Are more sledders becoming idiots or are more idiots becoming sledders?

[MOMMA]

You guys should all try Skiing. lol

My kids are still trying to get me to board.. I can't even Stand up.. let alone go down a hill. Yet I try.. Holy man, this body is not meant for boarding

 

[Lund]

You guys should all try Skiing. lol

Overall, its not just related to sledding, have you ever driven to a ski hill......hahaha your lucky if you make it there in one piece, its a scary experience you either get out of the way or they will drive you out of the way and into the ditch.
Have you ever launched a boat at a boat ramp? Holy crap, its like taking your life in your own hands some times. Even being out on the water on large lakes you can almost get ran into. But the ramps are at times a war zone...........people in this generation, young or old have little respect and patience. Sad to see that, even on this furom you can see that by certain post being put up.

 

[Beels]

A couple others have already mentioned it, but IMHO, the sleds have gotten so good out of the box now, that's there's almost nowhere they can't go. It's gotten so easy to access the backcountry, that the idiots have shown up just due to numbers. Couple that with just a general lack of respect and the "me" attitude that's become more prevalent and here we are.

 

[Beels]

Overall, its not just related to sledding, have you ever driven to a ski hill......hahaha your lucky if you make it there in one piece, its a scary experience you either get out of the way or they will drive you out of the way and into the ditch.
Have you ever lunched a boat at a boat ramp? Holy crap, its like taking your life in your own hands some times. Even being out on the water on large lakes you can almost get ran into. But the ramps are at times a war zone...........people in this generation, young or old have little respect and patience. Sad to see that, even on this furom you can see that by certain post being put up.

If I ever wanted to produce a reality / comedy vid, I'd set up cameras at any busy boat launch on a long weekend. You'll see everything from domestic disputes, to sunken boats, to all out fist fights.

 

[lilduke]

Overall, its not just related to sledding, have you ever driven to a ski hill......hahaha your lucky if you make it there in one piece, its a scary experience you either get out of the way or they will drive you out of the way and into the ditch.
Have you ever lunched a boat at a boat ramp? Holy crap, its like taking your life in your own hands some times. Even being out on the water on large lakes you can almost get ran into. But the ramps are at times a war zone...........people in this generation, young or old have little respect and patience. Sad to see that, even on this furom you can see that by certain post being put up.

Is what it is, what are you going to do about it? Complain or live your life? 7billion people on the planet and counting. Certain people out there with the means to change that don't like the crowds ether and figure about 6 and half billion of us have to go.... Guess that's the solution. Or just get up earlier and get a better parking spot?? That could work too maybe...

 

[MOMMA]

A couple others have already mentioned it, but IMHO, the sleds have gotten so good out of the box now, that's there's almost nowhere they can't go. It's gotten so easy to access the backcountry, that the idiots have shown up just due to numbers. Couple that with just a general lack of respect and the "me" attitude that's become more prevalent and here we are.

At our shindig the other night, the word family was mentioned quite often. As in all families, we have, "problem children" but through the power of mentorship, reaching out, and not giving up, I'm pretty sure we can make a positive impact on the sport, and help others to behave better. I think with a sense of family, we can diminish the "me" attitude.
I think there are positive role models out there that are "hip and fly" at the same time.
so many of those Young bucks worship the "sled neck culture" which is great, because with peeps like Chris Brown, and Geoff Kyle reaching out with not only hip and fly factor but with safety and stewardship messages we have hope for these youngsters. I think it'll be ok.

 

[Mike270412]

I always try to plan my escape when I park.Get turned around and stuff cause when you come down some douche could be parked in th only spot to turn around for 3km.

 

[Lund]

Is what it is, what are you going to do about it? Complain or live your life? 7billion people on the planet and counting. Certain people out there with the means to change that don't like the crowds ether and figure about 6 and half billion of us have to go.... Guess that's the solution. Or just get up earlier and get a better parking spot?? That could work too maybe...

