How can you check if the ice is safe before crossing?

Using an ice drill or axe for testing is the most reliable method to check the ice thickness before crossing. This approach allows you to directly measure the ice's depth and assess its structural integrity, ensuring it can support the weight of a snowmobile and passengers. By drilling a hole or striking the ice with an axe, you can determine both how thick the ice is and whether there are signs of weakness, such as cracks or melting.

The other methods, while they might provide some indication of safety, are less dependable. Observing others riding safely across can be misleading, as conditions may change rapidly, and just because someone else has crossed does not guarantee safety for everyone. Testing the ice thickness with a snowmobile can also be risky; it risks putting weight on ice that might not be supportive enough. Similarly, while observing the color of the ice can give some hints about its condition—clear, blue ice is generally stronger than cloudy or white ice—this method does not provide specific thickness measurements, which is essential for safety.