Anybody got any good sidehilling tips. I'm having a hard time with it. The only time I do ok is when the snow is deep. Any help would be great.
Sidehilling help...
- Thread starter powdersnobb
- Start date
throw a leg out to balance
What sled are you riding? That can make a huge difference! Some sled are simply impossible to hold a sidehill for long.
06 RMK900, I'm 6ft, I have a 2" riser. I just feel like I'm doing something wrong.
The throttle is your friend. Practice and see how much easier it is to hold the sled up when you are on the throttle. Let off the throttle and the sled will dive downhill.
snowlover is right it's way easier the faster your going and also what helps me alot is to position my feet farther back on the running boards so you have more leverage on the sled the closer to the bulkhead the harder it is.
O
Ollie
ACCOUNT CLOSED
Countersteer to level the sled up and power ON.
You should be able to do it from the neutral position, but if your just learning, put both feet on the uphill side.
Approach the hill at a 45 degree angle, as you hit the bottom of the hill, counter steer to level the sled up and pin the throttle.
Once you get the hang of it you will be able to feather the throttle and draw a flatter line.
You can climb by leaning into the hill more and desend by letting the sled flatten out or even aim down hill.
practice. Just like carving, takes practice.
Think of sidehilling as an exercise in carving. Same exact technique, just the ground is angled instead of the sled.
You should be able to do it from the neutral position, but if your just learning, put both feet on the uphill side.
Approach the hill at a 45 degree angle, as you hit the bottom of the hill, counter steer to level the sled up and pin the throttle.
Once you get the hang of it you will be able to feather the throttle and draw a flatter line.
You can climb by leaning into the hill more and desend by letting the sled flatten out or even aim down hill.
practice. Just like carving, takes practice.
Think of sidehilling as an exercise in carving. Same exact technique, just the ground is angled instead of the sled.
If you have a sway bar you may want to remove it.
On the flats, practice taking it up on one ski with both feet on same side, like you're carving. Get a feel for how the handlebar movement raises or lowers your ski.
Once comfy, head toward the base of the hill going at something less than a 45 degree angle. More like a slight angle, just before you get to the base pull it up on one ski and gradually start going up the slope at a shallow angle.
Also, remember it is better to tip up toward the hill if you're going to tip because you can still save a sidehill that way but once you tip down you are toast unless you are reaaalllly good. Don't commit you're whole body to holding the sled uphill - keep as tight as possible and you can use your body/leg as a quick balance/save measure.
As said, practice makes perfect.
On the flats, practice taking it up on one ski with both feet on same side, like you're carving. Get a feel for how the handlebar movement raises or lowers your ski.
Once comfy, head toward the base of the hill going at something less than a 45 degree angle. More like a slight angle, just before you get to the base pull it up on one ski and gradually start going up the slope at a shallow angle.
Also, remember it is better to tip up toward the hill if you're going to tip because you can still save a sidehill that way but once you tip down you are toast unless you are reaaalllly good. Don't commit you're whole body to holding the sled uphill - keep as tight as possible and you can use your body/leg as a quick balance/save measure.
As said, practice makes perfect.
T
theultrarider
Well-known member
And yes, the deeper the snow, the easier it is. If the snow is concrete, everyone has a hard time on it.
Thanks for all the input guys!!! It's not that I can't do it it just seems like a fight every time I do. I try some of your techniques. I guess just more practice too.
R
rookiesldder212
New member
you might want to look into a bigger riser, i dont know much about the polaris setup but when i put a 3in on mine it made a world of difference...just my $.02
balls out
It's all about leverage and balance. Speed may play a role in it but I found if you can do it slow you will be able to sidehill in most conditions. Don't be afraid to bury the sled practicing and if you are anything like me you may get to watch your sled tumble down the hill a time or two.
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If you can you might want to narrow your ski stance.
That's exactly what my thought was on the going slow and being able to do it anywhere. Cuz sometimes you can't go fast. I may look at my stance as well. I completely overlooked that.
E
Ex-Member
ACCOUNT CLOSED
I got hte same machine, 6ft too. If you haven't gotten rid of the swaybar yet, do it. One of the best things i've ever done to it, next to new skis and a TCP bumper. Cheap too.
Won't ride like a tank after that; much easier to pull over. Really just finding the balance point after that. Get out and practice practice practice. Also, keep your feet on the boards, that's where the weight counts. I find it's easier if I scoot my feet towards the tail of the sled.
