papajake
Active VIP Member
never ride alone and if going to the mountains and riding in new areas go with at least 4 people and keep in eye sight of each other or radio contact its a real scare if your stuck in the trees and no one can find you
What advice would you give to a brand spankin new rider?
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skegpro
Active VIP Member
Shovel, beacon, probe.
And know how to use them.
Take an avalanche course.
Find riding buddies that are not idiots.
And know how to use them.
Take an avalanche course.
Find riding buddies that are not idiots.
JustinMan43
Active VIP Member
This is a big one! There is only so much "research" a new sledder can do in terms of having the right sled, gear, education etc. But gaining the experience on the sled, and how to navigate through the back country takes time and having riding buddies that are willing to ride in easier terrain and take the time to show and explain riding skills and techniques goes a LONG ways
jhurkot
Active VIP Member
Ride slow and in control. Don't try to progress too quickly, this sport takes a lot of time.
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MOMMA
Active VIP Member
Omgosh totally eh. Going Mach Chicken everywhere will not save your arse as much as having a decent level of throttle control. Working first on the control aspect will advance skill ten fold over the "pin er to win er" mentality.
Thank you!
Rene G
Active VIP Member
What?? I was told “when in doubt, throttle out!”
maxwell
Active VIP Member
Buy a Skidoo, So you might actually enjoy the day.
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MOMMA
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jhurkot
Active VIP Member
Once you learn how to control your sled, the throttle is your friend. Without control it's your worst enemy.
snopro
Active VIP Member
Newbie mistake number 1. Don't park uphill in deep snow.
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MOMMA
Active VIP Member
ooo one other suggestion perhaps I could add to your above point. Don't be a douche canoe or no one will want to ride with you.....
hehehehehehehehe gotchya. Love ya buddy.
RXN
Active VIP Member
That's not just a newbie mistake. Lol. I'm a slow learner.
RXN
Active VIP Member
My Dads advice to me was "whatever you do, don't let go".
Lol. Not the best because closing your eyes and hanging on doesn't always work either. Ha ha
Lol. Not the best because closing your eyes and hanging on doesn't always work either. Ha ha
cattechsummitrider
Active VIP Member
Quicksand
Active VIP Member
Be prepared to get addicted to it.
Introducing new people to this sport is so much fun, seeing to nervousness on their face in the parking lot, watching the disbelief when you get them to probe the snowpack and they can't touch ground, seeing their jaw drop when we get up to an awesome view, seeing them progress ten fold in the first day, and seeing the smiles and hearing the stories after we get back. My Wife and I take as many newbies out as possible, It's one of my favorite parts of snowmobiling, plus it grows the sport. We've taken my Mom(at 59), my daughter(at 5) sisters/bothers-in-law, and all kinds of friends and extended family. Some had never been on a sled before and some had ridden a few times but never in the mountains. I've taken a girl who was crying in the lot before the ride even started cause she wasn't sure if she could do it(she did amazing and is now hooked on the sport), and I've taken people who are so excited they forget their lunch.
We will give them a rundown on the sled and avalanche gear, but as far as riding goes I'm pretty quiet, my one piece of advice I tell everyone is, "look where you wanna go, not where you don't wanna go", they will figure out the rest with time. The whole trip is an adventure and it's a lot to take in so I try not to overwhelm them with info before they need it. I give them tips like "don't keep it pinned when you know you're stuck" and "keep your knee off the seat" as things happen.
We just make sure they're having fun, weather that's in a meadow not far from the cabin or learning more technical riding. Being patient and not caring how many times they get stuck or how far we get, or don't get, that's what makes the day for them. No need for an avalanche course or a whole mountain of emergency gear for a first timer, the experienced members of the group have all that stuff, we're not going anywhere crazy with new riders anyway. After that first weekend they know if it's something they want to get serious about it, or if it was just another life experience they've put under their belt.
I guess we must be doing something right because our crew keeps growing every year.
Introducing new people to this sport is so much fun, seeing to nervousness on their face in the parking lot, watching the disbelief when you get them to probe the snowpack and they can't touch ground, seeing their jaw drop when we get up to an awesome view, seeing them progress ten fold in the first day, and seeing the smiles and hearing the stories after we get back. My Wife and I take as many newbies out as possible, It's one of my favorite parts of snowmobiling, plus it grows the sport. We've taken my Mom(at 59), my daughter(at 5) sisters/bothers-in-law, and all kinds of friends and extended family. Some had never been on a sled before and some had ridden a few times but never in the mountains. I've taken a girl who was crying in the lot before the ride even started cause she wasn't sure if she could do it(she did amazing and is now hooked on the sport), and I've taken people who are so excited they forget their lunch.
We will give them a rundown on the sled and avalanche gear, but as far as riding goes I'm pretty quiet, my one piece of advice I tell everyone is, "look where you wanna go, not where you don't wanna go", they will figure out the rest with time. The whole trip is an adventure and it's a lot to take in so I try not to overwhelm them with info before they need it. I give them tips like "don't keep it pinned when you know you're stuck" and "keep your knee off the seat" as things happen.
We just make sure they're having fun, weather that's in a meadow not far from the cabin or learning more technical riding. Being patient and not caring how many times they get stuck or how far we get, or don't get, that's what makes the day for them. No need for an avalanche course or a whole mountain of emergency gear for a first timer, the experienced members of the group have all that stuff, we're not going anywhere crazy with new riders anyway. After that first weekend they know if it's something they want to get serious about it, or if it was just another life experience they've put under their belt.
