First time sledding in the mountains, any tips?

[slabman]

Mountain riding tips

- before doing your climb scope out where to turn out and which way to turn out to avoid trouble.

- wear a beacon

- use your engine compression(feather gas) to slow down when coming down the hill and slight brakes.

- if heading for trouble going down hill the only way to get out is on gas not brakes.

 

[JungleJim]

Boondox,
Good for you for getting out, you'll have a blast! As mentioned you will get stuck - given, accept it and don't beat yourself up about it. Happens to everyone when they learn. What's often overlooked is what to do when stuck? My suggestion in order to get invited out again is do not just sit there waiting for your buddies to rescue you your butt. If stuck on the flats, start stomping down the snow directly in front of your sled and do the same on one side of your tunnel so all your buds have to do is lift your track out of the trench. If on the hill (hopefully you managed to turn out somewhat first and not pin it looking for "magic traction" only to end up with a 6 foot trench!) then contrary to popular belief, stomp down the snow on the downhill side of your tunnel, then when help arrives lift the track onto this packed "ledge". Give the downhill ski a pull and the whole sled pivots on the "ledge" with the track rotating across the vacated trench. Makes it real easy as the track is not trying to push a bunch of snow out of the way!

I also subscribe to the theory that you only get better riding by... riding! Just pick the easy small side of a hill (wide open run out at the bottom) when your buddies are hitting a big one and practice, practice, sidehilling and climbing and turning out at the top - both ways. Its amazing how many riders can only cut a sharp turn to the throttle side. A quick hit on the throttle, turn your skis the opposite direction you want to go, hike your butt out off the running board on the side you want to turn and it will roll right around for you.

Have fun!

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

my .02....when you get stuck...yes when...if its on flat ground stomp all the snow down on 1 side of the machine..get on the otherside and flip the machine on its side on the stomped area you just made...pack all the snow from the side your standing on (including a 4 ft area in frt of the sled)into the hole where the track was..flip the machine back over onto its track..your sled is now sitting high and dry on its ski's and track and you have a 4 ft launching pad to get going on..most times feathering the throttle for the first foot of movement then going full throttle keeps you from making a new trench hole...if you stick it uphill...kick/shovel all the snow away from both sides of the sled and pull it around or if you are careful...just roll it over in the snow(dont let it get away from you or you will walk to the bottom of the hill to collect the peices...the sled will go from pointed up hill to pointed down hill if you carefully roll it over(no it wont hurt the sled or winsheild) once it is on its skis either coast to the bottom and restart or restart and go(becareful may have to hold it fullthrottle to clear flood start it)...take 2 aspirin before you ride and 2 more at lunch..you will be beyond sore at the end of the day...pay attention to the best riders..ask for advice...

 

[nusledr]

Powder Link

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-

Great Link B-Radical. I'm moving to Driggs Id and need more winter adrenaline. You saved my *** already. I'm getting the picture that its the rider not the sled.

 

[Mtn. missle]

Good advice hope you remember at least half of it I would agree w/ aadougi learn quickly your sled and youself's limitations no matter how good a friends you have they are not going to want to dig you out every 2 minutes. When you'r climbing and feel like that sled is running out of up power and you should turn out it's probably too late, I think the longer the track the sooner you want to turn it out and when you'r turning out don't let out of the throttle till your pointed down or buried . Be carefull crossing someone else's trench when climbing those long tracks cut a pretty impressive gash in the hill, have fun, ride safe and let us know how it went (have a feeling after riding the mtn.'s the valley just won't be the same ).

 

[Mtn. missle]

clothes

Almost forgot leave that cotton clothing and make sure you'r wearing a good wicking, fast drying fabric I like the duofold or any good polypropolene that's dual layer helps pull the moisture away to the second layer. You'll probally end up sweating your arse off so ditto w/plenty water on the ride .

 

[Stucky]

As you are going to Mcbride, when you first get into Renshaw just before the cabin, look to the right and pull that little shoot right away, then you can watch you rental sled come all the way to the bottom of the hill and wreck your entire day!!!, turn around go back down the trail. return your sled to the rental place, and take the bus home, well at lease to Edmonton.
PS the bus leaves at 2:30 am and you will not get into Edmonton untill 12:30pm!!

Wow I just had a very good flash back of my first day in the mountains!!


HAVE FUN!!!

 

[2004 SkidooSummit]

Yeah i agree since your riding a RMK 900 they tend to break belt's pretty damn fast so bring an extra, and extra spark plug's bring extra gas with you as well, as you might already know you can prob hook a jarry can on the back of the tunnel, of the sled, All i have to say is like what everyone else said, the gas is your friend don't be afaid to pin the damn thing that's what it is built for! Unless you drive a kitty cat!! lol

 

[flying pig]

get your bearings as to what level is! It takes a while to do but you'll get dizzy a lot your first few trips, happens to me every year. If your sled is level you are going straight, to turn it needs to be rolled one way or another, just like a snowboard. Mountain sledding has more in common with snowboarding uphill than with flatland trail riding. Get used to moving around on your sled a lot, practice throwing it over centered on the sled, with both feet on one board, and hanging one leg way out! These three things will get you out of trouble a lot! Take your time with everything, it takes years to make a good rider.

