I Love Snowmobiles
A snowmobile is a motorized sled or a modified stock chassis
that carries one or two people over snow. Often called a snow
scooter or a snow machine, it is usually powered by a two or
four-stroke engine. Though snowmobiles originated to ride
people across distances covered with snow, it is now a popular
winter sport in Canada, North America and the colder regions of
Europe. However, even now snowmobiles are used for travel in the
Arctic areas, though the major attraction of snowmobiles is for
recreation only, especially in areas where snow cover is stable
in winter. In fact, snowmobile enthusiasts love to drag race on
grass and asphalt strips in summers as well.
The standard snowmobile measures from 5 to 8 feet in length and
2½ to 3 feet in width. It rides on two short skis in the front
and a wide track at the rear. It has an engine of up to 150
horsepower that moves the track, propelling the snowmobile. You
can steer the snowmobile with handlebars and go at the speed of
0 to over 100 miles per hour. Snowmobiling was once considered
an environmental hazard, mainly because of the two-stroke
engines which have since graduated to four-strokes, reducing
the pollution levels considerably.
The earliest snowmobiles were used for mail delivery. But, the
Ford Model Ts that were modified for the purpose, replacing
tracks and skis for the undercarriage, could not be operated in
more humid areas. The modern snowmobile in its open-cockpit
one-or two-person form came as late as 1970 when many
competitors sprang up and nearly two million snowmobiles were
sold in three years from 1970 to 1973.
These days we have the industrial-type snowmobiles that are
large enclosed vehicles. They are powered by strong 4 to 8
cylinder diesel or petrol engines and are completely tracked
with no skis in the front. They can carry passengers and cargo,
and are meant for grooming cross-country ski trails.
Snowmobiling is an exciting sport that can make some operators
reckless. Many accidents happen due to snowmobiling in the dark
and speeding. People die every year in snowmobile accidents.
When you go snowmobiling, you should make safety your chief
concern because careless snowmobiling has often resulted in
death or serious injury. You should never attempt to snowmobile
while drinking. Also, watch out for obstacles and be very
careful when crossing roads.
Snowmobiling is a major source of income for people in the
small towns of Canada and the United States where tourism is
the only activity during winter and summer months. Every year,
Americans and Canadians spend over $27 billion on snowmobiling
including expenditures on equipment, clothing, accessories and
snowmobiling vacations. This goes to prove how popular
snowmobiling is in these regions!