I guess we must be doing something right because our crew keeps growing every year.
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Luke The Drifter
Active VIP Member
My wife’s 14 year old cousin is hounding me to take him to the mountains to go riding and I fully intend to so this thread is a pretty fitting discussion! My thoughts and advice to newbies at mountain riding are (in no particular order):
1) you will get stuck, frustrated, question why the hell you’re doing this, so take a deep breath and relax, which leads me to point #2
2) If you can, roll the sled over when you’re stuck. It takes way less time and energy to roll a sled over and get it unstuck. The only time I pull a shovel out is when the sled is in a hole and/or in a royally f*cked position. I had a new guy in blue river start panicking because he was stuck and figured he was going to be there till nightfall. Told him to relax, put his shovel away and we’ll roll the sled over and get him going. The look on his face when I said that was priceless, 2 mins later he was riding again
3) If you do find yourself stuck or in a predicament, stay calm, think about how you’re going to get out of said predicament. Sometimes easier said than done given the circumstances but more often than not, getting worked up does sweet FA to help you out.
4) Get rid of your windshield, it’s completely useless in the mountains
5) Take an avalanche course, carry the gear, know how to use it and use the training throughout your day on the mountain. All the gear and training in the world won’t do you any good if you don’t practice with it and know how to use it
6) Don’t be afraid to speak up if you feel uncomfortable going to a certain place.
7) Carry survival gear that will help you stay the night. Things can go sideways in a hurry and Mother Nature is relentless.
8) Keep it fun, enjoy the scenery, the riding and take lots of pictures. Chances are you’ll get addicted to this sport like crack cocaine and you get to go places the majority of the world only sees in magazines
9) Wear your tether!
10) Leave your t shirts and jeans at the hotel, cotton is the worst thing to wear.
11) Pack out what you pack in.
Okay that’s enough of my lunchtime rambling. Cheers!
1) you will get stuck, frustrated, question why the hell you’re doing this, so take a deep breath and relax, which leads me to point #2
2) If you can, roll the sled over when you’re stuck. It takes way less time and energy to roll a sled over and get it unstuck. The only time I pull a shovel out is when the sled is in a hole and/or in a royally f*cked position. I had a new guy in blue river start panicking because he was stuck and figured he was going to be there till nightfall. Told him to relax, put his shovel away and we’ll roll the sled over and get him going. The look on his face when I said that was priceless, 2 mins later he was riding again
3) If you do find yourself stuck or in a predicament, stay calm, think about how you’re going to get out of said predicament. Sometimes easier said than done given the circumstances but more often than not, getting worked up does sweet FA to help you out.
4) Get rid of your windshield, it’s completely useless in the mountains
5) Take an avalanche course, carry the gear, know how to use it and use the training throughout your day on the mountain. All the gear and training in the world won’t do you any good if you don’t practice with it and know how to use it
6) Don’t be afraid to speak up if you feel uncomfortable going to a certain place.
7) Carry survival gear that will help you stay the night. Things can go sideways in a hurry and Mother Nature is relentless.
8) Keep it fun, enjoy the scenery, the riding and take lots of pictures. Chances are you’ll get addicted to this sport like crack cocaine and you get to go places the majority of the world only sees in magazines
9) Wear your tether!
10) Leave your t shirts and jeans at the hotel, cotton is the worst thing to wear.
11) Pack out what you pack in.
Okay that’s enough of my lunchtime rambling. Cheers!
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MOMMA
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Epic Post!!!!!!!!!!
Bikeswithtrax
Active VIP Member
When you get really stuck, remove helmet and jacket before you try to get it out....because you will sweat like mofo ...and you will freeze your nuts off later in the day once soaked threw with sweat from the digging and lifting earlier on.
And don't be afraid to roll the sled down a little hill to get it out when in powder...i know that first shiny new sled is not what you want to roll over to get it out, because you just paid a lot of money and its brand new. It won't really hurt it, and is sometimes the easiest way to get it out.
Newbies tend to stay on the throttle after they are already stopped, digging a hell of a trench...trust me at 8000 feet, and the sled is packed in snow, its not like lifting it in your garage....that scum biotch pig now weighs approximately 94,000 pounds, and your lungs are going to be burning getting it unstuck.
And don't be afraid to roll the sled down a little hill to get it out when in powder...i know that first shiny new sled is not what you want to roll over to get it out, because you just paid a lot of money and its brand new. It won't really hurt it, and is sometimes the easiest way to get it out.
Newbies tend to stay on the throttle after they are already stopped, digging a hell of a trench...trust me at 8000 feet, and the sled is packed in snow, its not like lifting it in your garage....that scum biotch pig now weighs approximately 94,000 pounds, and your lungs are going to be burning getting it unstuck.
Buy an InReach or similar, its always nice to know you can call out for help should you need it.
Finding guys like Luke The Drifter who clearly have experience as that'll be a huge benefit for your safety.. If you can find an experienced rider or group to settle in with you can expedite the learning curve..
As mentioned, don't be afraid to ask for help.
Finding guys like Luke The Drifter who clearly have experience as that'll be a huge benefit for your safety.. If you can find an experienced rider or group to settle in with you can expedite the learning curve..
As mentioned, don't be afraid to ask for help.
tmo1620
Active VIP Member
Take all the overtime at work you can get, sledding is expensive
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