Winter starts Saturday and despite the balmy temperatures in the 50s and 60s, snow will be coming relatively soon.

And, while many people curse the challenges and inconveniences of the white stuff, snowmobilers really get a kick out of a lot of snow.

Brian McMurdy of Worth Township has been snowmobiling for more than 20 years, starting at age 12.

“It's a fun sport,” McMurdy, who enjoys riding with friends and relatives, said.

In Butler County, Mark Mueller, president of the PA Snowseekers SMC, said most snowmobiling takes place either on private property or on certain township roads in the northern part of the county.

Moraine State Park also is a popular spot, with nice, easy trails.

“It's actually beautiful,” Mueller of Jackson Township said.

Dustin Drew, manager at Moraine State Park, said the park has about 26 miles of trails for snowmobiling.

Areas where snowmobiles can be operated are designated with an orange diamond sign, and they mostly serve as bike and equestrian trails during warm weather months. A few unpaved roads in the park also can be used for snowmobiling.

Drew said the park recommends there be at least 6 inches of snow to operate snowmobiles, but he said people have ridden with less snow. He said that snowmobiling with less snow on paved trails can cause damage to the trails. It also can damage snowmobiles, so most riders avoid riding on paved trails with less snow.

“It seems to work out pretty well,” Drew said.

In state parks, snowmobiling is permitted after the last day of deer hunting season in December to April 1.

However, Mueller said that there is not a whole lot of sustainable snow in the county to really foster a lot of snowmobiling here. So, for the most part, people go to the north, Erie County, New York state or the Laurel Highlands to get their fix.

“Wherever there is snow,” Mueller said.

One of the most popular places to snowmobile is the Allegheny National Forest, which has about 350 miles of trails. Snowmobile season in the forest began Saturday.

“There are just more riding opportunities,” Mueller said.

McMurdy agreed. He said he prefers to have at least 8 inches of snow on the ground to ride on.

“The more snow you have, the better the ride, McMurdy said, saying that he recalls there being more snow when he was younger.

Although some folks ride on local roads, McMurdy, a Worth Township supervisor, said that the roads in the township are plowed and salted during the winter, so snowmobiling does not happen.

He also enjoys snowmobiling at Moraine when it is possible. When he was younger, McMurdy's father worked to get a looped snowmobile trail around Moraine. However, the project did not have enough political support.

Registration for snowmobiles is handled through the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

There are two types of registration, general registration and limited registration. General registration, which costs $20 and lasts two years, allows operators to use the snowmobile on public land or land owned by other people. Limited registration, which is free and has no expiration, lets the operator use the snowmobile on his or her own private land.

Snowmobiles have to be registered in the state to be operated in the state. Out-of-state registrations are not valid.

Liability insurance is required for snowmobiles.

Brad James, one of the directors for the Allegheny Ridge Runners club, said that state regulations require children under 16 years old take a safety course, and such courses are strongly encouraged for adults.

“It's almost a must,” James said.

He said that the courses are about eight hours, and many clubs use them as fundraising events.

Just like driving a car, Mueller said that people should never drink alcohol and operate a snowmobile.

Snowmobilers should always wear a helmet and eye protection, should know where they are going, carry a spare drive belt and spark plugs, and wear appropriate clothing. Mueller said snowmobiling gear is similar to ski gear, but is made specifically for snowmobiling.

He said riders should stay on designated routes and follow the speed limit when riding on roads.

Drew advises snowmobile operators either ride in a group or tell someone where they are going.

“Just in case you break down or have some other type of problem,” Drew said.

He also said that snowmobilers should stop before crossing a road and be respectful of local wildlife.

Snowmobiles start at about $5,000 to buy. Mueller said a top-of-the-line model can run upward of $12,000.

Mueller said the amount of work done to a snowmobile when the season starts depends on how much work the owner did at the end of the previous season.

“They're like your car,” Mueller said.

At the end of the season, Mueller said that he either fills the fuel tank to the top or drains it, to prevent condensation from building up.

Older models should have spark plugs removed and have oil put in the cylinders, but he said that owners do not really have to do that with newer models.

Over the years, snowmobiles have become more fuel efficient, changing from carburetor engines to fuel injection engines. This increased the average length of an “all day” ride from about 30 miles in the 1970s to 200 miles today.

Mueller said beginners interested in snowmobiling should check out the website for the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association, www.pasnow.org. He also suggested beginners contact a snowmobiling club for information.

“Snowmobiling is a big club activity,” Mueller said.

James said clubs are great ways for snowmobilers to interact with each other and help people learn more about the sport. Clubs also serve to gather volunteers to maintain and groom snowmobile trails.

“Volunteers are needed for everything,” James said.

More information on snowmobiling is available by contacting the following groups:Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association at pasnow.orgPA Snowseekers SMCPO Box 542Zelienople, PA 16063724-452-0836pasnowseekers.orgAllegheny Ridge Runners724-224-5743deputyjames@verizon.netFor information on snowmobiling state laws, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_015958.pdf