Easiest way to improve skills?

[blue fluff]

So what's your opinion on how you best advance your skills as a rider - just riding and making mistakes/learning to "feel" what to do...or having someone more experienced point out things they learned - or both? How have you learned the fastest?

 

[SNOW JW]

Ride with a group that is much better than you and that can push you farther and harder than what you ride on a normal day.

 

[-MKlim-]

Some people laugh at tree riding. But I strongly believe it makes you a better rider. If you can look and think ahead of yourself while treeriding your doing a good job. When you can climb and throw your sled around trees at high speeds your learning what you can get your sled to do. When it is a foggy or cloudy day we always take groups of people in the trees. They have a great time, Climbing, Racing, and Boondocking throw the thick trees. If you get good at tree riding playing in big open bowls is a walk in the park. Trees make you learn balance points, throttle control, carving, and climbing techniques. But sledding is all Practice makes Perfect.

 

[Fredly]

Riding with people more experienced always helps, but can hurt too.
But like they say "practice, practice, practice...."

want to learn how to carve a quick turn to avoid that big spruce, try it first without the spruce.
want to learn how to jump and land, start small, work your way up.

Last year I rode with guys that were close to twice my age, I believe they
had to be near 60... they out rode me 3:1 I'm sure, it all comes from practice
and experience. Sure people can help by pointing things out, but reality is
you won't learn until you do it. (you can lead a horse to water...ya know the rest)

 

[YAMMALLMAN]

good question and probably just as many answers. as for my experience, i think learning how your sled handles and behaves in different conditions is the first step. ride as much as possible and challenge yourself to try doing things that are problematic. riding with more experienced and better riders is always good too. i find watching these guys or girls pull off moves that i have difficulty with and never being afraid to ask questions a great way to learn. most riders aren't worried about sharing experience with lesser riders.

 

[cookiecutter]

ride with those better than you, who are willing to take the time to help ya out. luckily i've had GREAT friends that have been there for me..Slim, cookie eater, and others you guys rock!
also i've found that in my spare time if i practice digging wholes in the snow, or shoveling the driveway, you'll get in shape for the many many times you WILL get stuck
Have fun!

 

[Dobber1]

But sledding is all Practice makes Perfect.

Almost.....'Perfect' Practice makes Perfect!

Also, paying attention to the different conditions of the snow will help you know what you should do in different situations. Momentum is key.

 

[the_dougdangerak]

These are all good ways to get better. I learned by riding with someone better and I rode twice a week, every week.

 

[Spook]

your welcome Doug...

 

[Anti-Hero]

Riding solo is great way to improve, only do this if you are comfortable doing so!

 

[knee deep in it]

1) buy gas, insert into machine

2) ride till shes empty

3) repeat steps 1 and 2

 

[summitone]

Remember: The throttle is your friend. Sounds odd, but I'm serious. Do you know how many tree well's I slipped in to when I 1st started riding?

 

[Ex-Member]

yeah, uhm... just go ride?

 

[Snorider]

1) buy gas, insert into machine

2) ride till shes empty

3) repeat steps 1 and 2

and don't forget OIL in step #1.

 

[Killerk]

All good replies.

I beleive that riding with more experienced riders is the best way to improve skills.
However, you need to be smart about it... Comunicate with others, and if something looks hairy, don't do it... Ask the more experienced riders if you should try it, and use your judgement.
I have ridden with guys who are very good on a motorcycle, and so they think they will be a hero on a sled... They usually end up zero... As in hurt or wrecked sled.
This is after we talk with them on the way up the hill... Told them to be careful, and not to do/climb everything we do... We will always watch for them and come back if needed.

I also find myself learning when I ride with same or more experienced riders than myself.

 

[depsnolvr]

Dont be afraid to fall off or get stuck trying something new !

Practicing downhill powerturns to uphill climbing was the most interesting for me to learn. A little to much gas and you were airborn doing the superman down a 35degree slope for 50' or so.

Most people seem to sit for half of the day and eat and drink, which is ok, but while they are doing this, Im practicing sled control in a meadow, or on a hillside. Choose small techinal runs that do not have much risk besides getting good and stuck for the first while.

 

[ragincajun]

ride with a group who will push you to do thing you normally wouldnt but not push you to far. use ur judgement and if you dont feel very comfortable doing it dont do it..until you are ready. oh and just go out and put some miles on and PRACTICE!

 

[Yamadoo04]

If you want to push yourself to get better you may have to do stuff that you don't know if you can make or not, so if you are unsure of a hill or something always make sure you have an "out". If you don't know if you can make it to where you want to go make sure you have an alternate route out. Take some time to think about where to go incase you don't make it to where you thought you could go. Just take time to think about where you will go and pick a line and try to follow it.

I have seen my friends end up smashed into a tree because they didn't make it across the hill as far as they thought they could and were left with only one option, turn downhill and smash a tree.

Snow conditions are very important. In certain snow conditions you may not be able to do the same things as in other conditions.

Try things in the open before you try them in the trees. Pretend a track in the snow is an obsticle to avoid instead of a real tree. You'll get a feel for how your sled handles before the tree bites you in the butt.

 

[tomx]

Ride with a crew who's much better then you and enjoy the whiteknuckles. Had a weekend like that just last weekend, by the end of the day I was climbing stuff I'd never had tried if I was riding with my normal crew. The killer thing is now I know I can do it.

 

[RX1Guy]

I ride with people muchhhh better than me (not hard to be better than me) and in order to have a good time, i'm forced to do some extreme things. Sometimes i do something crazy and am like "wow i didnt think i could do that..."

Now that i have boost, i cant turn something down saying that my sled wont do it, because now my sled will do anything i need it to. I just have to nut up.