How to Land a Jump on a Snowmobile
Executing a jump on a snowmobile is only half of the equation. Knowing how to land the jump is also essential. Understanding and appreciating the effect of gravity on the rider and snowmobile will help reduce the risk of injury and falls when landing. By learning the basics of landing a jump, you can move on to more advanced tricks.
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Things You'll Need
- Snowmobile equipped for outdoor stunts
- Padding and layered clothing
- Helmet
Instructions
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Pay attention to the change in acceleration as the snowmobile moves off the end of the ramp and through the air. This is the effect of gravity.
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Maintain the proper position of the snowmobile while it is in the air. Give it a little gas if the nose points down.
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If the nose of the snowmobile appears to be too high, use the brakes slightly to level out the machine.
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Move the snowmobile to a level position before it touches the ground.
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Maintain a steady grip on the handlebars as you land, guiding the machine back to the ground as smoothly as possible. Many accidents are caused when riders lose their grip and subsequently lose control of the machine.
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Tips & Warnings
Take your feet off the sides or the running board of the snowmobile to lessen the weight placed on the machine. This will help gain altitude during jumps.
When learning a new snowmobile trick, start slowly and work on smaller jumps before moving on to higher ones.
Attend a snowmobile jumping competition if possible, or talk to real snowmobiling competitors. Seeing the athletes perform their tricks will help you understand why moves work and fail. Competition information can be found at a local winter sports equipment store.
Join a club that engages in extreme snowmobiling. This is a good way to get individualized feedback when attempting a jump or land a snowmobile.
Be prepared to put in several hours of practice, and expect a few hard falls before mastering the land.
You must be able to initiate a snowmobile jump in order to execute the landing.
Wear a helmet when operating a snowmobile. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Because a few falls are inevitable when first practicing, wear protective clothing that pads the knees and other vulnerable areas to avoid broken bones and other injuries.
Make sure the snowmobile is in good order and has no malfunctions or signs of major wear.
Avoid alcohol when doing any type of extreme snowmobiling. Not only does alcohol contribute to hypothermia, but it also affects reflex time and overall judgment.
