Snowmobile Safety Tips
When you’re speaking of major horsepower in powersports, snowmobiles should definitely be part of the conversation because they often come with large engines that translate to hair-raising top speeds and amazing rides. Of course, when you’re talking horsepower and snowmobiles, safety shouldn’t be left out.
Keeping safety in mind while snowmobiling is important for many reasons and so we created this short guide to give our customers the information they need to be safe. Read on to learn more and if you have any more questions or you’re in the market for a new snowmobile, stop by Water World Boat & Powersport. We’re located in Medford, Oregon, and we proudly serve the areas of Ashland, Grants Pass, and all of Douglas County.
Clothing & Equipment
With no cab or other protection, your clothing is all that stands between you and the elements when you ride a snowmobile. Finding the right clothing and gear is crucial to staying safe and riding comfortably. As with all powersports, snowmobile safety gear starts with the helmet. Your helmet should fit you correctly, meaning it doesn’t slide around or pinch your head in an uncomfortable way. Full face helmets are usually the best option for snowmobiling because they’ll protect your face from impact in a crash and from sunburn or frostbite otherwise.
It’s also important to pick up good apparel. A full body riding suit is a good option, although riding bibs and a coat works well, too. Just make sure you wear multiple layers underneath. This will allow you to take off or add layers as you need so you’re always comfortable. Insulated and waterproof gloves and boots are other invaluable pieces of riding gear.
Check Out Snow Conditions
Snow conditions can have a big influence on your riding experience. Some types of snow make for faster riding in which you’ll also have more control while you ride. Other types of snow are more slippery and potentially dangerous. Snow conditions can also be indicative of things like ice thickness and avalanche potential, so make sure to look for advisories for riding conditions.
Watch the Weather
Snow conditions are always related to weather conditions, so make sure you check the weather forecast before you head out and keep an eye on the sky as you ride. If possible, avoid riding in heavy snow or ice storms. Extreme wind or cold weather can also provide their own problems. Mountainous areas with lots of snow can be subject to sudden and unexpected changes in weather. Make sure you aren’t signing yourself up to battle a major storm if you’re going to be riding in less-than-ideal weather.
Be Cautious Near Ice
During the winter, it’s common for rivers, creeks, ponds, and lakes to freeze over. When it’s cold enough for long enough, this ice can become thick enough to ride over. Here in Oregon, however, conditions are rarely amenable for riding snowmobiles over bodies of water. While some situations might require hopping over a small frozen creek or other minor water feature, it’s best to avoid this as much as possible. If you do have to go over ice, get off your snowmobile and test the ice thickness with a hatchet, stick or other implements that can give you an idea of how thick the ice is.
Avalanches
In some mountainous areas, avalanches can happen at a moment’s notice. As with the freezing of bodies of water, it’s not super common for avalanches to occur in Oregon outside of the higher peaks of The Cascades. That being said, make sure to consult the local Forest Service ranger or Bureau of Land Management office to see if there are any avalanche warnings in the area you plan on riding.
Snowmobiles are fun and useful when you need some extra horsepower in the winter, but it’s important to take safety seriously. Hopefully, this short guide will help you do just that. If you have any other questions about snowmobile riding, stop by Water World Boat & Powersport. We carry a wide variety of powersport products and we can help you get everything you need. Located in Medford, Oregon, we proudly serve the areas of Ashland, Grants Pass, and all of Douglas County.
