Next Level Riding Clinics
Drills, Terms, & Techniques

This list represents some of the skills and techniques that participants will learn during a three day Next Level Riding Clinic. NLRC instructors have developed specific drills to teach, improve or fine tune rider abilities.

Side Hilling
Side Hilling is one of the most essential mountain riding techniques because it allows riders to negotiate all types of terrain and can be a vital fundamental in avalanche situations. Factors that make up side hilling may include: snow conditions, snow depth, visibility, throttle control, and weight transfer. Instructors of the NLRC will teach participants the right way to side hill by creating a safe environment to practice tips and techniques. The use of gates provided by the NLRC will allow participants to focus on the tasks at hand without the fear of trees or other hazardous obstacles. Learning approach angles, planning ahead, and counter steering are just a few teaching methods that will be the focused on during this drill and will be used throughout the 3 day clinic.

Hill Climbing
Hill Climbing is truly the definition of mountain riding. The ability to climb hills, get to the next bowl, and "touch the sky." Climbing can also be the most dangerous form of snowmobiling and will be focused on in great detail during the entire season with the NLRC. Learning snow conditions, sun exposure, safe exit routes, who's below you, and throttle control will be key elements to hill climbing. The NLRC will effectively teach participants the rights and wrongs of hill climbing and will conduct drills in an area that will ensure rider safety and confidence.

Down Hill Turns
The proper down hill turn techniques will undoubtedly be an asset to a rider's backcountry snowmobiling. The ability to maneuver the snowmobile down a slope and maintain control will be a key element in learning the down hill turn. Instructors will accomplish this by using gates and setting up controlled environments that allow participants to concentrate on body positioning, throttle control, and sled capabilities. The down hill turn is another fundamental and essential skill in avoiding avalanches and will be covered in great detail.

Linking Turns
Learning the art form of linking turns will be another essential riding technique that the instructors of the NLRC will focus on. Once participants have worked on their turns and have an improved sense of throttle control, the gates provided by the NLRC will create a course for riders to try and link their turns together. Video analysis, like with all the other drills, will come in handy during these techniques so that participants can view their progress throughout the clinic. Keeping riders in a safe environment free of potential hazards will ensure progress and confidence within the group.

Throttle Control
Throttle control is the single most important technique in becoming a better backcountry rider. Training your thumb to work as quickly as your brain to process what your next move has to be will be talked about in great detail. Factors of throttle control include: snow conditions, terrain, temperature, visibility, and timing. Participants will be constantly tested on their throttle control using various drills and performing relatively simple tasks throughout the clinic that will ensure proper use of power to negotiate terrain. A riders ability to maintain engine RPM and momentum will greatly improve all elements of backcountry snowmobiling. The instructors of the NLRC will focus on throttle control more than any other technique as it pertains to all levels of riding including avalanche awareness and safety.

Tree Navigation
As participants gain more confidence in their riding, the instructors of the NLRC will introduce tree navigation. This drill will be done in various stages throughout the 3 day clinic. Riders who feel comfortable in their side hilling, hill climbing, down hill turns, and most importantly, throttle control, will have an opportunity to explore the trees! Staging will be a huge factor in this and will be properly executed by the instructors of the NLRC to ensure safety and confidence. Some key factors to tree navigation will be: looking ahead, planning your route, knowing your sled's capabilities, and throttle control.

Turning Around in Deep Snow
This drill will make any backcountry snowmobiler happy to complete. Having the right techniques will ensure both safety and confidence with this task. Instructors of the NLRC will provide all the necessary tips and tricks to getting turned around in deep snow. Body positioning, counter steering, sled capabilities, and throttle control all play a role in this and will be demonstrated throughout the 3 day clinic. The analogy of riding a Jet Ski and the fact that without the use of power, the machine won't move, is a great way to get participants in the right frame of mind when learning this task.

Turning Around in Small Spaces
This task is done with a few simple body and throttle position techniques. Although it seems to be one of the more difficult maneuvers to do, the instructors of the NLRC will safely show participants the key elements to turning around in a small area. Knowing your sled's capabilities, having proper throttle control, and being aggressive will ensure success with this technique. Snow conditions, snow depth, and area provided will all play a role when learning to turn in a small space.

Trail Riding
Trail riding will also be focused on during this 3 day clinic since most mountain riding areas have trail systems to get to the steep and deep. Learning hand signals, looking ahead, knowing safe areas to stop, and respecting Forest Service property will all be covered by the instructors of the NLRC.

Coming Down Steep Terrain
Learning to effectively slow your snowmobile down on steep terrain will also be covered within the 3 days at the NLRC. Proper body position, planning your route, knowing your surroundings, and improved braking techniques will all be focused on and demonstrated by the instructors of the NLRC. Snow conditions, snow depth, and terrain play a huge role in learning to safely navigate down steep slopes.

Creek Crossing
When riding in the backcountry, there are many obstacles that riders may confront. The ability to safely go over or around these obstacles will be focused on at the NLRC. Creek Crossings are often found and can be safely avoided, or if possible, crossed with the right techniques. The instructors of the NLRC will demonstrate various methods to accomplishing this task and will teach participants what to look for and how to successfully cross creeks or other obstacles throughout the 3 day clinic. Factors of creek crossing may include: throttle control, body positioning, snow conditions, and sled capabilities.

Getting Unstuck
One of the most inevitable mishaps in backcountry riding is getting stuck. The instructors of the NLRC will effectively show participants tips and tricks to getting unstuck using proper leverage and proper tools. Having a shovel and being physically prepared to maneuver a stuck sled will greatly improve your ability to free the snowmobile. Determining factors of getting a sled unstuck or helping out a friend who is stuck may be: snow stability, snow depth, snow conditions, terrain, and physical fitness. Instructors of the NLRC will teach riders of all abilities proper techniques and safe decision making when getting a snowmobile unstuck.