look where you want to go! dont look at the trees. if ur over 8000 ft look in to oxydrene to keep blood oxygenated. keep uphill ski in guys track in front, use the zen !
First time sledding in the mountains, any tips?
- Thread starter BoonDoX
- Start date
D
DRAFTINGMAN
Member
Mountain Riding
You never did answer the question ..... What are you riding ?
. Rent the new Hangfire video and study the way the boys move their bodies
and sleds for the right motion thru the steep and deep!
. Rent the new 509 Evolution Movie and Try not to go the Places they go!!
but watch and listen to the throttle as they work thier way thru the trees
and chutes!
. These videos are great educators on how to ride in the Mountains, but
they do not show all the stucks and the digging and pulling involved.
. Getting stuck in the snow depends really on the condition of the snow on
that day you are riding. The snow conditions can even change while you
are riding. I have ridden with 2' powder days with a great base and was
able to go everywhere, but I have ridden with 2' of powder with an awful
base and been stuck every 100 yards! So chek the Snow conditions for
the day and dont think you know how to ride in the mountains.....because
the next time you go out, it will be completely differant!
It is the same as all things PRACTICE- PRACTICE-PRACTICE.
Dont forget all the things the others have left her for you!
You will get stuck, if you dont you are not riding hard enough!
You will sweat..... stay dry you will get wet......Stay dry
You will get snow in places you didnt think you would! .....Stay dry!
Take the shovel. probe, and beacon..... you dont want to tell you friends
wife you couldnt do anything!!!
OOOPS did I say have fun!! HAVE FUN!!!!
You never did answer the question ..... What are you riding ?
. Rent the new Hangfire video and study the way the boys move their bodies
and sleds for the right motion thru the steep and deep!
. Rent the new 509 Evolution Movie and Try not to go the Places they go!!
but watch and listen to the throttle as they work thier way thru the trees
and chutes!
. These videos are great educators on how to ride in the Mountains, but
they do not show all the stucks and the digging and pulling involved.
. Getting stuck in the snow depends really on the condition of the snow on
that day you are riding. The snow conditions can even change while you
are riding. I have ridden with 2' powder days with a great base and was
able to go everywhere, but I have ridden with 2' of powder with an awful
base and been stuck every 100 yards! So chek the Snow conditions for
the day and dont think you know how to ride in the mountains.....because
the next time you go out, it will be completely differant!
It is the same as all things PRACTICE- PRACTICE-PRACTICE.
Dont forget all the things the others have left her for you!
You will get stuck, if you dont you are not riding hard enough!
You will sweat..... stay dry you will get wet......Stay dry
You will get snow in places you didnt think you would! .....Stay dry!
Take the shovel. probe, and beacon..... you dont want to tell you friends
wife you couldnt do anything!!!
OOOPS did I say have fun!! HAVE FUN!!!!
Imagine going down a steep hill. Now imagine going down that same hill at least 2-3 times as fast. Thats what I can remember about my first mtn. ride.
Go with someone who knows the mtns.
Avi's are very unforgiving.
Go with someone who knows the mtns.
Avi's are very unforgiving.
Start out small and get use to the new terrain. Don't just jump up to the slopes your buddies will be doing till you get a handle on things, things will happen fast, and be ready for any thing. and as always, WEAR YOUR AVY GEAR! and know how to use it, practice with your buddies finding each other. doesn't do any good to have the gear, if you don't know how to use it. Remember it's not just for you it's for your whole group.
H
H2SNOW
ACCOUNT CLOSED
and say something if they are trying to take you somehwere you aint comfortable with .....pretty sure your first sidhilling experience to get into another playground will be memorable and prepare to get razzed back at the truck while sippin on a cold one about how many times you had to get unstuck .....if you get asked again in the weeks to come you probably did alright ...if ya don't ....enjoy your new lawnchair lol
TOILET PAPER Bring some with you in a zip loc bag. Fisrt few hills you will pass might need to stop to have a few nuckle babies. Just in case you have to go poo. Seriously though nothing worse than having to ride the rest of a day with no sock or sleeve from a shirt. From past experience you will get laughed at for the rest of the trip
From one flatlander to another....
1. Stay FAR back behind the others. I can't stress this enough. Tailing your buddy in the trails is one thing, tailing him while boondocking is downright dangerous and you'll be stuck a LOT.
2. Stand up! Sitting down is for the bar when you're done.
3. Get used to hanging off your sled to make it go where you need it to.
1. Stay FAR back behind the others. I can't stress this enough. Tailing your buddy in the trails is one thing, tailing him while boondocking is downright dangerous and you'll be stuck a LOT.
2. Stand up! Sitting down is for the bar when you're done.
3. Get used to hanging off your sled to make it go where you need it to.
Wow thanks for all the info everyone!
