Its like pulling teeth sometimes. I've made progress in the local (Alaska) FB groups...but even then, most people wait for 36" of pow and blue bird skies.
I started riding 4 years ago at the age of 24 on a 1995 Polaris triple 6, with Carhartts and cheap gloves and that's when the addiction of snowmobing hit me! The sled cost 500 bucks and drove an amazing passion for this sport! Nothing is greater than the top of a mountain that you wouldn't be able to get to on any other machine! Now I have a nice sled and the right gear! But the training I got from that old tub really helped improve my skills on these newer sleds! I love the podcast and that I live so close to 509 ( I live in Deer park WA). Stay safe and maybe one day I'll see you guys on the mountains!
Always love hearing people talk about how hard mountain sledding is when they are getting into it! I started mountain riding in the early 2000s on a tub chassis where when you looked downhill you better see a straight line to safety! Lol! Most people that start riding in the mountains today have no idea how easy the sleds make it. And yes I realize after 20+ years of mountain riding that it has changed in so many ways, but I remember in 05ish trying to turn around on a downhill face and having that be the move of the day!! Mountain riding has come so far and modern riders getting into the sport need to realize it’s not a trail ride with a few pow turns! Every ride is a total adventure and that’s the fun of riding in the mountains!
I’m 45 and started snowmobiling and mountain riding three years ago Yes there’s definitely a steep learning curve and the hardest thing I’ve ever ridden but I have a heavy background in motorcycles, on road and off, mountain biking and standup JetSki’s, and I think all of it is very relatable and helped. I mean you’re straddling something with a handlebar using throttle, body position to balance and control all whilst picking a line. All very relatable.
If it wasn’t for my buddies dad when we were six and buying some kitty cat snowmobiles for us I wouldn’t have got into this sport . Living in idaho falls ,ID I have the advantage of being so close to island park and the Tetons which is some of the best riding ever and lucky enough to grow up riding with guys who are pro and have become pros have taught me some of the best advice in mountain riding . It definitely takes a good toll on your body but the rush is unstoppable. What a great podcast episode guys !!! Keep it up !
My family and I have been riding for close to 10 yrs now. My daughter in law wanted to start to ride with us. I told her the same thing you mentioned about egos and the frustration level. Thank you for saying the same thing. I told her the pros will even make mistakes, so all we can do is have a good laugh about our mistakes. The worse day snowmobiling is better than the best day at work.
I started mountain riding with a 06 cat eye 2wd and a 13 600 pro maybe $10k investment then snowballed to now about $65k in with a 17 chev and 19 prohaos “mod” 7yrs later 😅
We are from Utah. A few years back, we hauled our trailer to Whistler that holds 5 sleds. You can access 98% of our riding with a trailer here in Utah. It was a gong show getting our trailer around in Whistler and the trail head were riding. If you head that direction, I recommend renting sleds.
Here I am 61 years old I've got 9 days in this year and 20 total on a sled . Ex ski racer,Double-A dirt bike rider very little translates what a learning curve, Awesome being a beginner In something again at this age interested to hear what you guys have to say about this battle. Just basically got it up on edge and now I can turn a circle. Love the progression
Ty and Dave, great podcast. Like you two, I am from the Midwest. I moved to eastern WA in 2014. Got back into sledding in 2016. It is of the most addictive hobbies you can have. Hay Days, the old film premieres and snow shows. Then it’s season. You get after it! Can’t wait to check out the new X-lab!
4 years ago i bought a 2016 summit 800 ptek. Rode that in the flatland for a year. Sold it after i bought a 2020 summit 850. Went to Revelstoke January 2021 with a great group of local guys and had a blast. Did well for my first time riding steep and deep, according to them but I recall learning more about getting unstuck than how to ride😂. I now own a 15 f250, a truck boss sled deck, and some really good riding/safety gear . Oh and a pump gas BD turbo. Started doing tunnel cuts on the side, and ride around home every other free moment. Basically live and breath snowmobiles
Having grown up riding dirt bikes and starting snowmobiling in my early teens in northern Michigan I can tell you the mountains are very difficult but definitely better in every way
I live in gillette, wy 5.5 hr drive to get up there wouldn't bother me if you want to ride sometime. Ill be in towgety for the next 2 weeks, which I guess would be about the same distance, but I've got a cabin rented already. If you want to start putting something together, let me know.
I think sledding is a little like riding quads and street bikes. With how you lean and move on a quad and street bikes leaning and counter steering your turns.
Been trail riding the Midwest since I was a kid. I have been dreaming of riding the mountains for 20 years now but the only thing my friends want to do is get drunk and ice fish.🤦🏻
I’ve been sledding and riding dirt bike for many years and love the positive vibes of this discussion!! It’s not what you ride, it’s that you ride.
The struggle is real when it comes to finding groups to ride with
Its like pulling teeth sometimes. I've made progress in the local (Alaska) FB groups...but even then, most people wait for 36" of pow and blue bird skies.
I started riding 4 years ago at the age of 24 on a 1995 Polaris triple 6, with Carhartts and cheap gloves and that's when the addiction of snowmobing hit me! The sled cost 500 bucks and drove an amazing passion for this sport! Nothing is greater than the top of a mountain that you wouldn't be able to get to on any other machine! Now I have a nice sled and the right gear! But the training I got from that old tub really helped improve my skills on these newer sleds! I love the podcast and that I live so close to 509 ( I live in Deer park WA). Stay safe and maybe one day I'll see you guys on the mountains!
