As winter continues to gear up, snowmobiling across the icy trails of Michigan and Wisconsin is increasingly popular.
Winter is filled with snow, chilly temperatures, and fun memories outside. Snowmobile riding is a big piece of the winter fun for many, and here are a few tips to make sure all the fun stays safe!
Riding Tips
Whether you’re on the trail, road, or hilly terrain, it’s important to understand how to maintain control of your snowmobile throughout your trip. Understanding your path of travel is crucial as it can be hard to steer or stop a sled that is sliding. Keeping a clear path and planning your route will help you ensure safety and keep you heading in the right direction! Shifting your weight from one side to another can help you maintain balance, especially during turns. Slowing down and shifting your weight to the inside of the turn will help you accelerate after and maintain control.
Wearing the Right Gear
All it takes is one wet layer to put a damper on the adventure. Making sure you have the proper underlayers, like thick socks and long sleeves can go a long way. Merino wool is known to be a good material for underlayers because the wool is capable of wicking away moisture from the body, unlike cotton which causes moisture to stick around. Waterproof gear is key, having the proper coat and boots to keep yourself insulated and dry on top of these underlayers is important. No matter what gear you have or don’t have, the most important piece of a snowmobile is the helmet. Ensuring you have a full-face snowmobile helmet will be the key to safety. A snowmobile helmet has a dual pane system to protect faces from frostbite and prevent fog. This will keep you safe and comfortable for your ride!
Adapt to Changing Conditions
Depending on the weather, the snow can easily change from hard-packed to deep powder throughout the day. Prepare by monitoring the snow conditions to adjust your route to fit. Driving in deep powder can be challenging when going uphill consistently, preparing for that challenge or adjusting to a more flat route during these conditions may be ideal. Hard-packed snow allows you to easily gain speed and momentum, but it is also much harder to come to a stop. Maintaining control on hard-packed snow may be considerably more difficult, so adjusting your route to take less turns may be beneficial.
Using tips like these can help keep your winter memories fun and exciting each time you head out to enjoy the season!
To view the winter 2025 issue of Partners magazine in its entirety, click here.
