Snowmobiling vrs Snowboarding/Skiing

[rknight111]

Im having a discussion with a fellow worker in the office about snowmobiling and snowboarding/skiing. He says

You guys and your snowmobiles, there is not much physical activity in snowmobiling. How hard is it to push the gas and steer, compared to the activity in skiing or snowboarding

I dont know but I think that when I ride 500 to 600 lbs around up and down carving around trees at above 6000 ft, I seem to get a little more of a workout that just strapping a set of ski's to my feet. Its a lot easier to get un-stuck with a set of ski's than a snowmobile

What are your thoughts about this, I always hear from people, thats not much of a sport sitting down pushing a throddle to go and steering...

RON

[catmando]

Thats hilarios,he sounds just like my wife did untill I bought her a sled and took her with me.It's a whole different story now.You should tell your friend to rent a sled ,take him to revy after a big dump and tell him if he dosnt get enough exercise you will pay the tab on the sled!Not too much to worry about
I'm sure you could bury him a couple times.Man I got the bug,Hope I can hold out for 2 more weeks!Stories are getting better daily!

[Summit X]

Well, after 10 years of snowboarding all accross Canada in different snow conditions I bought a sled last year and I love it. As far whats more work, I turthfully would say the sled. And its because of the weight of it. To throw around a snowboard its easy, but a 600lb sled, now thats a workout. If you ever try snowboarding in deep powder though, it is a good work out, way more of a workout then groomed runs, kinda like on the sled, its not as hard when all you do is trail ride.
Can't wait to get out either, so very tempted to go this weekend, see you guys on the mountainside.

[Summitric]

This is a good article to debate. Last year we went up to Sicamous on Hunter's range and one of the sleds(a slightly modified 800 cat) had 2 people riding on it. The girlfriend and boyfriend doubled up with their snowboards and we found a very vertical shute that they traversed up around behind and "boarded" down the front shutes.... looked awfully fun(I've skiied for years). they did that several times until they blew a chain in the chain case. While waiting for one of our riders to go back to his truck and get a new chain and return(2 + hours later) we were sitting around a fire we made, and we chatted about which was more of a workout. They both said "sleddin'" was more activity based and a result a harder "workout". Mostly due to the weight of the sled and having to throw it around so much. Even moreso with 2 of them on the sled. The steeper climbs(in lots of powder) they even had to take a couple runs and stood side by side(one on each running board) and eventually made it up runs that us "single" riders even had trouble on. Therefore I guess that could be a great statement for your skiing buddy, that has never tried sledding.

[sledbunnyracing]

I was there with Summitric and the snowboarders. They were an awesome couple to watch with one hanging off one handle bar while the other was hanging off the other and climbing really challenging shutes...and don't forget the snowboard on thier back.
I agree with Summitric, their comments leaned towards sledding as being a huge workout...and they have done lots of both.

[Billy Boy]

About three years ago I was in Sport Check (some where in that mess they call Calgary) looking to buy a pair of high tech longjohns (for the wicking), so the sales lady asks me what kind of winter activity I participate in? So I said I snowmobile, she looks at me and proceeds to tell me that there is not much physical activity involved in snowmobiling because you just sit there and don't work up a sweat!!! and I would not need to purchase the more expensive longjohns so after a long explanation on my part I was able to purchase the high tech longjohns. I don't know if I convinced her but I got my high tech undies, any ways the moral to this story is that snowmobiling a very physical activity and you should be in half assed physical shape before you go out.

Cheers,
Good Riden This Season!!!!

[ESOX]

Digging out after snowboarding wipe-outs all day can be exhausting...
Digging out after a major uphill stuck in heavy snow once.....'nuff said!

[sledbunnyracing]

Esox, I agree. I think snowboarders that go every weekend are just like sledders that go everyweekend...in shape for that event only.
If you don't exercise on a regular basis (and I don't) then your not in shape and it's a "BIG" workout. I ride with guys much older and in better shape than me and when I'm huffing they are not..../Hmmm, maybe I need to do something about that?
Here is an example of not getting stuck but ending up really tired...
Click Here:
http://www.sledbunnyracing.com/photo...?album=3&pos=9
Man was I tired!!!

[Swampdonkey]

I've been snowboarding for around 17 yrs, sledding for around 4yrs. It all depends what you are doing, I can ride(snowboard) on a ski hill all day and be a little wiped, or I can ride/hike all day in the backcountry for a day and be a total waste of skin. same goes for sledding, I could ride on trails and be fresh at the end of the day(not my thing) or go climbing/boondocking looking for the steep/deep fresh stuff(..getting stuck)(my thing) and be to the point that I can barely lift my arms... it's easier to get unstuck on a set of skis/snowboard, but harder to get to the top. upper body=sledding, lower body=ski/snowboard, both=fun. either are super tiring if you don't know what you're doing..

[PowPow]

Hi all,
Have to agree with swampdonkey on this one. It all depends on what context you take it in. The average weekend warrior on the ski hill isn't going to work up a huge sweat, nor will the all day trail rider.
Change that over to the guy hiking for 3 hours to get the perfect powder run or boondocking through 3 feet of powder and digging out your sled multiple times a day and you can barely move that night.
Just my 1 cent.

[Rocketman]

I've had the pleasure of doing some heli skiing, cat skiing, and patrolled for a few years at Marmot. Ski pretty good and have been sledding for several years now too.

Sledding is hands down the more physically draining sport, especially when the snow gets deep and you get stuck on a couple of occasions. Or you help to dig out a buddy.... Skiing/snowboarding requires more agility, rhythm, athletic ability - but is not as tough on the body.

Training program for sledding = put on full gear, take weights into shower, turn tap to luke cold, do squats till exhaustion - repeat.

Tough to beat a clear blue sky day in the mountains, with 2' of fresh snow.

[PowPow]

It all depends, you cannot base anything on one individual.
I have been snowboarding for 17 years, skiing for 25 years, and if you are a die hard powder freak, who can't afford the heliskiing or cat skiing (I realize the cat skiing is much cheaper but if you are a ski bum it is probably still out of reach) then you will be hiking all of the time.
The question is too general and in my opinion pointless.
I love too sled, the only reason I started was to cut down on the hiking I had done as a snowboarder.
Now I barely snowboard. Sledding is just too much fun.