Riding Your Snowmobile

Anticipating Weather Conditions

Learn to read and anticipate snow conditions as well as the indications of avalanche likelihood and other weather-related risks.

Checking Before You Go

• Many public snowmobile areas have an Avalanche Center hotline. For current information on avalanche hazards, call the hotline for your area.
• Study the weather forecast. Weather conditions, such as temperature and wind, directly affect the slopes. Changes in the snowpack may occur quite rapidly and could trigger an avalanche.
• Familiarize yourself with the terrain where you will be traveling. Avoid steep slopes and gullies that are more likely to slide.

Operating in Whiteout Conditions

• A whiteout is the term that refers to a severe storm condition with blowing snow, wind drifts, and high winds with reduced visibility.
  • When the sky is overcast and the ground is snow-covered, the landscape may appear entirely white, with no visible horizon.
  • Distances are difficult to judge. Variations in terrain are not easy to recognize.
• Do not ride in a whiteout if you can avoid it, but if you must:
  • Be extremely cautious, and maintain a low speed.
  • Stay in familiar areas only, and watch for indications of hazards such as drop-offs beneath the snow.
• A whiteout condition also may be caused by “snow dust.” “Snow dust” is created when the snow is kicked up by the snowmobile in front of you. Increase your following distance to increase your visibility.