UNIS snowmobile course
1. Laws and regulations
2. Area regulations for snowmobile use 3. UNIS policy
4. UNIS snow scooters 5. UNIS scooter sleighs
6. How to pack gear on sleighs
7. Clothing and equipment for scooter trips 8. Starting up
9. Riding
10. Safety and risks
11. Some problems and solutions in the field
The University Centre in Svalbard
1. Laws and regulations
• Use of helmet is mandatory (CE-marked ski helmet is ok)
• Driver’s licence for car or snowscooter
• Rules with alcohol same as for driving car. Limit is 0,2‰
• Speed limits:
• Terrain 80 km/h
• Inside Longyearbyen 30 km/h
• Main track in river valley inside town 50 km/h
• Inside Barentsburg 30 km/h
• Driving on the road should be avoided.
• The surface must be frozen and snow covered.
• Snow scooters must give way to other traffic when crossing roads – STOP and look to all directions always
Scooter routes in Longyearbyen
To Adventdalen-valley
To Longyearbre-glacier and Fardalen
Gasoline pump for UNIS scooters – need fuel card
Restricted areas for snowmobiles in Nordenskiöld land
Driving forbidden whole year
Driving forbidden after 1.March
2. Area regulations snowmobiles
Allowed driving route for permanent residents and guided groups
Permanent residents – areas for snowmobile use
2. Area regulations snowmobiles
2. Area regulations snowmobiles
• Speed limit with student groups is 45 km/h
• UNIS regulations regarding driving in difficult weather conditions:
– We do not drive if we can’t see the whole group because of the weather.
– The drivers need to see the terrain surface in front of the snowscooter to avoid possible obstacles or hazards.
3. UNIS rules
4. UNIS Snow scooters
Lynx Ace Adventure 600cc
• Small 4-stroke scooter with electric start
• 45 liter gasoline tank – uses 8-12 liters/100km
• UNIS has 25 scooters
• 4 with Montana-GPS attachment
• Small equipment box on the back
• In each box:
• Snow shovel
• Avalanche probe
• Insulated bivouac bag (Jervenduk)
• Pull only light sleigh/trailer
4. UNIS Snow scooters
Ski Doo Expedition 1200cc
• 4-stroke powerfull large working scooter with electric start
• 45-liter gasoline tank
• UNIS has 6 scooters
• Montana GPS attachment
• Equipment box on the back
• In each box:
• Snow shovel
• Avalanche probe
• Towing rope
• Insulated bivouac bag (Jervenduk)
• Pull heavier loaded sleighs/trailers
4. Rental scooters in busy times
Ski Doo Legend 800cc
• Basic 4-stroke scooter with electric start
• No equipment box
• Functions are very similar to UNIS scooters
• Safety gear in separate bag
• Snow shovel
• Avalanche probe
• Insulated bivouac bag (Jervenduk)
• Pull only light sleigh/trailer Lynx Ace Adventure 600cc
• Same model as UNIS has
• No equipment box
• Safety gear in separate bag
• Snow shovel
• Avalanche probe
• Insulated bivouac bag (Jervenduk) During busy periods we rent scooters from Svalbard Snøscooterutleie SSU
Functions: Lynx 600 Ace Adventure
Brake On/Off switch: Throttle/”gas”
On when up Off when down
Start button
Heating for
handlebars Heating for throttle
Light switch: full beam/short beam
On/Off ’key’ plug Fuel tank
4. UNIS snow mobiles
Heating for handlebars:
Off in the middle Low heat on left High heat on right
Start button – push to start
Heating for throttle:
Off in the middle Low heat on left High heat on right
Light switch: full beam/short beam
4. UNIS snow mobiles
5. UNIS snowmobile sleighs
Metal sleigh (ekstremslede)
• For smaller and lighter loads
• Balance point in the middle heaviest load in the middle
• Not too heavy at the front – max 10kg weight down on the attachment hook
Wooden sleigh
• For heavier and large loads
• Can be loaded more uniformly
Balance point
Max 10 kg
6. How to pack sleighs
• Pack everything properly and tightly in boxes, bags etc and protect well from snow, water and slush
• Fill up boxes totally so that things can’t shake around and get damaged
• Pack things tightly together and use them to support each other
• Try to fill from edge to edge less movement
• Heaviest things on balance point or in the middle
6. How to pack sleighs
How to attach cargo
• Use ratchet straps
• Do not pull one strap many times back and forth impossible to get tight – use several straps
• Do not place metal
ratchet handle over edges of boxes – it will destroy the box - place it on flat surfaces or on the side of cargo
Adjust strap lenght
• Check and tighten up your cargo after short driving intervals
OK!
