Turning on a Slope

[mtnboy]

What's the best technique to turn back up hill while you're still on the side of the hill (such as when coming down the hill)?

As a novice/intermediate I'm having trouble comfortably turning back up hill after coming down a slope in powder, unless there's a relatively flat spot at the bottom. My riding buddy begins the uphill turn with skis turned in the direction he wants to go (i.e., no countersteer), leans hard into the turn, then he gasses it and whips his rear end around/down. He's then pointed somewhat uphill and can lean/countersteer/etc up the hill. However, he has a shorter track and smaller paddles. He also sometimes gets stuck with this maneuver.

So, how's it done? Lean into the turn, countersteer, and gas it? I can do sharp turns on a flat meadow this way. I'm afraid I'll go flying further down the hill!

Thanks for any experienced advice you can share!

 

[Weekday Warrior]

your overthinking it

just pull er over on it's side and gas it

the techincal crap your thinking about will come naturally with muscle memory

pratice makes perfect, find a safe spot (should you loose your sled) and just do it over an over.


It's not a lot different then your turns on the flat (whole lot funner!)

make 'S' turns down the hill first, soon you'll have such a tight 'S' you'll find yourself pointed back up hill!

I'm on an 07 M8, your M7 will do it with ease!

 

[Norona]

Great question and basically the best way to be able to do this anywhere is practise it in a safe area. For example always turn this way by counter steering it is the proper way to turn, not leaning. Big guys can do the lean thing but it iwll not work in really tight spots. So the easiest way is to turn down the hill initiate the turn by turning into the turn then as you counter steer pop the throttle and get the sled to side hill.

Much easier with no sway bar if your a lighter guy. This manuver can be hard if your new and at the limit of how far you wan to go down. Instead of getting into this situation practice this in an area where you can go lower and you will get it. The more you do it the more you will trust and do it when you want then you can push the boundaries. This like moto is all about throttle control and using the steering to balance the sled. Too much and you will go too steep up the hill and get stuck not enough throttle and you will go lower on the hill. Practice makes so you get better at knowing the fine line...

 

[Summertime Blues]

I'm having trouble comfortably

That is the problem right there. Just pull and go you will be alright. Then it won't be uncomfortable anymore.

 

[Vern]

its basically the same as turning (cutting) on the flats except you might have to pull it over a little harder and a very important part is knowing when to straighten'er up like mentioned before if you pull it to far around you usually get stuck, not far enough and your still pointing down hill. it just takes some practice.

 

[lonerider]

I have got to be a little funny here. First you have to fall off and chase your sled way down the hill. That'll hurt you. Next you have to get stuck at least twice. But as they all say find an open spot to practice. All of these techniques are correct. Practice. It's alot of fun. Good luck

 

[Snowmark]

u turn

standing with both feet on the inside footboard, weight forward, apply more throttle as you approach the apex of the turn, look ahead to where you wanna be rather than right in front of the sled, it can be a difficult turn without an aggressive mental commitment

 

[Weekday Warrior]

don't forget to hang your leg way out...for style!

 

[Motley Doo]

The hardest thing is getting yourself to tag the throttle when you know you have to turn, but its the only way she will come around and start back up hill for ya!

 

[mod03rmk800]

i countersteer to get the front to dive into the snow as deep as it will get then lean her hard and apply lot of throttle to help keep the track cutting itself uphill.
the g-force tends to really get heavy.deeper the snow the easier.

 

[Jonce]

The hardest thing is getting yourself to tag the throttle when you know you have to turn, but its the only way she will come around and start back up hill for ya!

I'm starting to work on this more and more. Its hard when you live in MN and have limited "powder" experience on good sized hills. I agree with everyone on here, crack the throttle and practice!

 

[ReTodd]

Ride a Rev with no sway bar....on very steep hills in deep powder I can sidehill up forever and when I'm ready I let off the gas and as she turns down lean in to the hill, countersteer and I work it slowly around until its facing the other direction. Then with weight forward you get the gas on to start sidehilling making sure not to be too aggressive or it will try to turn back up hill. Here's my track from last weekend on railroad grade (which is very steep but doesn't look that steep from this vantage. Just remember that the two Polaris guys in the pix were stuck right there and were having trouble getting out

 

[FEZ]

For me I slow down and plant my direction turning foot into the footwell with my heel over the running board and my toe pointing into the tunnel then I lean in and countersteer, as the machine starts to come around I apply throttle progressively, NOT aggressively as the machine turns as to not wash out like so many others that turn and WHACK IT. At this point commitment, feel, throttle control and momentum are the ingredients to a successfull turn uphill.

For me at 230# dressed on a 144 this is pretty easy until the uphill part starts

 

[Weekday Warrior]

there is something to be said about washing it out and wacking it

specially if you got that leg hanging out

 

[Jaynelson]

I find dragging my foot as an outrigger gives me a little more balance. Get it laid over coming downhill and then just apply throttle as needed as it comes around. I used to whack it wide open to get it to pivot, but that often resulted in stuck....hmmm

 

[kitty]

do you mean carving? if so, just point your skis the opposite direction of where you want to go. than pull on the handlebars and lean the way you want to go. you probably should practice in a field or on a lake before doing it on a hill.

 

[MTMTNBOY]

Throttle and A$$ Man! Throttle and A$$.

 

[Weekday Warrior]

someone caught some good pix of this, stole em off Spokane area ridders thread

these are not me but show how its done




setting up..using the brake to slow way down and letting the rear slip down hill (notice the leg out)

A$$ & Throttle here, this is the fun way to do it (just dont highside haha)

execution,

nice balance job

notice the deep trench pulling out the hook, this is where folks are talking about getting stuck

 

[hilinerider]

best time to ride is during the week, no crowds

 

[NITROSKIDUDE]

Funny thing is he didn't get stuck there, just enough momentum!!!! Thats what counts

Momentum, momentum momentum.!!!


notice the deep trench pulling out the hook, this is where folks are talking about getting stuck