Snowmobiling Weekend! – a Checklist before Hitting the Road

This was taken from an earlier blog post, and I’ve added a bit to it.  Our first snowfall has come here in Southeast Michigan, and we hope to spend New Year’s Eve “Up North” as we call it..  What else do you pack for a weekend snowmobile trip?

• Carry spare parts. Spark plugs, spare drive belt, bulbs. Especially with vintage sleds. Your local dealer may not have in stock what you need in a pinch. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to research ahead of time where the local dealers are in proximity to where your trails are. It might just save your weekend!

• Ride with a friend, and carry a three-hook tow rope (two hooks on one end, a single hook on the other). If one sled breaks down, your friend can tow you back to the trailhead. A three hook tow rope will pull the sled evenly by both skis, not just one. Looping a rope through both skis will cause them to pull inward and could damage the steering.

• Make sure there is a flashlight in your standard tool kit, if you are caught after dark and also dress for the falling temps that come with nightfall.

• Chapstick.

• Kleenex.

• First Aid kit.

• Obviously, always tell someone your intended route, carry a map of the area and though this is likely the norm and not the exception, carry a charged cell phone. Make a note of the fuel stops along the way.

• Make sure everyone you are riding with is familiar with snowmobile hand signals.

• Also very obvious, save the libations until you’re in for the night, and if possible, don’t ride after dark. I love to ride at night, but do so very, very rarely. There’s nothing like zipping across the snow down a moonlit path, but it’s not worth being hit by a drunk. And in case you weren’t aware, a DUI on your sled is the same as in your car.

• Spare gear is great to have, if you have it. Spare gloves and boots, in case yours get wet and don’t dry in time for tomorrow’s ride. Hair dryers help.

• Lock De-Icer.  You don’t want to return to the staging area in the dark, cold and tired, to find the locks on your vehicle or trailer frozen.

Ride safe and tell us about your trip!