We've been sleddin for a few years but we can use some tips - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

boyblue · 10-26-2006, 08:32 PM

DW & I have rode west & east and we've enjoyed ourselves every time we got on a pair of sleds but we only ride a few hours a year so I'm wondering if there are any suggestions that could help us become more comfortable on the trails (especially in the mountains).

When I’m out there it feels like I am not in full control because the sled doesn’t do exactly as I command when I command. I would say my one difficulty is "over thinking" about steering. I have yet to become comfortable with the fact that there is going to be a bit of drifting and I get paranoid about getting stuck in someone else’s rut. If I can relax (not think so much) I would enjoy the experience even more.

Also, mountains in the background kinda messes with my depth perception so the trail feels like it’s too narrow, I tend to hug the mountain (I only do this on stretches/situations where there is good visibility) – is that bad?

camarors8992 · 10-26-2006, 09:20 PM

I know what you are talking about, whenever I get on any slope I become paranoid of rolling the sled and that causes me to go slower and slower and being nervous. I think it's just over thinking everything. Maybe bring an MP3 player and listen to music to help you prevent from over concentration on your riding.

ncorrieri · 10-27-2006, 12:15 AM

Throttle controll can make it do what you want. I think they have the same sloppy feeling as a jetski in powder..i agree with ipod though.

i was on a slope and didnt want to freak her out, so i slowed down quite a bit.. long story short i coasted into a tree sideways (after i stopped a roll by losing a little cartilige in my knee)

Have you considered doing one of those snowmobile safety programs? I think you can find them online (our state mate it mandatory).

**smallengineguy** · 10-27-2006, 07:32 AM

Like said above, throttle control is a big part of snowmobiling. Giving it slight throttle going into turns can help it steer immensely.

JEFFH · 10-27-2006, 12:58 PM

SEAT TIME and lots of it, eventuaily everything becomes second nature, just like driving a car or riding a bike.

vMaxxKid · 10-28-2006, 12:12 AM

do you really live in the bahamas? i thought that was tropical islands? do you sled on ur vactations somewhere where there is snow?

boyblue · 10-28-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vMaxxKid

do you really live in the bahamas? i thought that was tropical islands? do you sled on ur vactations somewhere where there is snow?

Yea we're in Nassau. 80°F can become monotonous so we've become...What is the antonym for snowbirds?

We're still fine tuning our schedule though but for now we go 3 weeks ending mid December and the last 3 weeks in March. Our plan is to visit all of the Snow Belt states and southern provinces.

The only problem is, we timeshare (resale

) so we actually book before the season starts (in some cases as much as 2 years before we make the trip). The challenge is the Nov/Dec trip, but we've picked em pretty good cause we're batting a thousand. 2004 - we caught the first day of the season in Banff. Last year we had enough snow in Killington but the trails were not open yet. This Nov/Dec were doing Ontario (Barrie, Dwight & Calabogie) – Wish us luck.

As far as becoming more comfortable I understand about seat time and we’re getting there as a matter of fact our last two trips (Columbia Falls MT & Eagle River, WI) we’ve done full day rentals - the first ones guided (8 hours) and the second on our own (10 – 12 hrs)