 

[Numbnuts918]

First off, eye up the terrain you tend to ride in & wind direction. That alone will tell you where to look for avy prone areas. Wear a beacon, even if you have to rent one. I would look for a nice rolling meadow to get your "body english" established. Get your leaning down to understand what the sled does differently in the deep compared to trail riding. When you get that figured out, try sidehilling on some easy terrain (in a safe area). Then move up to climbing & listen to the sled as well as your track speed, & turn out before you slow down too much. When you take breaks, always point downhill & never stop uphill. If you feel yourself in a possible "Im Stuck" moment, as others said here, just blip the gas & jump off the back & the sled should climb itself out if the momentum is there. The best advice I can give is to be patient, only tackle what "you" believe you can handle, up to your standards, & for gods sake...enjoy yourself. I would try to work out a bit because I myself am in your boots size wise, 6'1" 250lbs on a little M6 & the breathing thing is an issue for me at altitude. Thinner air does funny things to you. Keep this in mind & have fun!!

 

[drop the hammer]

Use the link below to the Sledshot website, they have some good video instructions on how to do powder turns, downhill turns and how to side hill. how to change a belt and a bunch of other stuff. Best explanations on video I've ever seen. Hard to explain the turn handle bar out and lean in and punch it...but easier when you see these guys do it.
Website:
http://www.sledshot.com/tech_tips.php

 

[DRAFTINGMAN]

The Throttle

Alot of guys here are saying to pin the Throttle when you think you are going to get stuck!! I disagree, feathering the throttle thru the powder is just as good, (unless of course you really need to hit it!! ) just practice burping the throttle when you take off from starting position.... If you hammer it taking off , you will not do anything but get yourself deeper in the trench!! and your buddys, will be saying
NOT AGAIN!!!

When you buddys are helping you get out- do not just hammer it! somone will get hurt! Just hit the gas a couple of times till you are up on top of hard snow ..... some times you will have to walk yourself a path in front of your sled for it to get a good base! This does work, and all good riders know it!

Take you time .... it is a great work out... and with that 05 -900 rmk you will
need alot of buddies to help you out!!

Draftingman

 

[spadoo]

ck1 has from what i`ve read , some of the best advise. don`t be timid, enjoy!!

 

[HMC 399]

1. Up the life insurance

2. Make sure the sled is insured

3. Extra underwear, toilet paper comment is good advice, been there

4. Sell the flatland sled this will ruin it.

5. second all the comments about being nice to buddies, you'll need them.

6. 2 aspirin not going to cut it, get something prescription strength

7. Stuff to spend the night if you forget to observe #5

8. And last but not least have fun.

 

[ItDoAble]

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


OH NO .. not the counterstearing thread again!!!

 

[MtnMaxMod]

ride exactly like you do back home, you'll do just fine

 

[StrobsM8]

1. Up the life insurance

8. And last but not least have fun.

I remember going out on my first trip and my skilled riding buddy was on the phone with his insurance agent on the way to MT to up his life insurance! That made me question what I was doing.

My second trip to the mountains I wrecked my uncles new dragon 900 and had to leave it overnight. I had to walk up a huge hill, in the dark, taking 10 steps and then lay down to catch my breath. I seriously thought I was going to die! Then I had to ride bitc* for 8 miles to the trail and then another 10 miles to get to town. I swore off sledding for life!

But that was 2 years ago and I have made 7 trips since then and I am absolutely addicted to it. Its way more work than most people think but that is what makes it fun!

What really helped me was watching and asking questions from the riders that knew what is going on. I really struggled with the turning especially facing down hill. You will get sick of standing there trying to talk yourself into just pinning it and leaning! Drinking lots of water and eating will make you feel better after digging your sled out all day. Hopefully your buddies will be patient with your screw ups (mine were) and you should learn from them. It won't take long and you will be helping newbies out too!

 

[wide_open]

My First Time Yesterday

Hey there, this may be of interest for you as yesterday was my first day ever in the mountains. I am 5'9" 190 and only a little bit in shape, and riding a new M1000 w/162" to give you some perspective. I read this thread the morning I went and tried to remember as much as I could so I could post this today...


1. Throttle is your friend. It is sooo much easier to do anything when you have some throttle on it.
2. It's not as easy as it looks on Slednecks, Thunderstruck etc.
3. Don't get frustrated. I was cussing and swearing cause I couldn't manage the first grader bank I tried to get over...Why the **** did I buy this sled??? It got easier.
4. You will be tired.
5. Help everybody else out when they get stuck, because when you get stuck guys remember and the more guys, the easier it is to get out
6. It's like motocross. Ride with guys who don't challenge, you don't get anybetter. Ride with people that push you, you get better fast.
7. It doesn't take much clothing to be to warm.
8. You will be tired. It's not as easy as it looks. (I know its a repeat)
9. Wear a beacon. Wear a backpack. Have a shovel. Have probes. GET A SNOBUNGEE!
10. Leave the beer and whiskey at the hotel.
11. Bring toilet.
12. You're going to ruin flatlanding. I'm ready to sell my ZR 440.
13. WATER! Drink lots of it. Don't step in it.
14. Bring a toque - wish I had one for when we stopped. Sweaty head gets cold fast
15. Review #2, 4 & 8


From one newb to another, I hope this helps!

 

[Solby]

Stay at the hotel, it is waaaaay to dangerous for to ride in the fresh untracked powder!

*L*

 

[IceCap]

Don't go to the mountains ... we don't need any more tracked up snow!! Just kidding
LOL.