Staying Safe on Your Snowmobile

You can’t have much more fun on a blanket of fresh snow than you will have shredding it up on the back of a new snowmobile. But all that snow can hide hazards, and the weather is always a risk. It’s important to bring the equipment you need, ride smart, and know a few tricks when you get out on the fresh snow. We’ve designed this short guide to help you learn everything you need to know to stay safe on your next trip.

For all your snowmobile needs, stop by Big St. Charles Motorsports. We’re located near St. Louis and Columbia, Missouri. We proudly serve the areas of St. Peters, Missouri and Belleville, Illinois.

Clothing & Equipment

Before you leave, you’ll want to make sure you’re correctly outfitted with all gear for the circumstances. One of the best approaches for snowmobile safety is to layer your clothing. Your outer layer should be windproof and waterproof, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be extremely insulated in and of itself unless you’re dealing with subzero temperatures. Long underclothing, a thick shirt and a down vest might provide enough insulation. You’ll want to wear snow pants, snow boots, and heavily insulated gloves, too. Layering is important because sweating too much will put you at risk of hypothermia. A helmet is critical as you never know when a log, branch, or rock is waiting for you just beneath the surface of the snow. Up top, you should invest in some serious eye protection. Goggles are helpful because the strap will help keep them on your face even if you take a spill. Make sure you get goggles with an anti-fog coating as well as ultraviolet spectrum protection.

You should also bring a few basic tools and store them under your seat. Things like a medium-sized Phillips-head screwdriver, a crescent wrench, and an Allen wrench set will allow you to work on your snowmobile. You should also bring plenty of water, as the strenuous action of riding can make you dehydrated quickly.

Be Smart

One of the keys to riding a snowmobile is to be smart. Even professionals make sure to check the weather forecast before ever heading out as it can be very dangerous to get caught in a storm. Make sure to tell someone where you plan to ride so that rescuers will know where to look if something happens. Always ride sober, which means avoiding recreational drugs or psychoactive prescription drugs like opiates that will affect your ability to ride. Always be cautious and tend towards conservatism when making decisions.

Watch the Ice

Ice is an often-unavoidable part of riding a snowmobile. If you cover enough ground, you’ll eventually come across a creek, river or lake. In general you should avoid taking your snowmobile out on the ice unless you’re on an established trail with extremely thick ice that has been tested by other riders. Remember that the ice in the middle of a body of water will be thinner on average than the ice on the edges because the edges tend to freeze first and freeze thicker than the center ice. If the temperature has been warming up for several days, avoid ice altogether because you never know where a thin spot will be

Ice Breakthroughs

If you do break through the ice, keep these instructions in mind. As hard as it is to imagine, it’s important to try not to panic and to keep your wits about you. As soon as you get back to the surface of the water, start trying to kick your legs out horizontally towards the edge of the ice. Don’t tread water. You’re in a race against the clock and treading water is a waste of time. Plant both hands on the edge of the ice and kick one leg up on one edge. Pull yourself up and start to roll away from the edge of the broken edge towards thicker ice. Don’t stand up, as this will put too much weight on too small of an area, which could lead to another breakthrough. As soon as you get out, strip off your wet clothes and start doing calisthenics like push-ups, squats, and jumping jacks to increase your body temperature. You’ll want to make a fire as soon as possible. The worst thing you can do is sit in cold, wet, clothes.

Hopefully these tips give you a good idea of how you can stay safe while snowmobiling. When you’re ready to take a look at new snowmobiles, stop by Big St. Charles Motorsports located near St. Louis, Columbia, and St. Peters, Missouri as well as Belleville, Illinois.