How to Drive a Snowmobile

Driving a snowmobile is fun and may even be habit-forming. Once you know how to turn on the machine, use the following advice for a safe and enjoyable ride.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Winter Outerwear
• First Aid Kits
• Ski Gloves
• Ski Goggles
• Snowmobile Helmets
• Water Bottles

1. Start the snowmobile - see "Start a Snowmobile," under Related eHows.

2. Put on your helmet and make certain the strap is fastened under your chin.

3. Sit with your arms at a comfortable distance from the handlebars. Tuck your feet under the metal pockets on the lower front section of the sled - these are often called stirrups, and they greatly increase your ability to stay on the sled when turning.

4. Find the lever on the right side of the handlebar, this is the throttle. You will use this with you right thumb to get the sled up to speed.

5. Look on the left side of the handlebar for the brake lever, which can slow a snowmobile with a relatively soft pull. You will notice that in soft snow your sled will stop quickly if you just let off the throttle. When braking on hard-packed snow, pump the brakes in the same manner you would in a car to keep from sliding on ice.

6. Give the motor plenty of gas initially, to get moving. If the engine is revving up but the sled is not moving, it most likely needs more throttle to engage the track.

7. Turn the handlebars in the same way you would to steer a bicycle. The ease of turning depends mostly on your speed - at 15 miles an hour or faster it is very easy, and at slower speeds it will take more force.

8. Lean to the inside of a turn to keep the sled on both skis (lean far left for a left turn). This is best done by sliding your backside all the way off the seat, with your shoulders out to the side of the handlebars. It is important to keep your feet in the stirrups for stability.

9. Keep a good distance from other snowmobiles on the trail - a space of 30 yards is good for traveling at speed when following another sled.

10. Take your time and stay on the packed trail to get accustomed to the handling of your snowmobile.

Tips & Warnings

• Try the leaning position before moving on the snowmobile. This will give you an idea of how far out you can lean. Fast and tight turns require an aggressive lean to keep from tipping over.
• Remember that falling is a part of all snow sports. When learning how to drive a snowmobile, you may tip over a couple times. Take it easy - a spill at 15 miles an hour is no problem, but at 50 it could cause serious injury.
• Snowmobiling can be a dangerous sport. Always wear a helmet and keep an eye out for other trail users.
• Under no circumstances should you put your feet on the snow while riding. If you start to tip over, let yourself fall - it is much safer than to risk catching a foot in the snowmobile's track.

Who Can Help:

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on 1/30/2006 If you are last in the line, hold up your left hand in a fist; this means there are no more people behind you.

on 11/22/2005 When other users of a trail pass you, make sure you're using your fingers to show how many people are behind you so that the other riders know just for safety. If riders went by me and I had 4 people behind me, I would put up four fingers.