Snowkiting and Backcountry - Sled Neck Questions

D-Dub · Since 19 Jun 2007 30 Posts Bend Â

Two options in the bend area are to rent or to hitch - I think I've seen rentals for around $200/day. Slednecks in these areas will give you a ride and pick up for gas money and/or beer. I know there are local kiters w/sleds who might do the same....

Mark - cazy stuff - how do these guys limit the risk of the sled land on them, rolling over them, etc? Seemed like a lot of close calls.

Mark · Tue Aug 26, 08 9:46 am

Young and Dumb

Also, crashing on a steep deep pow pow hill aborbs alot of energy.

Sleds rolling over you isnt as bad as it seems so long as its steep and deep. Having a sled fall out of the sky and land on you is bad...

Ringorama · Since 01 May 2006 64 Posts Wilsonville Â

Funny... this same issue about this same time came up last year...

Got to chime in... I have lots of experience in the Mt. Bachelor back country.

If you've never hit a sled before, then I'd suggest a day trip rental. Aim for a rental outfit that rents sleds no less than 600cc. Aim for mountain sleds. 144 track minimum with 1-1/2" paddles. The bigger sleds 800cc with 151 tracks weigh greater than 550 lbs. And digging those sleds out is tough, exhastive, and will down right piss you off. If you plan on purchasing, shoot for a sled with less than 2500 miles.

As far as snowkiting goes, we've been lucky enough to explore/scout a few open areas that have wind (occasionally and on the right day) behind Mt. Bachelor and up around Moon Mountain (Broken Top) area. Bald Mountain is the best place for snowkiting, only accessible via snowmobile.

Another option: Elk Lake Resort, behind Mt. Bachelor has both real afforadable winter cabins (rustic log cabins) to run excursions out of (www.elklakeresort.net) and they rent newer mountain sleds (600cc, 700cc, & 800cc Mountain Sleds). Plus they have black butte porter and mirror pond pale ale on tap. This is no 5-star resort, its old and rustic. But if you like being buried in 8 feet of powder that you can access right out your cabin's front door, than this place is for you. If you don't own a snowmobile, you can catch a ride on the resorts snowcat into the resort (1-1/2 hr trip on the cat from Mt. Bachelor). There is more than enough room on the cat for your kites and gear. If you can find the right windy day, sparks lake is a 20+ acre clear WIDE open spot about 10min snowmobile ride from the resort toward Mt. Bachelor. If Elk Lake is frozen over I believe that it's possible to snowkite on the frozen lake (I have not yet tried it...hopefully this year...been skunked 2 last year). Also up at the higher elevations above the tree lines on the SE face of Broken Top is the a wide open area that I'm aim to hit this winter...I'll make future posts on our successful snowkiting missions and places to go after we concur it...

Shame on me for getting a head of myself...I still don't want summer to end...but planning for the winter season near does hurt...

PM me if you want more details about Elk Lake Resort.

KingE · Since 27 Apr 2006 58 Posts Lake Wenatchee Â

My family and I sled to ski and kite. After the initial investment our sleds are cheap entertainment. They burn on average 1 gallon an hour when we are just sledding. (08 xp summit 800 154" track). Our plan of attack is to bring all the gear but initially just go sledding. It seems that we always find good places to remember for skiing or kiting that we can go hit later. We then ski or kite those places when the conditions are right. It seems that if we go on a kite or ski mission we either end up not finding good conditions or we stop at the first place we find only to learn later that another quarter mile would have done us much better. ie. the sledding better be fun to you also.

You don't have to spend the big money to have fun. If you start right now you ought to be able to get yourself a decent ride and a trailer for 5G or so. If you wait until Nov people get proud of their sleds. Spring is the best time to buy because there seems to be a lot of maxed out credit idiots are trying to sell their sleds to buy a new jetski or something.

I flip my sleds each year. I will sell you mine in early March for 6700.

Jeb

forrest · Wed Aug 27, 08 8:11 am

Thanks Jeb!

Sailut · Since 31 May 2005 72 Posts Utah Â

I took the plunge last year and bought a sled for snowkiting.
3 or 4 years of research before the commitment.
I found a 04 Skidoo Rev 800 144", 1800 miles, $4600
Bought a light weight aluminum trailer so I could haul it behind my AWD Sienna.

I picked this sled because of the "motorcycle" feel of the Rev chassis,
800 cc because more power can help you not get stuck as much,
(Although you can also get yourself in more trouble)
144" is a little more nimble, but less of a hill climber (don't care)

After one season of use, It is even more fun than I expected.
A great investment...

We had a great snow year here in Utah,
But the wind was not always at the lower elevations,
We spent many days at 10'000 feet where that was the only place to find wind.
The few days we could find no wind,
The extra power and sportier chassis on the sled paid for itself in the fun factor,
I never thought I'd enjoy it so much.

My recommendation, spend your maximum allowance,
You won't regret the extra.

-Marty Cool

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

KingE · Since 27 Apr 2006 58 Posts Lake Wenatchee Â

Oh yeah, forgot that. Elevation is key to finding wind in the winter. Especially if you want to kite on days when the weather is actually nice.

Jeb

splaterwin · Since 17 Nov 2005 165 Posts Vancouver Stoked

Took the hit last year, now have 2 sleds and covered light weight trailer. The money added up fast but having so much fun the wife and I are glad we did. I decide to stay away from 2 strokes, have Arctic Cat T660 & Yamaha Nytro. The T660 is my wife’s sled, does trails just fine and handles 2 people easily. The Nytro is a quick machine, really fun to ride but a bit heavier then most 2 strokes. Let’s face it when you get stuck, and you will, they are all heavy. I have a jack that makes quick work of stuck sled and also saves my back. I made board racks for T660 sled but haven’t had kites along when Saint Helen’s was ripe for picking, maybe this year. Ride mostly at Mount Adams, it’s a great place to sled with terrain to match all riders ability. Made a trip to Solider Mountain Idaho last year, fun place to snow kite and ride sleds. I highly recommend it for snow kiting but it is a long haul pulling trailer full of sleds. Didn’t pass many gas stations on that Idaho trip without stopping to fill the Durango’s tank. The 4 strokes do pretty good on fuel so biggest expense is filling 4x4 gas tank. Already starting to get fired up about sledding this year, hoping for another good snow season. Very Happy

-pat

Sailut · Since 31 May 2005 72 Posts Utah Â