Take note snowmobilers, you should be aware of this before you hit the trails.

This winter has had its ups and downs, any outdoor enthusiast knows that's the truth. One week will be a heat wave and green grass, with the next being freezing and a foot of snow in the forecast. You just can't win in Upstate New York.

Man driving sports snowmobile in Finnish Lapland in a sunny day
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This is definitely the case with the NYS DEC's latest announcement.

Adirondack Advisory

Ice conditions are still proving to be "variable and unreliable" in the Adirondacks and beyond. The DEC is advising snowmobilers to STAY OFF the ice when venturing out onto the trails this month.

Even if a lake is covered in fresh snow, the ice underneath is still thin and shouldn't be trusted. The last thing you want to do is crash through the ice, putting yourself or someone else in serious danger.

Credit - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Credit - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
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Here's even a snowmobile that was pulled from out of a lake up north last year. It fell through the unsafe ice, flooding the engine and ruining the sled.

READ MORE: DEC Warns for What Caused This Upstate NY Snowmobile Crash

The NYS DEC always tells snowmobilers to check the current and local ice conditions before hitting the trails. The best advice if you don't know... DON'T GO. You're much better being safe than sorry.

You can always learn more about ice safety by visiting the NYS DEC's website.

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