Table of Contents

1. Overview

2. Safety Gear

3. Parts, Planning & Inspection

4. Operations

5. Riding Precautions

6. Signage & Signals

7. Laws

Start it up!
    • Your engine may start either manually or electronically.

    • When the engine is cold or has not been started in a while, use the choke.

    • Be in a position on the snowmobile, whether it be kneeling or sitting, so you can control the     machine immediately once you start it. This is sometimes hard to do, so have someone in your     group sit on the snowmobile while you start it.

Operating Skills
    • Your balance is key!

         • Shifting your body weight helps to control the way the snowmobile handles and corners.          When you turn, lean into the direction your turning.

         • The throttle & brake are also important.

         • Keep as much of the track as possible in contact with the snow.

Snow Conditions & Terrain  
    • Ice – Thickness should be at least 8 in. to drive your snowmobile on. How do you know? If you     don't see anyone on the lake or river, don't go. A good tell that the ice may be thick enough is if     there is icehouses on the water.

    • Frozen Bodies of water - Even if the ice is thick enough, never be comfortable on the ice.     Always keep an eye out for open water!

    • Incline – Lean toward the front of the snowmobile

    • Decline – Lean toward the back of the snowmobile

    • Traversing a side hill – Always lean towards the uphill side of the snowmobile

    • Night time riding – Most fatalities occur at night. Make sure you use your lights and drive     slower.

    • Riding in deep powder – Remember to increase throttle use in deep powder

Hazardous Conditions:
    • Avalanches - Avalanches can happen wherever there is snow lying on ground of sufficient     angle. Many of these accidents would have been avoidable, given greater care or knowledge,     or if the victims had even paused to consider that avalanche hazard might be present.

    • In making practical assessments of avalanche hazard, there is no substitute for the instinctive     feeling for snow conditions which can be gained only by years of experience. However, no-one     is born with such experience and the novice or the less frequent winter mountain user, may     still enjoy a safe day out if some basic principles are learned and acted upon.

    • Did you know? Over 50% of all avalanches are caused by snowmobiles.

    • Examples of avalanche gear – avalanche beacon, probe, collapsible shovel are a few.

    • Whiteout conditions -Whiteout is a weather condition in which visibility is reduced by snow     and diffuse lighting from overcast clouds.

    • There are two different forms of a whiteout:
    • In blizzard conditions, the windblown snow in the air may simply make it too difficult to see very     far.
    • In clear air conditions, when there is no snow falling, diffuse lighting from overcast clouds may     cause all surface definition to disappear. It becomes impossible to tell how far away the snowy     surface is. In polar regions this optical illusion can make whole snow-covered mountains     invisible against the background of white clouds, and the horizon cannot be identified, slopes     cannot be judged for steepness, and snow surfaces cannot be seen. It is only when a dark or     colored object is placed on a snowy surface that the surface can be seen at all.

Passengers & Towing:
    • Make sure passengers know the correct way to ride.

    • It is not recommended that you carry small children, but if you have to, they should ride in front     of the operator.

    • Maximum number of passengers beside the driver is 1.

    • When towing use a rigid tow bar. Never use a rope or chain.

    • Every towed vehicle should have reflectors on the sides and a safety flag.

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