CO sled skiers?

[mannix]

Hey all - I'm in the process of buying a snowmobile instead of a ski pass. I've been skiing (alpine and backcountry) for 20+ years, new to the whole sled side of things.

Looking to hook up with some like-minded people, try to figure out the 'where' part. Not looking for secrets, just other sled-for-access skiers. I'm in the Denver (SW, Morrison) area, have a van & 2-place (maybe 3, if we're crafty) trailer, two beacons/shovels/probes, etc.

I've chatted with Blurred, but there have to be other snowmobile jongs here that have the skiing side figured out!

PM/email/reply here - a couple of months before it is reality, but it'll be here before we know it.


Iain

 

[CO_MapMaker]

Bought a mtn sled in 97 instead of a summit co pass and I am embarrassed to how little my boards gets used now. So much more fun making powder turns with a throttle.

 

[mannix]

Did you buy it for skiing purposes or simply to ride?

Reason I ask - while I'm SURE I'm going to enjoy the riding a lot, I don't really have a desire to ride a snowmobile. I like my dirtbikes, and I love skiing. Snowmobile? Ehh. Take or leave.

I'm guessing the riding aspect is going to be a lot more fun than I imagine, but if, say, Berthoud Pass were still running lifts, I'd not buy a sled.

Hmmm. It'll be interesting.



Iain

 

[BackCountryBob]

I was NSPS at Keystone many moons ago--skied 3 X week--got into sledding and have pretty much given up the skis.

Joined Mile Hi Snowmobaile Club a few years ago to broaden my riding base. We meet the first Weds of the month at Clements Rec. Center Lakewood, 7:00.

BCB

 

[sledskiing]

Bought my first sled strictly for sled ski access. Back then my friends would say let's leave the skis and just ride today and i would get pissed. This season i won't even get a ski pass. May buy a 4 pak and my sister works for Vail resorts if i need more tickets. Sled skiing is awesome but IMO powder riding is more fun than powder skiing now.

As far as finding people to sled ski with your best bet is to go to TGR (Teton Gravity Research). You'll find plenty of people over there.

 

[mannix]

OK, thanks! Yeah, I've been reading TGR for a while now. We'll see how this works out. I don't _think_ I'm going to find myself wanting to leave the skis home, but we'll see.

Thanks!


Iain

 

[CO_MapMaker]

Bought it for both purposes, but realized out how much more fun it is to go down, then back up at full throttle.

 

[shonuff]

Just leave the skis at home. Bought a sled two years ago and haven't touched a board since.

 

[CO 2.0]

I bought my sled originally just for backcountry snowboarding. Last year was the first year when I went sledding more than boarding (resort or backcountry). Once you figure out that turning your sled ski's is not required in pow, you will fall in love with sledding. I still buy both the super pass and colorado pass too. Just FYI, go to http://cheetahfactoryracing.com/ for all your ski/board snowmobile rack needs

 

[bushy]

Make sure you get a decent Mtn. sled, just in case you do start leaving the skis at home. I got back into sledding in 98 in the very same way, except my sled skiing sled was a POS. Took me 3 years to sell all the ski gear and upgrade to a decent sled. We all know how the skiers look down their nose because some of us were that guy once, but once you get into hardcore mtn freeriding you'll learn a little secret about which sport is really for the adrenaline junky. Warning, you may need new friends though! lol

 

[Vailguy]

board to sled

After 20 years of snowboarding and professional sponsorships, I am done with the packed resorts. Last year I used my Vailpass only 4 days...Pathetic. Got into sledding 3 years ago, and now I am hooked. Same familiar mountains and fall lines, just a new skill to master, and alot more area to cover. I still keep my board straps on the sled (www.cheetahfactoryracing.com) but they don't get used as much.
Welcome to the club, and check out www.weknowsnow.com

-l-

 

[backcountryislife]

ditto to most of the above posts!


I had my first year in 22 without a pass somewhere last year, never go back.

I still board on occasion, but not as often as I should.

