Technical riding tips?

[n16ht5]

I just got my first sled (2006 Skidoo REV 800 144") and I am looking for some technical reads and videos for the steep and deep.

I have been on one off trail ride so far but I am having a hard time getting the hang of handling the sled through the trees and doing slow maneuvers. I read through the only two pages in this section, but I only saw one thread on how to use the brake.

Is there a good youtube channel I can go to or link to some articles on tips for mountain riding?



I came from riding dirt bikes in the mountains so I kind of expected to just hop on and rip, but I keep hitting trees and sucking in general . I am wrestling the sled with all my 140lb to lay it on its side and turn through the tight stuff, I know I am doing a lot of things wrong.


this is on my ride this week... I was having a lot of trouble going through those trees

I seem to handle the snow better on my dirt bike than my sled
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of3_wCViAFc

 

[Mcondino]

Try the "Schooled" video series. Great tips everywhere in those vids.

 

[idahoskiguy]

Another good source is Sledshots Tips.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/user/sledshot/videos

The Rev is a great sled to start on, take the time to set up the suspension for your weight and move the skis inward to the narrow setting. Do not be to hard on yourself, mountain riding is hard so just enjoy the ride.

 

[rocks rev]

Make sure your swaybar is disconected/removed.

 

[Himark]

I just got my first sled


I came from riding dirt bikes in the mountains so I kind of expected to just hop on and rip, but I keep hitting trees and sucking in general . I am wrestling.

First off Welcome! I as well as many other guys come from the same background as yourself. Sleds are the likely next step to us guys. With that said I felt the same way that it would be an easy transition. It really is but you just need to get the balance and techniques right than you wont be "wrestling" and you will be riding. You need to keep working on this on open hills without trees and really focus on putting the sled where you want to go with the easiest input. It will make your experience so much nicer.

As for a magic bullet video....... Yes you can learn from these guys but my best advice to you is to just ride and get the seat time.

 

[Deep Powder Guy]

First thing you need to do is learn is how to use the throttle and maintain correct track speed through the trees especially if you intend to ride the steep & deep as your post states.

In the deep snow maintaining correct momentum is key while your brake can be helpful but at the same time in deep snow steep hills the brake if you haven't learned how to use the throttle correctly the brake will almost certainly get you stuck and leave you frustrated more than you wish.

Just like riding a dirt bike you want to be smooth on the throttle...Just like riding a dirt bike up a steep hillside if you have to hit your brake your next reaction would be to down shift ( unless your already in first ) to recover and maintain up hill momentum.

Learning to use the correct throttle will also help with your balance. If you find yourself fighting your sled all the time in the steep and deep you probably haven't learned how to use track speed to your advantage.

Be safe & take an avalanche coarse if you plan to ride the steep & deep

DPG

 

[n16ht5]

thanks for the tips. I have the skis inward and swaybar disconnected, moved the steering post forward too. I'll head to Baker and go for the open slopes to practice more. I looked for the Schooled videos but all I can find are teasers that look like the sledneck videos

 

[doorider]

tips

That was the first sled I ever owned. Bought it new and rode it hard til it died. Get your sawzall out and cut the sway bar out and throw it away. Buy the schooled vids. Not many transferable skills from motorcycle riding other courage. It's a steep curve of learning... stay with it and study the technique, you'll get it.

 

[Matte Murder]

I would HIGHLY recommend a clinic from Dan Adams. Not sure where you are located but it will be well worth your time and money. My buddy's tried to help us learn to ride but while they are good riders they didn't know how to teach. Dan is an awesome teacher and has broken things down to point where it's easy to learn.

 

[Leaf27]

Take an Avi course, probably the most important riding tip.

 

[GlennRMK]

Avi Course is a great tip

I'm an avid dirt biker as well. Got about 48 days on the bike this year.

I started with sledding but I feel there is a lot of cross over.

Keeping your head up and looking ahead to pick lines is critical, just like riding a bike.

