Print | Back December 25, 2010 Sidehilling 101 CHRIS BURANDT I have literally lost count  how many times I’ve asked the  question, “So can you sidehill  on both sides of the sled?”  and time after time the answer  was always, “Oh yeah, no  problem.” A left-hand throttle  is a dead give away that this  person’s definition of sidehilling  is obviously a bit different  than mine.  I can usually sort out my  group’s sidehilling ability in  the first couple minutes after  leaving the parking lot. After  jumping into the trees, hoping  over the sled and placing my  left foot on the right running  board, I give the handlebars a  quick flick to the left to get me  into a counter-steer position  and away we go on a fun little  sidehill through some trees.  Now usually I like taking  the harder line because, well  it’s just more fun. Plus, these  riders assured me they were  ready for the technical stuff.  So when I finally get to a  good stopping point and look  behind me, this once-eager  group of riders who just told  me they can sidehill on either  side of the sled are missing.  Keep in mind I can still see the  parking lot and my group is  nowhere to be seen.  So I make a loop back to  go see what the hold up is  and it’s not long before I find  the first victim standing on the  downhill side of his sled holding  it from rolling over on top  of him. This is a clear case of  trying to use the mountain bar  to sidehill. That doesn’t work.  “So that’s what you meant  when you said sidehill on both  sides of the sled,” is a pretty  common response from many  of the riders I run into.  Here are a few pointers for  you riders out there that want  to answer my question about  sidehilling on both sides of the  sled with a confident, “Heck  yeah I can sidehill on both  sides...bring it on!”  Slow down. This is one of  the biggest mistakes made  when trying to negotiate a  sidehill. You should be able to  stop your sled on its side at  any moment during a sidehill. Throttle control. Again this  comes back to being able to  stop and be in control of your  sled at all times. Use the brake—a lot. I use  the brake almost as much as  the throttle during a technical  sidehill. You should really get  used to riding with a finger on  the brake lever at all times. Hang a leg. For those of  you who think I do this for  show—I don’t. Having a leg  out helps with balance, pedaling  the sled and it gives you  more leverage. It will feel  weird at first but when you get  used to it you won’t know how  you ever rode without it. Foot placement. This is  dependent on the type of terrain  you are trying to cover  but generally you will need to  have your foot that is on the  running board farther forward  for steep terrain, neutral for  the more average type of terrain  and having your foot far  back on the sled will make the  front end light and give you  the ability to go up hill if conditions  allow. Lean into the hill with  your sled. And when you think  your sled is leaning enough its  probably not. Don’t be afraid  to drag your handlebars in the  snow. Look ahead. This sounds  so simple but every single  rider doesn’t do this properly.  Even I struggle with this when  its at the end of the day when  I’m tired. Try planning your  line two to three moves in  advance and it will smooth out  your riding unbelievably.  Start with these tips and  just make sure you don’t get  frustrated if they all don’t  come together at once. To  get these little tips and tricks  in real world riding conditions  visit www.burandtsbackcountryadventure. com and come  ride with me!  See you on the snow!  Burandt  © 2013 SnoWest® Magazine http://www.snowest.com