Safe riding technique and vehicle control on snow and ice
Safe riding technique and vehicle control on snow and ice
This domain tests whether you can control a snowmobile when grip is low: pulling away, stopping, turning, climbing and carrying a load without losing the track or the machine.
Starting and braking
Warm the engine gently. Pull away smoothly; a sharp throttle on ice spins the track and digs in. Brake with the brake lever together with engine braking, in progressive squeezes. On ice, a locked track gives no steering, so release and re-apply.
Cornering
Look through the turn, lean into it with weight on the inside running board, and use smooth throttle to keep the track rotating. Do not lean out to counter the machine; that unloads the skis.
Slopes
Climb straight up with steady speed; turn before you lose momentum. Descend straight with low speed and engine braking. On sidehills, keep your weight on the uphill side and cross one at a time.
Load
Keep cargo low, centred and lashed; respect the payload limit. A rear-heavy machine lifts the skis and will not steer.
Worked example
You must descend a steep, icy trail. Rather than braking hard, select a low, steady speed, stay centred, use engine braking and short brake applications. If the track locks and the machine slides sideways, release the brake, let the track regain rotation and steer gently downhill.
Traps
Grabbing a handful of brake on ice; leaning away from the turn; overloading the rear rack; and turning uphill after momentum is already lost.