Snowmobiling provides great opportunities for family fun during Wisconsin’s winter months, but the sport is only fun as long as drivers and riders are safe.

That’s why the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is holding a snowmobiling safety education course for anyone under the age of 23 starting Tuesday.

Anyone born after January 1st, 1985 is required by law to be certified in snowmobile safety.

The course offered by the DNR covers topics like the history and community of snowmobiling, survival, laws and even touches on how a zero-tolerance policy can help save lives on the trail.

“We do teach about alcohol and snowmobiling, being a safe responsible snowmobiler and making the right choices,” said Tess Brokaw, the chairperson for the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs’ Safety Committee.

The DNR started requiring the course back in 2001 with the hope of reducing the potential for snowmobile accidents, injuries and fatalities, and Brokaw says since the course began, the number of snowmobile-related deaths has gone down.

The safety course is going to be held at John Muir Middle School in Wausau starting February 12th, and will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. through March 6th.

If you’re interested in taking the course, you can call (715) 261-0100.

For more information on the course, to find out where other courses in NorthCentral Wisconsin are offered, or to learn more about getting certified from home, visit the WDNR’s website by following the link below.