Question for the more "expert", seasoned riders.

[Caper11]

Not really a instructional vid but this shows the basics like countersteering etc. body position. Also teach the newbie to look where he wants to go, and not what he wants to avoid.
Plus it's a wicked vid to watch.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3QGiMOlqfIM




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[fnDan]

Make sure you keep encouraging them. It can be a very frustrating experience the first few times.


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[Clode]

on a side note when we take rookies out we always bring more than one, it really helps the newbie to not feel like a burden....and it is amazing how 2 newbies give tips to each other as they figure thing out to make deeper snow easier to ride

 

[X-Treme]

The newbie is me. I have lots of power sports experience, and have ridden sleds quite a bit. However, I haven't ridden a sled in probably 15 years, and have now officially been to the mountains once (last weekend). My sledding experience has consisted almost entirely of northern Saskatchewan trail riding. I have a very capable machine (although, I'm sure there's many out there that would debate it based solely on brand support), all of my safety gear (minus an airbag), and am ready to learn. Last weekend, I did learn a little about how the throttle is your friend, especially on the way uphill. I also learned a LOT abut how to get unstuck. ;-) But, there is a TON more to learn, and I wanna know where to start.

 

[moyiesledhead]

My first rule is take them out on a nice day. Nothing turns a newbie off faster than being cold, wet, and miserable. Don't start them out in bottomless powder either. That'll just ruin it for them.

After that I say two things:

"Just because there's tracks doesn't mean it's a trail." and "Don't follow the CatintheHat (or me!), we're both idiots!"

 

[Caper11]

The newbie is me. I have lots of power sports experience, and have ridden sleds quite a bit. However, I haven't ridden a sled in probably 15 years, and have now officially been to the mountains once (last weekend). My sledding experience has consisted almost entirely of northern Saskatchewan trail riding. I have a very capable machine (although, I'm sure there's many out there that would debate it based solely on brand support), all of my safety gear (minus an airbag), and am ready to learn. Last weekend, I did learn a little about how the throttle is your friend, especially on the way uphill. I also learned a LOT abut how to get unstuck. ;-) But, there is a TON more to learn, and I wanna know where to start.

Right on, Let's switch this up abit than, tell us about the group you usually ride with, or going with.
It's your group that should show you the in's and outs of the backcountry. The biggest piece of advice I have for you is don't get frustrated, and when you DONT feel comfortable with a decision the group makes, speak up and discuss it.

I remember my first trip to the mtns, it was a wicked experience! yes I got stuck lots when I shouldn't have, and my group got annoyed with me, and left me to figure out how to dig out a sled, trust me it's never a good idea to get stuck going straight up, try to turn before loosing your momentum.

I should of stuck to the meadows and learned to carve before tackling a hill.


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[X-Treme]

The two I will normally ride with are pretty good to me. Or, at least they were last weekend. They NEVER left me (except when I stayed in the cabin while they attended to an "emergency"), and they showed me a few things at the same time, and they NEVER forced me to do anything I wasn't comfortable with. They were always there to help me get unstuck, and they didn't seem to really mind either. Didn't show it anyway. I felt a bit bad tho. Like maybe I was "holding them back" from having a REALLY good time, but yeah. They were really good to me. I was just kinda hoping there may be some recommended videos to watch to help teach me some of the basics. Maybe I'll surprise them next time.

 

[EmEight]

As stated in an above post. The Schooled videos are really good. 1-3 that is. The rest are really cool to watch but not much for riding tips in them. What helped me quite a bit was watching schooled 1 and 2. One of the guys that taught me a lot about sledding would bring his laptop and we would watch them when we got into the hotel on the first night of a trip. And I found out that, to begin with, I didn't understand much of the techniques they talked about. But as the trips went by and I started to learn a bit more, the next time I watched them I could understand a bit more. And then a bit more. For me repetition is a big help. Then when you can actually do some of the riding that is shown in those movies it really makes you feel good. Anyway that's my suggestion.Experiences is always the best thing, but getting some good tips along the way is value able as well.
Ps. I'm by no means an expert.

