Those who live in the Northwoods figured out long ago how to not just endure the long cold and snow of winter but turn it into a playground when possible.

Among the seasonal pastimes to savor is snowmobiles, an activity so fun it lures those from more southernly climes to venture north so they, too, can ride the many trails and revel in frozen faces and skimming over the snow.

Some businesses in the region rely on this influx of people looking to log quality time outdoors on these machines — visitors who are willing to spend money on fuel, food, lodging and anything else that helps enhance the experience.

Yet snowmobiling season can have a down side. Already, Michigan has seen at least 14 killed in snowmobile crashes for 2022-23, with eight of those deaths occuring in the Upper Peninsula. The latest U.P. fatality came Friday in Luce County when a man lost control of his sled and was ejected, landing on his head, according to the county’s sheriff’s office. It was the second death in Luce County for the week.

The 14 already surpasses the state’s toll of 13 snowmobile fatalities in 2021-22 and 12 in 2020-21, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Across the border in Wisconsin, 10 people have died in snowmobile crashes so far in 2023, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Tragically, the most recent was an 8-year-old girl in Price County who was seated in front of the 39-year-old operator when he accelerated and struck a tree.

When reading reports on these snowmobile crashes, some common factors emerge: excessive speed, alcohol consumption, inexperience in handling these machines — or all of the above.

It prompted the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to recently remind snowmobile operators to “Sled Safe and Sled Smart.” Its main point: As with any other motor vehicle, piloting a snowmobile should not be done under the influence.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for snowmobile operators to be safe, responsible and sober. Impairment of any kind can have tragic consequences,” DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator Lt. Jacob Holsclaw said. “Over the past five years, alcohol was involved in 68 percent of snowmobile fatalities. As you venture out on your snowmobile, think of your loved ones. Don’t drink and ride.”

The Wisconsin DNR offered this advice on operating a snowmobile safely —

— It is never OK to drink and operate a snowmobile. Impairment of any kind — drugs or alcohol — can have tragic consequences.

— Always operate within the limits of skills, visibility and snowmobile.

— Stop and look both ways before crossing a road. All snowmobile operators are required to obey stop sign postings and stop. Be sure the path is clear of all oncoming traffic.

For more information on operating a snowmobile safely, go online to the DNR’s snowmobiling webpage, https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Snowmobile.

In Michigan, all snowmobile operators who are 12 to 16 years of age are required to take a state-approved snowmobile safety course and obtain a snowmobile safety certificate. But anyone who plans to drive a sled should be well-versed on how it operates, rules and regulations, and trail etiquette.

The Michigan DNR suggests these snowmobile safety tips as well: ride on the right side of the trail; ride at a safe speed; ride sober; anticipate and yield to groomers; don’t use modified exhausts; and when approaching an intersection, come to a complete stop, raise off the seat and look both ways for traffic.

The DNR has a wealth of information about snowmobiling in Michigan at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/snowmobiling.

Proper equipment also can help boost safety, authorities said. In a second snowmobile crash in Luce County on Friday, a man who was traveling more than 80 mph was thrown from his sled when he struck a snowbank, injuring his back and leg — but was spared significant head trauma because he was wearing a helmet, according to the Luce County Sheriff’s Office.