Thinking about Snowmobile Safety

UP HILL

When going up a hill, give the sled in front of you plenty of room. It may be good to add a little speed at the bottom of the hill, to give you momentum to get over the hill. But a novice rider may not have the skill or desire to add speed. So always know the skill of the rider in front of you and give them plenty of room for all type of riding conditions.
If you wait till the sled in front gets over the hill, you will avoid being hit by a sliding sled going backward down a hill, if traction or momentum is lost .
I don't think there is a good way to go backward on a sled down hill. Sliding backward down a hill may cause the sled to flip or turn over. If you can stop the sled before it goes down backward, dismount and stay on the high side of the hill . Try to turn the skis so the sled will move at right angle to the hill .You may get it turned around so it can be ridden down forward.
If you can't stop before it goes down backward, try to keep the skis straight as possible. If you have to turn your skis to avoid a hazard, try small movements. Full lock, turned skis may cause the sled to flip. Brakes or small amounts of throttle may slow you down, but there is no good way of going backward down a hill.
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When reaching the top of the hill, back off the throttle a bit, always be on the lookout for oncoming sleds and stay on your side of the trail. Some people feel standing up and looking over their hood, may give them a better line of site going up hill. This practice may not be a good idea. Know your skill level and sleds capabilities.
Studs and traction product may help going up or down a hill. This is something you might consider if there are lots of hills and problems climbing them.
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SNOWMOBILE SAFETY,taking a curve

While we are waiting to go snowmobiling, we got time to think about how we might have a safer riding season.
Curves are one of the most dangerous places on the trail. When entering a curve, slow down and cut across the curve through the woods, WITH YOUR EYES. Look far ahead through the curve at the exit, looking for the curve to become a straight away..
Looking for the exit of the curve may be difficult because of trees, hills and how sharp the curve is. But don't fix your eyes on the entrance or the center of the curve. Keep your eyes moving. As your sled moves, the exit of the curve moves ahead too, until it becomes a straight line. Keep looking ahead in the curve at the farthest point..
Slowing before the curve also gives you more time to look and sets your sled up to make the curve at a safer speed. SLOW, LOOK, AND KEEP TO YOUR SIDE OF THE TRAIL
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