NOT OK!
OK!
3 straps used – easy to get tight
Shortened strap
Snow scooter suit:
• Windproof
• Water-repellent
• Thick insulation
• Extra protection over the knees
• Big hood
• High neck collar
• Keep snow away from boots
• Need to wear 1-3 warm layers under the suit according to the weather – bring always extras
7. UNIS snowmobile clothing
Shoes:
• Insulated
• Choose 1-3 sizes larger than normally – should not be tight
• Wear 1-2 pairs of thick wool socks Mittens:
• Wind proof + large
• Thin liner gloves or separate thinner gloves nice to have to avoid bare hands while working + fixing things
Face mask/Balaclava:
• Windproof neoprene + fleece
• Should cover nose and cheeks totally Goggles:
• Be careful not to get moisture inside the goggles freeze when you get outside
• Light colour when dark – dark colour when sun
Helmet
• Wear warm balaclava or hat under
• Remember to bring your warm hat to wear while working
7. UNIS snowmobile clothing
• Extra warm layers
• Extra socks
• Extra mittens
• Thinner gloves
• Scarf or buff
• Warm hat
• Thermos bottle
• Snacks & Food – remember that they freeze
• Sun glasses
• Small backpack (30-50 liter) or stuff sack which you can attach on
passenger seat or on cargo rack on your scooter
7. Personal equipment
1. Avalanche beacons on your body 2. Emergency camp box
3. Snowmobile repair box 4. If needed Sea ice rescue gear: ice spikes, throw ropes
5. If needed Glacier rescue box 6. Extra gasoline in 20 liter jerry cans
7. Emergency and other equipment
1. 2. 3.
4. 5.
In addition to basic safety gear: rifles, emergency beacon, satellite telephone
• Towing rope
• Start cables to connect two batteries
• Gasoline funnel for filling from canisters
• Basic tools + axe
• Some spare parts for the sleighs
• Engine oil for 4-stroke engines
• Cooling liquid concentrate
• Condensation water remover for the gasoline system
7. Snow scooter repair box
8. Starting up and driving
8. Preparations before starting and driving
3. Make sure that belt and skis are not frozen to the ground
Lift the skis, lift/rock the belt
4. Check around for damage
5. In really cold conditions spin the belt before you start driving 1 person lift the belt up from ground & another use throttle
6. Check that the lights are working (after starting)
1. Check brake handle (you feel pressure when you pull)
2. Check throttle wire (throttle handle moves freely in and out)
8. How to start Lynx 600 Ace
2. Pull up red on/off switch
1. Check that black ‘key’ plug is attached properly
3. Start-button
• Push shortly in grey Start-button
• After peeb-peeb sound push in button again and keep in until
engine starts
• Let engine warm up 5 minutes before driving
8. Starting up Lynx 600 Ace
Problems after starting:
1. After starting warning peeb sound and red text flash on left
black ’key’ plug not properly connected
twist the plug
around until connection ok
If you don’t fix the connection you can’t power up the engine in normal way using throttle.
Sometimes warning signal and sound hasn’t been working when plug is not properly connected – you will notice this because you can’t power up the engine using throttle in normal way twist the plug
Problems after starting:
2. Fuel meters are not working properly in all scooters
– double check fuel level before you start by looking in the tank.