 

[Caper11]

The two I will normally ride with are pretty good to me. Or, at least they were last weekend. They NEVER left me (except when I stayed in the cabin while they attended to an "emergency"), and they showed me a few things at the same time, and they NEVER forced me to do anything I wasn't comfortable with. They were always there to help me get unstuck, and they didn't seem to really mind either. Didn't show it anyway. I felt a bit bad tho. Like maybe I was "holding them back" from having a REALLY good time, but yeah. They were really good to me. I was just kinda hoping there may be some recommended videos to watch to help teach me some of the basics. Maybe I'll surprise them next time.

Sounds like you have a great group! With that, you will grow into a much better rider. The only way to learn is get out there and try new things, challenge yourself, and enjoy what the backcountry has to offer.





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[ferniesnow]

Good information and a very good informative informational thread. I am no expert and make my share of boo-boos and laugh at some of the things I doo.

As the thread started, the one thing that came to mind was when turning off the trail (any trail for that matter) the rider in front has to wait after the corner so the next rider can see where you turn and the next rider waits for the next rider and all the way down the line. This is extremely important for newbies and also sometimes for the more experienced riders that don't look at the tracks on the trail. Very important when taking people into new areas and most important when taking in newbies.

Don't park uphill or rather always park down hill is a classic. Another very basic manoeuvre is changing feet on the running boards and getting both feet on the high side when turning on a hill. Lots of little tricks that the experts will bring out as the thread goes on.

 

[Dannyturbo]

Take an Ast course!!


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[SUMMIT TREE]

Tip one- the throttle is your best friend use it.
two- a sno bunje is worth it's weight in gold get one ( not the one with the handle, the one between two sleds)
three -remember this is all for fun, so get to it...

we were all had a "first trip" everybody had to learn sometimes,so don't feel like your holding back your group...trust me they knew what they were gonna be in for when they took you for your first trip
I would focus strongly on learning how to make your sled do what you want it to do and just playing with it by practice practice practice. once you know how to ride your sled you can really go places. you really should watch schooled it brings up lots of good points one that sticks out to me right now is your sled on edge is a sled in control. its like a two wheeled bike when its on edge (IE :sidehilling)and to control it you lean to turn and steer to balance.I found once I understood that and actually could do it, it really changed how I ride. you don't have to go to the mountains either to get this, just go out anywhere and practice balancing on one ski, feel what its like to hold it on edge, learn how to go left and right while keeping one ski up, find the balance point of falling over or dropping the ski back down.Heck you can do it in your garage with out moving just try and balance it get to know that point, it's there you just need to find it.Hint: it really helps to have the wrong foot forward, this also took me some getting used to but its integral to riding on edge.... anyway good luck and remember this is all to have fun and enjoy it so don't stress if you don't get it right away....

 

[sledhead9825]

When I started years ago we didn't have big power long track machines. IMO first thing to master is sidehilling. Been able to sidehill Zig Zag up a hill changing directions gets you along way in the mountains.

 

[Skegmeister]

An answer from a different perspective.... as A Newbie to the hills, things I found very helpful and words said by my 'Experts'.1. Take full AST 1 course. 2. Work with the experienced guys on how to use beacons, Avy Packs and Probes 3. Learn how to pack your sled and back pack 4. Make sure your riser and sled is best suited for riding standing up all day. 5. Learn how to counter steer in deeper snow and how to turn up hill. And how to use the throttle blips to reset the sled attitude to point where you want to go. 6. You will get stuck lots and there will be people to help you. do not over exert yourself. There is an incredibly easy way to get out with some help. 7. Listen to when your experts about area dangers and if you are not sure. Stop and wait for help. 8. Enjoy the great times you will have with your friends and be sure to buy a couple extra drinks and some dinner back at the hotel. They deserve it.

