The buzz of a snowmobile is a familiar sound this time of year. With more than 10,000 miles of trails in New York, there is plenty to explore. 

"Pay attention to what's around you, what's in front of you," said John Marshall, Madison County Sherrif's Office marshall. "Trails can be hazardous within ten minutes of going through a trail and coming back." 

When you hit the trails obey the speed limits. Officials say speeding is a factor in most crashes and to always drive sober as there is a zero tolerance policy in New York. Plus, conditions change quickly. 

"Nightime snowmobile riding can have its own special challenges," Marshall said. "I think the biggest thing is to maintain a lower speed, because you have less sight distance to react for animals, accidents, or trees down."

There are more than 130,000 registered snowmobiles in New York State, and officials recommend riding with a friend. 

"If you're not going to be with a group, make sure you tell someone what time you're going to leave, where you're going, and what time you're going to be back," said Marshall. 

More than a dozen kids sat in a safety class Saturday, excited to go home and tell their parents what they learned.

"I would kind of tell him the history and the background on snowmobilling," said Evan Smith. "I find that sort of interesting. The first actual snowmobile they put skis on was a Ford Model T. They put skis on the front of the first car ever." 

Since the course is in the classroom and focused on safety tips, the sheriff's office is most concerned with making sure the kids remember the rules when they finally get out in the snow and hit the trails.