Karen McOuat
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 30/98) - If snowmobiling is popular across the country, in the NWT it's a way of life.

Across our 3.3 million square kilometres, snowmobiles are used for hunting expeditions, racing, exploring, transporting goods, as well as just driving for the fun of it. And retailers have a machine for every one of those uses.

Ski-Doo dealer Gord Olson says he has 35 different models, some capable of reaching speeds of 265 kilometres per hour.

"Some have computerized adjusters on their carburettors, and some have a digital security system."

Some Ski-Doos now have push-button reverse, appearing on about eight models in the last year. Previously, the reverse was part of the transmission.

Other snowmobile news

The Mini Z, introduced last season, was a revolution for the snowmobiling public. Going a dizzying speed of 13 kilometres per hour, it is the first sled Ski-Doo has designed for kids in the last 25 years. It is mini indeed, measuring only a quarter of the regular snowmobile's size. Arctic Cat has a similar kid machine, known as the Kitty Cat.

New to the trails is the SnowHawk -- so new it's not even here yet. With only one front ski, its narrow track provides the sensation of being on a motorcycle, and is marketed for off-trail use. The monoski vehicle was first tested by its Quebec manufacturers in December of 1997, and may be available for the 2000-01 winter season.

Protect your head

On the market for the past few years, the neoprene No-Fog face mask deflects breath away from a helmet's visor. But now there's a different kind of head gear altogether: the entirely fog-proof helmet. Made by Ski-Doo, this modular helmet vents breath directly outside, eliminating fog completely. It also allows the rider to easily lift the shield and jaw section of the helmet, even with gloves on.

Sledheads can take their love of the sport indoors. Jeremy MacKenzie works at a Yamaha and Polaris dealership, one of the many that sells snowmobile videos. Some of them are instructional, explaining new machines for 1999.

"But mostly just guys showing off, extreme snowmobiling, race footage, crashes... the good stuff," laughs Mackenzie.

Sledding from sea to sea to sea

The Canadian Arctic Snowmobile Association, formed in 1997, is part of the Canadian Council Snowmobile Organization. The northern alliance is made up of the Hay River and Iqaluit snowmobile clubs, Tracks and Trails in Fort Simpson, and the Great Slave snowmobile club in Yellowknife.

The clubs communicate frequently thanks to e-mail and monthly newsletters.

"We help each other out. When someone's putting on a big event, we contact each other with advice," says Hay River club president Donna Lee Demarcke. "Being part of a bigger organization, we have somewhere to go to for information, like getting insurance for snowmobile races."

Demarcke, a confessed life-long snowmobiler, rides a Ski-Doo. She likes the reliability of the machine, as well as the brand's line-up of sleds.

Tom Girroir, whose first machine was a used Yamaha, is now an Arctic Cat man.

"If you can get to it by snowmobile, I've probably been there," he claims.

On long trips, Girroir makes sure to have a "complete winter survival pack" including: sleeping bag, tent, axe, saw, change of clothes, compass, GPS, and tow rope.

"Snowmobiles definitely give you access to a lot of places."

Northern snowmobiling has more of a pioneering aspect to it. Girroir says down south, like in Alberta, the trails so well-groomed, they are almost like highways.

Such trails will one day be ours, thanks to the future Trans Canada trail project. Sandy Stanley of Hay River says plans indicate a trail starting in Fort Smith, and surrounding Great Slave Lake. Although it is not absolutely certain yet which communities will touch the trail, "there will be a water route along the Mackenzie up to Tuk, and a land route from Victoria to Inuvik," says Stanley.

Hikers, cyclists, walkers, even horseback riders can share the trail, as well as hundreds of ecstatic snowmobilers.

Words of wisdom

When it comes to safety, most snowmobilers agree on a few major points. MacKenzie says lack of maintenance is one of the most common problems. Another problem is "fire and go", when people don't let the machine warm up long enough before driving it.

"Once a year, they should bring 'em in to get serviced," advises Olson. Another thing to watch for is old gas. He says people might use their snowmobile after it has been in the garage for a year, but the octane would be gone from the fuel.

Arctic Cat's Guy Vachon adds: "If you're not mechanically inclined, leave the darned thing alone!"

Vachon advocates common sense, such as not drinking and staying away from thin ice.

"Obey the signs near the city," he says. "Stay off the train tracks, wherever that may apply."

Girroir says not to go snowmobiling alone. "I've run into a significant amount of people who have no idea where they are," he says. "They know they're on a trail, and hope it will take them where they want to go. I'd say definitely go with a friend, one who knows the area."

Most of all: "Go out there and have fun," says Vachon.