Sledders Beginner’s Guide – Tips and Tricks for New Players
Okay, so you bought Sledders, outfitted, and are doing more face-planting into the snow than actually, you know, sledding? Yeah, been there. Constant wipeouts aren’t really fun. If you want to actually shred those slopes, land some jumps, and maybe, just maybe, reach the bottom in one piece, this guide is for you.
Relax & Learn the Ropes (Controls, That Is)
Before you even think about launching off some mega-ramp, familiarize yourself with the basic controls… every button press, every stick twitch – it affects your sled’s balance, speed and how well you, uh, don’t crash – here’s the need-to-know:
Steering: Subtle man. Small adjustments. Jerking the stick around is basically asking for a faceplant…
Braking: Your friend on steep hills. Tap it, don’t slam it. Better slow down a bit than get a mouthful of snow.
Leaning: Shift your weight forward & back. Seriously important for turns, jumps, and, you guessed it, landing. Get these basics down & you’ll be surprised how much more in control you are.
Right Sled, Right Terrain – It Makes a Difference…
See, not every sled is built for every condition. Some are perfect for groomed trails, some are built for deep snow or ugly backcountry terrain.
Lightweight Sleds: Fast, great for tricks but a little squirrelly… you’ll need to have good control.
Heavyweight Sleds: More stable -> easier to control, but less agile. Good for beginners.
If your sled is too twitchy or you feel like you’re driving a bus : try other models. Rent one that feels “right” for how you like to ride.
Weight Shifting: Your Secret Weapon (Seriously)
Most crucial skill in Sledders? This is it. Mastering weight shifting is the difference between legendary runs and, uh, legendary wipeouts.
Lean Forward: Need speed? Especially in flat sections? Lean in!
Lean Back: Crucial for steering control when things get nasty – landings, deep snow, etc.
Side-to-Side: Smooth steering. Smooth shifts, not wild yanks.
Seriously learn weight distribution: it’s a game-changer, especially when landing jumps.
Nail the Landing, Avoid the Yard Sale
Still crashing after every jump? 99% chance it’s your landing. Here’s the deal:
Flat is Best: Try to land your sled as flat as possible. Nice and smooth.
A Little Tail-First is OK: Being slightly tail-heavy is fine; it absorbs impact and lets you keep your speed…
Nose-Dives = Bad News: Landing front-heavy is more or less a guaranteed wipeout. Avoid like the plague.
Mid-air and something’s off? Try a rapid shift in weight – you might be able to recover!
Steeps? Control Your Speed, Dude
Flying down a ridiculously steep hill is awesome… until you completely lose control. Instead of just flooring it, try this:
Build Speed Gradually: Don’t full send it right away, especially in front of tricky sections.
Tap, Don’t Slam (Brakes): Light brake taps are way better for control than panic braking full bore.
Weight Back (Slightly): Prevents your sled from nose-diving into oblivion.
Ride smarter, not harder. Less crashing, more shredding.
Tricks: Cool, But Don’t Get Too Confident
Tricks are cool… but they’re also a super fast way to crash & burn if you’re not careful.
Start Small: Master small jumps and simple spins before trying to backflip everything.
Timing is Everything: Spin too early or too late, and you’re going to have a bad day.
Check Your Landing: Rough terrain makes trick landings a whole lot more hazardous. Recon it.
When you’re comfortable, start linking tricks. Style points!
Learn the Terrain – Get in the Zone
No two runs are the same. The game’s got plenty of types of terrain -> each with its own challenges:
Groomed Trails: Great for learning speed control & basics. Smooth sailing.
Deep Powder: Weight shifting is even more important here. You’ve got to stay on top of the snow.
Backcountry: Unpredictable, but sick for taking your skills to the next level.
If one area is getting the best of you, move on. Go somewhere you can ride and improve.
Ride with Friends
Sledding alone is fun, but with friends? -> Totally different story… Tearing down hills, landing (or crashing) tricks, just messing around – it’s all more fun with a crew.
Friendly Races: Who can get down the mountain fastest before they (inevitably) crash?
Trick Battles: Who’s got the most style? Time to get low.
Explore Together: Find the best hidden spots and shred them together as a team.
Seriously, if you’re playing online, get some friends. Good times are pretty much guaranteed.
Tweak Your Ride (If You Can)
Depending on the level of customization the game provides, you can play around with:
Suspension: Softer for big hits, stiffer for more handling responsiveness.
Handling: Loosen up steering or make it ultra-sensitive.
Looks: Cuz let’s be real, half the battle is looking good.
Experiment! Find a setup that works and suits your riding style!
Crashes Happen (A Lot) – Keep at It!
Here’s the truth: you’re going to wipe out. Probably a lot… But it’s all just part of the game!!
Every wipeout is an opportunity to learn:
Why did you wipe out? Speeding? Bad landing? Over-steering?
What do you do differently? Shift laterally? Back off a bit? Take a different line??
Just keep riding. You’ll improve the more you play. It’s just how it is. Crashing isn’t failure : it’s all part of the process. Experience is the best teacher, so get back out there and keep shredding!
