your cottage, chalet, or cabin!
|
|
The Canadian site to help you rent, buy, build, or renovate your cottage, chalet, or cabin! |
|
|
Snowmobiles
Snowmobiling can be a fun winter sport, if you know the basic rules for the safe and neighbourly operation of your snowmobile. There are courses offered across the country to help learn these basics, and you can contact your provincial snowmobile association for more information (there is a list of links at the bottom of this page). Have your snowmobile tuned up at the start of the season to keep it in good working order for years to come. Make sure headlights are functioning. Check that helmets and other accessories are in top condition, at that the face guard is not cracked or otherwise damaged. Gloves and boots should be designed to offer flexibility while protecting the body from cold, preventing frostbite and hypothermia (see the safety page for more information). Ensure that no items are dangling that can be caught in the machinery, like scarves or mitten strings. Always use the buddy system when snowmobiling - whether they are a passenger on your machine, or are riding their own - always have someone in visual range. Etiquette says that if you are stopped on a trail, pull off to the side to let others pass, especially if you stop by a hill or in a wooded area - this could prevent an accident. Neighbourly snowmobilingOne thing that cannot be said of snowmobiling is that it is a quiet sport. Even though today's snowmobiles are many times quieter than those of past years, the interests of those who live by the trails and those who use the trails are still in conflict, especially when it comes to night rides. Recently, Quebec courts have ruled in favour of the property owners, setting a precedent that could get replayed across the country. It is better to be considerate of your neighbours now than to force them to take it to the courts, and permanently curb your snowmobiling fun. Take care of the exhaust system to keep your machine running as quietly as possible. Trails vs. off-trail ridingThe International Snowmobile Manufacturer's Association claims that only ten to fifteen percent of accidents occur on well-groomed trails, despite being the site of eighty to ninety percent of all snowmobile use. Trails are groomed to remove hazards like low branches and rocks or fallen branches. Keeping safeTwo warnings that are repeated and ignored every winter are: do not operate a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol, and do not snowmobile over water. Inevitably these activities result in death and injuries. Drowning is the leading cause of snowmobile fatalities. Alcohol impairs your judgment, your reaction time, your sense of balance, and your perception. Is it any wonder that many of the snowmobile accidents involve impaired driving? Lakes can seem solidly frozen and yet be covered in ice too thin to support the weight of a snowmobile, especially for prolonged periods. If you are the owner of a snowmobile, it is your responsibility to ensure that your family and guests operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Make sure they know not to drive on open roads and highways, and that they know how to operate the machine safely including observing safe speeds. Laws differ by provinceBritish Columbia requires that each snowmobile operator be in possession of a permit for the use of the snowmobile. Check provincial laws for the minimum age for operating a snowmobile. Most seem to be between 14 and 16, but check for specifics, as well as insurance needs: Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations has a comparison chart: http://www.ccso-ccom.ca/newsite/snowinfo3.html Snowmobile Associations
Books:
|