3. Scooter doesn’t move when you power up using throttle
check that skis and belt are not frozen to the ground
8. Starting up Lynx 600 Ace
9. Driving snowmobiles
1. Driving basics 2. Driving in a group
3. Driving in a group – stopping and parking
4. Driving technique: basic, side slopes, uphill, downhill 5. Driving with a sleigh
6. Driving with a passanger
9.1. Driving basics
Controls for driving:
• Use throttle handle with right thumb to speed up and to slow down
• Do not hold the brake handle while driving – only hold it when you use it very easy to overheat the brakes
• Do not adjust speed with brake very easy to overheat the brakes
• Snowmobiles have automatic transmission – you do not shift gears Brake handle
Throttle handle
9.2. Driving in a group
• Stay in the track
• Keep 10-20m distance between scooters
• No slowing down and speeding
• Remember to look behind to see that everyone is following –
group leader can’t always see the whole group
• Check your sleigh and cargo often
• It is not allowed to drive pass the scooter in front.
• When you see ATTENTION-STOP hand signal (raised left arm)
repeat the signal
Slow down
Stop in the right side of the track behind other scooters
9.3. Driving in a group
You must stop if:
• You do not see the group and do not know where to drive – there can be many old tracks
• You do not see person behind you
• Something wrong with the snowmobile
• Cargo getting loose or sleigh damaged
• Goggles freeze up or you cannot see
• You get really cold
9.3. Driving in a group
When you must stop:
• Show STOP signal
• Turn to the right side of track
• Keep engine running
• Stay on or next to your
scooter outside of the track
• WAIT
• It is not allowed to pass the
snow scooter in front of you.
9.3. Parking
Parking:
• Slow down in time - use brake to stop
• Park in lines next to each other whenever there is space – easier to gather group
• Leave minimum 5 metres distance between parking lines
• Stay seated until next snowmobile has parked – avoid getting run over
• When starting again – drive out one by one in the same order
Min 5 metres distance
9.4. Driving technique
Basic driving position:
• Keep your feet on the standing platforms
• Keep your hips and shoulders relaxed and flexible
• Always some movement from side to side
• the skis follow old tracks and changes in snow
• relax and get used to it
• Be an active driver and use your body to balance the snowmobile
• when turning
• also in different terrain
(sideslopes, uneven snow, soft snow)
lean into the curve, lean to uphill
9.4. Driving technique
Driving on side slopes:
• Move your body uphill and lean uphill in order to to balance the snowmobile
The steeper and softer the snow the more you need to move
• Keep and steer the skis uphill –
in softer snow you need to steer more
• In soft snow keep the lower ski on the track – otherwise it is very easy to fall off the track totally
• Keep some speed – without speed you will slide down easier
Move your body
Steer uphill
Move your body
Steer uphill
9.4.Driving technique
Driving uphill:
• More distance between the snowmobiles
• Get speed before you start climbing
• Keep the speed
• Stay on the hardest packed and most even track
• Make a judgment whether you manage to drive up with the sledge. Unhook the sledge and try first!
9.4. Driving technique
Driving downhill:
• STOP and check the downhill
• Leave more space between the snowmobiles
• Start slowly, keep slow speed
• Pump the brakes in short
intervals to slow down and do not lock the belt totally for long time – easy to start sliding
sideways
• Stay on the hardest packed and most even track
9.4. Driving technique
Driving with sledge:
• Think more ahead when driving with sledge;
• easy to get stuck in:
• Soft snow
• Uphill's
• Icy spots
• Places without snow – also road crossings
• Always try to stop and park on flat ground on hard snow
• Stop and park so that you have space to start driving forward afterwards
• On sidehills and icy ground sledge start sliding sideways very easily
• Stay on the hardest packed and most even track
Driving on sea ice
1. Stop and make an overview
• Look for signs of poor ice.
• Plan the route.
2. Make a plan and brief the group.
• Distance between scooters
• Signals
• Communications (VHF etc)
• Behaviour if stop
• What to do in an accident 3. Make preparations
• Ice spikes ready
• Rescue equipment available (rescue rope, rope etc) 4. Measure the ice thickness and
quality.
• Min 30 cm.
