How Much Snow Is Enough for Snowmobiling?


Winter doesn’t last forever. That makes you appreciate snowmobiling all the more because you can only enjoy this activity during certain times of the year. Yet what do you do if the usual snowmobiling season leads to a dry couple of months with very little to no snow? Can you still use your sled? How much snow do you need to snowmobile?

It’s recommended you have four to six inches of snow on the ground for snowmobiling. Anything less than that and you could potentially damage parts of your snowmobile, which makes riding a risk.

Ahead, we’ll discuss more about why snow is always a crucial part of the equation when snowmobiling, when you might want to skip riding, and what can happen if you decide to ride your sled on hard surfaces anyway. You’re not going to want to miss it. 

How Much Snow Do You Need to Snowmobile?

Winter has officially started in your neck of the woods, but so far, you’ve just had cold temps but not a single snow flurry. Then, finally, after what seems like an eternity of waiting, it happens. Your local weatherperson calls for snow, and on the weekend to boot.

You excitedly pull up your phone’s weather app and confirm that yes, snow is indeed coming. When you wake up that next day, you’re greeted to several inches of the powdery white stuff on the ground. You don’t think you’ve ever been so happy to see snow.

There looks to be enough snow on the ground, but you haven’t pulled out a ruler and plunked it in the snow pile yet to check. Is an inch or two of snow sufficient for riding your sled?

Not exactly. At the very least, you want four inches of snow accumulation on the ground. This is enough snow that the riding trails should be covered. Then you’re not likely to hit bare concrete or asphalt when using your sled.

If you have six inches of snow on the ground, that’s optimal. Do keep in mind though that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. If you’re in a blizzard or post-blizzard and there’s close to a foot of snow on the ground, the conditions are likely too rough for you to ride your sled. You’re much better off letting some of that snow melt a bit or at least settle before you dig out your snowmobile for a ride. 

Should You Ride Your Snowmobile If There’s Not Enough Snow?

Okay, so let’s say that so far, it’s been a very dry winter for you. Like we said in the intro, winter doesn’t last forever. The season is already halfway over, and with the temperatures slowly yet gradually beginning to rise, you worry the whole winter will end without you getting to use your snowmobile once.

So yes, if you get even one snow event where the snow sticks to the ground and lasts for more than a day, you’re inclined to hit the trails. We can certainly understand where this sense of urgency comes from, but stop and think for a moment. Riding your sled in fewer than four inches of snow might not be the best choice for the snowmobile long-term.

Here’s why you don’t want to ride your sled in insufficient snow. 

Parts Damage

The first and most prevalent issue you have to worry about is wrecking the undercarriage of your snowmobile by riding in conditions the vehicle is not designed for. We’re talking about traveling on exposed dirt roads or hard, unforgiving concrete. 

Your snowmobile has skis underneath. Each one includes a metal bar that meets in the center of the sled. These bars have a diameter of about half an inch, so they’re not very large, but they do serve an incredibly important purpose. The ski bars let you steer in snow, even if that snow is packed tight and hard. 

Snow, even at its hardest, is still not as hard as asphalt or concrete. The metal ski bars can get into hard-packed snow so you can steer, but they can’t dig into concrete in the same way. 

If you have to traverse hard surfaces for a few minutes on your snowmobile, that shouldn’t cause any immediate harm. However, deciding you’re going to spend the day riding on hard surfaces on your snowmobile will help the metal ski bars wear down and eventually away. 

Oh, and you won’t be able to steer well either, which is going to make operating your snowmobile very difficult.

Now, you may be wondering, didn’t we just talk about snowmobile drag racing in a recent post, and isn’t that form of racing done on concrete? Yes, but we also mentioned that specialized sleds are used for this activity. These sleds have tungsten carbide inserts designed to make contact with asphalt or concrete. The inserts will protect the metal ski bars so they last longer and allow you to steer.

You can get tungsten carbide inserts installed on your snowmobile if you want to ride on hard surfaces regularly, but it won’t come cheap. 

Your sled’s track can also be impacted by using a snowmobile without enough snow. The track includes nylon runners that use snow as a source of lubrication to keep the track rolling along. Without the snow to act as lubrication, the nylon runners make direct contact with the concrete. Before too long, they get very hot, sometimes even hot enough to melt.

Even if that doesn’t happen, a few instances of you riding your snowmobile on concrete will likely destroy the nylon runners, leaving the tracks exposed. 

Snowmobile Overheating

Even if you don’t have to worry about your snowmobile’s metal ski bars or track wearing away by riding in insufficient snow, that doesn’t mean you’re out of the figurative woods. Another problem that can affect your sled is overheating.

We’ve discussed snowmobile cooling on this blog. One of the more popular means of cooling sleds is via a coolant system. You pour the liquid coolant in and the closed circuit allows the fluid to travel so the engine doesn’t get too hot and stops working. 

Heat exchangers in the snowmobile will remain cool thanks to snow, which your snowmobile will naturally collect within the track. 

