Your new 03 mountain
You will be blown back by the power this machine has. But it is heavy and it therefore can go downward in the snow super quickly. I agree with a shovel, as we didn't have any the first few times out and kicking snow out from where it needs to go is not fun. I have also loaded a big old rope to hookup the thing with and pull with the other sleds once stuck. We have stuck these sleds sometimes 6 or 7 times a day in the mountains and areas where the trees are tight and it gets like work. So here are a couple of words of advice:
A) get the suspension set up correctly. If you trail ride mostly and run the powder only occasionally, then you will leave more weight on the front skiis. On the other hand, if you run the fields and flats in snow that covers the pines, then you want the front skiis as light as a feather, and you should be able to actually gas the machine and have the skiis lift right off the ground. This keeps the sled going on top and not thru the snow. Also be sure to loosen the limiter straps all the way out so that the track can lift the sled off the skiis. Get an old tape about the proaction suspension and see how this is all done. Once you see the demo tape and experience the differences, you will think you are riding a different sled.
B) Never get stuck with the bow pointing up. In otherwords if it looks like you are going to stick it, turn the sled down hill asap. If you stop it with the nose pointing up, get off and start shoveling.
C) Once you learn to use the weight to your advantage, MOMENTUM is your friend. You can go thru stuff that other sleds simply ride over. Learn the sled first and try things in a controlled environment, close to home if you get it stuck, or with lots of help to get it unstuck if you stick it.
Doing these things will make you feel invincable, but of course that only works til you get it so stuck that you will wish it was spring.
It is an awsome sled, but it takes some time to learn it. There is nothing like it out there. Oh, and you won't smell like an oil can after a days ride either.