That's all you can do my friend....bitch and complian with the hope someone is listening hahaha and continue on with life.
No forum with rant post's will fix anything, life goes on and we make the best of it.
Though it does make great discussion and i'm sure it puts some thought's in people's minds on attitude locally. You think?

 

[MOMMA]

I think in addition to an article, we should work with the snowmobile associations to make parking manner signs to be posted at each staging area. then work our azzes off to spread the word. In sicamous I was impressed by their staging area's organization.. out here, people pretty much have to figure it out on their own. We don't have trail passes, so we rely on people to not be stupid. I think I'll design a sign today.

 

[Iron Horse Racing]

totally.. I had the adventures of Henry and Dick that came out last year... Henry was wicked awesome responsible dude.. Dick... well.. he was a dick. I am thinking we have an awesome opportunity to reach out to new riders, and school them right from purchase on.
The petty bitching about.. ohhhhhh you're so gay because you have a wrap... Ooooooo Skidooo... OOOOOO Polaris.. OOOOO cat..... I think that is just petty crap that is soooo redundant.. Honestly .. Take a midol and stop judging...
the actual safety and stewardship stuff. Lets target head on and help riders be better all around. they may go to learn skills from Burandt and Adams etc... but no one is going to go to school to not be a Azz. So we have to approach it in the way that keeps their ears open. I teach in the High school.. believe me.. those kids could have the potential to not listen.. but they do.. and they are excited about learning the "right way". so are their parents.

I'm thinking if there was less focus on petty bashing, and more focus on what matters, and what our goals for the sport are, we could use this forum to educate and reach out to those who simply don't know.. We can pound it into the peeps that are just rude as well. Pretty soon the rude peeps will be a tremendous minority and sledders will self police each other, mentoring along the way.


Happily ever after and stuff..... The Petty bitching is embarrassing in my opinion.. makes us look like a bunch of judgemental whiny beyotches.. Bringing up real issues, safety, parking manners, staging manners, growing our voice, our clubs, our momentum, land issues, those are all proactive issues to tackle... whether or not someone wants to bedazzle their sleds... Grow up and focus on something productive... IMO.

Was spotted picking up someone else's garbage and that person indicated, ya I saw that, but it's everywhere, you planning on picking it all up.....My response was .....it has to start somewhere....
I've watched my kids, doing it, and I got it from my Dad...if we can all convert one person with better manners, not leaving garbage and to look out for the enviroment and each other....(insert music)

I look forward to the article.......

 

[tukernater]

People need to venture out find new place to ride

 

[RXN]

I think in addition to an article, we should work with the snowmobile associations to make parking manner signs to be posted at each staging area. then work our azzes off to spread the word. In sicamous I was impressed by their staging area's organization.. out here, people pretty much have to figure it out on their own. We don't have trail passes, so we rely on people to not be stupid. I think I'll design a sign today.

Looking forward to seeing it. Unfortunately signs don't seem to work as most don't read them.

 

[lilduke]

That's all you can do my friend....bitch and complian with the hope someone is listening hahaha and continue on with life.
No forum with rant post's will fix anything, life goes on and we make the best of it.
Though it does make great discussion and i'm sure it puts some thought's in people's minds on attitude locally. You think?

Kinda of, but think these discussions are more of a downer than any thing else. Sure it would be nice if everyone had respect, but unfortunately that's not the case. I think people here(on S&M) have respect for the most part. How you going to teach respect to some drunken A-hole?? Don't worry the mountain will teach them respect. Started sledding as a kid with my dad in Revy 20years ago,,, Seen a lot of idiots come and a lot go. Takes a certain breed to stay mountain sledding for 20,30,40years....

