How to Survive When Extreme Snowmobiling

Extreme snowmobiling is an extreme sport that takes place in extreme locations: the tops of mountains, snow-covered tundras and the very frozen landscape of winter. Surviving when extreme snowmobiling is extremely important-—far more important than sailing through the air or climbing that vertical face.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Snow helmets
• Snow pants
• Snow gloves
• Balaclavas or head liners
• Neck warmers
• Snow jackets
• Snow boots
• Spine protectors
• Thumb protectors
• Snow glasses
• Knee pads
• Elbow pads
• Chest protector
• SOS beacon
• Shovel
• Avalanche probe
• Hand radio set or a helmet radio
• Compass
• Matches
• First aid kit

1. Have the proper gear. Along with snow helmets, snow pants, snow gloves, balaclavas or head liners, neck warmers, snow jackets, snow boots, spine protectors, thumb protectors, snow glasses, you need knee pads, elbow pads and a chest protector.
2. Ensure your extreme snowmobile is in top working order.
3. Take an SOS beacon, shovel, avalanche probe, hand radio set, or a helmet radio, a compass, matches, flashlight and a first aid kit. You especially need these items if you are going any kind of distance in the mountains.
4. Turn on your beacon when you first hit the trail.
5. Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return and call them when you get home.
6. Listen to the avalanche report and the weather report when planning to extreme snowmobile in the mountains. You may also go to the Avalanche-Center site to read the avalanche bulletin in your area or the area in which you intend to extreme snowmobile.
7. Contact the U.S. Forest Service or go to their site when there isn't a bulletin for your area. Often a snow ranger is on staff at many U.S. Forest Service locations.
8. Before leaving for the mountain, conduct avalanche rescue drills with your group. Knowing how to use your rescue equipment is essential for surviving an avalanche.
9. Learn to recognize weather patterns when snowmobiling in the mountains. Most of the avalanches in the world are caused by storms. A snow storm creates a dangerous combination of new snowfall and wind which results in unstable layering, causing slab avalanches. During a storm, new layers of snow are added to the snow pack, causing more stress than the strength of the layers can handle.
10. Keep an eye on the terrain around you for any changes or signs of recent avalanche activity. Learn to recognize the subtleties of the terrain in an avalanche zone and learn to recognize where a fracture might take place.
11. Cross one at a time, if you have to cross a possible avalanche slope. Go slowly. Wait until the person has gotten out of the danger zone before the next crosses.
12. Understand avalanche conditions, avalanche safety measures, and what to do if you find yourself caught in an avalanche. Re-plan your route and don't go highmarking (seeing who can go highest) where the risk of avalanches is greatest when the risk for avalanches is high.

Tips & Warnings

• If extreme snowmobiling in the mountain is what you love best, take an avalanche safety course. You can find them online or in the phone book.
• Take general snowmobiling safety classes. These can also be found locally by going online or in the phone book.
• Never extreme snowmobile alone.