Snowmobiling is becoming more and more popular among Canadians. But each year, more people are injured while snowmobiling than in any other recreational winter sport.

To safely drive a snowmobile, you need to be strong, skilled and mature. That’s why children younger than 16 years of age should not operate snowmobiles.

It also takes strength and stamina to be a passenger. You need to be able to hold on tight for a long period of time, often, while the snowmobile goes over bumpy ground at a high speed. Children younger than 6 years old should never ride as passengers on a snowmobile.

Did you know?

• Head injuries are the leading cause of death and serious injury on snowmobiles. These injuries usually happen when snowmobilers crash, fall or overturn while moving.
• Children can also be injured if they are towed by a snowmobile while they’re on a sled, tube, tire or other devices that are pulled.
• In Canada, about 4 children younger than 16 years of age die in snowmobile-related incidents each year.

How can snowmobiles be used safely?

If you’re a parent who operates a snowmobile, you can model safe behaviour by following these guidelines.

Before you go out

• Be careful when fueling the snowmobile to avoid burns. Take care when loading snowmobiles on and off trailers to prevent strains and crush injuries.
• Check the weather forecast before you go out.
• Check the condition of the trails. In some areas, you may need to assess whether there is danger of an avalanche.
• Avoid snowmobiling on ice if you’re not sure how thick it is or what condition it is in.
• It’s helpful to know the signs of hypothermia (occurs when body temperature drops to dangerously low levels) and what to do if it happens. Check regularly for frostbite.

Have the right equipment

• Wear well-insulated protective clothing including goggles, waterproof snowmobile suits and gloves, and rubber-bottomed boots.
• All drivers and passengers should wear helmets approved for snowmobiles (such as a helmet meeting the Canadian Standards Association, Department of Transportation/Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Snell or American National Standards Institute motorcycle helmet standards – not a bicycle helmet).
• Snowmobiles should have brightly coloured antenna flags mounted on rods that are 1.2 m to 2.4 m long located on the back of the snowmobile. This is especially important if you’re driving in a hilly area so that others can see you.
• Carry a first-aid kit, an emergency tool kit (with spark plugs, and drive and fan belts), an extra key, and a survival kit that includes flares. Carry a cellular phone if you’re in an area with service.

Drive safely

• If your family owns or has access to a snowmobile, make sure no one younger than 16 years old is allowed to drive it.
• Never allow children younger than 6 years old to ride as passengers.
• Beginners should stick to groomed trails only and drive during the day.
• Travel at safe speeds, especially on unfamiliar or rugged terrain where you might run into hazards you can’t see, such as barbed wire.
• Keep the headlights and tail lights on at all times to improve the visibility of your snowmobile to other vehicle operators.
• Travel in groups of two or more, and only on designated, marked trails away from roads, waterways, railroads and pedestrian traffic.
• Do not carry more than one passenger. All passengers should be at least 6 years old.
• Don’t pull people on saucers, tubes, tires, sleds or skis behind a snowmobile. If you must tow someone, the safest way is to use a sled or cutter attached to the snowmobile by a rigid bar connection. Travel at a slow speed over level terrain away from trees, rocks and other vehicles. A spotter should watch the individual(s) being towed.
• Never drink alcohol or use drugs before or while you’re operating a snowmobile.

Are there laws in Canada about operating snowmobiles?

• Snowmobiles must be registered in all provinces, although Manitoba exempts northern residents.
• In the territories, registration is required only if the off-road vehicle is operated on a highway. Otherwise, local governments can establish their own bylaws.
• Some provinces have no age restrictions on registering a snowmobile. Most have a minimum age requirement and some also require underage operators to provide either proof of a parent’s permission or evidence of having taken a government-approved safety course.
• Operators and passengers must wear helmets in most provinces.
• With the exception of British Columbia, all provinces and territories require headlights, tail lights and stop lamps on snowmobiles.

More information from the CPS:

• Winter safety
• Recommendations for snowmobile safety, a statement of the Canadian Paediatric Society.

Reviewed by:
CPS Injury Prevention Committee

Last updated: July 2007