Ride Rating System

Before you join a ride

Pick a ride that fits your experience. If you’re unsure what to expect, talk with the ride coordinator about the route and current conditions before signing up.

If the ride takes you into or below avalanche terrain, everyone needs a beacon, shovel and probe, along with avalanche training and regular practice using their gear. That applies at every ride level. Having the gear doesn’t make a dangerous slope safe.

Check the Central Oregon Avalanche Center forecast before heading out. Make sure it’s current and covers the area you’ll be riding. You can also read more about avalanche rescue gear.

Everyone on an MJSC ride must wear an approved helmet and dress for the weather. Club policy requires anyone operating a sled to have a valid driver’s license or a certificate showing they’ve completed a snowmobile safety class.

Check the Club Calendar for upcoming rides and Grooming Updates for dated reports. You don’t need a Facebook account to read those updates. We also use Facebook for last-minute changes.

See the Club Calendar for announced clinics and event details.

MJSC reserves the right to change, alter, postpone or cancel any ride. Weather conditions change rapidly. Heavy snowfall in a short time can change an easy ride into a much more difficult outing or sudden warm ups or rain can turn well groomed trails into a snowmobiler’s nightmare. While our grooming chairman and his team of volunteers do an outstanding job, grooming equipment breakdowns may also alter scheduled rides. All rides are weather/snow permitting.

• Beginning: Beginning rides are for individuals and families with little or no snowmobiling experience. They are a great way to introduce the sport of snowmobiling. These rides are on groomed trails, at a slower pace, an appropriate distance with scheduled stops to ensure everyone’s comfort and fun. The ride coordinator will be able to handle problems that arise during these rides. MJSC highly recommends a parent accompany any riders under 16 on a beginning ride.

• Intermediate: Intermediate rides are for riders with sufficient experience to prepare them for moderate speeds and longer distances. Many riders fall into the intermediate category. An intermediate rider on a new or unfamiliar machine could temporarily move back into the beginner category. While a majority of the ride may be on groomed trails, some level, off-trail, open play areas may be on route. All intermediate riders should understand how their snowmobile handles varied terrain and how to safely operate their machine.

• Expert: Expert riders have many years of experience in all terrain and conditions. These rides include off trail riding in treed, unlevel terrain. Being proficient in the art of "side hilling” and hill climbing are required. All riders on expert level club sponsored rides are expected to help others in the event of any problem. Getting yourself stuck and helping others get unstuck is likely. Expert riders carry additional supplies, fuel and parts. Riders must be prepared for many types of situations. If you are not positive you are an expert snowmobiler, you’re probably NOT!

• Extreme: Few snowmobilers qualify for extreme level rides. This level is for the best of the best. High horsepower machines with longer tracks are a must. Every rider must carry a beacon, shovel and probe, extra fuel and basic first aid supplies. Many extreme riders also carry GPS equipment to track their location. Riding in remote and dangerous conditions are the norm. While these rides may sound exciting, mistakes made on extreme rides can have severe consequences. Do not attend an extreme ride unless you have the equipment, ability and experience to do so.