What age do you let your kids start riding their own snowmobile?

[Arctic Thunder]

Austin still riding the trails?

Don't know we need to go out and ride. You guys would have some fun. He gets around on the 900 cat pretty well. the 162x16 helps in the trees and the bottom end grunt of the 900 helps out also. We need to get you guys together in McCall or something this winter.

Thunder

 

[Engine Pro 5x]

Our son started riding around here at 9. He was 14 when he made his first trip to the mountains with us. Here he is leading us through the trees at Grand Lake >>>>.

 

[SnowXTC]

3.5 for my son

 

[PJ-Hunter]

Started my son at the age of 4 on the trails during the week nobody was there. He is 5 now.

 

[Bkinz]

Don't know we need to go out and ride. You guys would have some fun. He gets around on the 900 cat pretty well. the 162x16 helps in the trees and the bottom end grunt of the 900 helps out also. We need to get you guys together in McCall or something this winter.

Thunder

Ya definitely, Austin was wanting to make a few trips up to the blues w/ me. McCall will be a go for this season.

 

[FirstGenCTD]

First time i ever rode a sled i was 6mos old. But by myself maybe i was 5. I do know the first time I got to drive a sled with pops on the back I pinned the throttle and hit a tree. Good times

 

[MPS]

Both my boys started at age 6 riding solo in the mountains with the wife and I. Just depends on their ability, and how they respect the machines they ride.The oldest now 12,youngest now 9 ride pretty darn good for their ages.

I trusted my boy to ride on his own at around 6 too....like short said it depends on their ability. My son was ok when he was 5, but he made me real nervous.


.

 

[somefear]

My son and daughter both started on a Z-120 when they were 3. They rode around on that until they were about 8. Then they progressed up the ladder. My son is 13 and rides an M6 153, and my daughter still rides a 340 and she's 11. She has no desire to go mountain riding with the rest of us so it's all the sled she needs. My son, on the other hand, will probably be on an M8 before long!!

 

[cat700]

i started when i was 9, riding an indy 400, 40 miles up to the cabin and back twice a week.

 

[m8inthemtns]

My daughter started at age 10 on a 440. My son started on his own at 9 on a 550 cougar. He was proud of going 80 MPH on a airstrip. Both learned to ride on a 2 up polaris with my wife or I riding back seat with them to co-pilot them through the learning curve. Each kid is different. Now they each ride 600 mountain cats at age 14 and 18. They are smart riders and can keep up with us.

 

[JustinB]

I started @ 8 but I see 5 year old bustin triples on the mx track.

 

[powderhoundbrr]

My boys started riding on a Kitty Cat @ age 2.5. I have a remote kill switch and there have never been any accidents or close calls.

 

[sodfarmer]

I trusted my boy to ride on his own at around 6 too....like short said it depends on their ability. My son was ok when he was 5, but he made me real nervous.


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Same son that lawn darted into the far side of the canal by chance?

 

[Mtn-Track]

Colorado State Law 33-14-109, Restrictions on young operators.

The language is so convoluted even a Philadelphia lawyer would need help BUT the jist of it is that an operator 10 years or above may ride in public lands if directly supervised by a person 16 years of age OR a by a person 14 years of age that has a State Safety Certificate OR has obtained his own State Safety Certificate. Violation of this section is guilty of a class 2 petty offense subject to a $50.00 fine.

So, if you are 10-16 without a Safety Certificate and riding alone without immediate supervision you could be subject to a fine.

I read it that a person 10 years old with a Safety Certificate is legal to ride alone in the State of Colorado.

No age restrictions on private land.

BCB

Actually Bob, kids CAN ride on public land as long as they are supervised, no matter what the age:

33-14-109. Restrictions on young operators.
(1) No person under the age of ten years may operate a snowmobile, except upon lands owned or leased by his parent or guardian, unless he is accompanied by or under the immediate supervision of a person sixteen years of age or over or by a person over fourteen years of age who holds a snowmobile safety certificate issued by the division for the successful completion of a snowmobile safety education and training course conducted by the division.
(2) Except when accompanied or supervised in the manner provided in subsection (1) of this section, no person ten years of age or over who has not reached his sixteenth birthday shall operate a snowmobile in this state, except upon lands of his parent or guardian, unless he has received a snowmobile safety certificate for the successful completion of a snowmobile safety education and training course conducted by the division.
(3) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of fifty dollars.

That being said, it really has to do with the kid and their ability to control the sled. My son was not able to properly handle an Indy 340 until he was 6. He had been riding a 70cc quad since 5, but had been riding with me on my sled since he was 3. Now he's almost 9 and been eye-balling my Viper Mtn (which he's driven) but it's waaaaay to fast for him at this age! Physical control of any size sled needs to be matched by their mental ability to do the right thing under any situation. As such, size accordingly........

 

[Pinner]

kids CAN ride on public land as long as they are supervised, no matter what the age:

There's no laws against alot of things that shouldn't be done...

Putting a young child in your care in any danger is against the law. duh.

What's the youngest so far, 2&3yr olds, not a good idea, just try and explain that when they crash... My opinion, 2 stroke smoke made me do stupid things well into my 20's...

 

[devilrmk]

My opinion, 2 stroke smoke made me do stupid things well into my 20's...

Thats funny right there.

Depends a lot on the kid. My oldest started at 12. Hit his first tree from not paying attention, riding too fast and not knowing where the brake was that year. That and me yelling at him non-stop that year slowed him way down. He is much better now but I still get the feeling he just doesn't "get it" at age 17 now.

Some kids get it right away, some don't.

 

[powderhoundbrr]

There's no laws against alot of things that shouldn't be done...

Putting a young child in your care in any danger is against the law. duh.

What's the youngest so far, 2&3yr olds, not a good idea, just try and explain that when they crash... My opinion, 2 stroke smoke made me do stupid things well into my 20's...

My 3.5 year old having a good time last weekend. Like I said I have the remote kill switch in case of emergencies. He was having a good time and really, could he have hurt himself here? Quick video of the fun........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KokB95XIOvo

 

[Pinner]

That remote kill switch is a great idea.

That's my old stompin grounds, that area.

 

[Dogmeat]

Riding on snowmobiles since my mom was preggers with me.

I've got pics of her running around with me when I was literally like 2 years old ....

I guess according to my dad when i was 2 years old he'd let me run the throttle...

I remember finally soloing when I was 4 ... on my mom's 1978 Yamaha 340 Enticer ...

Rode until I was 12 or so, family ran outta money, didn't ride another sled again until I was 25 .... as long as I can afford it, I'm gonna ride..

...And my kids, when I have some, are going to start riding as soon as they can work a throttle

 

[rmkboxer]

I put my kid on his at 3 accelerated to fast for him, he just heald on till he hit the snow bank. 4yrs old in a controled open environment. he's been riding quads since he was 3. he is 5 now and I am going to let him ride on the trails now