To those who have given up mountain riding?

[rmk600700]

Like the title says I am having a hard time continuing to ride in the mountains. With a young family it gets harder to find the time away from home but the real issue becomes fear of not returning to them!!! Not looking for negative input here but I’m sure some of u guys have faced the same dilemma. Did u continue to ride out west or hang it up? I used to make 6ish trips a year and slowly it’s trickled down to 1 or 2.
i still ride as much as ever it just tends to in flatland and playing in 3-4 ft of snow in the meadows.

For the folks who remember Dane Ferguson’s interview from sled necks 5 or so years ago taking about Christoph von Alvensleben who passed away in an avalanche 12 or 13 years back he mentions no matter how much training or how careful a person is Mother Nature doesn’t care. Dane seems like he gave it up and moved onto spend more time with the kids. With this news of Rob passing I am sick to stomach and think it’s time for me to refocus on my priorities.

Nothing comes close to the rush I get from sledding but might be time sell the avy gear and stick close to home. If a pro can make a mistake and it cost them the odds aren’t in the amateurs favour. Guess they spend far more days out in the hills. I remember having a conversation with my father in law after he quit mountain riding and couldn’t wrap my head around why he quit but he was right eventually everyone has this decision some still go some quit. Pretty sure my mind is made up at this point but still can’t get over the fact that I won’t get to show my family the joy of mountain riding when they are old enough.

I went riding the weekend after first kid got home from the hospital and looking back still can’t believe I took the risk. Guess I’m getting older and my risk tolerance is lower. Let’s hear from the guys who have or had young families and had to make this decision.

 

[RXN]

My Dad chose just to hang it up.
His was more due to a heart issue and knee and joint pain.
Think his last trip he was 60.

 

[ferniesnow]

I haven't given it up and I didn't start when my children were little. They were all away from home when I we started in the mountains. So take this however you like.

I learned my mountain sledding in the Elk Valley and in the beginning it was in Elkford and only in Elkford. Very high avalanche risk and high consequences. When I left the Elk Valley I was tending to ride 90% of the time in Fernie. I spent a lot of days "touring" young flatlanders with young families around the Fernie/Elkford area. I would show them the "honey holes" and very few had any risk of avalanches and there was virtually no risk of avalanches in getting to the touring spots. I knew they wanted to go home to family. I stressed the avalanche conditions and we rode trees and meadows. Many came back for years and years and naturally, some didn't. I assumed those that didn't were more into climbing and wanted more exciting rides. I chose the terrain and it seemed that as the groups came back year after year, they liked the fact that mountain riding could be trees and meadows and didn't have to be chutes and big jumps. The "honey holes" were from beginner to challenging and many of the guys/gals were stuck their fair share and at the end of the day they were tired and wore out. They were very happy in the pub afterwards as they had a great day and were safe all day. Usually got up to 7000' to show the views and take a some pictures. They were good times.

So, what I am trying to say is that there are a lot of choices in "mountain riding" and the choice is yours to make. I understand your dilemma and the decision you are trying to make. There is terrain out there that is sketchy and will slide and good awareness skills and decision making are necessary. On the other hand there is very safe terrain. We had areas that we could ride when the Avalanche Rating was HIGH or EXTREME and there was no problem or worry. The number priority is to get home safe. Good luck with your decision.

 

[papajake]

Wife,myself and friends are getting to our early to mid 60s so we try to stay on the trails till we can find a nice meadow or bowl that looks safe and have fun no hill climbing on our riding don’t give up on riding just leave the extreme riding to the younger group we still have to climb the odd hills to get to our play area but we are a lot more careful than we were 20 years ago it is still a lot of fun just find people you’re age and are in the same frame of mind good luck

 

[Caper11]

When my first kid was born, I thought of this as well. Since I am now the only one in the household who now sleds, (my wife actually sledded with me), I felt and still feel that continuing on funding my sledding addiction was a selfish endeavour, and wondered why take this risk?

That being said, that was 8 years ago. I have not stopped sledding, I dont get out as much as I used to, but it gets me out there and its my time to myself to defrag.
I have exposed my kids to the sport and hopefully one day we can all sled as a family.
I believe it does not matter at how good you are at something, accidents can happen wether its on the mtn or going for groceries, or at work. Its horrible that our sledding community lost a great ambassador like Rocky Mountain Rob, but It will not be my deciding factor to stop sledding. Careful terrain choices and most importantly group decisions without peer pressure, can still make for a very enjoyable trip.

 

[TDR]

There is no doubt that one must consider their situation. I stopped riding in the mountains when my oldest was born. Then came a few more kids. We started to ride around home and eventually made family trips to Whitecourt and other local spots. When my oldest turned 12 off to the mountains we went. 4 years later my youngest joined us. We rode in a conservative group and had the time of our life. Wouldn’t trade those memories for anything. Met many fine people out there that today are still the best of friends. People like JungleJim on here. Was so fortunate to meet and ride with him and his 2 boys. Have continued to watch our boys grow up and enjoy the sport as much as us old farts. Only now they have way more talent than us and are good enough to come back and give a ski pull!! There’s nothing wrong with riding on the flat for now. Will allow you to still enjoy sledding but with your family.

