Nordic ski trail etiquette and snowmobiles

[hammerhead]

The other morning I went cross country skiing on a road that in the winter is a snowmobile trail. All the sled heads were very courteous and waved. I was wondering is there a certain side I should ski on like when walking or riding a bike on the road. Should I wear a hunting bib so they see me? Or should I just listen and be ready to dive to the side of the road.
Thanks!! Hammer.

 

[Maddy]

I think anything you can do to make yourself visible to them is helpful. The sooner they see you the better. My jackets are all red and my dog wears a lime vest. I listen for them and then dive to the side. I mostly hike in the middle of the trail. I also appreciate that it takes a few extra seconds to get the dog to safety. I have yet to have a bad experience and they have always slowed way down but I try not to take any chances. It only takes once and I would hate to have my dog to be killed by a snowmobile.

 

[DougPaul]

I just keep my eyes and ears open when skiing/hiking on a snowmobile trail. If I hear a snowmobile, I just move over to the side of trail or off the trail to let them pass. We usually exchange waves.

After or near dark, it is wothwhile to use a headlamp to make sure they see you, even if you do not need the light to see where you are going.

My biggest worry is that I crash at a spot with limited visibility and cannot get off the trail quickly.

Doug

 

[Jay H]

I went skiing today in a local NJ park (Wawayanda SP) and some of the woods roads are snowmobile tracks too and my primal fear is going downhill and seeing a snowmobiler come up. Ack... Since I'm still learning.. I just try to keep a keen ear out for them. Sometimes it's hard too if you're skiing on the groomed snowmobile tracks that are somewhat icy as it can be loud. But usually I have a good idea of what is coming up to me. If you're worried about being hit from behind or curious to what is behind you, you could always try a cycling mirror something like a "Take-A-Look" mirror that attaches to some sunglasses.

I came across one snowmobiler with his son in the back. He did a complete stop and waited for me to pass even though we were on a road and he had plenty of room to pass. I waved and said hello and we continued on.

Jay

 

[professor]

Snowmobiles are usually so easy to hear that I often find myself getting out of their way long before I really need to. This may change however, if more snowmobilers start to ride 4-stroke machines (as I guess they are requiring in some national parks, such as Yellowstone), which are supposedly somewhat quieter.

 

[Tramper Al]

Snowmobiling this past weekend

I was out BC XC skiing this past weekend, this time away from the snowmobilers. Many of my ski trips are, however, at least partly on trails shared with snowmobilers. I try to be very cautious around them.

Here is a WMUR story about snowmobile casualties in NH from this past weekend.