question: sled purchase essentials

[MOMMA]

So here's how I roll. When I sell a sled to a brand new rider, I always always always recommend avy safety gear, and an avy course. Often we'll finance in the avy gear at a wicked price to take the sting out of the investment.
What would you consider an essential for a first time sled owner? Priorities for purchase and waste of money purchases. This is for an article for the magazine. Brand spankin new rider purchasing for Mountain Riding,

 

[puddle]

Common sense

 

[MOMMA]

Common sense

I've tried to find the distributor for that but seems like it's on backorder.

 

[lilduke]

Must haves- Helmet, Goggles, Beacon,Probe,Shovel,Back Pack, Good Jacket, Good Pants, Good Boots, Good Gloves, Balaclava.

Lots of other gear is great to have but, you can do without. But the above you need.

 

[rightsideup]

Give the person the information to join the local club if there are riding clinics you recommend it would not hurt to suggest that as well

 

[skinnybitch]

Protective gear as well as an avalanche course!

 

[slededjr]

Other than stuff already listed, tool kit (useful one), how to do basics such as change belt, set suspension ( idea at least). Tow strap, spare plugs and belt.

 

[takethebounce]

A cover, case of oil, a spare belt or belts if you have belt drive. Those things add a lot of sting to a new sled when you switch brands!!!!




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[sirkdev]

Survival kit.. Ideally a course, it's just like first aid/CPR unless you use it it's useless. Sleep in the bush for a night it gets real fast!

 

[Bounce]

I agree with everything said so far, but what you are missing is a sled partner. I have been sleddin' for a long time and feel lost sledding without my brother in law. Nothing more comforting knowing someone has my back and he knows I have his! Takes equipment one step further......

 

[Modman]

New rider in the mountains?

Essentials - give them a membership to the local club, a snobunje for getting unstuck and an avy course. The gear they can get themselves, and much like sleds, you should try before they buy IMO, especially life saving equipment. Some people can't operate a microwave, would hate to see them on the hill with an over complicated beacon and electronic probe they don't know what to do with.

Would love to see dealerships organize with local avy instructors and various types of trial equipment, and give the opportunity to new riders to get a feel for each one before they buy. I've thought about this in the past - why not offer an in store credit to the buyer - conditional on their completion of the avy course? Buy sled, complete avy course, return to dealership with certificate in hand and get $___ in store credit or % off safety gear? Even an option to get non-buyers a discount too to help fill up the classes. They teach more courses, you sell more gear, riders get a bit of a price break. Win-Win-Win.

 

[T-team]

A spare snowmobile...... That's what I try and sell my customers anyways... Can't be too safe!

 

[Rotax_Kid]

New rider in the mountains?

Essentials - give them a membership to the local club, a snobunje for getting unstuck and an avy course. The gear they can get themselves, and much like sleds, you should try before they buy IMO, especially life saving equipment. Some people can't operate a microwave, would hate to see them on the hill with an over complicated beacon and electronic probe they don't know what to do with.

Would love to see dealerships organize with local avy instructors and various types of trial equipment, and give the opportunity to new riders to get a feel for each one before they buy. I've thought about this in the past - why not offer an in store credit to the buyer - conditional on their completion of the avy course? Buy sled, complete avy course, return to dealership with certificate in hand and get $___ in store credit or % off safety gear? Even an option to get non-buyers a discount too to help fill up the classes. They teach more courses, you sell more gear, riders get a bit of a price break. Win-Win-Win.

This is a great idea. It should be done at the manufacturers level IMO.

 

[Throttle-Junkie]

I always highly suggested anyone new to rent for the first few trips. I have seen to many people drop all the money on sleds and gear to come out and realize it was just not for them or the people they went with the first time scared the crap out of them. Do your homework ask for help get a course try before you buy.. Mountain sledding is not for everyone
Just because you can ride a dirt bike or quad doesn't mean sledding is for you..

All equipment suggest Is a major IMO. I always also suggest communication device (not your iPhone) radios, spot, sat phone, in reach. This can be done very cheap buy an entry level radio from Canadian tire, wal mart..... In the case of an emergency or a bind if you can get contact with anyone in your area it will help..

Dealer packages for new riders would be a great idea, to many dealers just pushing for there sales number now days..