However, unlike a bike, you have to be a lot more aggressive with the throttle. Riding a bike in the mountains requires and a lot more precise throttle control and finesse. Sled requires much more aggressive use of the throttle and it really gets you out of trouble. Using momentum is still critical, but you don't have to worry about looping out like on a bike. The throttle is required to initiate most maneuvers so get used to getting after it.

IMO, wrong foot forward is critical to riding in technical terrain. Practice it as much as possible. Also play with foot placement as it changes what the sled will do on a slope.

Also practice riding in the center in less step terrain.

Jut my 2 cents.

 

[Matte Murder]

Dans Clinics have a huge bias towards safety in the mountains. Understanding the Avy report, having the proper gear, knowing how to use your beacon and a healthy respect for the mountains are all included. You will also get a practice beacon search that is always well done. My boys have a respect for the mountains that I would not have been able to give them like one of their heros can. One of Dans instructors (a long time friend of Dans too) got buried years ago and only thru luck did they get him out. Those guys telling that story really hits home.

 

[CBX]

Avy class is must have. Clinics are good if you have the money and time.

Best tip ever is from Rasmussen. Don't focus on the obstacle. Focus on your path instead. Start doing that and sucks start to go away, and you won't hardly ever crash chit either.

 

[Cowboy357]

The REV is a great sled to start on, I am riding an XM now and still some times miss the REV, anyway, go to Sledshots.com, they have some great easy to understand training tips that will make your riding improve the next day you ride as soon as you wath the vids. When you go out practice your counter steering, once you have that perfected everything else comes after that. And YES, TAKE AND AVY CLASS. Good luck

 

[justjohnthomas]

Start small and build up, Rome wasn't built in a day. Don't get frustrated on yourself, because you can ride MX, but haven't picked up sleds yet. Practice/Practice/Practice. Snow conditions play a key, some days you'll feel like a rockstar, other days you'll feel like your sled is a rock. Some movements on sleds are unnatural feeling at first, but then become second nature. Throttle control and Counter-steering is what I see most people having the biggest difficulty with. Too much or too little of each and you don't hold the line you intend to. Keep at it and enjoy!

 

[Tahoepow]

practice riding and steering on one ski while on a groomed trail. both sides. Blip the throttle/ countersteer and ride as long as u can while maintaining balance on either ski. Left will be easier cuz of the clutch weight but right is just as important. Once you have found the balance point on the sled u can apply more or less weight to the running boards and figure how to save energy in your arms and use more of your legs. With a little practice you can ride 100 ft on one ski turning left and right. Once its pow time your body will know what to do when its time for an uphill turn. Blip throttle/ lean (wrong foot foward) or just regular riding stance and look ahead.
If you get after it 500 mt miles should be enough to get a small understanding of the basics. IMO have fun and be safe. Remember "if you look at the tree you will hit the tree."

 

[n16ht5]

Thanks for the good advice. I am into ski mountaineering so I have avy training and gea, although a refresher would be good this year. Going to a sled riding class is out of the question $$. Still waiting for snow here, am eager to get out and practice tips. I made a video from my ride

 

[Blk88GT]

It sounds like you're comfortable in the terrain, just not on the sled. Some of this may seem elementary, but it's helped me.

Ride with people who push your comfort level.
Ask questions and don't be worried about getting stuck.
Always have a "Plan B" if a line doesn't go as planned.
Look 3 turns ahead.

Sometimes you just have to be aggressive with the machine and grab a handful of throttle. Sometimes you win, sometimes you dig

BTW, that' some hardcore 2 wheel riding. You'll figure the sled out. Give it some time!

 

[eyefish123]

Totally agree with Blk88GT, ride with riders of a higher skill level if possible. This takes you out of your comfort zone and helps you do things that you didn't think you could do. Good Luck and have fun.

 

[MT rydn]

sledding

watch some of those videos is helpful. find a nice area of open powder and
1. practice counter steering
2. practice wrong foot forward

look at avalanche center photos/notes as sometimes pretty humbling how such innocent looking hills can slide and kill you with what at first looks like very little snow. every year i'm reminded by these photos how easily it could have been anyone in our group.