Riding Your Snowmobile

Planning a Group Ride

Organizing a group ride takes careful planning and leadership.

• Riders must adjust their speed and the distance between machines to accommodate the lowest level of riding experience, physical ability, and machine performance.
• Less experienced riders, or those with less reliable machines, should never ride last.
• The least experienced riders should ride immediately behind the leader.
• Make sure novice riders have adequate training.
• Allow time for all riders to discuss the trip and become familiar with the route.
• Factor in time for rest stops and unplanned delays.
• Plan for breakdowns, dangerous trail conditions, bad weather, and injuries.

Group Ride Spacing

• Proper spacing is determined by speed, reaction time, distance, and the need to maintain visual contact.
• As a rule of thumb, calculate spacing distances using a reaction time of two seconds. As the snowmobile in front of you passes an object, count one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two. If you pass that same object in less than three seconds, you should allow more space.

Crossing Ice in Groups

• Avoid crossing frozen bodies of water whenever you can.
• Never cross ice in single file. If the group leader falls through, single-file riders may not be able to respond quickly enough to keep from following the leader through the ice.
• Learn the safe techniques of ice riding in “Maneuvering on Different Terrains.”

Organizing and Leading Groups

• The most knowledgeable and experienced rider takes the lead. Trail leaders:
  • Guide the direction, pace, and length of the ride.
  • Alert the group to changing conditions and warn of potential hazards.
  • Avoid unnecessary risk by placing safety first.
  • Do not allow reckless behavior such as “horseplay” or passing within the group.
• The last position of a group, called a “trail sweep,” is critical in maintaining proper spacing and leadership on the trail. This rider should be as experienced and knowledgeable as the trail leader.
• Groups larger than 10 or 12 should split into smaller groups, each with a group leader and a trail sweep. Group sweeps report to group leaders. Group leaders, in turn, report to the trail leader.
• Never leave anyone behind. Forcing riders to catch up increases accident risk.

Group Communication

• Group riding requires good communication and visual contact.
• Visual communication requires proper spacing.
• To keep the group together, the trail leader should slow down or wait on the opposite side of a crossing when a stop is required. After crossing, the leader stops or slows the group to ensure that everyone knows the correct route.
• Two-way headsets installed in helmets are useful for voice communication and are an effective way for the trail leader and the sweep to communicate.

Communication Safety System

Another way to signal other snowmobilers is with a Communication Safety System (CSS). The CSS is a lighting system that attaches to the left handlebar or the left side of the hood on your snowmobile. You select the light that is appropriate for your situation.

• Yellow light: More snowmobiles are following you.
• Green light: You are the last snowmobile in the group, or you are riding alone.
• Flashing hazard light: You or another rider needs assistance.