Rider's Handbook for Epic Snowmobiling Adventures

Winter brings a lot of adventure. And with the common repetition we all see in the world day by day, what better way to break free from the everyday repetition than diving headfirst into the exhilarating world of snowmobiling? This guide is your ticket to mastering the art of snowmobiling, with a focus on the tips and tricks that will have you shredding through powder, mastering turns, and catching air in style.

Powering Through Powder:

Having the right skills while riding is crucial for safety, and a good time. Body position is very important for maximum control. Ways to do this is leaning back and distributing all your weight evenly for extreme optimal balance. There will be times where it feels awkward, and that's okay. It's important to realize that if you are new to riding, it won't be easy. But it is one of the most exciting activities you can participate in during the wintertime. While you're riding down the trail, feel free to take a seat and relax, soak in the beautiful mountain scenery, and enjoy the ride. Snowmobiles are very capable machines and handle all types of terrain. But with Power, Comes Great Responsibility.

Throttle Control in the Powder:

Snowmobiles have a great power to weight ratio, which basically means that with how little the snowmobile actually weights, that they have A LOT of power. Throttle control is very important for safety and control while riding your sled. Some basic techniques are to "blip" the throttle. You never want a steady pressure on the throttle while riding your sled. That can lead to overheating problems down the road, or trail in that matter. And as you probably guessed it, more throttle is faster, while less throttle will be slower, but you have to be careful how you use the throttle when riding your sled. If you are on the trail, most of the time you can pin the throttle, and nothing will happen besides you shoot away like a rocket. Now, if you are off trail, that's where technique comes into play. If you use to much throttle off trail, it is very likely that your track will spin and dig a trench and get you really stuck. To avoid that, like I said above, use the "blip" method. This involves you making little adjustments with the throttle to change the pitch of the snowmobile. And in reality, too much throttle and to little throttle will both get you stuck, so finding that perfect happy medium is super important for your success on the sled.

Carving Through Deep Snow:

I can remember my first extreme powder day on a snowmobile like it was yesterday. Three and a half feet of fresh, dry snow just waiting to be turned up. Barreling through it like a bull in a China shop, I can remember almost not being able to see in a straight line because the snow was coming over the hood of my sled and hitting me in the face making it near impossible to see. Those are some risks you have to take to get the fresh powder turns. When it comes to turning in the deep snow, it is actually quite easier that you would probably imagine. Picture yourself standing on a board in the snow. If your lean more right, what happens? You slide right! If you move more left, what happens? You slide left! I know everyone has seen the movie Cars, and the famous line from Doc Hudson that made absolutely no sense at all "Turn right to go left." Well, as silly as that sounds, that is exactly what you do when riding a snowmobile in the powder. It is effortless, just give it the right throttle, and when you want to turn to the left, lean, and turn the skis to the right. What that does is force the snowmobile to go up on its side, creating a carving turn, and all you do is repeat those steps. Turn right to go left, seems simple enough.

Jumping and Catching Air:

Launching off natural features might be one of the most ridiculous adrenaline rushes you will ever have in your life. The feeling of free falling on a machine that weighs over three hundred pounds is both frightening and stimulating at the same time. Your body almost has a tingle to it as you wait timelessly to hit the ground. With that being said, there are many risks that are involved in airborne tricks. If you are new to snowmobiling, but have got a wild side to you, start somewhere small, like a smaller snowdrift. You want to be in an athletic stance when you go off the jump, knees bent, body center over the snowmobile. When going off the jump, it's always better to land more on the tail of your sled rather than the front. Control in the air is crucial for a safe landing. Having your body weight distributed evenly over the sled will allow for a much smoother landing. While you are in the air, and you happen to notice the pitch of you snowmobile is too low or too high, there are a few things you can do. One is that if you feel you are more nose down, you can give the snowmobile more throttle while in the air. This will cause the track to spin which causes centrifugal force which allows the snowmobile to adjust pitch to have the nose up. If you do too much throttle, and notice your nose it higher in the air, you can hit the brakes, which will stop the track, and force the snowmobile to fall back onto an even plane before you land back on the snow.

Sidehilling and Control Techniques:

Sidehilling is a very unique skill that will make the people you go ride with look up to you and say, "How does he do that?" It is also very useful, and in some cases, needed to get out of an area, or into an area of riding. What you want to do is out yourself on the uphill side of the sled. You never want your bodyweight to be on the downhill side of the snowmobile, that will cause you to roll over, and one, it's a little embarrassing, and two, it is quite dangerous. Once you correctly put your weight on the uphill side of the snowmobile, you will use the technique called counter steer, Identical to the "Turn right to go left" method. If you are sidehilling, and the slope is on your left, you want to get on the left side of your sled, and counter steer to the right so that the sled essentially wants to fall into the hill. From there use your balancing skills, along with your throttle skills to keep the sled perfectly balanced when going across the hill. If you feel you are losing control, turn down the slope, and try again. When in doubt, turn out.

Unleashing Your Riding Style

Everyone has their different takes on ways to be the most successful on a snowmobile. But in reality, it is different for every single rider. The way you ride is essentially up to you. But there are things that you can do to make your riding experience as memorable, and as awesome as possible. Some things you can do are add special modifications to your snowmobile. Items like turbos or superchargers will increase the power of your sled dramatically, so much so, you better make sure you're hanging on when you hit the throttle. Another popular issue that snowmobilers try to tackle is changing the weight of their sled. It's always about weight. Less weight equals less effort, which equals more energy, which equals more riding time. Weight is extremely important when it comes to riding in the backcountry. You want the lightest sled possible, but you also want it to have enough power so that you can conquer the hardest terrain. Other tasks that you can do to make your riding style unique is to create a personalized sled. This can be unique to you, such as putting a special wrap on your sled, or adding parts that make YOU a better rider. All factors in place, you should do with your snowmobile as you wish. And if you take care of your snowmobile, I promise in return that it will take care of you.

At the days end, and as the sun sets down beyond those snowy mountains, you'll find yourself reflecting on the day's succusses, and failures, the exhilarating jumps, the effortless powder turns, and the sidehills. Backcountry snowmobiling isn't just a hobby, it's a form of art, a special dance with winters canvas that allows you to express yourself with every push of the throttle, every calculated turn, and every moment spent in the air. In this guide, we've delved into the intricacies of mastering the backcountry, focusing on the tips and tricks that elevate your snowmobiling experience. Your journey begins with the selection of the right snowmobile, whether it's a rental for our more cautious riders, or a personalized powerhouse for the more seasoned riders. Riding through deep powder becomes an art where you become one with the sled. The thrill of mastering sidehills is a masterpiece of control and precision. Trails, both groomed and untouched offer a playground for practicing basic control techniques. The freedom to explore unmarked trails and create your own path is an exciting experience, allowing you to safely leave your mark on the landscape. But it's not about the maneuvers, it's about finding your style, your moves that set you apart. Customizing your riding experience and experimenting with different modifications become the picture of your snowmobiling journey. As you reflect on your adventure, remember that every bump, bruise, and scrape tell a story, and each mark is a testament to the creativity you bring to the backcountry. Take a moment to appreciate the uniqueness of backcountry snowmobiling. It's not just about the fun ride, it's about the memories too. Embrace the art, and let the next ride be another special moment in your life. Winters playground is vast. and you have the opportunity to create the best memories within the snowy wilderness.

Be safe, have fun, and most importantly, Stay Wild!