[mcdude]

Originally Posted by sgold44

We rode the trails around Alton Mountain all week, & for the most part they were great. This is my first winter riding up here, & I'm having a blast. Is there anyone else out there that rides out of Alton Shores?

Scott: Here's someone else who has been "riding" (and napping) recently in the Alton Shores / Alton Mountain area......

Snowmobiler, Found Lying on Alton Trail, Arrested for DWI

Article Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2008
A snowmobile driver was charged with driving while intoxicated after he was found lying across a popular trail in Alton Tuesday.

Glenn Larue was found by another snowmobiler, who had stopped to investigate an object blocking his path, lying across a frequently-used trail in the area of Avery Hill. The witness later told officers that Larue appeared to be sleeping in the middle of the trail.

When approached by the snowmobiler, Larue attempted to stand and get back on his sled, though he was unable to walk and fell back across the trail and seemed to go back to sleep.

It was then that the Alton Police Department was contacted and about a half-mile into the woods off Avery Road, officers Nick Skiba and Brett Murray came upon Larue. At that point, Larue had managed to get back to his snowmobile, climb on and was concentrating on getting his glove back on when approached by the Alton officers.

During the course of their conversation, both officers watched as Larue continually fell off his sled and got up again.

"All the indications were there that they were dealing with an impaired operator," said Alton Chief Philip Smith.

Larue was taken into police custody, given a Breathalyzer test and charged with driving while intoxicated as well as aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Smith explained that impaired recreation is a problem every summer with all-terrain vehicles and every winter with snowmobiles. However it has become worse this winter with the department receiving numerous complaints of reckless snowmobiling.

"Unfortunately, people try to enhance their recreation and overindulge," said Smith, explaining complaints his department has received range from cutting across lawns and near misses on the ice or trails to just plain reckless behavior.

In New Hampshire, driving while intoxicated is an enforceable offense when operating any vehicle with a motor. In fact, Smith explained that it even applies to a person riding a bicycle.

To curb this problem, the Alton Police Department will be teaming up with the New Hampshire Fish and Game. The two agencies will be working together on keeping a closer eye on snowmobilers, setting up sobriety check points and other measures to make sure no one is getting back on their sled for a ride after having too much to drink.

"The snow keeps coming and people are having a good time, but everyone needs to be responsible," said Smith.