SLEDsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Riders should never travel across ice in single file for the following reasons:

• Riders traveling in single file may not have time to react in the machine in front of them stops suddenly, makes a sudden turn, or worse - goes through the ice .
• Travel in single file puts continuous weight in the same area (possibly multiple times depending on the size of the group). This can potentially weaken the ice for riders further back in line.
• For a group to safely cross a frozen lake, each rider should cross the ice in a staggered fashion leaving a good amount of distance between each rider.

RIDER SAFETY TIP: CLEAR AS ICE

In case we haven’t emphasized it enough, if you have a choice, you should always go around frozen waterways, not over them. Oh and in case it wasn’t mentioned, be aware that if your sled does fall through the ice on a deep lake, it’s hitting the bottom. If you’re not wearing a float suit or PFD, you’re most likely going down with it. The cold water will paralyze you almost instantly and once saturated, your heavy gear will sink you like a stone.