Snowmobiling safety tips

Snowmobiling (Photo by Timo Newton-Syms / Flickr)

A fresh fall of new snow in the British Columbia back-country -– what could be more exciting than racing along a snowy trail, far away from everywhere on a clear, crisp winter day? ‘Tis the season once again and although it is indeed a great sport, snowmobiling can be a very dangerous one for riders who don’t follow the rules.

It’s against the law to use a snowmobile on plowed forest service roads in B.C. Putting yourself, your passengers and logging-truck drivers at risk is not acceptable and Ministry of Natural Resource operations compliance officers, plus the RCMP are out in full force monitoring many forest service roads and handing out heavy fines to sledders who decide to do so.

We have some tips for enthusiasts that, if followed, can greatly improve your chances of having a safe, happy snowmobiling experience this winter:

• Be aware of your surroundings and follow and obey trail signs to ensure your own safety and that of others.

• All drivers and passengers of off-road vehicles using Crown land must wear helmets and use lights at night (tip: you should keep your lights on at all times to be more visible to others on the trail). Helmets must meet the Canadian Standards Association, Department of Transportation / Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Snell or American National Standards Institute standards. A bicycle helmet is not legal.

• The driver of a snowmobile needs to be strong, skilled and mature so children under the age of 16 years should not operate these vehicles.

• It also takes strength and stamina to be a passenger because you need to hold on tightly for long periods of time. Therefore, children under 6 years should never ride as passengers.

• Check the weather forecast before you leave home for impending storms and avalanche dangers.

• Avoid snowmobiling on ice if you don’t know how thick it is or what condition it is in.

• Educate yourself about hypothermia (which occurs when body temperature drops to a dangerously low level) and know what to do. Check regularly for frostbite. Wear well-insulated clothing, goggles, waterproof snowmobile suits and gloves and rubber-soled boots.

• Mount a brightly-colored antenna flag on a 1.2m to 2.4m rod on the back of your vehicle so others can see you.

• Carry a first-aid kit with you, as well as an emergency tool kit containing spark plugs and drive and fan belts.

• If you are in an area with cellular phone service, make sure you have yours with you.

• Especially if you are in unfamiliar territory, travel at a safe speed. You may unexpectedly run into hazards such as barbed wire.

• Travel in groups and only on designated, marked trails, away from roads, waterways, railroads and pedestrians.

• Don’t pull people on saucers, tubes, tires, sleds or skis behind your vehicle.

• Just as you wouldn’t operate your automobile while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, don’t do it with your snowmobile either.

Head injuries are the leading cause of death and serious injury on snowmobiles. They usually happen when snowmobilers crash, fall or overturn while moving. Four children under the age of 16 die in snowmobile-related accidents each year in Canada.

Does this seem like a particularly long and maybe superfluous list of things to remember every time you anticipate a glorious afternoon on a back-country trail? It doesn’t hurt to check the list before you leave home -– just to be sure.

We wish you some great snowy adventures this season –- safe, happy and all in one piece!