A Guide to the Perfect Snowmobile Trip

Are you thinking about taking a snowmobiling trip in the near future?

A snowmobiling trip can be life-changing. Not only do you get to have fun with your favourite mode of transportation, but you also get to enjoy the great outdoors, unplug from reality, and make memories with your fellow snowmobilers.

But, before you pack your bags, you need to do some planning.

Check out this guide to learn how to plan the perfect snowmobile trip.

 

1. Decide Where to Go

Perhaps the biggest thing you need to consider when planning a snowmobile trip is figuring out where to go. While there’s great snowmobiling all over the world, Canada is hands-down one of the top destinations. Here are some great places for snowmobiling in Canada:

Valemount in British Columbia

Valemount Village in British Columbia is hands down one of the best places to go snowmobiling. Just an hour outside of Jasper National Park, this area is known for its hospitality and welcoming attitude toward snowmobilers.

The village has a robust sledding community and is well equipped with resources for snowmobilers of all abilities. If you’re travelling outside of the province, you can easily find snowmobile rental shops to suit your needs.

There are four notable trails in this area: Clemina Creek, Allan Creek, Westridge Family Loop, and Chappell Creek. You’ll traverse through a diverse terrain filled with lakes, bowls, meadows, steep hills, and dense forests.

Cochrane in Ontario

Another great area for snowmobilers to check out is the community of Cochrane in Ontario. Nestled in the northern part of the province, Cochrane is home to many lodges, cozy restaurants, and nearby trails.

One of the best places to stay here is the North Adventure Inn, which is home to four igloos and an ample sled storage space. The 1645 km-long North Corridor tour offers plenty of looping trail options. Some of the best places to see include Greenwater Provincial Park, Abitibi Canyon, and Hearst.

The trails are known for being meticulously groomed, so every ride should be smooth and enjoyable.

Athabasca in Alberta

If you’re near Alberta, one of the best areas to check out for snowmobiling is Athabasca. This area is known for having long, smooth, and accessible trails.

There are hundreds of kilometres of trails to choose from, and the town is even nestled along the shore of Alberta’s longest river, the Peace River. The three most popular trails to explore are the Banana Lake Trail, the Spotted Horse Lake Trail, and the Bilsky Loop Trail. Along your ride, you’ll pass through river valleys and dense forests.

This is another community that heavily caters to snowmobilers, and you’ll find plenty of places to warm up along the way.

The Laurentians in Quebec

The Laurentians, located in La Belle Province, is another snowmobiling hotspot in Canada. In fact, one of the world’s first snowmobiling clubs was founded in this community.

In addition to being near the Mont-Tremblant International Airport, this area offers plenty of accommodation options and gear rental spots. There are over 2400 kilometres of trails to cover, so you’ll never get bored exploring this area.

One of the best places to explore is Chute de Windigo in Devil’s Mountain, which boasts a waterfall and other beautiful scenery. There’s also a stunning old railway line to check out on the Linear Park Trail.

Revelstoke in British Columbia

Another great area to check out in British Columbia is Revelstoke. This community gives you front door access to the Columbia and Monashee mountain ranges.

With over 40 feet of snowfall each year and meticulously groomed trails, Revelstoke is a snowmobiler’s paradise.

Sicamous in British Columbia

If you still haven’t gotten your fill after exploring Revelstoke, head to Sicamous, its next-door neighbour. SnoRider Magazine named Sicamous their favourite overall snowmobiling area in British Columbia in 2016, and once you arrive, you’ll see why.

It has four main snowmobiling areas that offer everything from beginner to advanced trails. Plus, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.

Whistler in British Columbia

No snowmobiling list is complete without mentioning Whistler in British Columbia. Whistler is a haven for snowmobilers, skiers, and snowboarders.

Whistler is unique in the fact that the community was built around a mountain rather than an industry. Some of the best places to check out in this area are the Blackcomb Mountains and the Coast Mountain Range.

 

2. Check the Forecast and Trail Conditions

Once you’ve decided where you want to go for your snowmobiling trip, it’s important that you check the forecast and trail conditions.

If the windchill is too low, the trail is frozen, or there’s a blizzard with whiteout conditions, then snowmobiling is not a good idea. You should either postpone your trip or find another area to explore. Even for seasoned snowmobilers, poor trail conditions are not worth the risk. Checking the weather ahead of time will also help you select the appropriate clothing for your trip.

 

3. Pack the Right Gear

Speaking of clothing, you also need to make sure you pack the right gear for your snowmobiling trip. Packing the right gear will keep you happy, energized, and above all, safe.

