September 16, 2008
Snowmobiling defined
In the mid-west states, the official start of winter is Hay Days, well here in Ontario its the Go Snowmobiling Show. Kind of interesting to watch the buzz around the office as we start to prepare our media fleet, show units and demos for the upco
ming season. The metal crate remains are getting stacked by the back door awaiting the arrival of Sanford and Son and our storage shed is becoming swollen with new sleds in need of trail permits. Still haven’t spotted my new Apex GT buts that’s probably a good thing… which brings me to a small muse.
Snowmobiling differs from all the other products we sell in the way the hardware is viewed.
Motorcyclists are very tuned to their bikes but in the end, its clearly the ride and image which create the emotional response. ATV’ers can be very aware of the machine and its features but end of the day, its the promise of exploring and related outdoor activities that become available given the access afforded by the bike. Outboards, well these are essentially appliances used to propel the main vessel and aquatic focus of the owner. That leaves snowmobiles.
No other product recieves so much critical attention relative to the design and performance. What I’m trying to say is many sled heads put the equipment ahead of the riding experience. It’s more important to achieve an extra hundred foot lead at the end of the lake than to be outside riding in the first place. Carrying an extra 5 mph throughout a long stretch of woop-de-dooed trail, takes precedent over cruising the same section and enjoying the view. If I had a nickel for every brand blind, POS diatribe issued by an impassioned rider in defense of their chosen sled, I’d be a rich man.
I try to imagine what it is like in this day and age for a newbie, who may be attracted by the notion of getting into the sno-mo game. More than likely the initial attraction is all about outdoors access , breaking away from TV induced ‘cabin fever’ and floating over endless miles of the white stuff in search of adventure. How long does it take for this person to get sucked in to the ‘mines bigger than yours’ mentallity? How quickly will they decide only one brand is worthy of ownership and all others should be critized and scoffed? You should have at least a 130hp horsepower with a foot and half of suspension to enjoy a groomed trail. And, oh yeah, if your sled is a bit heavier than your friends, you’re in big trouble. How many will get turned off by the sheer cost and competition of it all returning to the safe comfort of the living room and This Week In NASCAR?
If only we had as much energy devoted to promoting the enjoyment of being comfotably outside on a sparkling winter day with the whole world to explore. No strings, no pressure no equipment complex. Which brings me to the point.
Mark Lester from Supertrax asked me earlier this week what I liked most about snowmobiling. Easy question… at first glance.
Give it some thought! I did. 
cr
Its because there is absolutely nothing like it. In what else can you climb a mountain at high rates of speed, explore through the trees, float through the powder, enjoy the scenery on a trail, and even ride across water.
Also with mountain riding you can get into places no one else can.
A Snowmobile is the only true “All-Terrain-Vehicle.” Any weather, any surface. The others can do one or a few of those, but not all.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:34 amHere….hear.
TY cr.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:45 amSept 23 is coming again , dang
Once again, more great insight CR, thanks.
Is it about the sled or about the sledding?
When we finally get a day to log some miles, I want to ride and enjoy the experience, but some people just have to keep stopping to check out this, and compare that, and brag about this, etc.
“Ride What You Brought”, just don’t stop every five minutes to put it on display.
We should ride during the daytime and leaving the bragging part for the nightside(when I’m dozing off and not listening.)
Phil Molto
Are you sure those fellows are smokers? I have friends that find all kinds of important reasons to stop far too frequently. They normally have the pack of butts out before I can protest…
cr
September 17th, 2008 at 11:44 amIt’s hard to put something you love so deeply into one word. I guess mine would be, Memories. Somewhere in my parents house there is a picture of a toddler buried in an Arctic Cat suit with his dad holding his hand so he could walk in the snow. The memories of pancakes on the griddle up north at the cabin. Family excursions out to eat by way of snowmobile. Proposing to my wife on top of Silver Mountain while on a snowmobile ride. Rides with friends and the laughs we have had. Flying down the trail on a V-max 4. And now rides with my family….yup, memories.
Awesome comment 8BU, makes me realize the future of our sport is in the hands of our children, better make sure we give them the best memories possible eh!
September 17th, 2008 at 12:02 pmcheers cr
After reading an article in the latest edition of Snow Goer magazine about the Ski-Doo Elan 250, my one word has to be memories. That was my first sled as a 12 year old and to this day remember riding everyday after school. What a blast that thing was with all of 12 HP! No debating over 2 or 4-Strokes, and certainly did not care that it was a Ski-Doo, or that it only had 12 HP and bogie wheel suspension! It was mine to ride and thankfully I had an older cousin that would help me keep the thing running. Those memories and the fun we had creating them is why I am such an avid snowmobiler today.
I agree that the future of our sport is in the hands of our children, but if they are to make their own memories, some manufacture needs to build them a sled to ride. Something bigger than the current 120s and smaller than the Phazer(85hp) or freestyle(35+hp). Give the kids something they can create their own memories on and our sport will become their sport someday.
Keep up the great work Chris!
Good point Todd, it seems the entry level of today is sitting at the SnoPro level of the seventies. I clearly remember my first ride on the pre-pro Phazer in 83 thinking this is the perfect amount of power to weight, who would ever want more… hmmm 405lbs / 56 hp…. time for the pendulum to swing the other way.
September 17th, 2008 at 3:43 pmcheers cr
For me it’s the freedom. The freedom to blast down an open lake as fast as you dare. The freedom to bust powder down an empty hydroline or pipeline. The freedom to rail through your favourite section of twisties. I love the alone inside your helmet RIDING…and the best part is I get to do this with my best freinds. At any point you get to stop and you’re with a bunch of people you (hopefully) like to be around. Then the helmet goes back on and you’re off again. I ride for the freedom and the comradery that sledding affords us.
The memories that we make are hands down the greatest byproduct. Like many of you I started riding young (30 years ago!!). I’ve been lucky enough to ride with my closest friends since the age of 8…and I too remember when the ET340 was it! Then the SRV was it…and then…and then…
Jeez CR you’ve really got me thinkin’ about all of my sledding memories…I better get home and start Rexy
.
Great comments DoK, give Rexy a squeeze for me… cheers cr
September 18th, 2008 at 3:00 pmHappy Birthday Chris from a member of the http://www.vmax4.com brigade!
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm