Mini Snowmobiling

FTLComm - Tisdale - January 20, 2001

A ski-doo pulling up to 7-11 is no big deal it happens all the time, when I spotted a rider helping another remove a helmet I thought it was a nice gesture then when they emerged from behind a parked car on foot I discovered the other driver was really short. The snow machine has been a part of prairie life since the first ones made their appearance here in the early fifties, right after the noisy, but down right exciting aircraft engine powered snow planes were a brief fade. The tracked snow machine has evolved and developed

from a loud costly toy to a practical winter sport vehicle. The first child sized versions were built by Arctic Cat and appeared on the market in 1968-69 but were unreliable and though an interesting novelty just did not run well enough to be usable. Bombardier developed the whole concept of snow machines and it is only fitting that their version of a child's machine is not only practical but is safe and a lot of run to use. This one is two years old and its rider has been touring the family farm yard since it was first purchased and she is the ripe

old age of six, but is already a seasoned snowmobiler. This morning she and her dad hopped on their machines and drove the two miles into town from the farm and had a snack at 7-11 then headed back. Her dad explained to me that he has purchased a speed up kit for the little machine that will allow it to get up to 25 mph but as yet he has not installed this upgrade. We talked about the consideration being given to making the operation of a snow machine something that is reserved for people

older than sixteen. He feels that such legislation is possible but he pointed out to me that as yet there is no mandatory requirement for snowmobilers to wear helmets. Common sense prevails though as few if any ski-doo riders venture forth without wearing a helmet. What impressed me about the picture below is the simple sharing of this experience together, father and daughter. Developing responsibility and independence while supervised and doing things together. Already this little girl takes her little brother on a sliding device as she tows him around the farm yard.