Getting the word out that there is sufficient snow to ride on is one of the goals of the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks department this snowmobile season.

Shannon Percy, GF&P district park manager and manager of snowmobile trails, said that many times, potential riders don't realize there is enough snow up in the Hills when they don't see any in the towns they live in, such as Rapid City.

Percy said he hopes there will be sufficient snow this year, which hasn't exactly been a given in recent years.

"We're sure hopeful," he said. "Last year was a pretty bleak year for us, so we're hopeful that this year will bring lots of snow and that we can have a great year."

The season officially starts Saturday, Dec. 15. Groomers weren't scheduled to begin that soon, but Percy said the snow that fell this past weekend could change that.

Percy said he has heard reports of about a foot of snow near Moon Campground, which is about 18 miles north of U.S. Highway 16. If those reports prove accurate and if the snow holds through the week, groomers could start Saturday night.

Despite no promises yet of a snow-filled winter, local snowmobile rental establishments have had plenty of interest in this year's season.

"Reservations are good," said Bob VanDeest, owner of Trailshead Lodge near Lead. "Lodging is basically booked full for the winter, and the snowmobiles are starting to book up now."

He said reservations usually start to fill in November.

He hopes for a fuller season this year than last, when the peak was from January through February. VanDeest has a good feeling about this year.

"I think we're going to have some snow this year," he said.

Dawn Madsen, manager of snowmobile and ATV rentals at Mad Mountain Adventures near Deadwood, said she has also been getting plenty of inquiries.

"We've had a lot of phone calls," she said. "It's wise that they do (call,) so that when they plan their trips, they have machines available."

She said there is always a high interest and many reservations at the beginning of the season, but in past years, the lack of snow has forced the cancellation of many of those early reservations.

Madsen hopes this year will be different, although she said the fact that neither of the ski resorts were able to open by their early target dates wasn't a good sign.

"We watch the ski resorts to see what kinds of things they do," she said. "That usually bodes bad news if they're not open by Thanksgiving."

Riders will see a few changes in both the trail system and the number of snowmobiles available for rental.

Thunderhead Rentals, which had a shop in Lead and one about four miles south of town, had to close this year because of the health problems of Doug Richards, whose wife, Tera, owned the business.

Even though the snow conditions have been less than ideal in recent years, Doug Richards said the closing of his business could leave some potential snowmobilers out in the cold.

"We ran 40 snowmobiles. With those 40 out of the rental industry up here, it's definitely going to make an impact," he said.

Madsen said losing Thunderhead will make things more difficult for other businesses.

"When you take (40) machines out of the pool, it's pretty slim," she said. "It'll be harder for us to meet the demand."

Madsen said the various snowmobile-rental providers help each other out by loaning each other sleds and just working together to provide help for snowmobilers in general.

"It's going to be tough," she said. "We're sorry to see him go."

The trails themselves will also be slightly different this year.

"We've added some new trails this year and look forward to see if they have snow on them," Percy said.

Percy said a new trail, No. 13, has been added near Moon Campground in the Southern Hills. In addition, the old trail 2A has been re-routed up near Trailshead Lodge. The trail formerly ran down from Service Road 231, but that road is now going to be plowed and used by residents, Percy said.

He said that GF&P workers have been signing and putting up barricades and warming shelters in various areas in the trail system this week to get them ready for Saturday's opening.

Basic snowmobile safety

* Be sure your snowmobile is in top-notch mechanical condition at the beginning of the winter season and throughout the months of use.

* Familiarize yourself with the snowmobile you are driving by reading in detail the owner's manual accompanying the snowmobile.

* Wear sensible, protective clothing designed for snowmobiling.

* Use a full-size helmet, goggles, or face shield to prevent injuries from twigs, stones, ice chips and flying debris.

* Avoid wearing long scarves. They may get caught in moving parts of the snowmobile.

* Know the terrain you are going to ride. If it is unfamiliar, ask someone who has traveled over it before.

* Know the weather forecast - especially the ice and snow conditions in the area.

* Always use the buddy system. Never ride alone.

Source: South Dakota Snowmobile Association

Contact Ryan Woodard at 394-8412 or ryan.woodard@rapidcityjournal.com