How to carry your gear while sled access b/c skiing

Long title, couldn't think of how else to ask.

For those with a sled how are you getting yourself and all your gear out there?

I have worn AT boots and then carried my skis diagnolly on my pack. That worked well, but I hate AT boots/ ski set up for the actual skiing.

Tried carrying my skis on one of those racks at the back of the rails with Alpine boots in a bag lashed down behind the seat. I am a sled newbie and the extra weight on the back of the sled made the front end really squirrely. I also can't imagine sleding in alpine boots.

So, question is how to use Alpine gear to hit sled accessed terrain? Alpine boots in a huge back pack?

Is there a b/c pack that could comfortably fit a pair of boots and carry skis diagnolly?

I realize I need to get alot better at sledding, but I want to do that while skiing the goods. The one day I used AT gear I had no problems and the Adrenalins were fine for sledding in all day long.

Oh, and I realized if I was a boarder this would be a non-issue, but I ain't taking up snowboarding. ;) (No offense to the boarders out there)

Isn't the sled supposed to make it all easier? :D

Here in Maine, we're sledding over different terrain than you are -- more like skid roads through thick trees, with less powder, so bogging down is less of an issue. More often we're covering 20 miles of relatively flatter terrain to get deep in the woods for a skin-up approach. We don't want to have skis sticking way up over our heads, nor do we want the skis fanned out horizontal behind us -- a good way to get clotheslined on trees when one ski slides outward. We just lash them alongside the sled (parallel to the chassis) and hold the skis in place with our feet.

If you're bogging down due to too much weight in the back, get out of your seat and lean forward. Just don't crash.

I've also towed a "dogsled" for longer expeditions; that has always worked well, though we're not exactly highmarking with it.

there's a whole long thread about this with some info that should be useful, it was bumped like just last week.


you'll notice I didn't yell "search function jong!"

A while ago, there was a company that made rubber or plastic inserts for the running boards. Maybe try or make some of those to make alpine boots nicer.

The only time I've ever used sleds was with my AT gear because it involved some hiking after reaching a point we couldn't use the sleds anymore. But as far as packs go, I've always just strapped them accross the back of the seat with nylon come-alongs.

I actually have a rack system for the skis that is bolted on to the rails.

The real question is what do people for boots, specifically alpine boots.


Thanks, Ice. I will do a search, if it is the one I am thinking of I think it discusses skis but not really boots and such.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lph

Tried carrying my skis on one of those racks at the back of the rails with Alpine boots in a bag lashed down behind the seat. I am a sled newbie and the extra weight on the back of the sled made the front end really squirrely. I also can't imagine sleding in alpine boots.

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Uh, are you serious? I wouldn't blame 20 lbs of skis and boots on the back of 600lb sled for poor handling. A full tank of gas weighs more than that, and will drastically affect the roll center on some sleds (such as REV's). Furthermore, its not that hard to increase your rear shock preload, lengthen your limiter straps, and increase the rebound on your front shocks while decreasing the compression. You HAVE done that, at your weight, before riding in the mountains, right?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lph

So, question is how to use Alpine gear to hit sled accessed terrain? Alpine boots in a huge back pack?

Is there a b/c pack that could comfortably fit a pair of boots and carry skis diagnolly?

I realize I need to get alot better at sledding, but I want to do that while skiing the goods. The one day I used AT gear I had no problems and the Adrenalins were fine for sledding in all day long.

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I know you acknowledge that you're new to sledding, but this is ridiculous. Almost everybody I know rides in ski boots pretty much all the time, including myself. My Fischer boots with rubber toes and heels certainly had more grip than my old Salomon ProModels, so maybe you should put on a Vibram sole? With good runners, footwells, and some ability, it really isn't that bad. Slide your skis all the way up to the footwells, and if the backpack with your avalanche gear is so heavy that it affects your sled's handling, you can throw the shovel and probe inside the engine compartment, and just ride with your transceiver.... as long as its not too heavy.

To be honest, I have only been out twice to ski. The first time with skis on my back and AT boots. No problems at all. I was amazed that my second time out we were getting to the top of some pretty big peaks on a deep day.

The second time I put the skis on the newly installed rack, had my boots lashed behind the seat, it was sierra cement AND I was riding out there with a second person on the sled, with all his gear. (maybe I should have mentioned that)

It wasn't till after that fiasco that the dealer even mentioned anything about all the different adjustments you can make on the suspension etc...

Bakerboy I am glad to hear that it is possible to ride in Alpine boots. I haven't tried yet, but everyone keeps telling me the rails will destroy the plastic soles, I will be slipping all over the place and won't be able to control the sled. (shows what i get when i listen to snowboarders).

I will definitely give it a shot, maybe put some of those cat tracks things on the Alpine boots.

BTW, Bakerboy, I still think you are a wiseass punk. I am glad to see that even when trying to be helpful, you don't disappoint. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lph

To be honest, I have only been out twice to ski. The first time with skis on my back and AT boots. No problems at all. I was amazed that my second time out we were getting to the top of some pretty big peaks on a deep day.

The second time I put the skis on the newly installed rack, had my boots lashed behind the seat, it was sierra cement AND I was riding out there with a second person on the sled, with all his gear. (maybe I should have mentioned that)

It wasn't till after that fiasco that the dealer even mentioned anything about all the different adjustments you can make on the suspension etc...

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Uh, yeah, another couple hundred pounds will pretty much mess up a sled that isn't designed for a 2-up. My suspension setup can't handle somebody riding on the back for more than about 30 seconds, but Tahoe style two-up climb1s are great.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lph

Bakerboy I am glad to hear that it is possible to ride in Alpine boots. I haven't tried yet, but everyone keeps telling me the rails will destroy the plastic soles, I will be slipping all over the place and won't be able to control the sled. (shows what i get when i listen to snowboarders).

I will definitely give it a shot, maybe put some of those cat tracks things on the Alpine boots.

BTW, Bakerboy, I still think you are a wiseass punk. I am glad to see that even when trying to be helpful, you don't disappoint. ;)

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Yes, it will trash your boots, and trash your seat. My ski boots have replaceable soles, and I have a pair of sled only boots.

Control of a sled isn't entirely reliant on the strength of your foot hold. It's all about weight distribution, and your feet are only part of it. Some of the sickest pow turns I've ever seen were on a REV sitting down, just hanging their ass over the side.

Glad I could live up to your expectations. Tell everyone.

As BB said you can ride in alpine boots fine (done it for years). But, I to got tired of the slipping around so I did the DIY vibram on the alpine boots last season. It has worked great as far as your seat thrashing goes after it is trashed replace with a Boss flat top seat (drop weight, durable, and no rise in back means easier side to side.
Bungee one ski to each side of your tunnel and learn to ride that hog. Bolting a bunch of crap to your sled just adds unnecessary wieght and bulk that will get in the way especially when you are stuck.
Carry skis on your back when you tandem.
Hope this line of BS helps a little.

Yup, that all helps. Thanks all.

lph