Snowmobile
Thinking about carving deeper and fresher tracks in the snow? Then it might be time for a snowmobile. Canadian freeskier Tatum Monod tells you all you need to know right here.
Just as a carpenter doesn’t leave the house for work without a saw, Tatum Monod usually doesn’t leave for a day of work without her sled. As a professional backcountry skier, it’s a tool of her trade.
“Sleds enable you to travel so efficiently in the backcountry that they’re a must for what I do,” says Monod.
A snowmobile unlocks the doors to more remote terrain – terrain that’s out of question with just a set of skins and a light touring setup. Snowmobiles get you there, and in certain zones, they also allow you to ski way more laps in day.
It’s been five years since Monod bought her first snowmobile. Though the first couple of years posed a massive learning curve, she now feels 100 percent confident behind the bars.
With the explosion of popularity in backcountry skiing in the past few years, sledding is the next frontier. For those looking to make the plunge, Monod has some wisdom to pass on, so scroll down to get up to speed with her seven sled-skiing tips.
1. Start saving
Nobody is going to tell you that sledding is a cheap endeavour. In fact, they’ll probably tell you they’re a terrible investment.
“Even though sledding can be expensive, you’re doing it because it’s an amazing way to get into the mountains and experience them,” Monod explains.
Your first ride is likely going to be a used snowmobile without a warranty, so be prepared to foot some hefty service bills for proactive maintenance. Calling on a helicopter to long line your snowmobile out of the backcountry will cost a lot of money, so proactive maintenance is the name of the game. You’re probably going to hit some trees with your sled as well, so get saving to ensure you have enough money to cover any unfortunate eventuality.
2. Educate yourself in avalanche safety
“Before even dropping into a snowmobile, it’s essential that you take an avalanche course,” says Monod. “Getting your AST I and II qualifications are what I’d recommend.”
If you’re looking at getting a snowmobile as a means to access more skiing and snowboarding terrain, you’ll likely already have some avalanche safety training under your belt. But it’s important to recognise the differences between travelling in backcountry terrain under human power versus snowmobile power.
The weight of the machine is a critical factor because, “You’re putting hundreds of more pounds on the slope versus just a single skier,” explains Monod.
Another difference is the speed at which you’re travelling. “You’re covering insane amounts of terrain and you’re just zipping through it all, unlike in ski-touring where you’re able to walk at a slow pace and make observations.”
The good news is that you’re able to take courses like the AST II on your snowmobile. Though Monod had previously done an AST II course on skis, she retook it this winter in a course geared towards snowmobile travel. The verdict? “It was so awesome.”
3. Get used to digging your sled out of the snow
Got your sled and your knowledge of travel in avalanche terrain all sorted? Now it’s time to ride. You’re going to have to learn the hard way, though, and you’ll probably lose track of how many time you have to dig out your sled, but that’s just the way it goes.
4. Don’t sled in ski boots
Get the right carrying systems – like one from Ski-Doo – and get used to putting on cold ski boots.
Monod says: “The biggest no-no is trying to sled in ski boots. That was something I was trying to do because it’s hard to get your ski boots on when you’re out there.”
5. Have nice friends
Breaking trail is hard for beginners, as is digging out your machine.
Monod says: “It’s one thing to have the money and buy the sled, but to have a buddy who’s going to be patient enough to help you is the biggest thing.”
6. Mind the throttle
“Throttle control is huge. That’s going to be the main difference between getting stuck and not,” says Monod:
Sometimes you've got to pin it, and sometimes you don't.
7. Learn how to counter-steer
Sometimes going right means steering to the left. When it comes to making turns on a snowmobile in deep snow, it’s all in how you throw your weight around.
Monod says: “It’s super-counterintuitive because you’re like, 'I want to go that way, so I wouldn’t turn my skis and my bars the way I want to go?' It’s a move that you have to commit to.”
Get a taste of professional snowmobile sled skiing by watching the track preview for Red Bull Sled Hammers.
Be sure to download the free Red Bull TV app and catch the snow action on all your devices! Get the app here
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