In Saskatchewan, more people are getting out on their snowmobiles than ever before. Provincewide, there is a total of about 55,000—that is the highest number of snowmobilers per capita in Canada.
The law in Saskatchewan requires residents who were born on or after January 1, 1989, to carry a valid Saskatchewan Snowmobile Safety Certificate while operating a snowmobile on public land. The certificate can be obtained by completing a classroom safety course, or through an online course—the latter of which has just become available to the public.
The Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association (SSA) launched its new online snowmobile safety training course on November 19, 2012. The online course is designed to reach out to snowmobilers in remote communities and those who are unable to attend a classroom course. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and it costs $45. Chris Brewer, the president and CEO of the SSA, said that the online course does not replace the classroom course but that it is a valid alternative to it.
“I think they equally complement each other,” said Brewer.
He said the online course takes a minimum of three hours to complete. There are five chapters in total, and for each chapter, there is an allotment of time that the student must use as study time before he or she can progress to the final exam.
“You can’t just go on and blow through it and go write the exam,” said Brewer.
After the student completes the course and passes the exam, he or she can print off a temporary safety certificate to use until the SSA sends a permanent card through the mail.
Brewer said snowmobilers in Saskatchewan have been requesting the course ever since the boat safety course became available online.
“We have been inundated with hundreds of calls from the public, asking 'why can’t we take snowmobile safety online,' ” said Brewer.
Snowmobilers must be at least 12 years old to take the course; however, the SSA recommends that all first-time snowmobilers, no matter what their age, should take a safety course.
“You’re never too old to learn something,” said Brewer. “I learned that from my dad.”
Sledders in Saskatchewan must also register their machine with Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) before they can ride on designated snowmobile trails. Out-of-province visitors can ride in Saskatchewan as long they meet the requirements of their home province.
Avoid the dangers
Early-season riding can be dangerous. Brewer said the No. 1 hazard for snowmobilers in the province right now is thin ice.
“We have not had temperatures that allow for good ice to form, and so we are asking snowmobilers to completely stay off any and all ice,” said Brewer, when I spoke to him on November 19.
New, clear, hard ice must be at least 12 centimetres thick for one snowmobile to cross, according to the SSA, and even then, it can be risky.
For more information on the online safety course or to find out the dates and locations for classroom courses, see the SSA’s website.