Love this story Dylan! Swing by and visit us some day!
Always love hearing people talk about how hard mountain sledding is when they are getting into it! I started mountain riding in the early 2000s on a tub chassis where when you looked downhill you better see a straight line to safety! Lol! Most people that start riding in the mountains today have no idea how easy the sleds make it. And yes I realize after 20+ years of mountain riding that it has changed in so many ways, but I remember in 05ish trying to turn around on a downhill face and having that be the move of the day!! Mountain riding has come so far and modern riders getting into the sport need to realize it’s not a trail ride with a few pow turns! Every ride is a total adventure and that’s the fun of riding in the mountains!
I’m 45 and started snowmobiling and mountain riding three years ago Yes there’s definitely a steep learning curve and the hardest thing I’ve ever ridden but I have a heavy background in motorcycles, on road and off, mountain biking and standup JetSki’s, and I think all of it is very relatable and helped. I mean you’re straddling something with a handlebar using throttle, body position to balance and control all whilst picking a line. All very relatable.
For sure! Any motorsport background helps a ton. It is definitely a steep learning curve either way!
If it wasn’t for my buddies dad when we were six and buying some kitty cat snowmobiles for us I wouldn’t have got into this sport . Living in idaho falls ,ID I have the advantage of being so close to island park and the Tetons which is some of the best riding ever and lucky enough to grow up riding with guys who are pro and have become pros have taught me some of the best advice in mountain riding . It definitely takes a good toll on your body but the rush is unstoppable. What a great podcast episode guys !!! Keep it up !
My family and I have been riding for close to 10 yrs now. My daughter in law wanted to start to ride with us. I told her the same thing you mentioned about egos and the frustration level. Thank you for saying the same thing. I told her the pros will even make mistakes, so all we can do is have a good laugh about our mistakes. The worse day snowmobiling is better than the best day at work.
I started mountain riding with a 06 cat eye 2wd and a 13 600 pro maybe $10k investment then snowballed to now about $65k in with a 17 chev and 19 prohaos “mod” 7yrs later 😅
We are from Utah. A few years back, we hauled our trailer to Whistler that holds 5 sleds. You can access 98% of our riding with a trailer here in Utah. It was a gong show getting our trailer around in Whistler and the trail head were riding. If you head that direction, I recommend renting sleds.
Here I am 61 years old I've got 9 days in this year and 20 total on a sled . Ex ski racer,Double-A dirt bike rider very little translates what a learning curve, Awesome being a beginner In something again at this age interested to hear what you guys have to say about this battle. Just basically got it up on edge and now I can turn a circle. Love the progression
Love this story Jeff! Pumped to hear you are enjoying your new road down the addiction of sledding! Keep getting out there, seat time is key!
P.s. mountain rider 2007 skidoo800xrs first sled
Ty and Dave, great podcast. Like you two, I am from the Midwest. I moved to eastern WA in 2014. Got back into sledding in 2016. It is of the most addictive hobbies you can have. Hay Days, the old film premieres and snow shows. Then it’s season. You get after it! Can’t wait to check out the new X-lab!
4 years ago i bought a 2016 summit 800 ptek. Rode that in the flatland for a year. Sold it after i bought a 2020 summit 850. Went to Revelstoke January 2021 with a great group of local guys and had a blast. Did well for my first time riding steep and deep, according to them but I recall learning more about getting unstuck than how to ride😂. I now own a 15 f250, a truck boss sled deck, and some really good riding/safety gear . Oh and a pump gas BD turbo. Started doing tunnel cuts on the side, and ride around home every other free moment. Basically live and breath snowmobiles
Having grown up riding dirt bikes and starting snowmobiling in my early teens in northern Michigan I can tell you the mountains are very difficult but definitely better in every way
Hard to beat the views that we are lucky enough to see! Keep it up!
I have a hard time finding people to ride with around Bozeman, MT. Most of my buddies just can't afford to get into the sport.
I live in gillette, wy 5.5 hr drive to get up there wouldn't bother me if you want to ride sometime. Ill be in towgety for the next 2 weeks, which I guess would be about the same distance, but I've got a cabin rented already. If you want to start putting something together, let me know.
awesome tips on not going all out. thanks ride safe
Shoutout to NH. That being said I know too many guys from New England area that once they go out west they never want to come back.
I think sledding is a little like riding quads and street bikes. With how you lean and move on a quad and street bikes leaning and counter steering your turns.
Can confirm from being from Wisconsin once you go west it makes it hard coming home especially being hardcore into sledding and dirtbikes 😅
I came in at 40yrs and will school the 20yrs.
Been trail riding the Midwest since I was a kid. I have been dreaming of riding the mountains for 20 years now but the only thing my friends want to do is get drunk and ice fish.🤦🏻
It feels like I wrote the script to this whole video. Couldn’t have said it any better
Stoked to hear it was relatable for you! That's our goal, conversations we can all relate to and a few laughs
And you say “don’t get discouraged” like dude honestly, this video is discouraging to new guys and gals.