So I guess I suck

[sukassledder]

So I'm new to all this, but I love it! I've only been out twice and apparently I suck because I can't even begin to make the sled go where I want it to. My BF is a phenomenal sledder and some day I want to be able to keep up with him, but it seems almost hopeless right now! I can't seem to figure out how to turn in deep snow. He was super patient the first day out as I got my sled stuck several times, but the second time he was getting pretty tired of having to get off his sled and get me out of trouble. He took me to a nice wide open meadow at Vail, he said the snow sucked both times, but he didn't have any trouble tearing it up. I'm riding an '04 skidoo Bombadier. He is teaching me all the right stuff, wrong foot forward, counter steer, weight to the inside of the turn and lots and lots of throttle to make the turn. I just can't seem to get it done.

Here's my big question, after 2 times out where should I be? He is one of those people who figures things out super quick. He was side-hilling and shredding after the first couple times he was out. But like I said, I can't seem to make the sled go where I want it to about 90% of the time in the deep stuff. He says my main problem is the throttle. But heck, who wants to hammer down on the gas when they aren't confident in where they are going to end up?!!!! I feel like I just can't get the sled to tip over and coordinate everything that needs to happen all at the same time. I rode horses professionally (showjumpers) for years, so I do have some athletic ability, but I can't figure this out. Do I just need more miles? Or should I be further along?

Despite lots of bailing and wipe outs I really do love it! I want to figure this out!!!!!

Any thoughts?

 

[granstrom]

I guess, practice makes perfect. Just keep on going, I personally think I am a bad rider but i love to ride and as long as I have fun riding and i keep progressing, it's fine with me.

You won't be Burandt after a few times riding, it takes years and years of practice and most of us wont even be close to him EVER.

 

[2XM3]

it takes a lot on practice, he should take you out on great snow days only at first and it is much easier to learn on a modern (ie 2011+) 600 class sled. The chassis is so far advanced over what you are riding you will be shocked how much better it works, and just like learning to drive best thing is NOT to have your BF teach you if he even gets the slighest bit frustrated at all...lol

 

[sukassledder]

Thanks for the positive feedback! What really sucks is that my BF liiterally masters most things at lighting speed. So it's hard for me to gauge where I should be at now. After 2 times out I still can't reliably make the sled go where I want it to in deep snow. I still have a great time, but I can feel myself getting frustrated and disappointed already. I just wish I had the cojones to get on that throttle and get the the turns done.
He has definitely tried to wait for perfect snow, but we keep missing it! We went the last 2 times because I begged him to take me. We're still waiting for that perfect day, but I'm ready to go again anytime!

 

[attak06]

newby

You don't suck, YOU ARE TRYING. Confidence is a hard thing to get sometimes. I've been riding almost 40 years and I only get to go to the mountains once a year, last year my first year on my current mountain sled I caught a rock my second day out and had to rent, this year I was hesitant. It takes times, my wife is kind of like you, she doesn't get the power riding very good. As long as you are trying you are gaining on it. Just don't beat your self up and give up. Good luck.

 

[excav8ter]

Stick with it! Don't be worried about getting stuck so much, that's how you learn to not get stuck. My first time out west to the deep stuff was as frustrating as it was exciting, but 2 days later and i was way more confident in the deep powder. If your uncomfortable about the terrain, make sure your BF knows it. Perhaps he can take you to an area where there is terrain for both of you.

 

[Boondocker82]

Go out and buy all the schooled videos. Lots and lots of good info in them. They'll help you a bunch. Try to soak up everything they say and put it to use on the hill. Its a lot of info but you'll remember bits if it on the hill and it will all come together.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

 

[richracer1]

Don't give up. Like others have said, it takes seat time to get the hang of riding a sled in powder, carving, side-hilling and so on. Hopefully your BF will have the patience to get you through the initial learning curve.

 

[allied1]

Does he have the sled set up for YOU? Front and rear shocks/suspension, bar height/position, clutching good? Learning on a poor set up is not a good way to start either. Just asking because it WILL make a difference. Sounds like you have a good attitude toward learning, don't give up! Good luck.

 

[AdrenalineAddict]

Riding sleds comes easy to some and not so easy for others, it's unlike any other sport and has to be learned from the ground up. I've rode with some new sledders who ride very well after a dozen rides or so and I've rode with others who have been on sleds for many years and still have lots of issues. Try to emulate what others are doing and give it some time. If you find that your riding buddies are marking you with their GPS and returning hours later to gather you up, don't worry, hopefully you will be able to return the kind gesture someday.

 

[Murph]

Not looking at starting a brand bashing tangent....

Rent a Pro RMK --600 or 800.

My 5'2" ,120lb, exGF could rail that sled. She owned an 800 and never ceased to amaze people with what she could do on it.

