Expert Snowmobile Tips and Techniques for Beginners

Riding a snowmobile is relatively simple, although it might be slightly intimidating if you’ve never ridden a sled before. The following expert snowmobile tips and techniques for beginners will help you get comfortable and quickly build confidence on the trail.

Dramatically Improve Your Snowmobile Skills

Experience is important for beginners. Your snowmobile skills will improve dramatically as you ride and are exposed to variable snow conditions.

For instance, there is a profound difference between riding in fresh snow versus a groomed hard packed trail. Both are fun, they simply require a slightly different technique.

The variation of snow conditions throughout any given day adds to the overall excitement.

Get familiar with your snowmobile controls before riding, reading the owner’s manual makes it easier to understand many of the functions. The better you understand the controls, the better you will perform. Be sure to wear proper riding gear and a helmet, too.

Expert Snowmobile Tips and Techniques for Beginners

Snowmobile safety is paramount to an enjoyable trip. The NHSA and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department strongly recommend that all riders participate in a snowmobile safety education class.

Before Starting Your Snowmobile

• Make sure the snowmobile is pointed in a safe direction.
• Check the throttle by depressing it at least once to be sure it isn’t frozen; when released it should return quickly.
• Press and release the brake. Stuck brakes cause fires.
• Insert safety tether.
• Release kill switch.

Following Distance on a Snowmobile

• Following too closely is a common cause of crashes.
• When the person in front of you passes an object, note where it is and start counting. By the time you arrive at that same object you should have counted to no less than three seconds.
• When you come to a complete stop, your sled should be three to four feet away.

Stay to Right on Trails

• Always assume there will be oncoming traffic and stay to the right, especially in corners.
• Avoid placing your ski outside the groomed trail onto the shoulder. The soft snow can suck your sled off the trail.
• When parking, always pull to the right side of trail.
• Never block or gather in the middle of a trail.

Weight Transfer Controls Snowmobile Handling

• The snowmobile behaves like a seesaw, with the rider in the center.
• When accelerating, the weight shifts rearward for maximum traction, however the skis don’t bite as hard and steering control is lessened.
• When decelerating, weight is shifted onto the skis and steering is more effective, such as when entering a corner. However, the steering is heavy.
• Manage front and rear traction, and handling, with the throttle and brake.
• Releasing the throttle will drastically slow the sled and is often all that is needed to control speed, except when stopping or quickly decelerating.
• Releasing the throttle will drastically slow the sled and is often all that is needed to control speed, except when stopping or quickly decelerating.
• Smooth and controlled is quicker than jabbing throttle and brake.

Rider Position and Cornering – Enhancing the Seesaw

• Moving your body forward puts more weight on the skis for better turning bite.
• Moving back improves rear traction.
• Standing enhances the leverage as you lean.
• If steering is hard, shift your weight back.
• Decelerate as you enter turns and lean inside the turn.
• Gently accelerate as you come out of the turn.
• Be prepared to gently counter-steer when cornering, especially as you exit and apply throttle.

Snowmobiling On Hills

• When going down steep hills, use the throttle ever so slightly to control speed, using engine back-pressure to slow instead of brakes (like downshifting a car).
• Applying the brakes may cause the rear of the sled to wiggle slightly, especially down hills, which is expected.
• Sometimes it’s better to stand going up hills, as you can transfer weight quickly.

Snowmobile Hand Signals

• Some snowmobilers will hold up fingers indicating how many sleds are following. This is a controversial practice, as many believe your hands should be on the handlebars at all times.
• Hold your arm straight up if you need to signal you are stopping.
• Tap your brake light to signal riders following behind you.
• Sleds should have mirrors to monitor riding buddies and traffic.
• If faster traffic approaches from behind you may signal to pull to the right, allowing others to pass.

Panic Grip

• Startled riders sometimes panic-grab the handlebars forgetting they are squeezing the throttle wide open.
• Keep this in mind and be ready to release the throttle, pull the tether or hit the kill switch if needed.