You’ve always enjoyed off-roading. In the past, you’ve had to stow your ATVs away after the first snowfall. From there, it was a waiting game. You looked for the first signs of spring flowers before you started planning your next off-road excursion. But this year, you’re sick of being stuck indoors, and snowmobiling looks like it would fulfill your need for an outdoor thrill.
But you might wonder: How difficult is it to learn to ride a snowmobile? It seems pretty straightforward—especially since you’re used to ATVs. But you’re here to do your own research before investing big in snowmobiling.
Generally speaking, riding a snowmobile is different from riding an ATV–the biggest difference being the amount of prep and gear you need to stay safe. But once you get started, you’ll find there are several similarities.
Here’s what you need to feel comfortable on your first snowmobile ride with ease!
Key Takeaways
- When in doubt, more throttle. You can’t control your snowmobile if you’re not moving.
- Snowmobiles have different start-up procedures and quirks, so read the owner’s manual before venturing out.
- Look where you want to go; not at the tree that’s in the middle of the trail. The tree will win – every time.
- Dress appropriately with layers and safety gear—hand warmers, anyone? Additionally, adjust your riding position to different snow conditions and terrains.
Before You Ride: The Pre-Ride Steps to Take
Riding a snowmobile is a lot of fun, but because you’re cruising around the backcountry in freezing temperatures in possible avalanche conditions, you need to do some prep before you strike out on that mountain trail.
Step #1: Comply with Local Laws; Get a License
Some states require teens who are old enough to drive a snowmobile but not old enough to drive a car to get a snowmobile license. Other states require everybody to get a license before they hit the trails.
Here’s a table to show you popular snowmobiling states and their requirements.
| State | Requirements |
| North Dakota | License required for 10+ |
| Pennsylvania | License required for ages 10-16 |
| Michigan | License required for ages 12-16 |
| Vermont | License required for all |
| Wisconsin | License required for all |
| Illinois | Safety certification required |
| Iowa | License required for ages 12-17 |
| Utah | License required for those 16 and under |
| Minnesota | License required for all |
| Montana | Drivers license required |
| New Hampshire | License required for ages 12 and up |
| New Mexico | License required for those under 18 |
| New Yours | License required for ages 10-17 |
Now, state requirements do have a habit of changing, so check with your DMV before heading out.
Step #2: Learn your Sled
Each sled has different procedures for the different situations you run into on the trial. That’s why you must take ownership and read the owner’s manual that comes with your sled.
It walks you through…
- How to adjust your snowmobile so it fits you.
- How to break in your snowmobile
- Pre-Ride Checklists
- Emergency tools and parts to keep with you
- And, of course, how to start your snowmobile for the first time.
Taking the time to absorb the manual won’t guarantee you’ll remember everything, but it does make things easier to find when you’re on the trail and need to know something.
And yes, you should always take your manual with you on the trails.
Step #3: Know the Snowmobiling Etiquette
Anytime you start a new hobby, you need to learn what’s acceptable behavior and what’s not. Snowmobiling is a great community filled with people who love the backcountry and want to keep each other safe.
So here’s some basic etiquette to keep in mind when you’re out with other riders.
- Know the hand signals: Snowmobiles are loud, which makes communication between riders difficult. Instead, they use hand signals to communicate stops, turns, danger, etc. Familiarize yourself with these hand signals and get used to using them yourself.
- Ride Single File, not Side by Side: Riding single file on trails is safer, and many trails don’t have the space for you to drive next to each other.
- Don’t follow too closely: If you’ve ever been rear-ended by a car, then you know it’s not fun. Well, it’s no more enjoyable on a snowmobile, so give your riding buddies space.
- Only drive on snowmobile trails: During peak season, plenty of winter athletes will be out in the backcountry enjoying the snow, so be courteous. Learn the trail markers and who they’re for, so that you don’t run over some poor cross-country skier on a blue diamond trail.
- Always help a snowmobiler who’s stuck: It happens to everyone. You take a turn too fast in deep snow, let off the throttle at the wrong time, and now you’re stuck. In this situation, you’d hope that someone would help you get your 500-pound mountain sled unstuck, so treat others like you’d like to be treated, and always stop for your fellow snowmobilers.
- Always ride with a buddy or group: There’s a lot that can happen on the trails in winter. Your sled could break down or get stuck. You could get lost. Or you could end up stuck in an avalanche. That’s when your fun day could turn into a survival situation if you’re there all alone. But if you have a buddy, they can help out of those situations before they get serious.
Step #4: Learn How to Spot a Dangerous Route
It’s no secret that snow, while beautiful, can hide some nasty surprises. You need to learn how to spot:
- Avalanche snow
- Hard packed snow
- Unsafe obstructions under the snow
- Outcroppings that won’t support your snowmobiles
- And insulating snow
Knowing what these dangerous conditions look like keeps you and other riders safe.
Step #5: Gear Up and Stay Warm
Your snowmobiling outfit should include a…
- DOT approved Helmet
- Shatterproof goggles (or helmet face shield)
- Waterproof snow pants
- Waterproof insulated boots
- Insulated gloves (preferably with hand warmers inside)
- Waterproof shell over an insulating midlayer, and a moisture-wicking base layer.
