Continuous snowfall in southwest Iowa is a boon for snowmobilers wanting to venture outdoors.

Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers President Mike Patten says the Raccoon Valley River Trail has been groomed for motorists, but reminds them that snowmobiling is not allowed on the trail through Perry and Dallas Center city limits. Patten urges snowmobilers to stay on marked trails, and to watch their speed, “The biggest thing that bothers snowmobilers, I think is when they come into towns they’re not paying attention. They don’t stop at stop signs and then if you’re going somewhere and there’s a trail, stay on the trail and follow the trail signs because what happens (is) if one snowmobiler comes in and they might not know where they’re going and they make a track, well everybody that comes into that town they’re going to follow that same track and then we get in trouble running over people’s yards and things like that. So if there’s a trail system stay on it is the way I would see it.”

Patten urges riders to not ride alone, and to bring emergency supplies such as first aid and repair kits, a tow rope, and a cell phone. For more information on the Raccoon Valley Snow Chasers and the trail systems in Dallas, Greene, and Guthrie counties, visit here.