Snowmobile Safety Information

Island Pond, Vermont
and the
Northeast Kingdom

"Your Vacation Destination"

Across a special part of North America, summer weather is uncertain but winter always brings snow. More than 10 million people look forward to that blanket of white and the pleasures of enjoying the outdoors on snowmobiles.

Many things make snowmobiling fun: the breathtaking beauty of a snow-filled woods, field or mountain; the precision performance of a well-designed machine; the satisfaction of traversing the winter landscape with friends and family.

Yes, snowmobilers savor the winter world, and that calls for extra responsibility. Training, experience and awareness are all traits of the accomplished snowmobiler. You are the "Safe Riders! You make snowmobiling safe."

Snowmobiling is fun, but it's work, too. It challenges the body and mind, and that's part of the reason you're so relaxed at the end of a day of snowmobiling. While you are riding, the wind, sun, glare, cold, vibration, motion and other factors work together to affect both driver and passenger.

Yes, there's plenty of challenge awaiting you as you drive your snowmobile into the winter wonderland. Alcohol magnifies and distorts those challenges and can quickly turn an enjoyable outing into a situation that's hazardous for you and others.

Alcohol and snowmobiling, simply, do not mix.

Forget that myth that alcohol warms up a chilled person. It opens the blood vessels and removes the feeling of chill, but it does nothing to increase body heat. Instead, it can increase the risk of hypothermia, a dangerous lowering of the body's core temperature. With alcohol, you may only feel warmer, while your body chills dangerously.

Alcohol increases fatigue, fogs your ability to make good decisions, and slows your reaction time. It's part of a formula for disaster. And don't forget -

MOST STATES AND PROVINCES HAVE LAWS PROHIBITING THE OPERATION OF A SNOWMOBILE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.


As a Safe Rider, you:
Know your abilities and don't go beyond them;
Know your machine's capabilities and don't push beyond them.
Know your riding area. Get a map. Talk to the local folks.
Learn more - reading manuals and other materials from manufacturers, administrators and snowmobile associations, or watch videos or computer programs from these sources. Snowmobile clubs, state and provincial associations offer courses, information and activities. Many members are certified driving and/or safety instructors.


Keep your machine in top shape
You have two good guides available for snowmobile maintenance: the owner's manual that came with it and your dealer. Consult both to make sure your machine is kept in top form for dependable, enjoyable fun.

Your local club or association may also conduct safety and maintenance programs.

Before each ride, follow the "pre-op" check outlined in your owner's manual.

Follow the rules
Regulations on sled registration and use are different in various parts of the snow-belt. Check with natural resource and law enforcement agencies and snowmobile dealers or clubs in the area you are visiting to make sure your ride results in legal and hassle-free snowmobiling.

Remember, too, that some states and provinces have age restrictions for snowmobile operation, often requiring that children are supervised by adults.

Safe Crossing
Be careful when crossing roads of any kind. Come to a complete stop and make absolutely sure no traffic is approaching from any direction. Then cross at a right angle to traffic.

Dress Appropriately
Wear layers of clothing, so that you can add or remove a layer or two to match changing conditions. A windproof outer layer is especially important, as are warm gloves or mitts, boots and a helmet.

Make sure your helmet is safety-certified, the right size and in good condition. A visor is essential for clear vision and wind protection and the chin strap should be snug.

Wear glasses or goggles that offer protection from the sun.

Take a Friend
Don't snowmobile alone. Not only is snowmobiling more fun with family and friends, it's safer too!

File A Plan
Airplane pilots and boaters file flight and float plans, respectively, so that others know where to look if they're overdue.

"Snow plans" describing your machine and your planned route can be time- and life-savers. Leave only with your family or friends.

Like those who file travel plans, always let your family and friends know you're back or have arrived at your destination. No one likes needless searches.