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[niner]

So here's how I roll. When I sell a sled to a brand new rider, I always always always recommend avy safety gear, and an avy course. Often we'll finance in the avy gear at a wicked price to take the sting out of the investment.
What would you consider an essential for a first time sled owner? Priorities for purchase and waste of money purchases. This is for an article for the magazine. Brand spankin new rider purchasing for Mountain Riding,

The very best thing my dad purchased for us when we started sledding is a guide. We started going to revy in 1991. The 2 of us went up by ourselves and were very overwhelmed. We were staying at the peaks and had supper and the owner asked how our day was. Told him not very good. He offered to show us around the next day and we jumped at it. Next day he drops is down into the lakes at boulder with our 91 long tracked (136" 1/2" paddle) phasers and we thought we were never climbing out of there!! Not only did he show us around he tought us how to ride. Back then it was Darren , Richard and some guy called Waldy. That is the best money ever spent. If not for those guys we would have given up. More guys should spend the money on guides till they know the areas and can drive out in a white out. ( whatever happened to Waldy ? Greatest guy and guide ever !!!)

 

[ducati]

Must haves- Helmet, Goggles, Beacon,Probe,Shovel,Back Pack, Good Jacket, Good Pants, Good Boots, Good Gloves, Balaclava.

Lots of other gear is great to have but, you can do without. But the above you need.

Hit the nail on the head with this one. I would add the word GOOD in front of helmet as well. Nothing confuses me more than spending $15K on a sled, buying all fancy gear to match it and then a $50 helmet. Personally i want the item protecting my head to be the best it can be. I have had some good crashes racing sport bikes and supermoto and will attest to the need for a good lid.

As for spares for the sled a belt is a must along with good oil. Winter survival items like blankets, matches and first aid kit are all on my list.

 

[Russell P]

Everyone has made good suggestions and pointed out all the major safety equipment that riders should have. But it all revolves around stuff that they need to buy, how about the items they can pack that they already have. I believe it was Chris Brown (Sorry if this is incorrect) that gave a list of items that he always has in his backpack in the event he has to spend the night on the hill. Little things like a reflective blanket, small first aid kit, matches, fire starter (Dryer lint works very well) ECT. This is all stuff most people already have. Little things that new riders will probably overlook. Another thing that they should be made aware of is Avalanche.CA and how to read the report. If they can read this and stay away from potentially dangerous situations, it will save more lives than all the technology you can buy. Just my

 

[catinthehat]

For me one of the most important survival items is a pair of snowshoes.
Just trying to move around in knee deep snow takes so much energy you might need to stay alive.
If gathering firewood or building a shelter takes too much out of you your likleyhood of survival goes way down.

 

[moyiesledhead]

For me one of the most important survival items is a pair of snowshoes.
Just trying to move around in knee deep snow takes so much energy you might need to stay alive.
If gathering firewood or building a shelter takes too much out of you your likleyhood of survival goes way down.

Ditto. Of all the stuff I carry I use my snowhoes the most.

 

[skinnybitch]

Everyone has made good suggestions and pointed out all the major safety equipment that riders should have. But it all revolves around stuff that they need to buy, how about the items they can pack that they already have. I believe it was Chris Brown (Sorry if this is incorrect) that gave a list of items that he always has in his backpack in the event he has to spend the night on the hill. Little things like a reflective blanket, small first aid kit, matches, fire starter (Dryer lint works very well) ECT. This is all stuff most people already have. Little things that new riders will probably overlook. Another thing that they should be made aware of is Avalanche.CA and how to read the report. If they can read this and stay away from potentially dangerous situations, it will save more lives than all the technology you can buy. Just my

Agreed. I always carry enough survival supplies on my back to get me through at least one night on the mountain if need be. All the gear on your sled won't do much good if you get separated from your ride. I have about 6 reflective blankets because I'm not gonna freeze my skinny as off! Some water but that can get pretty heavy carrying too much so a tin cup for melting snow, enough snacks and food, flare pen, flashlight, rope, knife, saw, hot packs, extra socks, toque, neck warmer, lighters, matches, first aid kit, and tampons as they are good to dip into your fuel tank to start a fire or if there is a first aid emergency with heavy bleeding. I'm sure there's more in there that I can't think of right now. Although I try to pack the lightest supplies that I can, my backpack can be but heavy but well worth it if I have to do an alpine campout!