Here’s what you need to pack in terms of snowmobiling gear:

• Track wear and adjustments (such as bogie wheels)
• DOT-approved helmet with vents
• Visor that won’t fog up
• Snowpants and snowmobile jacket
• Two pairs of gloves and a hat
• Wool socks
• Skis and wear bars
• Headlights and brakes
• Drive belt wear and adjustment
• Spark plugs
• Fuel
• Drive chain gear oil
• Engine oil
• Brake wear and function
• Tools for basic trail maintenance (typically these come with the machine)
• Trail area registration sticker
• Snowmobile safety class certification card
• Tow rope
• Snowmobile cover
• WD-40 tape/electrical tape
• Face mask
• Winter boots
• Avalanche Gear (Mountain Riding)

Additionally, there are some general travel items you should pack for your trip, including:

• Cellphone
• Snacks and water
• First aid kit
• Boot and glove dryer
• Spare clothes
• Toiletries
• Camera
• Waterproof bags
• Weather tool to check the radar if your cellphone is out of service
• Heater for melting snow and ice off your machine

If you plan to go snowmobiling in the backcountry, you’ll also want to pack some survival gear items, such as:

• Dehydrated food
• Mini-stove pot with utensils and fuel
• Hunting knife
• Pencil flares
• Glo-sticks
• Tinfoil
• Fluorescent tape
• Emergency locator beacon
• Carabiner
• Saw
• Toilet paper
• Shover
• Lighter/fire starter
• Thermal Blanket

Of course, if you plan to stay at accommodation along the way, you won’t need all of these items.

 

4. Inspect Your Snowmobile Before Hitting the Road

Before you hit the road, it’s very important that you have your snowmobile inspected by a professional. Even if your snowmobile is in good condition, you should still bring it in for a tune-up.

Before you ride, you need to check the batteries, fuel and oil levels, drive belt, brakes, skis, handlebars, headlights, throttle, and taillights. Also, you should allow your snowmobile to warm up for at least one minute before riding it.

It’s also a good idea to review your owner’s manual before leaving for your trip and bring it with you just in case. If you a professional inspects your snowmobile and says it’s not trail-ready, then you’ll need to think about renting or buying a new one.

 

5. Create Your Itinerary and Plan Your Ride

In addition to deciding which community you want to snowmobile in, you should also create an itinerary and plan your route.

First, determine whether you want to do a long loop, a point to point trip, or just day rides. If you plan to do day rides, there’s not much preparation you need to do ahead of time, as you’ll be returning to the same spot to rest each night.

However, if you’re planning for a multi-day trip that involves different accommodation stops, you’ll need to create a detailed itinerary. First, figure out how many kilometres it is to your final destination. Then, calculate how many miles you want to cover each day.

It’s always a good idea to cushion in an extra day or two in case something goes wrong or you need a little extra rest. Then, figure out where you want to stay along the way and book your accommodation. Remember, accommodation can fill up quickly during the high season, so it’s best to book as far in advance as possible.

Also, make sure you speak with each accommodation place to ensure that they have storage space for snowmobiles. As we mentioned earlier, a lot of places throughout Canada have small places along the trails where you can warm-up and refuel. For each full day of snowmobiling, make sure you plan a couple of breaks along the way.

 

6. Take a Snowmobile Safety Course

Even if you’re an advanced snowmobiler, it’s still a good idea to take a safety course before you head out for your trip. In fact, many areas require that you take a safety course before you can ride.

This course will teach you how to ride safely and responsibly. If you’re a first-time rider, you can also learn driving techniques in these courses.

 

7. Plan for the Unexpected

No matter how meticulously you plan your trip, unexpected things can happen along the way. Bringing the right gear, planning your route, having your engine expected, and taking a safety course are some of the best things you can do to prepare for the unexpected.

If there’s a weather emergency during your ride, make sure you have an escape route and understand how to turn around or get off the trail safely. If you’re going with a group, give everyone a lifeline number to call should anyone get separated. This way, even if someone can’t get in touch with you, someone out there will know where everyone is.

Also, make sure all riders are equipped with a GPS and compass should they get lost.

 

8. Review Your Hand Signals and Stay Safe

It’s also a good idea to review your hand signals before you head out. Here are the most important hand signals you need to know:

• Stop: Raise your left hand directly into the air (be prepared for some people to raise with their right hand in case their left hand is the dominant one)
• Left Turn: Extend your left arm straight out from your shoulder to point in the direction of your turn
• Right Turn: Lift your left arm to shoulder height and bend it at the elbow and point your hand straight up with your palm lying flat so that your arm forms a right angle
• Oncoming Snowmobiles: Guide your vehicle to the right and reach your arm over your head to point to the right side of the trail. This signals to riders that they need to make sure they’re riding on the right half of the trail and that you’re yielding to them
• Slowing Down: Extend your left arm out and down from the side of your body and make a downward flapping motion to signal caution
• Following Sleds: Raise your left arm, bend your elbow, and point your thumb backward in a hitchhiking motion. Then, move your arm forward and backward to signal to approaching riders that there are more snowmobiles behind you in your group
• Last Snowmobile in Line: Raise your left arm to shoulder height, bend your elbow, and clench your fist

Make sure to review these hand signals with your group before you hit the trails.

 

Snowmobile Trip: Are You Ready to Hit the Trails?

Now that you read this guide, you should be more than ready for your big snowmobile trip. Before you know it, you’ll be hitting the trails and enjoying your time in the outdoors.

If you’re looking to have your snowmobile professionally serviced in Arborg, Manitoba, before your big trip, contact us today.