First time Snowmobilers

[samuel2son]

Wanted to hear some other peoples experiences in taking people out
boondocking, powder riding etc. for their first time and how it turned out.
Would you ever do it again? My brother wants to take a friend out to Wyoming and it would be the guy's first ride. Is this a mistake?? Could be a rough learning curve... but ya gotta learn sometime

 

[snowmobiler]

we gave the wifes sister a pre ride lesson and then said ,,,,go slow.well she said she froze,freaked out or something and hammered it wide open 1/4 mile across the field.we all just stood there in shock,nothing we could do.and she finally let of throttle before a bunch of trees

 

[rmkboxer]

I just took a co worker for his first ride yesturday, he was not scared of anything and he did really good, had a few good sticks but he turned out good went through the powder good. but this is rare for a first time rider I have also been on rides with newbies who I will never ride with again. I have become picky on who I will offer to take

 

[aebsledder]

first time riders

Since we were all first time riders at one point, I think patience is key. Also remember everybody approaches things differently. I went with a buddy of mine from Wisconsin this year and he did pretty good once he learned to stand up on his sled instead of sitting down. I learned to ride by going with a group of guys that were way more experienced and didn't treat me any differently than anyone else. I got stuck and flew off my sled more times than I could count. When I learned to ski my dad took my brother and I to the top of the hill, went over a few basics and took off. Right before he left he said "If you're not falling, you're not trying very hard." Seems to have worked for me, not just in snowmobiling or skiing, but in life in general. Maybe just try to gauge the personality of who you are taking and go from there. Most important, its all about having fun.

 

[Ex-Member]

^ Yep.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

patience patience patience... that is pretty much it, help em get unstuck, just try and give them pointers.

i have been teaching my girlfriend to ride this winter, at first she was really affraid to try things as she didnt want to get stuck or anything, then she realized, GETTING STUCK IS HOW YOU LEARN!

 

[sdobbs20]

some people really have a difficult time copign with the cold, so first thign i would do is make sure they are geared up properly.

a year ago we were riding out on some farm fields with a buddy who has been on a sled but only ocne or twice. snow was real deep, 2 feet of powder. you went down into a gully and just tried to turn around on a steep incline, didn't stand up or nothing. trenched it all the way to the dirt! haha.

i'd just let them learn in a field. if it is someone who rides dirtbikes but hasn't been on a sled then they obviously will pick it up faster, learn how to throw the sled around and point it where you want to go and whatnot.

it is always fun taking out new riders though. they think it is just trail riding and sit and relax and don't break a sweat or anything. oh man are they mistaken. haha.

great point, ski-dooing it. most people are very nervous and hesitant because they don't want to do something wrong. if you don't mess up you aren't going to learn. if you don't try you ain't gonna get any better either.

 

[m_beeson]

When someone is having a dificult time, I tell them that it's tough the first couple of times, and you just have to get through it. It'll be a lot easier the next time you do it.

Some times you have to go through hell until you learn how to get through the obstacles. After you figure it out you'll love it.

 

[89sandman]

if your gonna bust pow i'd say a first timer will probably ruin your day! first thing they will probably be no where near in good enough shape, 500+ pound sled + first time rider + high altitiude= one whipped puppy i guess it all depends on how hard you ride...

 

[Sidehiller]

I guided for 7 years. Took out thousands of rookies, let all of them play in the powder to some extent. LOTS of stuck sleds to pull out, my back will never be the same.
The big thing I noticed is that the rookie women would out ride the rookie men 95% of the time because they would actually listen to me. (The only time in my life a woman has listened to me)

 

[AZ800]

Having someone that'll listen to you and is in good shape is key.
Took a buddy out last yr. 1st time on a sled (he's from FL). He sno boards alot and knows how to ride a dirtbike. Had a good powder day, not bottomless, but far from hero snow. 1st hour, just learning how to ride the sled a bit. 2 hrs maybe learning powder turns. By lunch time, he could take the sled anywhere he wanted to in the powder (on easy terrain). Had 5-6 good stucks from lack of experience, but got way better as the day went on.
Was not a wasted day for me. He'd stay off the big hills and sidehills, but was actually a decent rider, especially for his first tme out.

 

[Snow Flake]

In my 38 years snowmobiling in the mountains I have experienced the full spectrum of results with first time snowmobilers. It ranges from destroyed machines and discouraged first time riders to enjoyable trips with happy new snowmobilers.

On one occasion I borrowed a brand new snowmobile from my employer (took it right off the showroom floor) for a new rider. Going down a hill that seemed routeen for the rest of the group the new guy got scared and jumped off. The new machine hit the only tree at the bottom of the hill. That was a very expensive lesson for me.

Your brother is the only one that can decide if it is a good idea to take this new rider to the mountains. Have your brother ask himself these questions.

1. Is the new rider experienced in the outdoors, well coordinated and a natural at outdoor sports?

2. Does the new rider have the clothing and equipment necessary for the trip?

3. Am I and everyone in our group prepared to ride only in areas suitable for the new rider and help him whenever needed?

4. And most important, do I know the area we will ride in well enough to stay away from terrain that will get the new rider into trouble?

 

[farwest]

I find if you want them to ever try a second time ,be prepared to stick to the trails until they get comfortable.Then find a place where you can play and they can watch.If they want to get stuck a few times they get to decide.I took a guy in his early fourty's who bragged about all the quading they do.I Took him to an area he was familier with and I thought he was going to have a jammer.So by the end of the day he remarked"I guess any one can ride a quad,but wow a snowmobile in the mountains is a whole different deal"

 

[Scott]

I took a co-worker out last spring. He and his 8 year old daughter LOVED it. Everytime she sees me she says "there's my snowmobiling buddy". LOL


We took some people out a couple weeks ago from California...
http://snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137253