 

[Lund]

At our shindig the other night, the word family was mentioned quite often. As in all families, we have, "problem children" but through the power of mentorship, reaching out, and not giving up, I'm pretty sure we can make a positive impact on the sport, and help others to behave better. I think with a sense of family, we can diminish the "me" attitude.
I think there are positive role models out there that are "hip and fly" at the same time.
so many of those Young bucks worship the "sled neck culture" which is great, because with peeps like Chris Brown, and Geoff Kyle reaching out with not only hip and fly factor but with safety and stewardship messages we have hope for these youngsters. I think it'll be ok.

The only problem is sledding USE to be a family sport and was at one time even advertised as such, back in the 70s.
Today most families cannot afford sledding as a family sport as the industry has priced it self out of the family oriented sport and most families involved in this sport today hold a certain amount of wealth or are slaves to the bank's.
The majority of sledder's now day's are men and women with either a high paying job or are carrying debt.
Yes you do still see families out there, but they are few and far between. That was actually not the case 20yrs ago.

 

[JungleJim]

Fully support the need to help educate people on how to park responsibly and encourage good "sledder" etiquette! Everyone enjoying the sport and the camaraderie a sled trip offers is what it's all about. I do have an issue with those who think they can stereotype who is a jerk simply by their decals and the cost of their sled... sounds like jealousy to me! I've seen jerks on all types of sleds and in all kinds of gear over the years. What has not changed is your choice of how to respond to a situation! Getting out of your truck and giving somebody crap for how they parked will get you one type of response (typically the you're #1 salute) vs walking over and "hi buddy, just wanted to ask if you could help me out by giving me a little room". I agree that there is definitely more $'s in the sport than ever before which overall is a good thing... without it we would not have the massive advances in sled technology and engineering. The same guy you move over for to make room for his trailer also likely has a full set of tools and several spare parts which just might save your weekend someday. I even had a fellow sledder (with a trailer) help us out with a butane soldering iron to fix an electrical issue! Be nice to everyone as you just never know...Thanks!

 

[dogsmack]

With all this being said and you are at the stagging area where someone like me is trying to correct some azzhat about his/her lack of consideration or respect and gets "aggresive" offer some support. Staying quiet is only going to get me in trouble with the law because we all know when a d bag ends up on the short end he is the first to complain. Basically saying help when you can.

MOMMA is on to a very strong concept with mentorship and passing on knowledge with wisdom. We (the respectable folk) create a situation where the pain in our hole is the odd person out peer pressure will; one, cause changes in that person or two, they move on. I see this everyday at work with trying to develop a safer way to work through the identical methods expressed. It is a slow painful road and unfortuniately like the work place some will pay with blood which at the end of the day d bag or not it reflects poorly on the sport on mass.

Lets hope some of the problem causers are reading this and quietly re-evalute their ways.
I am off to Idaho next weekend, I will be paying attention where we off load and see how our friends to the south deal with things.

Keep it safe out there.

 

[MOMMA]

Looking forward to seeing it. Unfortunately signs don't seem to work as most don't read them.

The only problem is sledding USE to be a family sport and was at one time even advertised as such, back in the 70s.
Today most families cannot afford sledding as a family sport as the industry has priced it self out of the family oriented sport and most families involved in this sport today hold a certain amount of wealth or are slaves to the bank's.
The majority of sledder's now day's are men and women with either a high paying job or are carrying debt.
Yes you do still see families out there, but they are few and far between. That was actually not the case 20yrs ago.

Omgosh I'm so excited now... K it's not only One solution... it's "D" all of the above.. everyone learns differently...The power of change happens with One... That's my zen for the day.

Ok it's super funny you say this Lund, I sent off an article today, of Getting back to the 70s but with more knowledge. Out here so many families are embracing sledding as a way to enjoy the back country. What I saw on Boxing day almost gave me a stroke. So many kids without helmets, unsupervised wearing scarves..... holy crap I was chasing kids all over the place. My husband said to me... "Trish, they're not your kids, you can't go over and parent them... " I said, yup they are my kids.. they are all of our kids.. village mentality dude... So as I was descarving kids.. the other parents saw what I was doing, after I explained about strangulation they vowed never to wear scarves around snowmobiles again... we talked about helmets.. the right kind of helmets... again.. if peeps know better they do better. In the 70s us kids grew up without seatbelts, chewing on lead painted cribs, no helmets... etc... but now we know better, and as our sport grows, we can have a positive impact on these kids... so when They have kids they grow up with safety as a given. See.. happily ever after... the power of one.. We are Growing, literally growing our sport. You can't just chuck seeds out a window and expect them to grow...