- Avalanche airbag backpack
- Food and water
- Emergency survival gear
- Emergency toolkit
- Emergency parts
You want to be sure you layer your clothing because once you start having to reposition and shift your weight around, you’ll generate more body heat. Before you start sweating, take a break, take off that insulating midlayer, and pack it away. The most important thing in winter is to prevent sweat.
Step #6: Adjust your Sled to Fit You
Finally, it’s time to sit on your sled and reach for the controls. Your body should feel relaxed, and everything should be within easy reach to prevent muscle fatigue halfway through your trip.
Your feet should also rest flat on the runners so you can easily shift your weight between them as you’re riding over rough terrain.
Step 7: Check Weather Conditions
The last thing to do before you head out is check the current weather conditions. Will it start snowing while you’re out? Will you be on a south-facing or a north-facing trail? What are the avalanche conditions like? Is the snow fresh, deep, or hard-packed? These are all important questions to ask.
OnXMaps is super useful here because it provides a 3-D image of trails. That way, you can see how the sun hits the slopes, what time that happens, and what the temps will be. They also allow you to download maps for offline use, which is crucial in areas where you won’t have cell coverage.
Steps for Riding a Snowmobile (Including Tips on How to Shift Your Body Weight & Use Your Throttle)
Your snowmobiling trip is a go! Everything’s packed now it’s time to get on your sled and get moving. Becoming adept at riding hinges on mastering positioning and throttle control.
Step #1: Run Through Pre-Ride Checks for a Final Time
Your owners’ manual will include some pre-ride checks, but here’s an acronym covering the basics: START GO.
S – Steering and skis: Make sure nothing is frozen. You want the steering to move freely.
T – Throttle and brakes: Check the throttle by revving it a bit, and inspect the brakes.
A – Active lights: Even if you’re not preparing for a night ride, the sun might set earlier than you’re expecting.
R – Registration and reflectors: Registration should be up-to-date and reflectors should be on
T – Tracks and suspension: Do a quick drive around to test the tracks and suspension.
G – Gas: Always start with a full tank and bring extra if you can.
O – Oil: A well-oiled machine doesn’t freeze as easily.
Step #2: Start Your Engines!
Follow your manual’s instructions for starting. Usually, it goes something like this: start with the throttle up, turn the key, engage the kill switch, then throttle down and let it idle.
Now it’s cold. So, give your sled time to warm up. Depending on your model – and how cold it is – that may take 2-5 minutes.
Once it’s warmed up, you can open the throttle and get moving!
Step #3: Throttle Control
Beginners are usually hesitant to use the throttle. Don’t be. You can’t control your 500-lb mountain sleds with body weight alone – especially on deep powder days. You need power. You need momentum. And that comes from keeping a steady throttle.
So when in doubt, use more throttle.
Step #4: Experiment with Your Body Weight
Controlling your sled comes down to how you position your body weight on it when traversing different terrain. But the primary thing to remember is that you’re not just sitting on your sled.
You are an active part of how your sled moves.
When you turn, you lean into the turn. When you’re going uphill, you ride forward on your sled. When you’re going downhill, you lean back on your sled.
Most of these positions are intuitive. You’ll feel yourself doing it. Only when you get into more complex riding will you have to think about this more.
Some positions you’ll try are:
- Sitting position
- Standing
- Kneeling position
- Semi-standing stance
- And others during more complex maneuvers
Summary
Now, you’ve got everything you need to know to get started. All you need to do now is practice. Before you go and buy a sled, rent one to make sure it’s something you enjoy.
Once you get a taste, it’s time to buy. But there’s something else you need to consider before committing: Where are you going to store it? With the ATVs? Maybe—if you’ve got that kind of space.
But if you don’t have space in your garage, there’s a solution for you.
With Neighbor, a peer-to-peer vehicle storage marketplace, you’ll find storage options in all 50 states. You can even find storage spaces near your favorite riding sites—at prices 50% lower than traditional storage options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Lean Into a Turn on a Snowmobile?
Yes, you should lean into a turn on a snowmobile to gain more control and keep the inside ski down for a better grip on the snow. Adjust your weight and turn the skis in the opposite direction to maintain control and balance while turning.
How Do You Start a Snowmobile?
To start a snowmobile, first point it in a safe direction, set the parking brake, and ensure the throttle is not frozen. Then, turn the key and engine stop switch to the “on” position, and if the engine is cold, choke or prime it for a safe and successful start.
Is It Easy to Snowmobile?
Using a snowmobile is easy with practice, and most novel riders get the hang of it after a few tries. Once you’re familiar with the vehicle, it becomes easier to keep a steady speed and know when to put your body weight forward. You just need to get some riding experience.
What’s the Best Type of Snowmobile for a Beginner?
For a beginner, a trail snowmobile is the best choice because it is lighter, easier to handle, and performs well on groomed trails. With a more manageable sled, you can learn how to reach higher speeds (comfortably).
The post How to Ride a Snowmobile: Essential Techniques for Beginners appeared first on Neighbor Blog.