Snowmobiles and
Avalanches
www.mtexpress.com
Avalanche deaths involving snowmobile-use have skyrocketed in the past 20 years, far exceeding those involving skiing. This is primarily caused by three factors: increasing use due to technological advances, the techniques used in riding a snowmobile as well as a general lack of education among the snowmobiling community.
Personal snowmobiles, invented in the 1950’s, have undergone countless advances, which in turn have increased their popularity. Snowmobiles are now much more user-friendly as they now come in many different sizes and styles. Over 200,000 models are being produced annually for sale in the United States, Canada and Europe. In 2001, there were 208,592 snowmobiles sold worldwide; 140,629 snowmobiles were sold in the U.S., and 46,973 snowmobiles were sold in Canada. (/www.chippewasnowchasers.com/)
www.snowconditions.com
worldadventureconsulates.com
These technological advances have also allowed the
rider to access more terrain. Within the past 20 years, the
snowmobile rider has been able to get to more and steeper slopes,
creating a higher possibility of triggering an avalanche. With
the ease of moving about the mountains, there is less consideration
payed to each seperate slope, once again creating a higher possibility
of creating an avalanche.
In the past, the snowmobile was typically used for trail riding, but now, the most popular activities on a snowmobile include “high-marking” and cliff dropping. High-marking (see figure below) is an activity done between a group of snowmobile riders who take turns climbing a mountain face seeing who can make the highest mark. High-marking involves turning at the peak of the climb which puts the full weight of the snowmobile (averaging about 600 pounds) on the avalanche slope.
Highmarking tracks on a steep slope
Snowmobile jumping is another relatively new activity that has increased chances of avalanche fatalities for snowmobile riders. Snowmobiles are often jumped off cliffs or cornices and landed on steep slopes. The impact of the landing and debris breaking off the cliff or cornice puts the snowmobile rider at a high risk of triggering an avalanche.
www.off-road.com
Snowmobile users, as a group
typically are
undereducated about avalanche safety. The ease of accessing huge
terrain with relatively little training and education has allowed many
individuals to be in areas where they should not be.
In developping a comprehensive
avalanche awareness program, snowmobiling must be given special
consideration.
This a graph of snowmobile fatalities by year
www.csac.org