Getting stuck in the snow while riding a snowmobile can be an unpleasant experience. It is important to know what to do when it happens, as well as how to prevent it from happening.
In this article, we will discuss what you should do if you find yourself stranded with a snowmobile that won’t move, and how to unstuck your snowmobile.
We’ll also discuss how you can avoid this situation in the future, and be better prepared for it. With these helpful tips, you can enjoy a safe and stress-free ride all winter long!
How to Unstuck Your Snowmobile
The chances of getting your snowmobile stuck in the snow depend on the type of snow you are riding.
While deep snow can be a problem, keeping the vehicle’s momentum high is advised to prevent getting stuck.
If you’re stuck, the first step will be to acknowledge that it is stuck and stop throttling as it can get the vehicle deeper into the snow.
A few simple steps to follow to get your snowmobile unstuck are as follows.
- Instead of getting the heavy snowmobile out on your own, try getting help from other riders. This is because lifting the heavyweight can sometimes cause heart attacks, and a little help can get your machine out faster.
- Freeing the machine is easy if you’re on flat terrain. Take the help of other riders, tie the front with rope, and try pulling the machine out of the deep snow. This is effective if the machine is not too deep in the snow.
- If facing uphill and on avalanche-prone terrain, it is advised to be careful while asking for help from other riders. Access the safest way to turn the snowmobile around to face downhill. Use a sturdy shovel to remove the snow from the side you want to ride on the snowmobile. Digging out the ski loop from the snow will help. Exercise caution while turning the snowmobile as it can topple on you or cause an avalanche.
- After the snowmobile faces downhill, use the throttle slowly and properly brake control to get the machine to level ground or out of the deep snow.
- Tramp a proper path in front of the mobile to move the snowmobile forward. 5. If it is impossible to turn the machine around, try rocking the snowmobile to push the snow away from the device. Try to remove the snow near the front suspension and the skis. After removing the snow in front, slowly move the vehicle onto the compacted snow track that you tramped down in front.
Following these steps carefully can help you to get your snowmobile unstuck from loose or deep snow.
What Should You Do If You Are Riding Alone?
Imagine riding alone, and your snowmobile gets stuck in the snow; what should you do now? Don’t worry; we have got you covered!
While getting help is not always possible, following a few of the steps mentioned above can help you free your snowmobile from deep snow.
Some of them require help from other riders, so it is better to follow these steps if you are stuck alone and cannot contact anyone for help.
- Stand on running boards and gently rock the machine from side to side to remove the excess snow stuck on the sides. Slowly raise the throttle to remove the machine if it is not blocked so severely.
- If this does not work, shut off the engine to prevent the vehicle from getting stuck deeper into the snow. Clear the snow in front of the track and pack the snow in front of the skis to get a compacted path.
- By trampling the snow in front of the track, get a smooth and drag the free path to get the snowmobile out.
- Having a shovel to dig the snow out can be helpful. Use it to dig the snow from under the machine and the sides. Make a clear path in front to move the snowmobile out.
- If you have a rope, try pulling the vehicle out of the snow and placing it on the front track. In the absence of rope, try to use the throttle and move it in front gently.
- If it doesn’t budge out of the snow, repeat the process until the snowmobile is unstuck.
How to be Better Prepared?
While getting stuck in the snow is very common, it is essential to be adequately prepared for such a situation.
Simple but beneficial things like ropes, shovel, and even a portable lift stand can help in situations like this. They also help in getting the vehicle unrestrained faster.
While riding on level ground, a rope and a shovel can get the job done in minutes.
These things are indispensable when the rider is alone in the wild. Having a snowmobile GPS can be helpful in getting your vehicle out of the trench.
With proper location data, help can arrive quickly to aid you. In case you ride in an area without appropriate cell reception, having an SAT phone can be very helpful.
Final Words
Riding a snowmobile in the snow is a very entertaining activity, and many people enjoy it as a group.
So, for such avid riders, getting stuck in the snow is expected. To get unstuck, following the simple steps mentioned above can help make the process a lot easier.
Also, don’t forget to carry all the essential tools in your snowmobile backpack to ensure that you can handle such a situation with full preparedness.
Measures like checking the condition of the snow before riding can be used to prevent the vehicle from getting stuck.
