Hello all, I have just returned to sledding after a 20 year layover with kids.
I just bought my first sled ever, and am looking forward to riding again (I still need a trailer though).

My first question, and I am sure there will be more, is this:

What kind of safety gear do you recommend?

I will be riding with others (in Michigan) who have all the trail skills needed to keep me safe, but I don't want to show up on my first ride looking like an idiot with too much, or not enough gear. Most of our riding will be on existing trails. I don't expect to blaze any new trails in deep snow (at least not on my first few rides).

Ride N Slide....

The best advice I can give is to make sure you have the correct gear to keep you warm. Buy good boots, snow pants , and jacket...

Also, ride with people that will take it easy the first time or two out with you. Most accidents that we see are a result of new riders trying to keep up with the buddies.

Try not to ever ride alone, in case you break down ( Yes even new sleds do ). Carry an extra belt, plugs etc.....

Always top off with fuel when possible to make sure you have enough to make it to the next town. It also gives you a chance to check the sled over for loose items.

Carry a cell phone in case someone in your party crashes or breaks down, or you come across an accident.

Always let someone know where you will be riding.

Dont take a 200 mile trip the first time out, try a smaller maybe 30 mile trip and slowly increase each time you ride so that you wont get beat up.

And most important, stay on your side of the trail and save the drinking for after the ride is over.


Most of all have fun and evjoy the scenery...
Hope this gives you some ideas....

Tekvest, Tekvest, Tekvest :banana: .........Google "tekrider" for website...............

The most important thing to bring with you when riding is a friend on another snowmobile, I teach the kids in safety class to never ride alone, second thing is a cell phone if you have one. And do not buy cheap clothes if a Jacket costs a ton of money it is because it is warm and will keep you warm same goes wioth all riding apparel

You could also check out SAFJAC...upper body protection for wipe outs. Doesn't take a big wreck to hurt, especially on the trails. Plus it helps keep you warm for long rides. safjac.com

Thanks guys, this will get me started. I also scuba dive, so safety is a big thing for me. I also checked with my buddies, and they are giving me assistance as well.
I have been out a couple time already since the snow began to fall and found out real quick that I am not ready for any 200 mile trip yet. Thanks.

Hello, I'm also from Michigan and sled on your side of town regularly...More importantly, I'm a commercial diver, who also owns a marine salvage/ repair and construction operation...I do not say this to brag or boast, but to impart some of the parallel lessons that I've learned from both hobbies/vocations....

First, always know your limits...

Regardless of what your crew says, "Never do more, than you feel you are capable of"...specially, if "hitting the bar", is the primary motivator, rather than actual sledding itself...Please know that, "your crew can get you into trouble"... "real fast...I have had to jettison most of my sled crew for various reasons...One being safety....We had one sledder, who was a nice guy, but always seemed to destroy a sled each year...He had several sleds and deep pockets, so he never considered it a big deal...He would even invite other sledders, who were previously unknown, and have them ride with us...I'm a high mileage hound and routinely run 250-325 miles a day...We ran out of St. Ignace to Grand Marais with his invited guest, who claimed to be an expert sledder and tri-athlete. He also had to borrow one of his host's fast sleds...As you can guess...It became a complete babysitting nightmare!!!...He couldn't handle the distance, so we had to find him a room and leave him in Grand Mara’s...In addition; we had to spend 3 hrs. on Sunday, trailering to pick up this "MORON", in Grand Marais..He ruined our Sunday sledding as well...Sadly, it took me a couple seasons to give "Mr. Dangerous & Overly Friendly Host" the boot...(My fault)...

1st Lesson Learned: Always know the capabilities and limits of everyone in your crew, including you!!!...

You may better understand via this example...

In diving, I do alot of salvage, rescue and recovery, I also dive deep (400ft+) on mixed gas and usually dive alone on most occasions. This is contrary to what you've been taught by PADI, SSI or NADI... I dive deep, because I'm pretty technical, an adrenaline junkie and I like pushing the "edge of the envelope"...I also dive alone, because I don't have time to baby-sit other divers, though, I will help if needed...but only after you've exhausted all of your efforts...Think about it???...If your dive buddy or sled buddy is incapable and "An Accident Waiting to Happen", then, you are essentially diving or sledding alone anyway???? In short, if they can't help you, then what good are they???...Special Note: I don't recommend sledding by yourself (one always need a tow/emergency sled), but you need capable, safety conscious and level headed sled buddies...

Note: I have over 32 yrs. of diving experience and I know my limits...As I get older and have more business/family issues on my plate, I tend to burn-out quicker and forget simple things, like, where I left my keys or remember your name, but I can remember everything else about you. Therefore, I have given up mixed gas diving, because I'm afraid, that I will breathe the wrong gas at the wrong depth...which is the "kiss of death"...There is "absolutely nothing" that you can do to remedy the situation, except die a very convulsive / painful death...

Therefore, and regrettably, I have given up mixed gas diving...even though. I have been called "chicken" by less aware divers...

2nd Lesson Learned: Be "Self sufficient" and never let your buddies put you in a "dangerous" situation...

Lastly, I believe that a safe dive or sledding experience begins at home...Well before, you get to the dive site or sled trail...

I'm a pretty laid back guy in civilian life, but I'm very passionate, focused and intense, when it comes to diving, sledding and/or having fun...When I am in "The Zone", I ain't laughin', slappin' hands &/or talkin'...I'm like a "Navy SEAL"..I'm very reserved and focused on the task at hand. We can laugh and giggle during the post trip debriefing...In addition, I watching to see how the crew members are setting up their dive/sled gear, so as to eliminate any issues before they begin...(actually, this tends to piss people off)...But, it's always the guys, who are gabbing, laughing and joking, that forget to check the air in their tanks or check the gas/oil in their sled...

3rd Lesson Learn: "A safe experience begins with you"..In short, "Your most important piece of gear, is your brain"...

Always have a clear head, your own trail maps and contingency plans, GPS, etc...But never, never be afraid to question...

Hope this helps...Joe Snow123... :no_bashing:

Jesus dude.... you are serious. You can ride with us anytime. We are 5 guys that do one 10-12 day trip a year that ends up between 2000 and 2500 miles. This year we are starting in Pembroke ON and riding to Moosonee, ON. (we are picking up guide service in Abitibi Canyon).

Very serious on these long haul trips...we watch out for each other.