• ATVs are allowed only on certain Wisconsin trails during the winter.black atv image by Dumitrescu Ciprian from Fotolia.com
  
  Twenty-four Wisconsin counties have ATV trails that can be used during the winter months. During the winter of 2009-2010, more than 4,200 miles of trails were available to be used by snowmobile and ATV riders. ATVs using the trails must be registered with the state.
  
  

Trails

• Not all ATV trails may be used during the winter. The Wisconsin State Department of Natural Resources publishes a list on its website of trails that are open for winter use. The Department also urges ATV operators to check with the county snowmobile coordinator to confirm trails on which winter ATV use is allowed, and to check with counties, town, cities or villages in which trails are located to find out about dates when the trails are closed. DNR also warns that not all snowmobile trails are open to be used by other kinds of ATVs, and in fact, it may be illegal.
  
  

Speed

• The state requires that drivers of snowmobiles slow to at least 10 miles per hour when approaching an ice shack or pedestrian, an ATV or any other motorized vehicle within 100 feet.
  
  

Helmets

• Riders and operators under age 12 must always wear a helmet while riding in public areas. Riders and operators ages 12-18 must wear helmets while operating on public lands and while they are a guest on someone's private property, except when the ATV is being used for hunting or fishing.
  
  

Spark Arrestor

• DNR requires that ATVs operating within the state be equipped with spark arrestors, including during the winter months.