first things are comfort, warmth and safety." Gloves: "Mittens are warmer because they keep your fingers together. A lot of people prefer gloves but they are colder since they separate your fingers. Gloves are more maneuverable but mittens are warmer." "I ride with elephant ears on handlebars; they are like gauntlets. They are so beautiful, so warm. I ride with a thin pair of cotton gloves underneath and if my hands get cold, I turn the electric handwarmers on. So I recommend gauntlets with a pair of gloves." Glasses: "If you wear glasses, try wearing contacts. I know some people say the cold affects them. I'd say wear contacts with your face shield or a good pair of goggles. You can buy prescription goggles, or even prescription face shields. There's no limit; the only limit is your pocketbook." "I wear glasses, so I wear a regulation safety-approved helmet, and slide in my earpieces for my glasses. They don't seem to fog up, because I don't ride with my mask closed too often. It has to get pretty cold. I have a very thin nylon mask that goes over my head and face. I spent some time at the North Pole, and when we used to go out I'd put a little Vaseline on my face. I used to grease up part of my skin to keep the cold out. So I take a little Vaseline and put it over my face. Glasses should be no problem." First aid/survival kit: "You should have some first aid knowledge. Carry a fire starter, spare spark plugs, spare belt, flashlight, some tools. The machines come with a pre-packaged tool kit and spare plugs. You'll learn this in a safety course. You'll get a manual that shows you what to put in a survival kit." "I've got some tips I've learned too. You can use lint from the dryer to start a fire. You can use a candle You can dip a handkerchief in your sled's gasoline to start a fire. People will read this and say, "Oh, I don't need this." But it's all important." To top of page

RESOURCES To join a club: The Maine Snowmobile Association has trail maps, trail conditions and lists of the 270-plus snowmobile clubs in Maine. To know the law: Make sure you know the laws that apply to snowmobling in Maine. Click here to read the Maine snowmobile laws from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. To register your snowmobile: Snowmobiles may be registered through the mail or in person at locations throughout the state. For a list of locations, call 207-287-8000. You can also register online. More information on registration... For trail conditions: The Maine Snowmobile Association has links to trail conditions in 10 different Maine regions; SledMaine.com has trail reports from around the state, and area chambers of commerce often have trail conditions. SAFE SNOWMOBILING The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife also offers these tips and trail ethics: Snowmobiling tips 1) Travel in groups and inform some responsible person of your plans. 2) Know your machine and its capabilities. 3) Respect the rights and property of others. 4) If it is necessary to travel on frozen bodies of waters, do so with extra caution. 5) When crossing a highway be sure the way is clear and cross as directly as possible. 6) Know and obey Maine snowmobile laws. 7) Do not use your machine to harass wildlife, or in areas frequented by game. Trail ethics 1) I will always operate at a reasonable and prudent speed for trail conditions; 2) I will always drive to the right side of the trail and park to the right in single file or stop off the edge of the groomed surface; 3) I will not pass unless recognized and motioned to pass by the snowmobile operator ahead; 4) I will respect the trail groomer operator and leave the trail in the same condition I found it; 5) I will not drink and drive; 6) I will not ride on plowed roads except at legal crossings. To top of page

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