Operation
36
Traversing a slope
WARNING
EWS00252
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 devel-
oped your skill on gentle slopes.
Traversing a slope requires you to properly
position your weight to maintain proper ba-
lance. As you travel across the slope, lean
your body to position your weight towards
the uphill side. A recommended riding posi-
tion 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 easier for you to shift your body weight as
needed.
Snow and ice are slippery, so be prepared for
the possibility that your snowmobile could
begin to slip sideways on the slope. If this
happens, 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.
[EWS00262]
Ice or icy surface
WARNING
EWS00271
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.
Operation under such conditions will damage
or result in rapid wear of the ski runners, drive
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