Trees, sidehills, downhill uturns, climbing through trees.

Rent one and your skills will jump dramatically. Hell, I'd struggle riding a 2001 sled.

 

[butthead]

**** its been 4 years for me and i still get stuck
keep with it it will come
get and watch all of the schooled videos there a great help

 

[cateye5312]

Riding tips videos

I don't see where you say what sled you are riding. The sled makes a huge difference. Do you have a long track/ short track/ new sled/old sled, etc?

If you are trying to ride the steep and deep stuff with something like an old Polaris Edge Trail RMK with a 136" track you will struggle forever.

What are you riding?

Go to sledshot.com and watch every single riding tips video. They are all 5 to 7 minutes long and can really give you a good understanding of what you are trying to accomplish.

 

[Sledbrain2]

which way is the slope going?

One mistakes or something new mountain sledders do not look for is which way is the slope going. You have to use your weight to the uphill side to get the sled to go up. You also have to stand with both feet many times on the up hill side. The wrong foot forward does work really well but takes time to get down, I would start by putting both feet on one side with throttle get the side your standing on to dive into snow. Start with easier slope of even flat ground. Once you get it on the edge so to speak you counter steer(or steer the opposite way you are going) to keep on the edge.

 

[FatDogX]

First off, quit telling yourself you "suck" your handicapping yourself right out of the gate with negative thoughts! Your new and learning as opposed to just learning because every time you go out weather your new or seasoned your "learning".

It really comes down to practice and seat time. Get out there and just keep practicing and getting the seat time, just make sure it's "quality" seat time.
What I mean by that is really take your time with your riding and try different things and challenge yourself. Take mental notes of how the sled reacts with different input. Also watch others around you and really look at what their doing with their feet, hands, body and head position. If need be video other riders and watch the footage in slow motion much like on the "Schooled" videos. Study, take notes and then practice.

Just start small and work you way up. Running basic drills like putting the sled on it's side, out in a flat of powder for X amount of distance, then the other side. Next move onto adding in some turns each way or adding slope to the mix. Next thing you know your adding in obstacles and more slope. When your riding to remember and feel the sled and take mental notes of your body positions and what's happening with you and the sled. These are just some things to make "quality" practice instead of just out running wide open and see where it gets you.

I can assure you it will come and things will get better. Just give it time, keep a positive attitude and have fun!!!

 

[Jay]

If you want to learn you will, you've got some good advice already, just get out there and have fun. Maybe get out with some groups that have some other new riders and you can help each other? There is a bunch of ladies on here that would put most of us guys to shame, I think some of them put on clinics, get ahold of some of the girls on here and ask them for advice. Don't get caught up in where you should be after x rides, you should be in the hills making tracks and having fun.

 

[94fordguy]

It's going to take time to learn the tricks and if you've only been out twice then you're just getting started... I would say it take's an average person a couple of years to become proficient at some of these techniques. The most important thing you can do is to watch and to never give up. Listen to the engine, when to apply the throttle, how to lean, etc. We all learn at different speeds. The old phrase "Watch and learn" truly does come into play here, watch some videos and pay attention to how the riders move on the sleds, as well as what people do when you're out there on the snow.

 

[m8magicandmystery]

. After 2 times out I still can't reliably make the sled go where I want it to in deep snow. I still have a great time!

YOU SAY IT ALL RIGHT THERE..you had a great time...and the important thing is if you are in deep snow and clear area's it DOES NOT MATTER that you can not make that sled go where you want it to go...

The important thing is that you are in a SAFE enviroment while you LEARN.

And yes throttle is your friend,that will come with time like any friendship...wrong foot forward..willikers i still find that difficult and its something that can wait if both feet on the same side get ya by for now..

I know that when a few of us "guys" went out and our "women" were learning we would find the safe area's and if us guys wanted to scoot off abit to fill our adrenaline rush and come back to the meadow to see how the women did it was often very surprising how they survived left to their own defenses, left alone helping each other and laughing through their whole ordeal..and most importantly learning while having fun..

Your doing great..you have the right mindset and excitement...tell your BF just how much you are ENJOYING the whole adventure and the end result will be worth everything..

oh and try his sled once in a while..

 

[Mcx Nytro]

are you trying to do a whole bunch of things??? Try 1 thing at a time until it feels good don't move on because it is hard do it until you get it All of a sudden it WILL come easy, or at least easier. Once you do one thing THEN move on to another, but do not forget to practice the first thing learned. Don't watch the video's of the great riders that is self-defeating. It WILL come just be patient and keep trying.Keep it fun or you will give up. BIGGEST thing: DO NOT compare yourself to ANYONE just keep trying.

 

[MT rydn]

Rent a Skidoo XM, then get back to us about the custom wrap you are going to order for your 2014 Summit XM...my wife likes "Color Burst"