Motorized recreationalists have the ability to cover significantly more terrain than other backcountry travelers. As a result, snowmachiners and snow-bikers have the potential to expose themselves to much more avalanche terrain. Good routes and travel habits can reduce the risk of getting caught in a slide. Below is an extensive series of resources for the snowmachine community. Know Before You Go.
-
GET the FORECAST: Make a riding plan based on the current avalanche and weather forecast.
-
GET the GEAR: Ensure everyone has an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe on their person and knows how how to use them.
-
GET the TRAINING: Take an avalanche class
-
GET the PICTURE: If you see recent avalanche activity, unstable snow exists. Riding on or underneath steep slopes is dangerous.
Throttle Decisions Chapter 1: Gear
Throttle Decisions Chapter 2: Forecast
Throttle Decisions Chapter 3: Travel
Throttle Decisions Chapter 4: Weather
Throttle Decisions Chapter 5: Snowpack
Throttle Decisions Chapter 6: Terrain
Throttle Decisions Chapter 7: Hazard
Throttle Decisions Chapter 8: Youth
AIARE How To Practice Avalanche Rescue: Snowmachine Edition
UAC Farmington Lake Avalanche 18 year old Snowmachine Fatality
Mike Buck’s AK Sled Shed Alaska Snowmachine Glacier Travel
More Resources and Links:
-
Avalanche 1 Snowmachine Education and Mike Duffy releases U.S. Motorized Avalanche Fatalities Report for Winter 21-22
-
A Life Saved – video about a rider in Utah
-
Rider spotlight: Jeremy Hanke almost died in an avalanche
-
Interesting article on riding mentors; Snowriders online.
-
North Road Productions and Peninsula Snowmachine shops are teaming with avalanche educators for 2014-2015 bringing riding safety information to Kenai
-
What about Snow-bikes? A new and different way to play in the mountains.
-
New Studies on snowmobile culture: How Mountain Snowmobilers Adjust Their Riding Preferences in Response to Avalanche Hazard Information Available at Different Stages of Backcountry TripsOpportunities for Snowmobile Avalanche Education and The Roots of Avalanche Fatality Rates; An exploration of the differences between skiers and snowmobilers
-
New research on how skiers and snowmobiles stress the snowpack
-
Zacs Tracs Free Online Avalanche Safety Skills Training
-
SnoWest Forum Site active with AK riders
-
Soul Rides Avalanche Education
-
What’s Next Snowmobile Specific Avalanche Education? – AAIC
-
Avalanche Awareness for Snowmobilers