Riding a Snowmobile in Darkness
Riding a snowmobile in the dark can be very relaxing. Night riding, so it’s called, has caught on in the US resorts where they now are installing light boxes for emergency use along busy and well-known trails. These are for the night riding snowmobilers that dare the dark, while floating on the white.
Be alert when you and your friends are riding snowmobiles at night. Make sure you vision in unobstructed and you always where a helmet. Pack emergency gear for you and others and be sure to let others know where you are headed in case you do not make it back. A GPS, extra batteries, cell phone and a radio, you’ll never get lost.
Snowmobile Night Riding Precautions
Many dangers surround the snowmobiler, even more-so at night. Many new and veteran snowmobilers are discovering how fun and relaxing it is to take the snowmobile out for a night or dark run, be aware!
Animals are Deadly
Animals are up and about during the night, constantly crossing the snowmobile paths. Animals will frequent a smooth, packed snowmobile track at night since it’s easier to traverse. Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings and if you have a headlamp, you’ll be able to spot them from your snowmobile a lot easier than without.
Vision is Much Different than Day
Your peripheral vision is down to just about nothing while on your snowmobile at night. During the day, you can see just about everything from left to right. During the night, your vision is limited to only what your headlight is illuminating. Reduce your speed and take your time in the dark. Nothing hurts more than a tree square in your face at 20 MPH.
Clothing and Helmets for Night Snowmobiling
Wear a reflective patch or a few chem lights around your body or arm. This can prove priceless when someone is bearing down on your at a high rate of speed during the night. Reflective patches, a good headlamp and other outdoor gear made for the night is your best bet. Just that few more seconds in the dark helps the reaction time to miss a head-on snowmobile accident.
Ride with a partner during night. Two is always better than one when traveling at night, especially if you’re lost. You will have each other to depend on and at some situations, four sets of eyes instead of two sets watching out for the nighttime dangers of snowmobiling. Be safe, stay on trails you know (while at night), and keep the speed down.
