Riding Techniques
Photo credit: DiscoveryMotorsportsSaskatoon.com
Carving
Carving is the most basic, and necessary skill that any rider must know if he wishes to ride the mountains. Due to the deep snow, riding in powder more closely resembles riding a jet ski than anything else. Because of this, simply turning your skis in the direction you want to go will not work. This is where carving comes in. If the rider wishes to go to the right, he must turn to the left, and lean towards the right. The combination of these motions will tip the sled onto its side, as seen in the photo. The rider must then give the sled more gas and begin to steer into the turn, so as to force the skis into snow. This will cause the sled to travel in the direction he wishes to go.
Carving is the most basic, and necessary skill that any rider must know if he wishes to ride the mountains. Due to the deep snow, riding in powder more closely resembles riding a jet ski than anything else. Because of this, simply turning your skis in the direction you want to go will not work. This is where carving comes in. If the rider wishes to go to the right, he must turn to the left, and lean towards the right. The combination of these motions will tip the sled onto its side, as seen in the photo. The rider must then give the sled more gas and begin to steer into the turn, so as to force the skis into snow. This will cause the sled to travel in the direction he wishes to go.
Photo credit: Pinterest.com
Side Hilling
Side hilling is more challenging than carving, and just as necessary. When side hilling, the goal is to avoid going down the hill. As seen in the photo, there are often things at the bottom of the hill that a rider does not want to hit, such as trees or a steep cliff. Going up the hill can often be difficult because you may not have a straight shot up, or the hill is just too steep. This is where side hilling comes in. To make it up the hill, the rider must use the counter-steering method to get started. It is very important to be aggressive with the throttle. This ensures that the track is always digging into the snow, which keeps the sled upright. The rider must also keep all his weight on the inside of the sled to avoid rolling over. It is very common for riders to drag their leg in the snow to give them an extra advantage against the force of gravity.
Side hilling is more challenging than carving, and just as necessary. When side hilling, the goal is to avoid going down the hill. As seen in the photo, there are often things at the bottom of the hill that a rider does not want to hit, such as trees or a steep cliff. Going up the hill can often be difficult because you may not have a straight shot up, or the hill is just too steep. This is where side hilling comes in. To make it up the hill, the rider must use the counter-steering method to get started. It is very important to be aggressive with the throttle. This ensures that the track is always digging into the snow, which keeps the sled upright. The rider must also keep all his weight on the inside of the sled to avoid rolling over. It is very common for riders to drag their leg in the snow to give them an extra advantage against the force of gravity.
Photo credit: SledderMag.com
High Marking
High marking is another very important skill that any mountain rider must utilize. This riding technique requires the rider to analyze his surroundings and judge the capabilities of his sled. When high marking, the rider's goal is to make it as high on the hill as he possibly can. Once he reaches a certain point however, his sled simply cannot climb any steeper, and this is where he must turn around. The challenge is judging the exact moment at which the sled cannot make it. If the rider does not turn around in time, he could end up stuck with his sled facing up the hill. similarly, if the rider takes too long turning around, he could end up perpendicular to the hill with no momentum. At that point, gravity will overcome the sled. causing it to roll all the way down the hill.
High marking is another very important skill that any mountain rider must utilize. This riding technique requires the rider to analyze his surroundings and judge the capabilities of his sled. When high marking, the rider's goal is to make it as high on the hill as he possibly can. Once he reaches a certain point however, his sled simply cannot climb any steeper, and this is where he must turn around. The challenge is judging the exact moment at which the sled cannot make it. If the rider does not turn around in time, he could end up stuck with his sled facing up the hill. similarly, if the rider takes too long turning around, he could end up perpendicular to the hill with no momentum. At that point, gravity will overcome the sled. causing it to roll all the way down the hill.
Photo credit: FreerideMagazine.net
Cliff dropping
Most people would consider cliff dropping to be extremely dangerous or even a little stupid, and they would not be wrong. However it is also one of the most exhilarating things a rider can do. Usually cliff dropping is done simply for the excitement and challenge. When attempting to make a drop, it is very important that the rider survey the whole situation beforehand. It is best to back up and look at the drop from a distance, preferable from the bottom so as to analyze the landing and height of the drop. If this cannot be done however, riders will often drop snowballs over the side and count how long it takes to hit the bottom. The snow depth is crucial when cliff dropping. When there is a good 6-8 feet of fresh powder, it feels like landing on a pillow. However, without deep snow to land on, the rider and sled can be seriously hurt.
Most people would consider cliff dropping to be extremely dangerous or even a little stupid, and they would not be wrong. However it is also one of the most exhilarating things a rider can do. Usually cliff dropping is done simply for the excitement and challenge. When attempting to make a drop, it is very important that the rider survey the whole situation beforehand. It is best to back up and look at the drop from a distance, preferable from the bottom so as to analyze the landing and height of the drop. If this cannot be done however, riders will often drop snowballs over the side and count how long it takes to hit the bottom. The snow depth is crucial when cliff dropping. When there is a good 6-8 feet of fresh powder, it feels like landing on a pillow. However, without deep snow to land on, the rider and sled can be seriously hurt.