question: sled purchase essentials

[sledneck_03]

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

you can rent avy gear. you can take the avy course and not pay attention cause you already "know it all" most newbies get a guide or go with people that already have some knowledge in them, so they should be (hopefully) ok. Some can somehow get into a spot that they are in a world of trouble though.

I would have to say when i started sledding in the mountains the issues was pants and a jacket (mainly jacket). I tried my sask stuff, GARBAGE, then i ran ski/snowboard stuff, GARBAGE, finally got some motorfist gear, its a life saver. specially if you stay in a hotel, spending all evening drying your gear out or else putting on soaked gear the next day is the worst.

My first year i wore my fxr suit, from the melting wet snow all day, me sweating all day, once the temp dropped at night my jacket literally froze solid on the trail ride out. Luckily i was able to use the massive dryer at the Glacier mountain lodge and dry it 3 times in a row to finally get it dry and had to do this every night.

Next year.........ILL WEAR MY NORTH FACE SHELL JACKET.......well it dryed in the hotel at night ok but i was soaked right threw every day again.

motorfist, klim, tobe......its worth the money. if you cant afford it.........buy non current. who cares if your pants are blue and your jackets red and your helmets yellow, your dry and warm.

 

[dezmitchell]

This is quickly turning into a what do you carry with you thread...

Here is what i believe to be the bare basics someone should have to start mountain riding other then the obvious jacket,snow pants,gloves,boots etc. Now keep in mind you dont need all new KLIM right out of the gate once the person rides they will know whats the most important to upgrade first everyone is different.

Spare belt,Helmet,Beacon,Probe,Shovel,Backpack,Spare gloves,Lighter,Granola bars and the lighter and granola bars can be picked up when you grab fuel.

Now what i would like to see is a bit of knowledge passed around. A dealer who can set up a 45 min tips and tricks seminar for new riders and they go thru beacon operation, belt changing, and just mention small things that the experenced back country guys already know like wear you shovel on you back dont strap it to you sled yada yada yada i could go on here but im sure you all get the point

 

[thegeneral]

Clothing, both inner and outer layers that keep you dry AND warm are Absolutely essential ( Klim & Motorfist are spendy but worth it ). Most people, myself included don't realize what a workout "sled aerobics" can be and nothing is enjoyable when you're wet/cold/tired. You also need storage for spare gloves, first aid kit and fuel. Theres lots of people that feel spare fuel isn't needed but why not be prepared. The last two items for me personally is a second shovel that is mounted to my sled so I don't have to remove my pack every time I get stuck and a good saw. I have broken off almost every brand of saw that comes in the handle of a shovel so now I use an Arborist saw like the one Stihl sells. It comes with a hard plastic sheath that can be rivited directly to the sled tunnel.

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,

 

[skinnybitch]

This is quickly turning into a what do you carry with you thread...

Here is what i believe to be the bare basics someone should have to start mountain riding other then the obvious jacket,snow pants,gloves,boots etc. Now keep in mind you dont need all new KLIM right out of the gate once the person rides they will know whats the most important to upgrade first everyone is different.

Spare belt,Helmet,Beacon,Probe,Shovel,Backpack,Spare gloves,Lighter,Granola bars and the lighter and granola bars can be picked up when you grab fuel.

Now what i would like to see is a bit of knowledge passed around. A dealer who can set up a 45 min tips and tricks seminar for new riders and they go thru beacon operation, belt changing, and just mention small things that the experenced back country guys already know like wear you shovel on you back dont strap it to you sled yada yada yada i could go on here but im sure you all get the point

I do consider all of the things that I carry to be essential purchases (as Momma had asked) for a first time sled owner. If you are taking the risk and going into the backcountry whether you are an expert rider or a beginner, sh!t can go sideways in a hurry so why not be prepared right off the bat??

 

[Polar_RMK]

All the equipment mentioned above hard to buy at once, spent time trying to find out what gears are better for you.
The most expensive gears not always the best, often (not always) the cheapest and the most exp stuff made from the same material. Just different labels. Do some research before spending your bucks.
I do agree with some guys that helmet and boots should be the highest quility. jackets and bibs, .....hmm price could be quite different on these items.
In addition to helmet and boots, I personally pay special attention to thermal underwear.
I did found out that cheap synthetic brands that you can get for example at MARKs don't work well. I use only natural wool (merino) thermal layer and ordering it from Norway. Well, situation is different for me, because I do not only need that clothes for riding I also need it for work (I work in arctic areas).

 

[moyiesledhead]

I have broken off almost every brand of saw that comes in the handle of a shovel so now I use an Arborist saw like the one Stihl sells.

That's because it was designed for doing snow profiles, not for cutting wood.

 

[thegeneral]

Well that's great to know. I'm pretty sure I'm the only guy that ever did it


Thegeneral

 

[thegeneral]

SOS and BCA advertise as wood/snow saw. But you are correct about some of them. Either way, a good saw for cutting trees that may have jumped out in front of you or for making firewood for an unexpected overnight stay is an absolute essential.


Thegeneral

 

[moyiesledhead]

Well that's great to know. I'm pretty sure I'm the only guy that ever did it.

Of course not! I've broken a half a dozen of them myself!

 

[CrankShop910]

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

More like discountued..or no longer available..

 

[stormtrooper]

Not sure I would recommend a first time sled owner even ride in the mountains for at least a season. Should probably stick to meadows for the first year. I honestly don't think they would enjoy it. Only exception would be if they had very understanding and we'll trained riding group. Jmo.

 

[fnDan]

Let them know becoming even a half decent rider takes time. Don't get too discouraged. If you go riding with someone that takes off on you and doesn't show you a thing, find another riding buddy.
Lots of people out there willing to help.
I've talked to 2 people in the last week that were pretty much left on their own to figure it out only to have the "buddy" come back and laugh every now and then. Hopefully they come out with our group and actually enjoy sledding.

 

[PINandPRAY]

If it hasn't been mentioned already a tether is a must. I know Polaris doesn't install tethers from the factory.