SLEDsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Practice riding uphill on smaller hills before attempting to climb anything that looks steep. Safe riding is all about knowing your limit as a rider and your sled’s limit.

Before climbing a steep hill with your sled, take a moment to evaluate what you’re up against and decide if it’s better to go up or around the hill. Going up?

Here’s how it’s done:

STEP 1

Switch to the kneeling position and lean your body forward with your chest positioned slightly over the handlebars. If the hill is really steep, use the posting position.

STEP 2

Accelerate before you begin to climb the hill and don't let up on the throttle while climbing or you may lose momentum and get stuck.

STEP 3

Slowly increase throttle as you climb the hill (just like you would add a little extra gas when driving up a hill in a car). Remember: the deeper the snow and/or the steeper the hill, the more speed you'll need to reach the top.

STEP 4

Traveling with a passenger? Make sure they’re experienced and know how to mimic your movements (so they don’t throw yours off!).

RIDER SAFETY TIP: MOMENTUM

If you do happen to lose momentum or get stuck traveling uphill, don't try and gun the engine to regain momentum or you may get really stuck. Instead, return to your sitting position, turn around and go back down the hill to try again. Give it some juice on the next attempt and you should be good-to-go.