|
|
|
Snowmobiling Fact book: Avalanche Safety
|
| Return to Snowmobile Fact Book Index |
| Previous: operator Education |
Next: Trails |
Mountain riding is a fast growing activity for North American snowmobilers. With spectacular mountain terrains comes the added safety concern of avalanches. You can minimize your risk by taking an avalanche awareness course and carrying the proper equipment. If you don't live in the mountains, but plan to ride there occasionally, you should prepare yourself before leaving. Here is some general advise and mountain riding pointers:
- Temperature inversions, rain and sun exposure can rapidly change conditions and trigger avalanches - snow loses strength as it warms.
- Avalanche bulletins cover large regions and describe the general conditions. Local variation is common and snowmobilers must remain vigilant in their analysis of the immediate conditions while riding.
- Always check the avalanche bulleting for your region before you go riding.
- Most avalanches occur in steep slopes of 30-60 degrees. Don't park at the bottom of these slopes.
- If high-marking, go one at a time, with everyone else watching from a safe spot away from the potential avalanche run-out area.
- If someone gets stuck on a steep slope, give them time to free their sled. Adding another snowmobile to the slope could start an avalanche.
- Always wear an avalanches transceiver - and practice using it. Carry a shovel and probe in a small backpack. Your best chance for a successful rescue is if it's done within your own party. There's no time to seek outside help.
- "Fixation" on specific routes can lead to trouble - be open minded, well researched with options, and willing to retreat to try again another day.
- Please respect other park users in popular locations.
- Have fun and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery!
- Take an avalanche class. These are available online and through various books and videos. But it's best to take a multi-day course on the snow. For information on avalanche classes, bulletins, and other resources, check these websites:
|
| Previous: operator Education |
Next: Trails |
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Snowmobiling Events
|
|
2012 Go Snowmobiling "Take a Friend Snowmobiling" Contest
|
|
|
2012 Go Snowmobiling "Take a Friend Snowmobiling" Week
|
|
|
Clean Snowmobile Challenge
|
Snowmobiling News
|
|
|
|
|
Clean Snowmobile Challenge - March 5-10, 2012
A record number of teams are expected to participate in the SAE 2012 Snowmobile Challenge, sponsored by the snowmobile manufacturers along with other supporting businesses, set for March 5th-10th, 2012 at Michigan Technological University.
|
|
|
Plan on Participating in Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week
The snowmobile community is excited to announce the Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week - which will be held February 11-20, 2012. This elongated week celebrates friends and family snowmobiling.
|
|
|
Snowmobile Safety: Ride Safe so you can Ride Tomorrow
Snowmobiling is in full stride around the world and now is the time for snowmobilers to keep snowmobile safety a top-of-mind awareness issue. Snowmobile safety is nothing new to organized snowmobiling. Snowmobile Administrators, the Manufacturers, snowmobile associations and clubs joined together years ago in developing the Safe Riders! You make snowmobiling safe™ safety campaign which brought safe snowmobiling practices, training and enforcement to a new level.
|
|
|
Snowmobiling Websites and Facebook Expand
As we look at the last 20 years of communication transformation, most are amazed. Communication amongst snowmobilers has changed forever and it appears the evolution will continue.
|
|
|
Snowmobiling Economic Benefits Realized Worldwide
The snowmobile community generates over 28 billion dollars in economic activity in North America. Snowmobiling supports over 90,000 full time jobs and generates millions of tax dollars.
|
|
|
Yellowstone/National Park Service to Implement One-Year Rule for 2011-2012 Winter Use Plan
The National Park Service planners will implement a "One-Year Rule" for the upcoming 2011-2012 winter season, in order to allow time to better address significant public input regarding the proposed long-term legislation.
|
|
|
Safe Riders! Safety Information
