Best Snowmobile Accessories

The mandatory three-piece kit: an avalanche transceiver (beacon) worn on your body under your outer layer (not in a pack), a collapsible avalanche probe pole (240+ cm), and an avalanche shovel with a metal blade. All riding companions must carry all three, and everyone must know how to use them—the beacon does nothing if you can't perform a rescue. BCA and Mammut make well-regarded transceivers; BCA Tracker, Ortovox Diract, and Mammut Barryvox are the most popular models. An airbag backpack (ABS, BCA Float, or Mammut Airbag) significantly improves survivability but doesn't replace the three-piece kit.

Track length, lug height, and pitch determine performance characteristics. Shorter tracks (121–136 inches) with 1-inch lugs are optimized for groomed trail riding—they're lighter, more maneuverable, and faster. Longer tracks (141–165+ inches) with 2–3 inch lugs are designed for deep snow and mountain riding, providing the flotation needed to stay on top of powder. Pitch (the distance between lugs) affects power transmission—2.52-inch pitch is the most common for mountain tracks. Camoplast, SLP, and Commander are the leading aftermarket track brands.

Yes, substantially on icy and hard-packed groomed trails. Carbide studs from Woody's and Stud Boy bite into ice where rubber lugs just spin, dramatically improving acceleration, braking, and cornering grip. Most trail riders stud their tracks within the first season. Typical installations use 96–144 studs depending on track length and riding style. Studded tracks increase the sound the sled makes and, in some areas, are prohibited in the early season when snowpack is shallow to protect grooming equipment—check local trail rules.

Electric heated shields use a thin heating element embedded in the shield lens that draws power from the sled's electrical system via a coil cord, or from a battery pack in the helmet. They prevent fogging and ice formation that would otherwise require constant manual clearing at speed. 509 Delta R3L and HJC heated shield systems are popular options. Alternatively, heated breath deflectors paired with an anti-fog pin-lock insert on many modular and full-face helmets provide similar results without the electrical connection. Heated shields are essentially mandatory for extended cold-weather trail riding below 20°F.

Before the first ride each season: charge the battery fully (or replace if it won't hold charge), change the chaincase oil, inspect the drive belt for cracks or wear and replace if questionable, check coolant level and freeze protection, inspect brake pads and fluid, lubricate all grease fittings, check track tension and wear, and inspect carbide runners (skags) on the skis for wear. Drain old fuel and add fresh non-ethanol premium gasoline with a fuel stabilizer before storage, and run the engine for 5 minutes to circulate stabilized fuel through the system.

Use a purpose-built snowmobile trailer or a utility trailer with a sled deck. Tie-down points should be located at the front and rear skis or frame, not the hood—hoods can crack under load. Use ratchet straps rated for at least 1,500 lbs each. Most sleds need 4 tie-down points: two at the front and two at the rear. Drive-on/drive-off ramps from Caliber Product make loading safer for solo operators. In very cold weather, protect the windshield and instruments from the windchill of highway speeds with a cover or tarp.