 

[mannix]

Good to hear - thanks for the insight! Sounds like I'm making the right decision.

I'm very curious as to whether sledding itself is going to take over - I'm a pretty die-hard skier, but it sounds like a lot of you were, too.

Shrug, can't go wrong - I can't think of anything I like better than skiing powder/natural snow, and if I *do* find something I like better than that, well, I win either way.

Hope to hook up with some of you this winter! Should be fun. I _think_ I found The Sled. We shall see.....



Iain

 

[smittysnow]

Me too

I too like most of the posts above bought for boarding/ski access then stopped bringing the boards along. Just because we would bring them and never use them. I did one time near the end of last season bring them along and we had a blast...kinda got me back into it. I'm committed to doing it a few more times this season...especially if I can't round up my regular sled crew. So post if your going up or PM or whatever and I might be in for sure.

 

[pcp911]

I'm up in vail, if you want to ride vail pass or any areas around here give me a shout. I have a sled, 3 beacons, avi 1 training, and board 100+ days a year, and try to sled 30+ days
patrick

 

[CO 2.0]

After 20 years of snowboarding and professional sponsorships, I am done with the packed resorts. Last year I used my Vailpass only 4 days...Pathetic. Got into sledding 3 years ago, and now I am hooked. Same familiar mountains and fall lines, just a new skill to master, and alot more area to cover. I still keep my board straps on the sled (www.cheetahfactoryracing.com) but they don't get used as much.
Welcome to the club, and check out www.weknowsnow.com

-l-

You know JP? Also check out this new snow website, JP put A LOT of work into it. http://www.mtnops.com

 

[TJsteady]

Bought a sled last year to access the bc, and looking for a bomber season this year. Admit that sled time rivals, board time but the main goal for me is still to ride big lines on my board.

One thing I never expected was the skill involved in manuvering the sled. Its no cake walk, and took me all of last season before I felt confident enough to break trail in search of the deep stuff.

Plans for this year include: finding more trails (only been on Buff Pass, Tin Cup, Vail Pass, and the place across from WP). I know their are more out there, but think everyone is keeping them a secret. Hut/Yurt trips if at all possible. New Gear (powder board- was hoping to check out Never Summer, Prior, and Voile any advice?). Av training, only have a couple small sessions and what I have read. Building up my sled skills.

Would like to meet up with some more sled skiiers to get a download of info, having trouble searching the web for tips.

 

[CO 2.0]

It's hard to find good LONG riding lines that also have EASY pickup/dropoff points for the sled. There are not many areas in CO that cater to this. Also got to have enough power in the deep pow to 2-man a sled to the top of many hills. You usually have to cut and pack down a trail with the sled prior to getting 2 guys on one sled to the top. Places like Jones Pass would be hard to 2-man a sled to the top. The easiest pickup/dropoff access for riding has got to be Ptarmagin Pass in the Vail Pass area. I would start there mannix until you get relatively good at riding a sled and 2-man sledding to ride.

 

[Sidehiller]

Have fun skiing and finding new places. Just don't turn into one of those dicks who sleds in to a sweet spot to ski then gets pissed when a sledder rides "your" slope and screws up "your" line.

 

[BackCountryBob]

The kind of deep pow runs you are looking for are rare. To ride 2 up you need (1) a riding partner that can handle the sled, extra rider and skies. (2) find a slope that can be accessed via an easy way up or a trail that winds up from the base to the summit.

A few (2) choices: Farview Mtn in Steamboat Lake/Hahns Peak, Little Gravel in Grand Lake, Blair Mtn back of Rifle/Dotsero. and some nice stuff of trail 1 on the Flattops, Cottonwood Pass/Taylor Reservoir, Tincup Pass, all groomed to the top or easilly accessable. Rabbit Ears and Vail are also good but are tougher to ride to the summits.

Just like skiing the back bowls of Vail, you need to be first in the parking lot or the pow will be gone.

We had lots others until the wacko greenies infultrated the Forest Service

BCB