5. Make a decision - whether to go or not.
STOP
Planned route Ice edge
Ice Open water
Measure the ice
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10. Safety & risks
Small crashes and accidents with snow scooters are most common incidents during all of UNIS fieldwork every year.
Accidents happen mostly because of:
• Inexperienced drivers
• Not slowing down early and enough when stopping and parking
• Capsizing on side slopes etc.
• Driving in poor visibility or ‘flat light’
• Driving too fast in unknown terrain
• Hitting rocks or ice
• Playing around with scooter
• Hitting the throttle when getting on or off the scooter while parked
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10. Safety & risks
Most common accidents with UNIS groups are:
• Crashing into other snow scooters from behind when stopping, parking, starting up and while driving
• Falling over on side slopes
• Loosing control and panicking on side slopes or tricky tight spots and
crashing into rocks, chunks of ice or down in wind holes or ravine walls
• Hitting rocks or chunks of ice with high speed
• Destroy too heavily packed sleighs
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10. Safety & risks
Most common personal injuries
• Frost bites on face, fingers – cover up properly and check each other
More severe personal injuries
• Fractures on arms, legs, shoulders
• Injuries to the spine and neck
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Some common high risk features
• Steep holes and creek valley edges in snow created by wind (difficult to see in limited
visibility)
• Cracks, weak ice areas, melting seal holes in sea ice
10. Safety & risks
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Scooter accident in limited visibility –
driving over steep edge. Very easy to see in normal conditions.
10. Safety & risks
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10. Water and slush on ice and terrain
Water on top of sea ice and in terrain
• Emerges under thicker snow cover in winter on sea ice
• Below glacier fronts – some melt water flows out even in winter
• End of season melt water on river beds, low terrain, on ice, river mouths etc.
• Can be totally hidden under snow and be 1- 50cm deep slush
• Can be only thinly frozen on top
• Glacier front melt water pools and melt water usually visible as wet/slushy darker surface
Scooters, sledges get stuck and you get wet and frozen
AVOID these areas – stop and check first
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• Often possible to see wet areas in the field avoid and drive around if possible
• STOP and check first before you decide to try drive across – you can spare a lot of time and
sweat by using some minutes first
10. Water and slush in terrain
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10. Water and slush on ice and terrain
1. Do not stop after you have started crossing!
2. Speed up – keep the speed
3. Make a big turn or cross the area 1. Keep as high speed
as possible
2. Get back in a safe track
4. Stop and evaluate
• How can you solve the problem / help your colleges the best way?
If you get stuck:
• Detach the sledge, most cases empty the sledge
• Help each other, use ropes, which way is easiest to get loose?, try to make a snow/slush platform and get scooter and sledge on that before you try to drag and drive it out, open up track in loose snow etc.
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• Drive slowly and adapt your driving to the conditions – UNIS max speed in groups is 45km/h
• Keep enough distance between scooters
• Pay attention to changes in terrain, snow and ice – STOP and check if you are unsure
• Pack your sleigh properly – attach well, not too heavy
• Emergency box + scooter repair
• Weather forecast
• Ask about latest conditions
• Updated GPS tracks to follow
• Extra gasoline + Extra food + extra clothing + extra goggles
• Never drive longer trips with only one scooter – if it breaks down you have a big problem.
10. Snowscooter safety
11. Some problems and solutions
Lynx Ace Adventure 600cc
• Extra variator/drive belt under the front cover
• Cooling liquid container
• Drive belt/variator belt under side cover on drivers left
• Basic tools + variator change key
• Engine oil pin & fill in
Change variator belt:
• Use a key from tool set to open up variator discs
• Slide out old belt and place new one in
• Check rotation direction on the new belt and put in right way
To open variator discs
11. Some problems and solutions
Tow rope attachment
Right towing rope attachment:
• Put towing rope behind the skis and through the ski tips
• Attach both ends into towing hook
Damaged scooter will follow the track very nicely
• Remove variator belt so that belt can rotate freely
• One person need to use brakes on downhills
Check the following;
- Possible damages. Pay special attention to the under gear, belt and wheels.
- Get snow away from the belt and under gear.
- Liquid levels; fuel oil and transmission oil.
