A weekend’s worth of snow is a beautiful sight to the snowmobiling community in Saskatchewan. After a winter with very little snow, riders are ready to get out their sleds and take to the trails.
However, with the snowfall about three weeks earlier than usual, the trails haven’t been marked yet and it hasn’t been cold enough for any safe ice to form. Chris Brewer, CEO of the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association, hopes that riders remember that as they head out.
"Never ride alone. Always go with a buddy on another snowmobile…use common sense. This is the first snowfall, there’s still lots of hidden dangers until the snow (like) pocket gopher mounds, rocks and stumps." said Brewer. A snowmobile should be checked over before you take it out, and make sure your clothing is good quality.
As always, anyone born on or after January 1, 1989 needs a snowmobile safety certificate. For the first time this year, riders can take the course online at the association’s website, and for a reduced cost of $45. Brewer said as the province grows, they wanted to make the certificate more accessible and more affordable for people. It takes roughly three hours to complete. The course will still be offered in classrooms across Saskatchewan for those who cannot take it online.
Most of all, Brewer reminds people to never drink and ride.
"Statistics show us the leading cause of snowmobile accidents, incidents and fatality is alcohol. The number two cause is speed. And when those two are combined, it doesn’t bring good results."
