Winter riding and storage
A printable cold-weather checklist for ATV and side-by-side riders in northern Alberta, from ice and trip plans to putting the machine away for spring.
Winter is prime riding season up here, and it's also when small mistakes turn serious. This checklist pulls together official safety advice. Anything specific to your machine, like fluids, battery care and storage steps, comes from your owner's manual, so keep it handy.
Before you leave
- Tell someone your route and when you'll be back. Alberta's advice is never travel alone.
- Download offline maps from Alberta's public land recreation maps, because phone coverage drops fast outside town.
- Check the weather and the public land closures and advisories.
- Check your registration, insurance, plate and lights. The rules still apply in winter (see Alberta OHV rules).
- Check your town's winter OHV hours if you're riding from home. High Level and Whitecourt both set winter-only windows (see Where to ride).
On the machine
- Wear a helmet that meets the standard, with a visor or goggles that won't fog.
- Check tire pressure. Alberta asks riders to watch both pressure and tread, because they affect trail damage.
- If your machine has heated grips, a cab heater or a winch, test them in the yard, not on the trail. Several Segway and AODES models list these as standard on some trims (see the Segway and AODES overviews).
- Keep your headlight on. Alberta's guidance is that being seen matters as much as seeing.
- Carry a tow strap, a basic tool kit, a first aid kit and a fire starter.
Ice
The Canadian Red Cross says ice should be at least 25 cm thick before you snowmobile on it, and that no ice over open water is ever completely safe. A loaded ATV or side-by-side can weigh far more than a snowmobile, so don't treat that number as enough for them. Check with local authorities, follow posted signs, and stay off ice near currents, inlets and pressure ridges. The Red Cross also recommends carrying ice picks, a rope and a phone in a waterproof case, and wearing a flotation device.
Source: Canadian Red Cross, "Snowmobiling on ice" tip sheet (PDF).
Water and wetlands
Frozen or not, Alberta doesn't allow OHVs in streams, lakes or wetlands, or on their beds and shores, except at designated crossings. A frozen creek is still a creek.
Putting it away for spring
Storage steps vary by machine, so follow the owner's manual for fuel, oil, coolant and the battery. The questions to answer before you park it:
- Does the manual want fuel stabilizer added, or the tank kept full or drained?
- Is the coolant rated for the coldest temperatures where you'll store it?
- Should the battery come out, or go on a maintainer?
- Wash off mud and plant material. Alberta asks riders to clean machines between uses to stop the spread of invasive weeds.
- Grease, check belts and look for damage now, so the dealer has time to fix things before spring.
If the machine is still under warranty, using the wrong fluids or skipping required service can matter. Read the warranty terms on the manufacturer's site. Segway Canada and AODES Canada both publish theirs.
Checked October 25, 2026.
Guides in this section
Our first in-depth guides for this section are being written and fact-checked now. In the meantime, start with the overview above or browse all guides.