 

[Weirboondocking]

We teach a great deal of new riders every year as well as couch advanced riders and its surprising how much the lesson for the newbie is relevant to advanced riders as well.

After all the basic safety stuff of course and a few trail rules similar to what ferniesnow was saying... ( we like to bunch up at every intersection or turn off, that way if the last rider is broke down or something we are all close by). The first thing we teach is how to do a down hill turn while you are off throttle. This simple skill is the foundation to so many skills, plus it allows new riders to get themselves out of a lot of positions they didn't mean to get into. We also teach them the difference between momentum and speed! This can be tough to explain because they are similar but totally different ( a lot like HP and torque ). lastly you need to help them learn how to get unstuck the easy way, that way they are willing to get stuck trying things.


We hope you the best transition into becoming a mountain rider, and we all dont mind helping a rider get unstuck its just one of the parts of our sport that brings us together.

 

[cdnredneck_t3]

Ok. Now that we know you have motor sports experience her are a few things I would like to expand. This is my interpretation from a non expert and I would like others to chime in too.

1) On edge - To me this means if you stop in a side hill your sled should stay on its edge or fall up into the hill even if you get off the sled. This way you can use your outside leg to help balance the sled or "paddle" your way along. If your sled wants to fall down the hill you are fighting a loosing battle and you will play your self out in no time.

2) Throttle - The throttle and brake are your friend. As an example, if your sled does go down hill on you and you can stop (as a new guy don't commit to big things yet) grab the brake and rev up until your clutch just starts to grab. Now you have power at your fingertips but are not moving. Stand on the uphill side, counter steer and give a bounce on the board, pull on the bars and let go of the brake and give a quick burst of throttle, once the sled comes on edge let off the throttle to a controlled speed and give'er or grab the brake and stop to get your composure. You can also use the brake to set the track while moving.

I also think Weirboondocking hit the nail on the head with speed vs momentum and the downhill turn. That one move will help you out huge.

 

[Alberta Beach Doo]

Get them to make a ton of left and right turns using counter steer in a nice open field or meadow to get them used to the concept of steering the opposite way to where you want to carve. Always teach them to look where they want to go and not what they are going to hit lol.

My feelings exactly. Lots of good stuff about safety but they will need to get that feeling of leaning left, steering right and the fact that you are always hopping around on the sled in order to get to the next level. As mentioned, all of this can be done on a safe fairly flat area in the flat lands as long as you have good snow. I have taught many that principal in the rolling hills around Stony Plain before you even go to the mountains.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

Watched the video series called "Schooled". Great hints on riding.
As noted above....AST 1 and proper equipment as well.



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[Quicksand]

Look Where you WANT to go, no where you Don't want to go. sounds so unbelievably obvious but its the one tip that helped me more than any, still tell myself all the time.

I always try to take at least one newbie every season. its so fun. I like to watch just how much they progress over 3 days of riding.
DAY 1-unsure and didn't burn much fuel, feeling a little more confident
DAY 2-getting brave and stuck ALL day, pissed off and determined.
DAY 3, Havin a blast and half the amount of stucks, cant wait to get back out there again.

did I mention this is how I was introduced to sledding? My uncle had been going for years, I'd never really even been on a sled. let me borrow his 2002 summit 800. off to Revy we went. I've dirt biked for years so not new to everything, just sledding. after 3 days, I was HOOKED, forever. sentenced to life behind heated bars.

 

[lewey]

avalanche training is huge nowadays, and that is obviously good. i think emergency rescue/ first aid protocol or training is probably overlooked though. whether it be crevasse rescue, or dealing with a broken leg or back a long way from help is huge. you can get avy training any where these days. dealing with medical emergency in the backcountry is another story. i personally would like to know more along those lines. transcievers, avy bags etc are all important, but a sat phone should be up there on the list as well imo. (not that i have one yet)