If you've ever watched the Winter X Games, you've probably seen snowmobile riders get massive air after launching themselves off a jump in the Snocross event. Kidzworld has the 411 on snowmobiling and how you can start riding.
Snowmobiling - History
People have been thinking of ways to ride a motorized machine across the snow since the beginning of the 20th century. In 1937, Joseph-Armand Bombardier of Canada was granted a patent for a vehicle that travelled over snow, which he named the "B7 Snowmobile". By the early 1960s, Bombardier and several other companies were mass producing snowmobiles and the sport of snowmobiling had arrived. Snocross was added to the Winter X Games in 1998.
Snowmobiling - Learning to Ride
Learning to ride a snowmobile doesn't take long, but you should make sure you're trained by an adult who has experience riding. If you don't know anyone else who snowmobiles, go to your nearest snowmobile shop, where you'll be able to find information on trails, tours, lessons and snowmobile clubs in your area. For more info, head to www.snowtracks.com.
Snowmobiling - Safety
Snowmobiling is a great sport, but you should always keep in mind the following safety precautions.
- Never ride alone and always tell someone else where you're going and when you'll be back.
- Inspect your snowmobile with an adult to make sure it's in good mechanical condition.
- Check the weather and avalanche conditions before you start out.
- Always pack extra food, a first aid kit and avalanche safety/rescue gear.
- Know your limits and ride within your abilities.
Snowmobiling - Useless Piece of Trivia
In 1968, Ralph Plaisted of St. Paul, Minnesota led a successful expedition to the North Pole on snowmobiles. It was the first time a motorized land vehicle had reached the most northerly point on the planet.