A Good Turn
Other snowmobilers and car drivers need to know what you're up to. Remember the basic hand signals:
Left Turn: left arm extended straight out
Right Turn: left arm out, forearm raised, with elbow at 90-degree angle
Stop: left arm raised straight up
Slow: left arm out and angled toward ground


Take Care of the Trail
SAFE RIDERS snowmobile to enjoy the outdoors. They treat it with respect
They wait for enough snow cover to protect vegetation
They avoid running over trees and shrubs.
They appreciate, but don't disturb animals or other outdoor users.
Take The Honorable Trail
Beautiful trail systems and riding areas are available throughout North America. Stay safe and legal within the areas that you are permitted to ride or those for which you've obtained permission.

Stay Alert
Focusing on the tail light of the snowmobile ahead of you is the cause of many accidents. If your eyes are fixed on the tail light, you are not likely to notice the slight turn the machine ahead makes to avoid collision or the object that was almost hit.

After snowmobiling for several hours, your reaction time slows. Be aware that even though you may not feel tired, the motion, wind and vibration of the machine may begin to dull your senses.

Beware Of Darkness
Low-light and darkness require special care. Slow down and watch for others. Overcast days require extra caution.

Don't over drive your headlights. Ask yourself, "Am I driving slow enough to see an object in time to avoid a collision?"

At night on lakes and large open fields, estimating distances and direction of travel may become difficult. It is important to keep some point of reference when riding at night.

Beware Of Water
The safest snowmobiling rule is never to cross lakes or rivers. Besides the danger of plunging through the ice, you have far less traction for starting, turning and stopping on ice than on snow.

Collisions on lakes account for a significant number of accidents. Don't hold the attitude that lakes are flat, wide open areas, free of obstructions.

Remember, if you can ride and turn in any direction, without boundaries, so can other riders. The threat of a collision, then, can come from any direction.

However, if you do snowmobile on the ice, make absolutely sure the ice is safely frozen. Don't trust the judgment of other snowmobilers. You are responsible for your own safe snowmobiling. Drowning is a leading cause of snowmobile fatalities. Consider buying a buoyant snowmobile suit.

If you go through the ice, remember that your snowmobile suit (even a non-buoyant one) and helmet may keep you afloat for several minutes. Slide back onto the ice, using anything sharp to dig in for better pull. Kick your feet to propel you onto the ice, like a seal.

If the ice keeps breaking, continue moving toward shore or the direction from which you came. Don't remove your gloves or mitts.

Once on the ice, roll away from the hole. Don't stand until well away from the hole.

Mountain Measures
Even if we don't live near mountains, many of us want to visit the Cascades, Adirondacks, Rockies or other mountains someday. Mountain snowmobiling is spectacular but can pose extra dangers, such as avalanches. Some avalanche areas may be posted and closed.

Be cautious of avalanche dangers throughout mountain country. Riding in these areas should only be done after receiving proper mountain riding training. Mountain snowmobilers should carry avalanche beacons, shovels, probe poles for locating people buried in snow and a portable radio to summon help.

Avalanche Awareness
Following are some safe travel tips for riding in avalanche country:
Learn to recognize and understand avalanche potential terrain. Suspect any slope that is steeper than 30 degrees.
Observe the slope orientation with respect to the sun and the wind.
Be cautious of cornices.
Think about the consequences of an avalanche. Will you be carried over a cliff, pushed into trees or buried deep in a gully?
Travel safely, ride with a partner, carry the appropriate rescue gear and make sure everyone in your group knows how to use it.
For information on Avalanche Awareness please visit the web site www.avalanche.org

Join A Club
There are thousands of snowmobile clubs scattered throughout snow country, with associations or federations in every state and province.

Clubs sponsor outings and events year-around, monitor legislation and speak up in public hearings. They also hold safety and maintenance workshops, build and care for trails and publish newsletters.

Clubs can help law enforcement agencies and many raise funds for charity. For maximum snowmobiling fun - join a club! They are the backbone of the activity.