An article written for the Coffee News Newsletter

Snowmobile Safety

As soon as the white stuff falls avid snowmobilers can’t wait to get out on the sled and start exploring Canada’s wild winter wonderland.  Machines race through powder, flying between fir trees laden with snow under sunny winter skies, sledding buddies all in tow.  There is an incredible freedom that comes with exploring the back country on a snowmobile.

To enjoy that freedom sledders hold a great responsibility to respect the environment and their machines, as well as keep their own safety and the safety of those around them top-of-mind.  The Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA) exists to preserve and promote safe, responsible recreational snowmobiling in Alberta.  Made up of not-for-profit volunteer clubs, the ASA builds and grooms over 6000km of trails in Alberta and offers free snowmobiling safety education programs throughout the province.

“Our number one direction is safety,” said Chris Brookes of the ASA.  “We’re proud of our Safe Riders program that is available to any school in Alberta that requests it.  It teaches kids how to ride safely on snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles.”

Educating our children plants the seeds of fundamental safe riding practices that they will take into their snowmobiling community and into adulthood.  Partnering with the Government of Alberta, the ASA is able to offer this safe riding program free of charge.  Learn more about the Safe Riders program.

“Another big focus is avalanche safety,” shared Brookes.  “Machines are taking people to avalanche zones that we couldn’t get to 20 years ago.  We were seeing several snow mobile avalanche related fatalities.  I’ve been working with the Canadian Avalanche Centre on their Snowmobile Committee to develop avalanche safety programs.”

The latest safety program is a 10 part video series called “Throttle Decisions” offering education on best safety practises when snowmobiling on avalanche terrain.  You can view this series at the Canadian Avalanche Centre’s Vimeo page.

“We’re proud of our efforts with the avalanche community and last season was the first year there were NO fatalities because of avalanches,” said Brookes.

If you’re planning on hitting the powder this season please review these snowmobiling safety reminders and help the ASA promote snowmobiling safety in Alberta.

“There is strength in numbers for getting the safety messages out there.  There is strength in numbers when working with government to keep our trails maintained and open too,” shared Brookes.

For more information about snowmobiling safety programs, snowmobiling trails in Alberta, or how you can get involved with the ASA please visit them at www.altasnowmobile.ab.ca.