Safely Introducing Your Kids to Snowmobile Riding

Hitting a winter trail on your snowmobile is hard to beat. About the only thing better than snowmobiling by yourself is sharing your love of snowmobiling with your children by taking them out for a ride. Given the cold weather, moving parts, and fast speeds that accompany a snowmobile ride, it's important to carefully think through each trip so that your child stays safe and happy. At Big St. Charles Motorsports, we can help you find all the gear you'll need for your junior snowmobiler. Visit our location in St. Charles, Missouri, serving St. Louis and St. Peters, to learn more.

Decide Where To Sit

Since your child is too young to drive a snowmobile on their own, they will have to accompany you on your snowmobile. This means that you'll have to find a safe place to put them during the ride. You can opt to put them in front of you, although this is illegal in some locations, in a specialized passenger seat, behind you, or in a trailer towed by the snowmobile. As your child grows up and becomes stronger, they will be able to try out different seats on the snowmobile to enjoy new experiences.

Bundle Up

Since their bodies are smaller, children can't regulate their body temperature as easily as adults. When you get a child on a snowmobile, the cold wind can quickly become dangerous if your child isn't properly attired. Make sure to use multiple layers so that your child can take off a layer or two if they become overheated. Most importantly, make sure that there isn't any loose fabric on any of your child's clothes so that there is no risk of your child becoming entangled in any of the moving parts on your snowmobile.

Use the Right Helmet

When a child is riding a snowmobile, a helmet is a must. Make sure that you have a helmet that fits your child's head properly instead of trying to use an adult-sized helmet stuffed with extra padding. Additionally, something like a bicycle helmet isn't sufficient due to the increased speeds of snowmobiles. Make sure to use a closed-face helmet so that your child won't have to wear a scarf or any other piece of clothing that could become wrapped around their neck during the ride.

If you take the time to prepare properly, you can be sure that a snowmobile ride with your child will be an unforgettable experience for both of you. That's why the pros at Big St. Charles Motorsports want to help you adequately prepare before you hit the trail. Visit our location in St. Charles, Missouri, serving St. Louis and St. Peters, to get all you will need for a successful ride with your child.