Snowmobile Safety
When you’re looking to tear up the slopes for hours of fun, snowmobiles are an excellent choice. You may not realize it, but snowmobiles can also be extremely useful when tackling certain jobs as well. It’s also important to know that there are certain safety measures you should observe when operating a snowmobile. You need to use extra caution on the slopes so you can know how to handle getting caught in a storm and how to avoid triggering an avalanche. You’ll have a much more enjoyable ride knowing that you’re being as safe as possible.
At Engelhart Motorsports Company, we want to help all our customers learn about proper snowmobile safety, which is why we’ve prepared this helpful guide to get you started. If you have questions or need to grab some new gear before you head out on your new snowmobile, stop by our dealership! We’re conveniently located near Sun Prairie, Baraboo, and Watertown, WI.
Gear and Equipment
The gear you wear and the equipment you bring along are essential to your safety when riding your snowmobile. It can be difficult to control your body temperature when riding a snowmobile, but investing in a riding suit will definitely help. You’ll have a shield from those harsh winds and falling precipitation. The riding suit is a great shield but we still suggest dressing in layers so that you can easily remove them if you start to sweat. Remember that sweating when it’s extremely cold out can result in hypothermia. When you’re riding, snow and ice can be harmful to your eyes plus the sun reflecting off the blinding white snow is also problematic. You can prevent this by investing in a pair of polarized goggles. Last but not least, don’t forget to wear a solid pair of boots and gloves because your hands and feet are the most likely to get cold. It should go without saying that you need to wear a helmet when you ride.
Watch the Weather
The weather is highly unpredictable, especially when you’re riding during the winter months. Always check the updated forecast before you hop on your Polaris snowmobile for a day on the slopes. Keep your eyes peeled for any precipitation, what type, and when it’s due to occur. It’s also important that you avoid freezing rains and ice storms, which can make riding much more difficult and unsafe. Be on alert for any sudden changes in the water. If you notice that a storm is rolling in, it’s probably best to head back to safety. Storms can happen out of nowhere and not even be predicted in the forecast so you always need to be prepared.
Use Caution Near Ice
One of the main hazards you’ll encounter on your snowmobile is ice. If the temperature drops low enough while you’re riding, rivers, lakes, and ponds can freeze over and you have no real way of knowing how thick the ice is. There are some places in the world where a frozen river is treated as a highway for snowmobile riders during the winter season. This isn’t always the case so you should never assume that a frozen body of water is automatically safe to ride on. Take into consideration the temperatures over the last few weeks before deciding to ride over ice. The best practice here is to avoid riding over frozen bodies of water unless it's an established safe trail.
Beware of Avalanches
It’s fairly common knowledge that snowmobiling can trigger an avalanche. For the most part, avalanches tend to occur in high-elevation, alpine environments but there is always a risk in areas with plenty of snow, a steep hill, and the proper conditions. You must always be aware of avalanche warnings when you ride. To be extra safe, you can avoid riding in areas that have not been tested.
If you’re ready to take an adventure on a new snowmobile, visit us at Engelhart Motorsports Company today! We’re located in Madison, WI, just a stone's throw away from Sun Prairie, Baraboo, and Watertown, WI.