Snow Skis

[cityrancher]

How deep of snow can you land in before you get in trouble?

That is a difficult question to answer as there are so many variables. I used to carry a rock with orange flagging attached and if the snow was questionable depth wise, I would drop it and see if it was showing any orange. Always be prepared to go around if the floatation doesn't feel good when you first touch. Carry snow shoes so you can tramp a ramp if you get stuck.

[Cody]

That is a difficult question to answer as there are so many variables. I used to carry a rock with orange flagging attached and if the snow was questionable depth wise, I would drop it and see if it was showing any orange. Always be prepared to go around if the floatation doesn't feel good when you first touch. Carry snow shoes so you can tramp a ramp if you get stuck.

Thanks for the info but how deep is too deep? I will be living in Priest Lake this winter and don't want to get myself in serious trouble. I get it , around the central basin there probably wont be enough accumulation to really worry about but up in Priest Lake the snow can get really deep with varying conditions. How far would you settle in before you would call it quits. and would you need a ski on the tail wheel or is a baby bush wheel OK.?

[cityrancher]

I will give you a very general idea. If the snow is knee deep when walking without snow shoes, I would have my alert antenna up. If it is this deep I think you will want a tailwheel ski. It doesn't take a lot of drag to slow the aircraft a lot for take off. I hesitate to give advice on this because a lot of judgement is involved. Start with the easy stuff and work your confidence up with experience. Any off airport landing has risk, use prudent judgement.

[Cody]

I will give you a very general idea. If the snow is knee deep when walking without snow shoes, I would have my alert antenna up. If it is this deep I think you will want a tailwheel ski. It doesn't take a lot of drag to slow the aircraft a lot for take off. I hesitate to give advice on this because a lot of judgement is involved. Start with the easy stuff and work your confidence up with experience. Any off airport landing has risk, use prudent judgement.

Thanks.. I have been told by some very experienced back country pilots to stay away from skis. I think up here there would be too much risk given the massive amount of snow they get around here. If I was flying an old super cub or scout or 170b, something that wouldn't break the bank if it were lost, I might try it. Im too scared to damage my new plane just yet. Thanks for them info. It was very helpful.

[Clay Hammond]

Best thing you can do your first season on skis is follow someone else around who knows what they are doing. Buddy system with an experienced buddy. Carbon Cub is as lightweight as they come and the Summits or others can be set up so that you float right across the top of whatever you are working in (for the most part...YMMV). Conditions play a big part...fresh versus old snow, temperature and depth... Get with someone who can show you the ropes. Don't try and figure it out yourself, but don't not do it just because someone else says not to.

[Cody]

Best thing you can do your first season on skis is follow someone else around who knows what they are doing. Buddy system with an experienced buddy. Carbon Cub is as lightweight as they come and the Summits or others can be set up so that you float right across the top of whatever you are working in (for the most part...YMMV). Conditions play a big part...fresh versus old snow, temperature and depth... Get with someone who can show you the ropes. Don't try and figure it out yourself, but don't not do it just because someone else says not to.

I dont know of anyone who is running skis except in the basin where there isn't enough snow to cause a problem. I have never seen skis in the priest lake area except on the snowmobile beaten runways. I think I will watch and wait. Thanks.

[Dan L]

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In the Carbon Cub with its power to weight ratio I haven't found any conditions that were too much.

[Cody]

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In the Carbon Cub with its power to weight ratio I haven't found any conditions that were too much.

Those are very big skis.

[Clay Hammond]

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[Cody]

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Looks very nice.