WARNING: One Of Maine’s Deadliest Winter Outdoor Activities Will Shock You

Winter is here, and Maine is the most rad spot to enjoy winter sports and activities! However, not all of our winter fun comes without danger.

Although this outdoor activity may not inherently be scary for everyone, snowmobiles have definitely proven to be hazardous and even deadly here in the state, especially during unusually warm winters.

This could be for a number of reasons including drunk driving, bad conditions, speeding, difficult terrain, and more. Snowmobiling can be extremely dangerous, and accidents take place far more than people might imagine.

I have a memory from my childhood when my brother, Christian, got his first snowmobile. We embarked on a ride on a nearby trail, and as we were climbing a steep hill, the machine tipped over.

At the time, Christian was only around 11 years old, and he instinctively lifted his leg just before the snowmobile came crashing down on us and stopped it. This taught us how easily accidents can happen while riding a snowmobile.

According to one article by the Sun Journal back in 2022, the Maine Warden Service was investigating Maine's ninth snowmobile fatality, when a 56-year-old woman from Massachusetts was driving a Polaris and crashed into trees at a fast speed.

According to the report, based on the beginning of the investigation, it seems that the crash was influenced by a lack of experience, excessive speed, and alcohol consumption.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that each year on average 150 injuries have resulted from snowmobile accidents during the winter season, according to Joe Bornstein. 

For tips on how to stay cautious and safe on the trails in Maine, head on over to the Maine Snowmobile Association.