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Sports: Snowmobiling

[ Background | Equipment | Where ]

Background of the Sport

This sport is a Canadian invention, having been jump-started by Bombardier's invention of the Ski-Doo snowmobile. It became a major recreational sport in the mid-sixties, and has become a great family winter sport. Today's snowmobiles are quieter, more stable, and more reliable than the early snowmobiles, and some models are downright luxurious, with foot and snack warmers aboard.

To drive a snowmobile, remember that you throttle (accelerate) with your right hand and brake with your left. You straddle the seat cushions, and rest your feet on the running boards, letting your legs absorb the bounces on the bumps. Today's snowmobiles can go as fast as 100 km/h, though you do not want to go at speeds beyond 50 km/h if you wish to see the natural terrain around you.

For safety, when snowmobiling, stick to marked/tracked trails, carry emergency food & fuel, and if in the backcountry, carry emergency transceivers.

Equipment

To go snowmobiling you need a snowmobile, and a truck or trailer to carry it. You do not need a licence to drive a snowmobile, but the vehicle must be registered with the provincial Motor Vehicle Branch. Snowmobiles can cost from $4000 to $15000, with trailers starting at $400. Fortunately in good snowmobiling areas, you can rent them by the hour or by the day. You should also wear warm winter clothing, like a one or two-piece snowmobile (or ski) suit, goggles and helmet.

Where

Around Winnipeg, some popular snowmobiling areas include Birds Hill Park/Libau/Selkirk along Hwy 59, Whiteshell Provincial Park, Bird Lake in Nopiming Provincial Park, and Falcon Lake and Sandilands Provincial Forest.

To snowmobile legally in Manitoba you must have:

• minimum age of 16, plus a valid driver's license to cross a roadway
• proof of snowmobile ownership
• validated registration plate
• mandatory $200,000 third party liability insurance
• helmets

And, if you travel on SnoFund designated snowmobile trails, you'll need a Snopass snowmobile trail permit (annual or four-day) for that trail. Snowmobilers of Manitoba (Snoman Inc.) represents 49 provincial snowmobiling clubs which manage and groom over 10,000 km of Manitoba's scenic trails. Contact them at (204) 940-7533 or see the association listing.