I am riding an 05 rmk 900 (yea I know), 166x2 1/4 track. Slp intake, mbrp can, and stock otherwise.
Whats wrong with a full face helmet? I sure prefer them to open face with goggles that fog every 10 minutes!
Whats oxydrene and should I get it? I am 25, 6'4" and 260 lbs and outta shape so It would be hard to get in shape in a week and a half, haha!
I dont plan on riding very crazy and hope to be rather laid back this time because I just dont know what to expect!
I am riding an 05 rmk 900 (yea I know
), 166x2 1/4 track. Slp intake, mbrp can, and stock otherwise.Whats wrong with a full face helmet? I sure prefer them to open face with goggles that fog every 10 minutes!
Whats oxydrene and should I get it? I am 25, 6'4" and 260 lbs and outta shape so It would be hard to get in shape in a week and a half, haha!
I dont plan on riding very crazy and hope to be rather laid back this time because I just dont know what to expect!
Last edited:
newbie
#1 Get in shape! If your not, you'll be done by the time you get to the riding area
#2 In an open flater area, practice turning the sled by pulling it up on one ski, this is a must do for all mnt. riding.
#3 Pin it. My brother came for a visit from the east, he kept getting stuck till he got so mad he kept it pinned...And suddenly he was a much better rider.
#4 you WILL get stuck. Don't get to mad. have fun!
#1 Get in shape! If your not, you'll be done by the time you get to the riding area
#2 In an open flater area, practice turning the sled by pulling it up on one ski, this is a must do for all mnt. riding.
#3 Pin it. My brother came for a visit from the east, he kept getting stuck till he got so mad he kept it pinned...And suddenly he was a much better rider.
#4 you WILL get stuck. Don't get to mad. have fun!
M
mod03rmk800
Well-known member
For sure voice your concerns to the more experienced riders if you don't have the confidence to do something. They should be watching you and your abilities to see what will be safe for you and your sled. It takes a split second in the mountains to hurt yourself or more commonly totaling your sled. The throttle is your friend off the trail. On the trail watch out for the heroes hauling a**.
here is a lesson my good buddy from flat country learned:
when you want to stop on a hill and you are sidehilling, be dang sure the arse end is above you or below you when you get out of the gas. the sled is going to pop up ontop of the snow.......roll down the hill, hit mine........both will roll down the hill, and hit my wifes.......it sucked. the biggest problem was stopping right above another person or sled.....that is a no no.
on a steep hill do not go try to help your stuck buddy. you are cutting up his base....this is asking for a slde. a good habit to start now. if you must help ride plenty clear of their fall line and hike over.
learn to side hill. just about everywhere my crew goes is accessed via a couple long side hills. being able to get a sled to side hill and cut back and forth is gonna let you get out of trouble.....prolly the best mountain skill there is aside from reading conditions.
beware of flat light. on a grey day you can't read the terrain. don't be fooled into thinking you are special...you are not. on grey days be cautious.
never look at anything you don't want to hit on the way down...it's bizzare, but you will go where you look.
understand that if you climb a hill you must come back down.....sometimes that means an ugly line if you lack the sack to power up going down. read the fall line and plan your escape.
since you are riding a 900 poo, ai would stock up on a few extra belts, some of them are hungry.
if you are riding a ridge, keep close to trees and rocks. often the ridges will cornice up pretty bad and you might be several feet off of solid ground......tis a bad deal if it goes.
bring a camera...
when you want to stop on a hill and you are sidehilling, be dang sure the arse end is above you or below you when you get out of the gas. the sled is going to pop up ontop of the snow.......roll down the hill, hit mine........both will roll down the hill, and hit my wifes.......it sucked. the biggest problem was stopping right above another person or sled.....that is a no no.
on a steep hill do not go try to help your stuck buddy. you are cutting up his base....this is asking for a slde. a good habit to start now. if you must help ride plenty clear of their fall line and hike over.
learn to side hill. just about everywhere my crew goes is accessed via a couple long side hills. being able to get a sled to side hill and cut back and forth is gonna let you get out of trouble.....prolly the best mountain skill there is aside from reading conditions.
beware of flat light. on a grey day you can't read the terrain. don't be fooled into thinking you are special...you are not. on grey days be cautious.
never look at anything you don't want to hit on the way down...it's bizzare, but you will go where you look.
understand that if you climb a hill you must come back down.....sometimes that means an ugly line if you lack the sack to power up going down. read the fall line and plan your escape.
since you are riding a 900 poo, ai would stock up on a few extra belts, some of them are hungry.
if you are riding a ridge, keep close to trees and rocks. often the ridges will cornice up pretty bad and you might be several feet off of solid ground......tis a bad deal if it goes.
bring a camera...
