Snowdeck with improved control

A method of assembling a gliding apparatus for use in snow, the gliding apparatus including a riding platform, a snow ski configured to slide over snow, a first mounting device and a second mounting device, wherein the riding platform includes a top surface to support a rider's feet and a bottom surface, and wherein the first mounting device and the second mounting device each include a top portion and a bottom portion, the method comprising steps of:

• positioning the first and second mounting devices between the riding platform and the snow ski;
• pivotably coupling the bottom portion of the first mounting device to the snow ski about a first axis;
• pivotably coupling the bottom portion of the second mounting device to the snow ski about a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are generally parallel to one another;
• pivotably coupling the top portion of the first mounting device to the riding platform about a third axis;
• and
• pivotably coupling the top portion of the second mounting device to the riding platform about a fourth axis, wherein the third axis and the fourth axis are generally collinear with one another.

A mounting system for assembling a gliding apparatus for use in snow, said mounting system comprising:

• a mounting device having a top portion and a bottom portion, each of the top portion and the bottom portion comprising a recess, and wherein the top portion of the mounting device further comprises a rocker surface, the rocker surface comprising a central region and first and second sections on opposite sides of the central region, with the first and second sections being below the central region;
• a first rod configured for being disposed within the recess of the bottom portion;
• a second rod configured for being disposed within the recess of the top portion;
• a ski bracket configured for being mounted to a top surface of a snow ski and for being pivotably coupled to the bottom portion of the mounting device about the first rod;
• and
• a platform bracket configured for being mounted to a bottom surface of a riding platform and for being pivotably coupled to the top portion of the mounting device about the second rod.