Sure its winter, but staying warm while snowmobiling is easy. For the majority of the time, it's as simple as being properly dressed - so prepare for all weather conditions when venturing out for a ride. As you know, weather can change without notice, but you can stay warm as toast by keeping dry inside and out!

Remember to:

1. Learn about winter weather and check the weather forecast.
2. Eat a hearty meal before riding so your body generates sufficient heat and stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluid.
3. Wear snowmobile-specific outerwear that seals heat in, keeps cold out and releases moisture.
4. Multi-layer inside clothing of fleece and technical fabrics to maximize heat retention and wick away moisture.
5. Use heater accessories (electric vest, gloves and boot inserts) or chemical warmers.
6. Ride a heated sled with high windshield, hand & thumb warmers and an electric seat.
7. Carry a thermos of hot coffee, tea or chocolate for trail breaks. Snack frequently to keep your body's internal furnace stoked. 

How to Dress For Snowmobiling
When dressing for snowmobiling, there is one key principle to remember - retain the heat, release the moisture. The more heat your clothing preserves, the less hard your body has to work to replace it. The more moisture your clothing moves away from your skin to transfer outside, the warmer you will be, because WET = CHILL. Your body naturally emits perspiration throughout the day and under exertion, you sweat. That’s why fluid replacement intake is vital and why layering is so important.

While protecting against cold, wind and wet, layering provides you with optimum versatility and flexibility to vent or modify according to conditions. With layering, you can adapt for excess heat and moisture caused by sudden exertion or for temperature changes throughout a long day of riding. Have you ever started to get a chill near day’s end? Adding a layer (or putting one back on) will help.

Your base layer rests against your skin. While providing minimal insulation value, its primary purpose is to move moisture out, so this “long underwear” needs to be light, quick drying and quick wicking (non-absorbent, transferring wet away). Synthetic fibres are most popular, such a polypropylene.

Your next layer(s) provides heat retention by trapping warm air as insulation. This is usually a mid-weight layer (or two, depending on the temperature and amount of exertion) possibly followed by a heavier one, such as polar fleece. Typically, these layers measure in grams; higher numbers denote greater warmth. Avoid cotton fabrics in all of your layering garments because cotton absorbs and holds moisture, and provides poor insulation. So no T-shirts, sweats or blue jeans, please!

Your exterior layer retains inner warmth and prevents external cold from entering. This outer shell should be waterproof (not just water resistant), breathable (releases moisture) and windproof (protection against wind chill), such as Gortex™. Be sure to choose a snowmobiling jacket that also has multiple vents for flexible inner climate control and that is large enough to go over your other layers without being snug. Regular winter and even ski jackets won’t do the job…get gear made to specifically combat the unique challenges of snowmobiling.

Dressing your extremities properly also contributes to your snowmobiling comfort. While riding, you may want a balaclava under your full-face helmet, the best choice for keeping your head and face warm. Since an uncovered head acts like a chimney for heat loss, always wear a hat while outside.

For your feet, select a name brand, lightweight, waterproof boot, such as Baffin, made with multiple layers of insulation and removable liners so you can air them out overnight. For your hands, waterproof is also a must and mitts are the warmest, especially combined with handle bar muffs and electric hand and thumb warmers. If you choose gloves, ensure that they are not too tight and have extra insulation on the backs, which are directly exposed to the cold wind.

Even if you make all the right buying choices for snowmobiling, and dress appropriately each day, you can still need an extra boost of heat sometimes. So always carry a selection of chemical toe, hand and body warmers just in case.

And remember, some folks are more susceptible to cold than others, so take extra care to ensure their warmth and comfort. Plus, it’s a good idea to carry a “day bag” to make it more convenient to add or remove layers and carry energy snacks and drinks on the trail.

Now you’re ready to go snowmobiling!