Forget everything you know about riding a sled in the flatlands, it doesn't work in the mountains. You will get stuck, a lot. Stay away from the trees, they like snowmobiles.
Watch the others in the group and learn. Somethings will work for you and others will not. Start small and work your way up.
Have fun and be safe. Only one guy on the hill at a time. And when that guy is on the hill make sure you and the others are out of any potential slide paths. Have them take you to a area that you can practice at that will be comfortable for you, so you can at least get the hang of things before they bring you to a area that is going to be above your riding level. Once you get the basics down, go for it.
Watch the others in the group and learn. Somethings will work for you and others will not. Start small and work your way up.
Have fun and be safe. Only one guy on the hill at a time. And when that guy is on the hill make sure you and the others are out of any potential slide paths. Have them take you to a area that you can practice at that will be comfortable for you, so you can at least get the hang of things before they bring you to a area that is going to be above your riding level. Once you get the basics down, go for it.
Your gettin great advice but if there is one thing to remember of how mountain riding is different than flatland riding that would be DON'T SIT DOWN.
can say it enough, if your in trouble my bet will be that your arse was on the seat, if you are not side hillin right I bet your arse was on the seat, if your having trouble turning out on a hill I bet your arse was on the seat.
Remember one thing, stand up and get your weight over the bars.
Have fun!
can say it enough, if your in trouble my bet will be that your arse was on the seat, if you are not side hillin right I bet your arse was on the seat, if your having trouble turning out on a hill I bet your arse was on the seat.
Remember one thing, stand up and get your weight over the bars.
Have fun!
A
aadougie
Well-known member
You want to be invited by your friends to ride the mountains again? Your job the first ride out is to just keep up - not to impress with your killer sidehill moves; just follow the experienced riders and don't start playing around getting stuck every two minutes. When you get to a play area where your friends can play, stop - watch them ride and rest up for your next stuck... Your friends will get their fill then tell you to go try a sidehill or a SHORT climb. Don't try to go to the top on your first pull - turn out waaaay short - get the feel of it then try a little higher, etc. Your main task on your first day in the mountains will be conserving your energy...keep a good attitude even when you're stuck half the day. And remember, all those experienced buddies were stuck all day their first day out too!
H
H2SNOW
ACCOUNT CLOSED
Wow thanks for all the info everyone!
I am riding an 05 rmk 900 (yea I know
Whats wrong with a full face helmet? I sure prefer them to open face with goggles that fog every 10 minutes!
Whats oxydrene and should I get it? I am 25, 6'4" and 260 lbs and outta shape so It would be hard to get in shape in a week and a half, haha!
I dont plan on riding very crazy and hope to be rather laid back this time because I just dont know what to expect!
6,4 ??.........buy some taller risers tomorrow
Well you are already doing better than I did on my first ride in the Mountains.
ASK questions of experienced riders and get them to SHOW you what they are doing.
here is a great little webpage I show to all our newbies.
http://www.akmining.com/snow/powder1.htm
http://www.akmining.com/snow/powder1.htm
bring extra gloves and bottled water. and if your buddy wants to bungee you out of a stuck with a pull from his bottle boosted sled... decline and ask him to just tug on the ski a little....I had my sled ripped out from underneath me and towed on its side for 50 yards just for fun....thanks GW
B-
ASK questions of experienced riders and get them to SHOW you what they are doing.
here is a great little webpage I show to all our newbies.
http://www.akmining.com/snow/powder1.htm
http://www.akmining.com/snow/powder1.htm
bring extra gloves and bottled water. and if your buddy wants to bungee you out of a stuck with a pull from his bottle boosted sled... decline and ask him to just tug on the ski a little....I had my sled ripped out from underneath me and towed on its side for 50 yards just for fun....thanks GW
B-
S
Snowjunky
Well-known member
You want to be invited by your friends to ride the mountains again? Your job the first ride out is to just keep up - not to impress with your killer sidehill moves; just follow the experienced riders and don't start playing around getting stuck every two minutes. When you get to a play area where your friends can play, stop - watch them ride and rest up for your next stuck... Your friends will get their fill then tell you to go try a sidehill or a SHORT climb. Don't try to go to the top on your first pull - turn out waaaay short - get the feel of it then try a little higher, etc. Your main task on your first day in the mountains will be conserving your energy...keep a good attitude even when you're stuck half the day. And remember, all those experienced buddies were stuck all day their first day out too!
I agree 100% about start slow and turn out early. That there sno-cat your gonna ride will go anywhere. BE CAREFUL YOU WANT TO GO WHERE YOUR SLEDCAN GO. Sometimes an easy climb can be a yard sale coming down. Lots of belts too.
