3. Getting familiar with your snowmobile.
It doesn't hurt to get re-acquainted with your snowmobile each time you go riding. I find the best thing to do early on in the ride is to rock or wiggle your sled from side to side, finding a balance threshold. This also allows you to check how responsive your sled is to your body English in the various snow conditions. It will also loosen your own body up and get it prepared to react to the conditions a little more quickly.
4. Dressing appropriately.
There are two very common errors that most snowmobilers make when it comes to clothing. First, they over-dress with the wrong clothes. And second, they are under-prepared for the elements. So what do you do? Well first, buy/wear the appropriate winter fabrics. In other words, no cotton anything. If there is cotton on your body, you have just dressed for disaster. That favorite cotton sweatshirt that you like to wear under your Klim jacket? Well, it just negated the money you spent on that Klim jacket because the cotton will get you wet (from sweating) and make you cold. Now dressing in layers is a good thing . but make certain the layers are all breathable. It's not the weight of the fabric that keeps you warm, it's the technology of the fabric. So take the time and spend the money to get the good stuff.
Before I ever go out on a ride, I ask myself: "Am I prepared to spend the night out with what I've got on my back?" (This includes what's in my backpack or on my sled.) I try to always carry an extra set of gloves with me and dress with at least one inner layer jacket that I can remove and pack with me as the day warms up. And then there are a few basics like shovel, saw, water, food and fire (matches) that can provide assistance to help me build a shelter and maintain my energy.