Snowmobile Safety Tips

Two people riding neon blue and yellow snowmobiles through a sea of powdery, white snow in a forest of bare trees

Snowmobile Safety Tips by Northern Powersports

in Fairbanks, AK

If you don’t want to spend the winter season cooped up inside, there is plenty of fun to be had with a snowmobile. Not to mention that they can also help you increase your productivity, but first, you need to learn some important snowmobile safety tips. Northern Power Sports has created this guide with everything you need to know. Keep reading for more information. If you have questions or you’d like to check out our sled inventory, swing by our dealership. You’ll find us in Fairbanks, Alaska, near North Pole. We’d be more than happy to assist you!


Gear & Equipment

Whether you’re a first-time snowmobiler or you’ve had your share of experience, your gear and equipment play a critical role in your safety. As you may already be aware, it can be hard to control your body temperature during this type of activity. The good news is that when you invest in a quality riding suit, it will help shield you from the harsh winds and falling precipitation. You should also consider dressing in layers, which allows you to remove them as needed if you start to sweat. It’s worth noting that sweating in extremely cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia, so having the option to remove layers is vital.

When you go snowmobiling when the sun is shining, ice and snow can be dangerous for your eyes. After all, the sun reflecting off the blinding white snow can turn a fun ride into a challenging one. You can protect your eyes with polarized goggles. Last but not least, don’t forget to wear durable gloves and boots. Your hands and feet are the most susceptible to cold, so be prepared. A protective helmet is another must-have item when riding a snowmobile.


Check the Forecast

A person wearing full snowmobiling gear riding a snowmobile through thick snow in a green forest

Another important snowmobile safety tip is to always check the forecast before you head out for a day of fun in the snow. The weather can be extremely temperamental during the winter season. You want to be on alert for any precipitation, what type, and when it will occur. You should avoid snowmobile riding during freezing rains and ice storms. This can result in unsafe and dangerous conditions, so it’s better to wait for it to pass. You’ll also want to be looking out for any sudden changes in the weather conditions. If you find out a storm is brewing, you’ll want to head back to safety immediately. Storms can happen out of nowhere, so you want to be prepared for this possibility.


Use Caution Around Ice

When riding on a snowmobile, one of the main hazards you’ll come across is ice. If the temperature drops low enough, you run the risk of rivers, lakes, and ponds freezing over. No matter how confident you are in your snowmobiling skills, you have no sure way of knowing how thick the ice is. In some areas around the world, frozen rivers are treated as highways for snowmobiles during the riding season.

That being said, this isn’t the case in all regions, so you should never presume a body of water is safe to ride on. Always think about recent temperatures before you decide whether or not to ride over ice. Your best bet is to avoid it unless local officials have established the area in question as a safe riding trail.

If you’d like more snowmobile safety tips, contact the team at Northern Power Sports. We’re always available to answer your questions. We can also help you pick the right sled for your needs. We’re conveniently located in Fairbanks, Alaska. We also serve those in College.

Contact Northern Power Sports

Let us find you the right equipment for your outdoor space. Please feel free to contact us at (907) 452-2762 or stop in today!