Chris Burandt getting some early testing in on the 20220 Polaris Matrys RMX Khaos Slash.
Rider: Chris Burandt
Photo: Todd Williams
www.toddwilliamsusa.com
Photo: Courtesy of Yeti
by Mason Machon
Darryl W. Harris—Founder
Jason Harris—President
Chuck Harris—Vice President
Ryan Harris—Vice President
Greg Larsen—Vice President
Clayton Ward—Treasurer
Janet Chase—Secretary
Advertising and editorial offices
520 Park Ave.
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Phone: 208-542-2292
Fax: 208-522-5241
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR – RYAN HARRIS
EMERITUS EDITOR – STEVE JANES
EDITOR – SETH HARPER
PHOTOGRAPHER – RYAN THOMPSON
SNOWEST TEST STAFF
RYAN HARRIS – STEVE JANES
RHETT CLARK – NATE KING
JUSTIN STEVENS
ADVERTISING MANAGER – Jason Huff
jhuff@snowest.com
ADVERTISING ASSISTANT – SAMANTHA STROUD
samantha@harrispublishing.com
PRODUCTION MANAGER – JANET CHASE
DESIGN – LAVON HORNE
PRODUCTION – JIM DONOVAN
IT DIRECTOR – CHUCK HARRIS
CONTROLLER – CLAYTON WARD
ACCOUNTING – JASON HARRIS
CIRCULATION – CHUCK HARRIS
WEB CONTENT CREATOR – karcin HARRIS
NEWSSTAND MANAGEMENT
ProCirc Retail Solutions Group
per year by Harris Publishing, Inc.,
Copyright (c) 2022, Harris Publishing, Inc.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole
or in part, without written permission,
is strictly prohibited.
address change:
520 Park Avenue
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
1-800-638-0135 or
www.SnoWest.com
SnoWest, $19.95 Print + Digital per year.
$12.00 Digital only per year
Back issues, when available, $5.00 each.
Learn more at www.avalanche-alliance.org
Learn more at www.avalanche-alliance.org
Headquartered in Hartford, WI, Triton holds the top position in aluminum personal watercraft (“PWC”) trailer production and ranks second in overall aluminum trailer sales of all types. Founded in 1975, Triton boasts more than 40 years of trailer manufacturing experience across a variety of recreational and utility market segments. Offering a robust product line of open and enclosed snowmobile towing solutions, Triton commands an extensive geographic footprint with dealers across the United States, Canada and select international markets.
“Triton has always been admired from afar and has been a strong competitor. As a leading brand name and fellow industry frontrunner, we are excited to build upon Triton’s reputation of quality and innovation,” said Trapper Clark, chief executive officer of ALCOM. The Triton leadership group and production teams will continue guiding operations at the Hartford, WI, facility while the brand is integrated into ALCOM.
This announcement comes on the heels of a very productive year for the organization. Punctuated by the successful launch of a Deland, FL, operation and a recently signed lease in Waco, TX, 2021 delivered a company-wide throughput increase that nearly tripled the previous year. Overcoming significant supply chain constraints and an ultra-competitive labor market, ALCOM’s success is largely attributed to a dedicated workforce that will eclipse 1,000 employees, post-acquisition.
David McClure: I’d like them to get smaller and lighter, same track lengths, just the total size of the vehicle smaller and more nimble.
Riley Kincaid: Snowmobiles are already so developed it is crazy. I can’t wrap my head around what else they could do, but I’d imagine just weight reduction and new front ends, and more accessories.
Chris Burandt: We are in such a good place with product right now. I’m hoping the OEM’s keep pushing to lighter weight and easier/more fun to ride machines.
Cody McNolty: I think snowmobiles have a lot of potential growth with suspension and ski technology.
Dave Norona: They are better than last year and will be better in the future! Easier to ride and easier to get into harder spots. Making everyone a better rider is the trick!
By Seth Harper
What Chris Burandt touches turns to gold, from winning an actual gold at the X Games in 2007 all the way to his project sleds. A recent project of his has been turning a 155 Khaos into a short tunnel by chopping 7 inches off the rear tunnel.
“Riding this sled is a rodeo,” Burandt said.
All in all, this sled is 20-25 pounds lighter than the stock version. The seat setup alone loses 12 pounds, with the Nextec carbon fiber skid losing another 14.
“When you cut this, you end up on that back bumper quite a bit more,” Burandt said, “so having the reinforcement of bumper really makes a big difference and having it come up and not sticking out helps complete that so it can go through the snow.”
Though he wanted it as lightweight as possible, Burandt gave up some weight loss in favor of personable preference. He sees the perks of 5.7-inch lugs, but ended up sticking with the 2.6 because of the performance it provides in his own backyard.
“For my snow and my conditions I prefer the 2.6-inch Polaris track,” he explained. “The 2.57 works really well in a lot of conditions and it’s almost 4 pounds lighter, but for me I feel the 2.6 lifts better here and is better all around in a lot of conditions.”
Modified 146 Turbo
Steve Martin was out in the snow with a friend who was riding a Blaine Mathews Summit turbo build. It had a small tank and a modified seat, and it gave Martin an idea.
“I thought it looked awesome,” he said. “I’ve built a bunch of mod snocross and hillclimb sleds, so I thought it would be a fun project.”
Martin went home, completely took apart his 2021 Ski-Doo Freeride turbo, and started on a build of his own.
By Seth Harper
Snowbikes
By Seth Harper
Chances are you don’t have to use too much imagination here because like us you’ve experienced this firsthand. Sometimes the weather just can’t make up its mind. Vista Goggles from HMK solves this.
Kirk Zack and HMK had two focuses when designing the Vista Goggle: improve the field of vision and figure out how to change them quickly and easily. The solution to the latter comes through a magnetic lens attachment. This allows riders to switch out lenses throughout the day in just seconds.
The first question anyone has for a magnetic lens concerns its reliability. Will it pop out while you traverse the mountainside? Will it stay intact during the first hard landing of the day? According to Zack, this isn’t an issue. He’s had X Games riders crash while wearing his goggle with zero detriment to the goggle.
Beasts
First, we’re not talking bargain buys. If you want this kind of muscle sled performance, you’re going to need your check books. The Mach Z retails for $19,699 and the Thundercat comes in at $19,495. Now that we’re past the initial “sticker shock,” we can focus on what you will get with your hard-earned cash—no more snow dust. Because with either of these two muscle sleds, you won’t need to worry about following anyone down the trails.
The Mach Z is powered by the Rotax 900 ACE Turbo that generates 180 horsepower (Ski-Doo decided to limit the power output at 180 because too much power can be just overkill). The Thundercat features a C-Tech4 998cc turbo that dynos out around 200 horsepower.
View Advertisers
- Company NamePage
- Albany County Tourism Board49
- BowDriks Industries Ltd.6
- Castle Sales16
- Chatterbox29
- Eckhoffs59
- Jackson Hole Snow Devils33
- Kimpex37
- Kolby Offroad6
- More Freakin Power55
- MotorFist LLC35
- Polaris Industries Inc.15
- Proven Design Products LLC.55
- Pure Adrenaline Motorsports2, 3
- Starting Line Products47
- Tracks USA59
- Trails West17
- Wahl Bros57
- Yellowstone Country62, 63
RIDER: Timbersled www.timbersled.com
Location: Wyoming
RIDER: Timbersled www.timbersled.com
Location: Wyoming