Also new to snow-machining— where to go?

[stillapa12drvr]

Big Lake and Willow once they get the trails groomed and marked (they are working on it).

Join the Anchorage Snowmobile Club (it's not that much). You can get a lot of info there including trail conditions.

For a newbie sno-goer (and still being tested machine?), I'd put in a plug for Big Lake as a place to go: The trails at Big Lake aren't as remote as other areas and, being in SC Alaska, may be getting hammered with the recent rain, but one can go quite a ways, generally pretty benign terrain, there's usually people on the trails, and it's a do-able walk back to the lake and "civilization."

[hunter1951]

For a newbie sno-goer (and still being tested machine?), I'd put in a plug for Big Lake as a place to go: The trails at Big Lake aren't as remote as other areas and, being in SC Alaska, may be getting hammered with the recent rain, but one can go quite a ways, generally pretty benign terrain, there's usually people on the trails, and it's a do-able walk back to the lake and "civilization."

Make sure you have a cell phone with you and ride with another person, also make sure you have a lighter with you in case you need to warm up with a fire.

[SmokeRoss]

Make sure you have a cell phone with you and ride with another person, also make sure you have a lighter with you in case you need to warm up with a fire.

Tip the snow machine on it's side, loosen the gas cap and throw a match at it.

[SmokeRoss]

I take my PLB with me. Haven't had to activate it yet.

[Sid]

Find a club it is the best way to find out where to go an be safe , or better yet go to a couple of clubs it is cheep

[hunter1951]

Find a club it is the best way to find out where to go an be safe , or better yet go to a couple of clubs it is cheep

this is a great club with some very fun group rides

https://lakelouisesnowmachineclub.com/events

[AKBEE]

Getting stuck this last week and spending quite a while digging and winching just reinforces the overall sensibility of not riding alone. It helps being prepared and having recovery gear, but with the sun going down and a heavy machine buried on a hillsideI had me wishing for a buddy to help. I should have ridden up the hill to break trail prior to pulling a sled on the sugar snow with iced glazing, but I thought I would make it...till I didn’t. Be prepared and try not to ride alone!

[SmokeRoss]

On a side hill you can roll the machine over. Since the front is larger than the back, with one roll it will be facing down hill.

[AGL4now]

I would sure avoid sledding in Turnagain pass till end of July. Some may remember the day that five people died in a single avalanche right at the parking lot for snow machines.