The streets have been opened to snowmobiles in Sault Ste. Marie this year.

The move was put in place by City Commission Monday, December 1, to welcome snowmobile enthusiasts to visit city lodging, restaurants, and entertainment. Groomed trails are connected to the city by a tunnel beneath I-75.

"After coming off the trails, visitors can drive directly to their motel or hit a local restaurant or pick up supplies at a store. With the opening of city streets, they can access virtually every location by snowmobile," said Linda Hoath, executive director of the Sault Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The new ordinance that allows snowmobiling in town does outline some restrictions. Some of the city's busiest thoroughfares are offlimits, but secondary streets and alleys can be used to eliminate any need for those streets. Restricted streets include M-129, I-75, the I-75 Business Spur, and the hill on Easterday Avenue. Boundary streets surrounding War Memorial Hospital are also off-limits to sleds.

All snowmobilers younger than 18 must carry a state-issued safety training certificate. Any driver younger than 16 must be under the direct supervision of an adult. A curfew is also in place between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., when snowmobile operation is prohibited within the city limits.