 

[geo]

Respect is the key word here. Why is it lacking today?

Without getting too deep and talking about Vietnam, weapons of mass destruction, or what it takes to get voted into a political office, lol, in the old days lol, before grooming, before chalets, before warranty, people on the snow needed to help each other more so you learned first names.
There was something humbling about not being able to make it to the alpine every day. Respect for the snow an other sledders was a survival thing sometimes. Fires were in the parking lot instead of a stuffy overfull chalet. Fires (gathering-meeting place, collection point) was a need before Gortex. You didn`t need to be a member to hang out, just a "skidooer". One person brought extra socks and gave them to the person that forgot to because they are newbies. The mechanic in the group never had to bring beer lol.

Today lots just want to be a rock star. Getting up top is the first thing to do. No need to ask for help 'cause it's got warranty and I have Gortex so see ya.

I have all the new stuff too but stopped going to the pay to play spots about a decade ago. Just seemed that some that pay figured it gave them "rights" too. I liked it when "rights" were earned and people respected that.

 

[T-team]

The biggest problem with sledding... Is people getting on this website and talking like they are the smartest mother%^&$ers that ever walked the earth. Just because the sleds are so good now a days.... that its attracting alot of people... doesnt mean that everyone except you is stupid. You want a sport where its just you and your hand holding dude friends all alone... I can reccomend a good movie for you and you can all go get jobs herding sheep up in the mountains. THE MORE PEOPLE THAT SNOWMOBILE THE BETTER ! If there was only a handful of us doing it there wouldnt be NEAR the resources we have now! Hills, stores, training, saftey..... Just becuase someone doesn't do something the same way you do doesnt make them stupid and thats no reason to call everyone stupid on here.. Why dont you try TELLING someone "hey man.. you should do it this way becuase of this.. but no big deal!" then making all the sledders look like a bunch of nancys! The original post was good... the parking lot IS annoying!Younger generation is coming in... IT HAPPENS!! EDUCATE THEM INSTEAD OF BEING THE WHINEY OLD GUY IN THE CORNER OF THE BAR MUMBLING TO HIMSELF. respect this respect that... Jesus.... Have you looked outside!!?? Go friggin snowmobile!

 

[LennyR]

The biggest problem with sledding... Is people getting on this website and talking like they are the smartest mother%^&$ers that ever walked the earth. Just because the sleds are so good now a days.... that its attracting alot of people... doesnt mean that everyone except you is stupid. You want a sport where its just you and your hand holding dude friends all alone... I can reccomend a good movie for you and you can all go get jobs herding sheep up in the mountains. THE MORE PEOPLE THAT SNOWMOBILE THE BETTER ! If there was only a handful of us doing it there wouldnt be NEAR the resources we have now! Hills, stores, training, saftey..... Just becuase someone doesn't do something the same way you do doesnt make them stupid and thats no reason to call everyone stupid on here.. Why dont you try TELLING someone "hey man.. you should do it this way becuase of this.. but no big deal!" then making all the sledders look like a bunch of nancys! The original post was good... the parking lot IS annoying!Younger generation is coming in... IT HAPPENS!! EDUCATE THEM INSTEAD OF BEING THE WHINEY OLD GUY IN THE CORNER OF THE BAR MUMBLING TO HIMSELF. respect this respect that... Jesus.... Have you looked outside!!?? Go friggin snowmobile!

So all these whiny old men should STFU, but everyone should give credence to YOUR opinion ? And where are you in the list of MF's walking the earth, the top of the list I presume.