 

[MarkCos]

The pressure/risk u feel must be used to reinforce the decisions u make to ride safe and think about what u are doing.
sledding mountains is not a death sentence like some may say that never have tried it
the way u live can be

if u quit sledding who’s to say the Stranger on the hyway u pass almost head on , or stairs at home won’t kill u instead ?

finding Friends and family and u time to go is the hard part, as all must line up right
to make for a great time in anything u do.
TIME is the enemy here not the mountains as they don’t care

it’s up to u

 

[snopro]

I'm less concerned dying on the hill than I am making the drive out and back to be honest. Lots of new Canadian truck drivers pulling crap out there that should put them in jail. We had to close calls this winter from Taliban truckers passing on hills with double lines and almost running us into a bridge adjutment. I 'll take my chances on the hill anyday.

 

[rmk600700]

When my first kid was born, I thought of this as well. Since I am now the only one in the household who now sleds, (my wife actually sledded with me), I felt and still feel that continuing on funding my sledding addiction was a selfish endeavour, and wondered why take this risk?

That being said, that was 8 years ago. I have not stopped sledding, I dont get out as much as I used to, but it gets me out there and its my time to myself to defrag.
I have exposed my kids to the sport and hopefully one day we can all sled as a family.
I believe it does not matter at how good you are at something, accidents can happen wether its on the mtn or going for groceries, or at work. Its horrible that our sledding community lost a great ambassador like Rocky Mountain Rob, but It will not be my deciding factor to stop sledding. Careful terrain choices and most importantly group decisions without peer pressure, can still make for a very enjoyable trip.

.

we also sled as a family. My kids 120 gets more hours then a lot of peoples full-size sleds lol.

 

[papajake]

Our group has gone out on trails that we thought were safe played in the back country only to come back to a huge slide across the trail so it might look safe at the time but driving to the snow is probably just as dangerous if not more

 

[rmk600700]

I will never quit sledding let’s not get this twisted lol. I’ll still log serious time on my sled just back to riding where I started. I like the idea of playing it safe. Had some amazing trips south of the border west Yellowstone and island park area where the riding was safer IMO. Pop of the trail and play in a meadow for a bit then continue on. Maybe that’s the answer just change it up a bit. Thanks for the input guys it’s really appreciated.

 

[catrutt]

I like to sled as a family just as much as doing the big stuff. The wife, kids[3 nurses], and grand kids all love it. They will have to carry me away in a box before I will stop.... besides it helps to keep the blood pumping in this old body not to mention clearing the mind. I think the reward out weighs the risk.

 

[RXN]

I guess alot of that decision would be the people you ride with.
Can or do you trust that as a group only smart decisions will be made. And should something happen will your riding partners be able to quickly find you?
Or can you work as a team to self rescue?

Or are you babysitting a bunch of drunks or guys that dont listen?

 

[rmk600700]

Solid guys also with families, I trust them but we are no experts and do our best to avoid sketchy situations.

 

[RXN]

Solid guys also with families, I trust them but we are no experts and do our best to avoid sketchy situations.

Our group is in that same boat.
Not pros but we get by

 

[Lem Lamb]

My sled funds paided for my bear hunting quad tracks...

Sold the sled and run the buggy threw out Albetra and areas in BC...

Wont go where the sleds go,,, but it works good in the 2 to 3 foot snow pack...

More time close to home,,, no long drives to the BC hills,,,, big savings on food and gas,,, and camp on crown land for free on the weekends...

$80 to $100 Two to Three days outings... ALL IN...

And only 1 1/2 hours camping staging area...

Win win in my books...

Its bear season now,,, and some rifle practice,,, fishing coming up later...

Cheer from Lem

 

[rmk600700]

My sled funds paided for my bear hunting quad tracks...

Sold the sled and run the buggy threw out Albetra and areas in BC...

Wont go where the sleds go,,, but it works good in the 2 to 3 foot snow pack...

More time close to home,,, no long drives to the BC hills,,,, big savings on food and gas,,, and camp on crown land for free on the weekends...

$80 to $100 Two to Three days outings... ALL IN...

And only 1 1/2 hours camping staging area...

Win win in my books...

Its bear season now,,, and some rifle practice,,, fishing coming up later...

Cheer from Lem

right on man, do what u enjoy. I have sxs and quad but it doesn’t replace the rush I get from sledding! I would sell every other toy before the sleds. Told my wife before we where married don’t ever think I will choose u over my sleds u won’t win lol. Luckily she enjoys riding and never complains about the cash spent for sledding. Hell I bought a cabin just to be in an area with better snow lol.

 

[Ronaha]

Me and my wife love flat land sledding. We do it from our own property or travel to other areas.....follow the snow so to speak

 

[TDR]

I guess alot of that decision would be the people you ride with.
Can or do you trust that as a group only smart decisions will be made. And should something happen will your riding partners be able to quickly find you?
Or can you work as a team to self rescue?

Or are you babysitting a bunch of drunks or guys that dont listen?

Yep it’s a lot about who you rides with. I’ve been lucky to ride with amazing people and sometimes with some real azzhats. I am making sure we get home every weekend. I live this sport but not enough to die for it.

 

[Couch]

Nope ...kids are older so now I'm actually riding / trying harder. Don't ride in typical avalanche terrain - mostly drainages with tight trees ...
Riding better now and tackling steeper and tighter terrain but chit can still happen - stumps / rocks / holes / sharp limbs can all have disastrous repercussions. Learning more techniques and riding with better control makes a huge difference - get more comfortable on sled each day.
Only problem is 50+ and could be in better shape ....