Jan. 16 marked the beginning of Snowmobile Safety Week in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Safety Council, along with the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Safety Association work together to promote safe and responsible attitudes when snowmobiling.
From Jan. 16 - 22, various safety courses, clinics, seminars and displays will be held and seen throughout the province in order to raise awareness about snowmobile safety.
Peter Huebner, co-ordinator for the Saskatchewan Safety Council Snowmobile Safety Program, says Snowmobile Safety Week is a valuable tool in spreading the message to riders of all ages.
"The week focuses special attention on all aspects of snowmobile safety and encourages riders to prepare and think first before heading out."
Saskatchewan has around 10,000 kilometers of groomed and maintained snowmobile trails for riders to enjoy. Utilizing the trails is 66 per cent safer than riding outside of the trail.
Obstructions are removed from the trails early on and signs are clearly posted to make riders aware of upcoming risks.
In the Northwest, Battlefords Trailbreakers snowmobile club grooms trails running from the Battlefords north to Glaslyn and beyond to the trail's end at 小蓝视频 Bay on Turtle Lake.
Last season, the trail was extended from 小蓝视频 Bay, south past Livelong, Edam and Vawn, to join up with the existing trail north of Cavalier. The new loop offers adventurers the option of making a complete loop through lake country and prairie landscapes without having to retrace the route.
The trail also covers an area southeast of the Battlefords to Denholm and northeast to Rabbit Lake and Whitkow. Trails extending from Rabbit Lake to Spiritwood and Leoville are maintained by other snowmobile groups in the region.
Huebner advises snowmobilers to always ride in familiar terrain. "Everyone should learn about the area before (they) go out by referring to maps, talking with local residents and accessing resources provided by local snowmobile clubs."
In Saskatchewan, all snowmobile operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1989 are required to pass the Snowmobile Safety Course in order to operate a snowmobile on public land. Participants must be at least 12 years old to register for a course. The Saskatchewan Safety Council offers the snowmobile safety course in communities across the province.
For more information about the Snowmobile Safety Course please contact the Saskatchewan Safety Council at 306-757-3197.
