Extreme Downhill Slope Riding Technique

[TooFast]

Almost killed myself last week when I managed to lock my track and accelerate on this 45 deg (or more) steep downhill with no runoff area. Real loose snow, kinda like a mini avalanche. Pucker factor was off the scale.


So what's the best technique on near vertical downhills?

 

[wldfyr]

I like to make a new track in fresh snow downhill if possible, more friction that way, and slight throttle so the clutch is engaged it will give limited engine braking but more importantly keep the track from sliding. Now, I just decide coming down it not worth the going up, that's the trouble with high horsepower and big tracks. I'm more into the boon docking than hillclimbing anymore.

 

[CATillak]

what he said, i used to climb everything i could, 99 summit X.. now i dont do that anymore, 900 mt cat/ 800 summit, cuz they places you cant go is scary haha.

atleast you dont have an attack 20 in HC lol, that was a 10.5 on the O SH!T-O-METER

 

[TREEKILLER]

when traversing down extreme slopes you should have ski brakes you can make them yourself out of old belts

 

[Scott]

All of what they said.

Keep the clutches enganged and work the brake with it.
Use ski brakes if you can. And it's hard to steer if you only use them on one ski.

 

[Rmk/lolos]

keep the clutch engaged and ski brakes. but funny story a couple weeks ago a guy was telling me to put your sled in reverse before you head down and you will just creep down.(i told him he was out of his mind but he was adament about it) I have never tried probably never will because i like to have control.

 

[KidWalleye]

reverse going down hill

I have done this and it work awsome you can atually come to a complete stop on most hills... If you are going to do this be sure that you have a clean open path in front of you. as stated above you dont have real good steering control. but it does work under the right circumstances...

Gary

 

[HuskyPower]

i like to find a fresh line as well. Avoid the brake like the plague and let the backshift of the clutch slow me down. Find if i lock the brake/track i really lose control. Never tried the ski brake but have done the reverse button. That is more to stop on a slope than to slow down. Grab the brake, lock the track, hit Reverse, give it some juice and release the brake at the same time. Sled just digs itself in nicely and you can go help your buddy get unstuck. You get some funny looks coming down a slope beeping away but its fun ....don't recommend this on suspect avy slopes tho.

 

[Lt Rascal]

I pump my brakes like a car on ice. Carry ski brakes just in case. Have needed them a couple times when the brakes on my sled went out.

 

[AK800VE]

Well here is what I do, it aint worth much but it has for me, Just before I make my turn I slow way down, but not to much to where I run the risk of rolling. Right after the turn, I lock up the brake and dive the nose into the snow and plow snow. And then I try to go from left to right while ridin the brake to control my speed. Of course this only applys if ther is enough snow.

I hardly ever climb if it is hard backed.

 

[messickzr]

I have heard of using a belt for a ski brake before. Anyone want to explain them to me, when you put it on the ski (ie at the top of the climb) and I assume you just loop it over the ski?

 

[Rmk/lolos]

I have heard of using a belt for a ski brake before. Anyone want to explain them to me, when you put it on the ski (ie at the top of the climb) and I assume you just loop it over the ski?

What i do, cut a old belt, bolt in loop so barely fits over front ski and it will slide to middleof ski do that on both skis. it digs into snow to slow you down a little, keep clutch always engaged. It also helps if it is that steep to close your eyes hahaha.....

 

[WMD]

Ski Brake

Just cut a belt in half, loop it around and drill hole through looped belt, secure with a bolt. Make sure it will fit over ski and you got it. I usually only use one (only carry one ). If the downhill has a double fall line, i.e. a cross slope as well as down, put your brake on the uphill side.

Two is usually overkill.

Use it a couple of times before you need it.

Good luck.

 

[modsledr]

You dont need to cut the belt...just twist into a figure 8 and fold over on itself...now slip both loops over the ski loop and slide down to the spindle. I use my spare belt, even new ones. No need to carry an extra just for a brake.

modsledr

 

[alrevedup]

Before starting your climb, check out the decent. If during the decent there is an obstacle (tree/rock) in your path, don't panic and grab the brake. The only way I have been able to change my decent line is to throttle, into a new decent line. For me it was a UN-natural feeling, but it works. Don't look at the obstacle! Look at where you want to go, hold on and hit the throttle.

 

[diggin]

I started doing the reverse thing and It works well on deep or packed. Like someone said before, awesome way to come down and stop to help buddies that are stuck. I started doing it after I skidded uncontrollably down a hill in Valemount towards some trees. Pumping the brake every few seconds always works too but not that time! Mine's a cat though, so lock the track and hit reverse without the risk of stalling.

 

[spring snow hero]

Before starting your climb, check out the decent. If during the decent there is an obsticle (tree/rock) in your path, don't panic and grab the brake. The only way I have been able to change my decent line is the throttle into a new decent line. For me it was a UN-natural feeling, but it works. Don't look at the obsticle! Look at where you want to go, hold on and hit the throttle.

I'll second that. I have thrown my sled sideways and pinned it to squirt out of the fall line.....it feels ALL wrong, but it is the only way out.

 

[snoboy]

Before starting your climb, check out the decent. If during the decent there is an obstacle (tree/rock) in your path, don't panic and grab the brake. The only way I have been able to change my decent line is to throttle, into a new decent line. For me it was a UN-natural feeling, but it works. Don't look at the obstacle! Look at where you want to go, hold on and hit the throttle.

Outstanding advice! Seems like I stare at a tree and I'm drawn to it like a magnet.

 

[volcano buster]

I have found that cutting an old drive belt in half, to make two short equal-length pieces (then each made into loops) has too much drag for most cases. I now started cutting the shorter lengths of belt in half length-ways (ripped) to make a narrower belt. I can make 4 ski-brakes out of one belt now and I like them better.

I usually shave the rubber lugs off the inside of the belt and any excess off the back so the cord layer is still intact. I have now started using rope clamps that I buy at the store to squeeze over the overlapped section of belt (1.25-1.5") then use heat shrink tubing to protect it. Granted, you need to slide the shrink tube on before you crimp the clamp.

This makes a nice clean install and leaves nothing to scratch the spindles on the sled and with the narrower belt still slows the sled nicely but not so much to be a hinderance.

VB

 

[TooFast]

Easier said than done

Thanks for your replies, never thought of hitting reverse while I was accelerating downhill....probably works good on a less steep slope. Just thinking of giving some gas on that slope while out of control makes me cringe here at my desk

Probably ride there this weekend with a parachute on and make sure I keep the clutch engaged