Two Polaris snowmobiles riding along a groomed snowy trail beside a winding creek, surrounded by deep snowbanks, pine trees, and winter forest scenery.

Snowmobile Safety

Whether you are riding on trails or mountains, it's important to prepare yourself for the safest ride for you and your snow crew.

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Stay Safer on the Snow

Safety on any terrain is an element to riding where you can always learn, advance and pass along that knowledge to your snow riding club, family, and beyond.

Meet Dan Adams

Owner of NXT LVL Riding Clinics and long-time Polaris partner. Dan is a steward for snowmobiling and educates riders of all levels on having a safer, fun ride. Check out our interview with him to learn more.

Learn More

New to Riding or Need a Refresh?

Learning how to ride a snowmobile can be an incredibly fun, yet daunting progression. From your first time riding on a trail to challenging backcountry riding, there are tips to help you along the way.

Riding Guide

Gear Up

Make sure you’ve got all the necessary gear for your ride. Think beyond helmets and jackets, always wearing eye protection such as goggles or a helmet face shield. Also, consider layering to be prepared for changing weather conditions, and to keep you comfortable on the ride. Avoid wearing loose clothing or long scarves, which can become entangled in moving parts and cause injury. If you’re riding in mountain terrain, proper avalanche gear and training is essential.

Know Your Terrain

Always check the weather forecast, trail conditions, and stay on top of trail closures to head into your ride informed. Don’t push it when it comes to the conditions.

Check Your Fuel

Start with a full tank and make sure you’ve planned your route with enough fuel stops along the way.

Be a Pack Prepared Rider

Bringing the right thing to help when things don’t go as planned is key. Ride prepared with a winter survival and first aid kits, as well as tools, an extra belt, and a tow rope.

Ride to Your Level

Always ride within your comfort zone to stay in control of the snowmobile through varying terrain. Take a safety course to learn the operating basics and balance techniques to advance your skills safely. Also, consider the riding level of your group and adjust accordingly.

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Industry Resources

Like other powersports and outdoor recreation activities, snowmobiling has many groups and organizations dedicated to safe riding. These groups provide training, tips, and more. Here are a few for you to know.

Tread Lightly!

Tread Lightly! and its partners lead a national initiative to protect and enhance recreation access and opportunities by promoting outdoor ethics to heighten individuals’ sense of good stewardship.

International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association

The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) coordinates committees within the industry to handle concerns such as snowmobile safety, promote the snowmobiling lifestyle, and the positive economic impact of snowmobiling throughout the world.

Avalanche.org

Avalanche.org connects the public to formal avalanche information and education in the United States. Avalanche.org is a partnership between the American Avalanche Association (A3) and the US Forest Service National Avalanche Center (NAC).

American Council of Snowmobile Associations

ACSA is a national organization uniting the snowmobile community and promoting snowmobiling as a safe, fun and environmentally friendly family sport.

Snowmobile Safety Video

Spend five minutes learning more about snowmobiling safety with this video from our friends at Polaris Adventures.

Owner's Manuals

Your owner's manual is an excellent safety and maintenance guide, with information on snowmobile warnings, protective gear, operating procedures, and more.

Find Owner's Manuals

YouTube

Our YouTube channel is a great resource for all sorts of videos. Content ranges from safety to service to fun on the snow, giving you easy access to information from the experts.

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