Mountains or nothing?

[freejay]

How many of you only ride in the mountains? Is it by choice or because that's the only place you can ride? I've done most of my riding near home, trails, foothills, and playing in the odd meadow. There isn't a ton of snow but its a lot cheaper than a trip to the mountains and a lot safer this year. I feel bad for all the folks that can't/won't sled at all if the avy danger is too high...

 

[drscotch]

99% mountains for me. I guess I like the soft landings . I don't see any issues riding with the avy level high (did it last weekend) but you have to make good choices. From what I saw, LOTS of people don't make good choices.

 

[farmboy84]

i would ride only in the mountains if i could, but the 2000 mile round trip and the finances say otherwise. i am lucky to get out west 2 times a year. the rest of the time i am riding in MN wishing it was deep pow and steep hills.

 

[sodfarmer]

99% of the time we trailer 50 miles to Logan Canyon. I like riding trees and exploring up there. This year I could ride from my house, but the snow is concrete plus I hate rejetting and worrying about burning down in the valley. Done that a couple too many times.

 

[Himark]

99.9% mountains but recently have been riding the kids ole 79 440 Yamaha round home and it still puts a smile on a guys face.

 

[b1dodge]

mountains 100% there are still plenty of safe areas to ride. you just have to use your head., and for me that can be a problem if i didnt ride in the mountains i would find a different sport.

 

[the dude]

The only time i ride is in the mountains, i have goofed around riding around the house in the field a few years back.. I dont think i would own a sled if i lived in the midwest... (no offense to the flatlanders)

 

[andrew900]

100% mountians.. but i have no choice as i am surrounded by mountians. and i agree with b1dodge, there are safe places to go(logging roads lakes...) And its the mountians and no other way...

 

[Ollie]

100% mountains.
I don't think I would stay sledding if I had to ride trails all the time.

 

[VTMTcowboy]

I have rode both mountains (now) and trails back east my whole life. Can say mountains are much more fun cause of the deep pow. But in the end it is snowmobiling and just being able to ride a sled is all i care about. Either winding flatland trails or steep and deep, snowmobiling is a just plain fun!

 

[snobunny21]

99.9% mountains, they are right out my back door. I am lucky enough to ride from home instead of having to trailer.

 

[rkymtnrider]

mountains all the way, but i live at 8500ft!!

 

[Mountaintech]

Nothing!!

 

[theslednutz.com]

I live in Sioux Falls.... 50% mountain riding then 50% racing hillcross!!!

 

[myredsled]

High and mighty

99.8 % mountains! Trails kill my back !
I am originally from northwest Alberta and I now live in Saskatoon area. I have 20+ years riding in the mountains Of Kakwa, Hazler, Tumbler Ridge, Beaver Creek, Powder King, Silver Sands and Red Deer Falls just to name a few. Things have really changed since we took our old enticers and everests to the bowls.
The most interesting change is the use of electronic locating devices. Up until about ten years ago we rode in the mountains without that gear. I am a firm believer in those "Gadgets" as tools in case someone messes up and is buried. I also notice that once riders strap on their beacons they somehow become immune to the concequences of an avalanch.
If you have a beacon the only thing you can count on is your body will be found more easily!

 

[sledcaddie]

My neighbor bought a 1970 Skidoo Olympic at a garage sale for $100. Of course, he wanted ME to get it running for him. We used to ride that tippy thing here in the plains. Back then, it was just a temporary amusement whenever we got enough snow. We ventured out to the Black Hills and rented some sleds, then went on to by our own "real sleds". I've ridden my sleds here about an hour, usually just a shakedown before putting on trailer for the Snowies. Once you've gone to the mountains, with the hills, powder, scenery, etc., riding back here is pretty boring, IMO.

 

[freejay]

Don't get me wrong, I started mountain sledding last year and I love it. Took one trip with some buds and a rented sled (XP-worst rental experience ever) then came home and ended up buying a new M8 a month later. I would like to get to the mountains more but it just isn't feasible to do many trips right now. You know what they say, a bad day sledding (even if its trail riding) is still better than a good day doing anything else. My only concern is the wear and tear on the M8 from trail riding and messing around. I just can't bring myself to ride my 96 MXZ anymore

 

[rockdog2112]

I'm not sure how to answer. The place I ride is in the mountains of the Snowy Range-exclusively. It's close to home. The Snowy's have some really great tree,meadow, and creekbed riding that is relatively safe from avalanche danger. Besides, my wife still likes to ride to Wyocolo for lunch some days. What do you do. We are not getting very good snow this year so the Avy danger is not real high but it is there and with everything going on this year, we are being careful.

 

[cobbycat]

I live in the mountains, own a mountain sled, and yes, I ride ONLY in the mountains. there are dangers that can kill us in any aspect of snowmobiling, from avalanches in the mountains, to ditches and fence posts in the prairies. the point is that if we want to live to pursue our sport, we are the ones who must keep ourselves out of harms way, and no one else!
cheers

 

[Delo]

For me it is 99% flatland here at home in MN and 1% out west. I own a mountain sled and ride it here at home. Not a big trail fan, like the ditches and fields. I look forward to the one week that I get to get out there and ride. I have only ridden sleds for now 7 years (36 years old) and I have found that riding out west has made me a better rider. It has forced me to do things that I was way uncomfortable doing my first year out there. But by doing things out west I am more aggressive and comfortable riding here at home. It is what it is and I like it. I like living in MN. Hopefully as time goes on I will get more opportunities to ride out west. A couple 2 or 3 times maybe.