After a weekend snowstorm dropped at least 4 inches of snow across Berkshire County, snowmobile trails in seven state forests officially reopened Sunday, giving riders their first real chance to hit the trails this winter.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, trails at 12 state parks in Western Massachusetts were opened in total, including seven located partially or completely in the Berkshires: Savoy Mountain State Forest, Windsor State Forest, Beartown State Forest, Sandisfield State Forest, Pittsfield State Forest, October Mountain State Forest and Tolland State Forest.

Now, outdoor enthusiasts in snowmobile groups from Florida to Sandisfield are preparing to ride, opting to embrace the chill of winter instead of the warmth of the fireplace.

“I enjoy being out in the woods,” said Brian Janik, president of the Adams Sno-Drifters Snowmobile Club. “It’s a fun, family-oriented sport. You get a lot of camaraderie between friends and family.”

Trails will remain open as long as enough snow remains and trail conditions are safe. The state stipulates that snow vehicles can only be operated on trails with at least 4 inches of hard packed snow or at least 5 inches of solid ice on bodies of water.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation does not provide live snowmobile trail updates specifically, but Ilyse Wolberg, a spokeswoman for the state agency, said that the department hopes to make that information available on its website in the near future. Updates about general park availability can be found at mass.gov/info-details/dcr-park-alerts.

Several local snowmobile clubs provide real-time updates about trail conditions on Facebook, including the Berkshire Snow Seekers, who confirmed on Monday afternoon that the snowmobile trail at Mount Greylock State Reservation was additionally open. The Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts also regularly updates an online map showing available trails.

A snowmobiler rides the trail near the Blue Vista Motor Lodge on Mohawk Trail in Florida on Monday evening. Snowmobile trails are now open after last weekend's significant snowfall.

The work of preparing local trails for snowmobiles often begins months before the snowflakes start to fall. A network of local snowmobile clubs, staffed by volunteers, often starts clearing out fallen trees as early as September, ensuring that paths will be smooth and free of obstructions by the time winter arrives. The process, known as grooming, is key to maintaining the trails.

The Florida Mountaineers Snowmobile Club, which has around 200 members, is responsible for grooming about 50 miles of snowmobile trail in the area. Tim Keating, secretary, said that members of the club got to work preparing trails after the storm on Sunday.

“We’re lucky to have a young group that enjoys it and gets involved,” he said. “They do a great job.”

Keating, who has been a member of the group since it was founded in 2001, said he’s observed a shift in the usual timeline for snowmobile season in the Berkshires over the years.

A snowmobiler crosses a patch of parking lot as it gets back on the trail near the Blue Vista Motor Lodge on Mohawk Trail in Florida on Monday evening. On Sunday, the state officially opened trails at 12 state parks in western Massachusetts.

“Back in the old days we drove from Thanksgiving to Easter,” he told The Eagle. Now, he said, the bulk of Berkshire County’s snowfall often seems to appear in late winter.

In terms of keeping safe on the trails, Keating has a word of advice: “Take it easy.”

“High speeds aren’t good,” he warns. “Always wear your safety equipment.”

Janik, president of the Adams-based snowmobile group, said that maintaining snow vehicles is key to ensuring safety.

“You always want to make sure you go through your machine before the beginning of the season and make sure everything's in working order,” he said, adding that keeping a spare drive belt on hand could help in a pinch.

“Ride with some friends so if you do run into problems, you have somebody else there to help you out,” he added. “There isn't necessarily cell service in all areas.”

A snowmobiler grooms a trail near the Blue Vista Motor Lodge on Mohawk Trail in Florida on Monday evening. Local enthusiasts encourage riders to join a snowmobile club in order to help maintain local trails.

If snowmobiling seems like it might become a regular part of your winter routine, joining a local club and volunteering to clear trails might also be worth considering, Janik said.

“There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that people wouldn't normally see,” he said. “There’s a lot of personal investment involved.”