Operation
51
Traversing a slope
WARNING
EWS00251
Driving across the face of a slope (“side-
hilling”) can lead to overturn or loss of
control if proper techniques are not used.
Follow these instructions to reduce your
risk of an accident. Do not try steeper or
more difficult inclines until you have de-
veloped your skill on gentle slopes.
Traversing a slope requires you to properly
position your weight to maintain proper bal-
ance. As you travel across the slope, lean
your body to position your weight towards the
uphill side. A recommended riding position is
to kneel with the knee of your downhill leg on
the seat and the foot of your uphill leg on the
running board. This position will make it easi-
er for you to shift your body weight as needed.
Snow and ice are slippery, so be prepared for
the possibility that your snowmobile could be-
gin to slip sideways on the slope. If this hap-
pens, steer in the direction of the slide if there
are no obstacles in your path. As you regain
proper balance, gradually steer again in the
direction you wish to travel.
If your snowmobile starts to tip, steer down
the hill to regain balance.
WARNING! If you
are unable to maintain correct balance,
and your snowmobile is going to tip over,
dismount your snowmobile immediately
on the uphill side to avoid being hit or
caught under the snowmobile as it tips
over.
[EWS00261]
Ice or icy surface
WARNING
EWS00270
When you have to operate on ice or icy
surfaces, drive slowly and cautiously.
Avoid accelerating, turning, and braking
rapidly. Steering is minimal and uncon-
trolled spins are an ever-present danger.
Operating on ice or icy surfaces can be very
dangerous. Traction for turning, stopping, and
starting is much less than that on snow.
Hard-packed snow
It can be more difficult to negotiate on hard-
packed snow as both the skis and drive track
do not have as much traction as when the
snowmobile is operated on fresh snow. Avoid
rapid acceleration, turning, and braking.
Operation on surfaces other than
snow or ice
Operation of your snowmobile on surfaces
other than snow or ice should be avoided. Op-
eration under such conditions will damage or
result in rapid wear of the ski runners, drive
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