Related Reading: Why do Snowmobiles Overheat?

Without that snow, the coolant alone might not be enough to keep your engine at a temperature that prevents overheating. Now, at any time, your sled can come to a dead stop in the middle of a residential street or any other asphalt surface you’re riding on.

You’ll be stranded and need to pay to get your snowmobile towed to the local repairperson. This can be costly and a major inconvenience. 

Visit Our Winter/Snowmobiling Page for More Great Content!

What Type of Snow is Best for Snowmobiling?

When snowmobiling, the ideal conditions for riding include dry, fluffy snow with a moderate moisture content. Riding on well-packed established trails minimizes the impact of varying snow conditions, allowing for a smoother experience even in wet or heavy snow. However, when venturing off-trail, snow conditions become more critical in influencing how the snowmobile handles.

In off-trail exploration, maneuverability is significantly affected by snow conditions. Riding on dry powder makes high-speed maneuvering easier, providing a more enjoyable experience. On the other hand, wet or icy snow can make the sled harder to control, necessitating extra caution. Slower speeds, gradual stops, and careful turns are advisable in such conditions.

The best snow conditions for snowmobiling often occur in mid-winter months, particularly January and February. While snowmobiling trails are made to accommodate various snow conditions, riders should always stay informed about local conditions, practice safety measures, and adjust their riding style based on the snow quality to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing.

Can There Be Too Much Snow for a Snowmobile?

There is a limit to the amount of snow that snowmobiles can handle. With all the varying make and models of snowmobiles, the specific inches of snow that a snowmobile will handle will differ, so be sure to check out what your exact model can drive on safely. 

In general, snowmobiles are going to have a difficult time in extremely deep snow because the tracks on the snowmobile can get buried in the snow and will have a hard time getting traction. Some snowmobiles are made for deeper snow, so these will have a much easier time when the snow is abundant. 

What Other Conditions Are Not Conducive to Safe Snowmobiling?

You didn’t realize how risky it is to ride your snowmobile without enough snow on the ground, and especially if there’s no snow. Besides insufficient snow, you also want to watch out for the following conditions, as they’re not necessarily safe for riding either.

Dirt Trails

A well-used dirt trail might seem like a natural path to go, as many snowmobilers before you have done the same, right? That may be true, but the deep grooves of these dirt tracks can mingle with the snow to affect your steering. 

If a dirt/snow trail is the only way you can go, then it should be okay to ride on for a few minutes. If you’re careful, your sled should survive. That said, you definitely want to inspect the vehicle after your day of riding to ensure it’s not damaged, especially underneath.

Ice

This is something we mention all the time, but it’s worth reiterating again. As solid as ice can seem, when you add several hundred pounds of snowmobile plus at least 100 pounds of your own weight, you cannot trust that the ice won’t break. 

Avoid riding over large patches of ice, such as frozen-over rivers or lakes. If you spot some icy patches on a trail you’re on, go slow and, if you can, navigate away from the ice.

Wet Snow

Any snow is not necessarily better than no snow. When the snow comes down wet and heavy, you might not be able to navigate your sled as well as you can in less slushy snow. Also, if the wet snow is still falling, you can get cold fast, so you’ll definitely want to wear the proper snowmobiling gear. 

Powdery Snow

Powdery snow is more favorable than wet snow, but it still poses some problems. This snow can scatter if disturbed, restricting your visibility. Snow dust clouds can also pop up from other riders in your wake, getting in your face and again making it hard to see. 

You can either ride a little slower in powdery snow or space you and your party out so you don’t create snow dust clouds that affect anyone. 

Final Thoughts on How Much Snow For Snowmobiles

When planning a day on the snowmobiling trails, make sure you have at least four inches of snow on the ground, with six inches ideal. Riding on concrete can rip up parts of your sled and increase the chances of your snowmobile overheating. That makes riding on hard surfaces not worthwhile.

Although it can strain your patience at times, it’s always best to wait for the perfect snowfall and then hop on your snowmobile. You’ll be glad you did!

Related Content

What you wear when snowmobiling will play a big role in how well your day goes. If your clothing traps in sweat or isn’t waterproof, you’re going to get cold fast. Bulky clothing items can limit your maneuverability, impacting your ability to ride. Which cold-weather gear do you not want to go without when you ride your sled?

Picture this: you’re about to hit a new snowmobiling trail with your riding buddies, and they’re chomping at the bit to go. Your sled hasn’t even been on for two minutes and they’re already egging you on, asking you to get moving. Does your snowmobile need to warm up before you go riding, and if so, for how long?

You expect to hear some noise when operating your snowmobile, such as the roar of the engine, especially when you hit the throttle. However, lately, another sound has begun accompanying your purring engine, and that’s a distinct squeak. Could that sound be coming from your sled’s belts, and if so, why?

Geoff Southworth

I am a California native and I enjoy all the outdoors has to offer. My latest adventures have been taking the family camping, hiking and surfing.

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