Snowmobiling is a great recreation for the winter sports enthusiast. Leave those boring television shows at home and reach for the great outdoors with abandon. The excitement of racing through the countryside can however lead to accidents if you are not careful. The following tips will help you survive to race another day.

1. Avoid areas with very shallow snow cover, this can lead to some nasty surprises.
2. When traveling downhill make sure you pump the brakes to avoid the risk of your brakes locking up. Some large hills will cause the brakes to get very hot if you stay on the brake too long.
3. Pay special attention if you are riding in an area with avalanche potential. The sound and vibrations can be enough to trigger a pregnant snowbank.
4. Never ride when using alcohol. This can be an invitation to disaster. The alcohol not only makes you more likely to wreck, it also increases the risk of hypothermia. Your body will lose heat faster because alcohol dilates the capillaries close to your skin.
5. Never ride on frozen lakes or ponds. This may seem obvious, however there are still accidents every year due to this dangerous behavior.
6. Be aware of hidden obstacles when riding. Among the obstacles are chains or ropes that are strung across some paths which can be deadly at high speeds.
7. Be sure to notify a friend of where you are going if you are snowmobiling alone. Small injuries in the wilderness and cold weather can lead to disaster if alone. A broken leg in a snowmobile accident could leave you incapable of reaching help before hypothermia sets in.
8. Wear reflective clothing. This is particularly important if you are going to be out at dusk or nighttime.
9. Be sure that you carry adequate emergency equipment with you, particularly if you are going to be alone or are going into a wilderness area. This includes a good emergency first-aid kit with signal flares, blanket (mylar), lighter and if possible a gps unit.