Snowmobiling safety

With preparation and information, you can ensure a safe sledding experience

At SnoRiders, we pride ourselves on keeping safety at the forefront—and we believe that snowmobilers across the country are doing their utmost to keep sledding safe and enjoyable. We talk to experienced riders and experts who know how to read terrain, and keep you up to date with events like safety workshops and products to help you stay safe. We all love to do things that get our heart racing and adrenalin pumping, so let's live to do it another day.

Snowmobiling safety

When avalanche education is not enough

Digging into the human factor, the author investigates why we are losing so many who have the education, the gear and the experience.

by Trish Drinkle
Two people doing an avalanche search.
Snowmobiling safety, Fernie, BC

Levelling up with a Companion Rescue Skills Course

As technology, techniques and our level of riding experience change, it’s important to keep our avalanche safety training up to date.

by Kirsten Armleder
Jennifer Coulter and Pika, her Belgian Malinois
Snowmobiling safety, Fernie, BC

Avalanches, a field technician and a dog named Pika

Jennifer Coulter, Avalanche Canada’s lead field technician, offers up a myriad of ways to stay alive while backcountry sledding

by Kyle Born
Erik Foster's son, Kaine, is wearing a chest protector and helmet.
Snowmobiling safety

Protecting yourself and being prepared

Erik Foster of Colonsay Fire and Rescue encourages sledders to protect their heads and chests and to be skilled in first aid.

by Karen Kornelsen
Snowmobiling safety

What you need to drive a snowmobile in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba

The rules, regulations and snowmobile licence information for each province in Western Canada.

Julie-Ann Chapman in the gym.
Snowmobiling safety

Pre-season prep—Part 4: Your body

Doing some exercise in the fall will help you experience less fatigue, ride better and reduce the chance of injury on your first days of a new season.

by Matthew Mallory
A woman snowmobiler with an airbag inflated.
Snowmobiling safety

Pre-season prep—Part 3: Your gear

From your gloves to your transceiver, here are the things that you should be checking before the season arrives.

by Matthew Mallory
Mechanic working on a snowmobile.
Snowmobiling safety

Pre-season prep—Part 2: Your snowmobile

A DIY guide to performing a preseason snowmobile maintenance check.

by Matthew Mallory
A truck with a deck and two sleds.
Snowmobiling safety

Pre-season prep—Part 1: Your sled hauler

Get things ready in the fall and you’ll be prepared to safety hit the backcountry as soon as winter sets in.

by Matthew Mallory
Snowmobiling safety

Dave Norona on Backcountry Ascender

Riders around the world are taking advantage of this free online platform for learning backcountry safety.

by Kirsten Armleder
Club members enjoy one of the shelters in the Interlake region of Manitoba.
Snowmobiling safety, Manitoba

Snoman rolls out new Alcohol-Free Family Zone campaign

Snoman wants to ensure the trails are safe for all users by reminding people Snoman has a zero tolerance policy for drinking and riding.

by Karen Kornelsen
Brad Baber needed to be rescued by helicopter after a nasty snowmobile accident.
Snowmobiling safety, Kootenay Rockies, BC

How prepared are you for a snowmobiling disaster?

Brad Baber got tangled up in a nasty wreck. He could have lost his life without the necessary gear.

by Kyle Born
Field session during an avalanche training course include lots of fun and informative hands-on activities.
Snowmobiling safety, Alberta

Free Avalanche Training!

The Alberta Snowmobile Association has announced a program for the 2016-2017 winter season that will provide free avalanche training

by Jillian Clark
Children should always wear chest protectors, especially if an adult is sitting behind them. Erik Foster has equipped his daughter Makenna with a chest protector.
Snowmobiling safety

Guard your gut with this crucial gear

Chest protectors prevent broken bones and damaged internal organs, so why aren’t more people using them?

by Kyle Born
That’s not the sunrise coming over the mountain—that’s avalanche control being carried out by a Gazex exploder detonating at Kootenay Pass.
Snowmobiling safety, Kootenay Rockies, BC

Here comes the BOOM! Avalanche control is on the scene and blowing it up

A behind-the-scenes look at the essential work of an avalanche controller

by Kyle Born
Snowmobiling safety

The conversation no backcountry snowmobiler wants to have, but should

Poor decisions are being made, and we’re all going to suffer if our level of training doesn’t start to catch up with our backcountry terrain choices.

by Kirsten Armleder
Snowmobiling safety

Avalanche skills and mountain riding safety for sledders

Here is a list of snowmobile-specific avalanche safety training providers in B.C. and Alberta.

by Kirsten Armleder
Owner/operator of Summit Mountain Guides David Lussier inspecting students gear on the first day of classes.
Snowmobiling safety, Nelson and Kaslo, BC

What to expect in an AST 1 course

The AST 1 course offered by many certified guides across western Canada

by Mason Buettner
Mountain snowmobilers sitting on top of a mountain on a bluebird day.
Snowmobiling safety

Redefining safety in the mountains

Our sport has reached a critical turning point in the level of avalanche safety awareness and training needed.

by Kirsten Armleder
A STARS helicopter with a snowmobile in the foreground.
Snowmobiling safety, West Central Saskatchewan

STARS and SaskSnow partner together to encourage safety

STARS and SaskSnow team up and focus on safety

by Trish Drinkle
See more articles