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Chris Burandt text
Big Questions Big Answers text
PLUS: Thundercat vs Mach Z, Burandt's Lightweight RMK Build, Steve Martin's Lightweight Summit Turbo Build
January 2022
Chris Burandt text
Big Questions Big Answers text
PLUS: Thundercat vs Mach Z, Burandt's Lightweight RMK Build, Steve Martin's Lightweight Summit Turbo Build
January 2022
January 2022
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THE AUTHORITY FOR WESTERN SNOWMOBILING
January 2022
Snowest Logo
THE AUTHORITY FOR WESTERN SNOWMOBILING
Features
18
Rider Q&A

We Asked, They Answered
26
A Chris Burandt Build

His Short-Tunnel 155 Khaos
30
A Lightweight Turbo

Steve Martin’s 146 Ski-Doo
38
The Ins And Outs Of Snowbikes

Our Complete Snowbike Guide
50
Battle Of The Beasts

Thundercat vs Mach Z
Departments
48
Product Review

HMK Goggles
Cover

Chris Burandt getting some early testing in on the 20220 Polaris Matrys RMX Khaos Slash.
Rider: Chris Burandt
Photo: Todd Williams
www.toddwilliamsusa.com

Contents

Photo: Courtesy of Yeti
by Mason Machon

aerial shot of snowmobilers
Harris Publishing
Harris Publishing, Inc.

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

Snowest
PUBLISHER – RYAN HARRIS

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

SnoWest Magazine is published 6 times
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.

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Back issues, when available, $5.00 each.

Snowdust
When December Ends
Jay Mentaberry snuck in an early ride in Revelstoke, BC, with Tony Jenkins and Rob Alford just before Christmas. At the time, it was the best snow around. Then winter hit.
PHOTO: Rob Alford, alfordlogchalet.com
RIDER: Jay Mentaberry
Location: British Columbia
When December Ends
Jay Mentaberry snuck in an early ride in Revelstoke, BC, with Tony Jenkins and Rob Alford just before Christmas. At the time, it was the best snow around. Then winter hit.
PHOTO: Rob Alford, alfordlogchalet.com
RIDER: Jay Mentaberry
Location: British Columbia
Snowdust
Red, White and Blue
Matt Entz trekked the snowbelt this past fall with Dan Adams and Dustin Pancheri teaching sledders about avalanche dangers and safety precautions, training and equipment. All part of the Avalanche Alliance.

Learn more at www.avalanche-alliance.org

PHOTO: todd Williams, www.toddwilliamsusa.com
RIDER: Matt Entz
Location: Wyoming
Red, White and Blue
Matt Entz trekked the snowbelt this past fall with Dan Adams and Dustin Pancheri teaching sledders about avalanche dangers and safety precautions, training and equipment. All part of the Avalanche Alliance.

Learn more at www.avalanche-alliance.org

PHOTO: todd Williams, www.toddwilliamsusa.com
RIDER: Matt Entz
Location: Wyoming
Snow Report
Snowmobile being taken out of trailer
ALCOM Acquires Triton Trailers
ALCOM LLC recently announced their completed acquisition of Triton Trailers, a well-established manufacturer of premium aluminum trailer products.

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.

The World’s Best Mountain Sled
RMK text
Snow is stacking up in the hills. Hours are being spent in the gym. Wrenches are spinning in the shops and garages. Race season is coming. And we can’t wait. This season, the best team on snow gets to attack the RMSHA series with the all new Matryx RMK. Get ready, this is going to be good.
Polaris Logo
©2021 Polaris Industries Inc. Photographed using highly skilled professional operators under controlled conditions. Polaris recommends that all riders take a training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride.
Snow is stacking up in the hills. Hours are being spent in the gym. Wrenches are spinning in the shops and garages. Race season is coming. And we can’t wait. This season, the best team on snow gets to attack the RMSHA series with the all new Matryx RMK. Get ready, this is going to be good.
Polaris Logo
©2021 Polaris Industries Inc. Photographed using highly skilled professional operators under controlled conditions. Polaris recommends that all riders take a training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride.
RIDER Q&A
see what your favorite riders have to say
We asked, they answered. Questions from Snowest
Rider: Jen Macpherson
How do sleds get better from here?

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!

Chris Burandt’s
Short-Tunnel 155 Khaos

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.

view of 155 Khaos fuel tank and seat
Completing the short-tunnel aspect, Burandt says the Skinz rear tunnel cut bumper is a cool piece to finish off all the hard work he’s doing.

“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.”

By Seth Harper
Steve Martin’s
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.

Snowbike rider going down a hill

By Seth Harper

Our Guide To

Snowbikes
What you need to know
Our Guide To
Snowbikes

What you need to know
In contrast to birds, dirt bikers break out their snowbikes and travel north for the winter. A snowbike brings the feeling of two wheels to the snow and is worth a try if you haven’t yet. We’ve compiled a guide of the different bikes out there and what you need to know about them. From something for kids all the way to the pros, here’s what you should consider when looking into purchasing a snowbike.

By Seth Harper

Our Guide To

Snowbikes
What you need to know
In contrast to birds, dirt bikers break out their snowbikes and travel north for the winter. A snowbike brings the feeling of two wheels to the snow and is worth a try if you haven’t yet. We’ve compiled a guide of the different bikes out there and what you need to know about them. From something for kids all the way to the pros, here’s what you should consider when looking into purchasing a snowbike.
Product Review department text
A Goggle For Every Occasion

Vista Goggles From HMK
A Goggle For Every Occasion

Vista Goggles From HMK
By Seth Harper
A Goggle For Every Occasion

Vista Goggles From HMK
By Seth Harper
Imagine this: you wake up to clear skies with a full day of riding ahead of you. You go with a blue-lens goggle — perfect for a bright day. Within an hour or so out on the mountain clouds start to roll in, taking away the sun and causing you to question your lens choice.

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.

Arctic Cat Thundercat vs Ski-Doo Mach Z
Battle of the
Beasts
By Steve Janes
Arctic Cat Thundercat vs Ski-Doo Mach Z
Battle of the Beasts
By Steve Janes
When it comes to flat-out top-end speed, there are two 100-plus mph snowmobiles that have redefined the limits of trail performance—the Arctic Cat Thundercat and Ski-Doo Mach Z. When you bundle this awesome horsepower with the latest trail technology, you have two sleds that will “rocket” your world.

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.

ADVERTISERINDEX
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  • Company NamePage
  • Albany County Tourism Board49

www.visitlaramie.org

  • BowDriks Industries Ltd.6

www.superclamp.net

  • Castle Sales16

www.castlesales.com

  • Full Throttle Inc.55, 59

www.fullthrottleinc.com

  • Jackson Hole Snow Devils33

www.snowdevils.org

  • Kolby Offroad6

www.kolbyoffroad.com

  • More Freakin Power55

www.morefreakinpower.com

  • MotorFist LLC35

www.motorfist.com

  • Polaris Industries Inc.15

www.polaris.com

  • Proven Design Products LLC.55

www.provendesignproducts.com

  • Pure Adrenaline Motorsports2, 3

www.pureadrenalinemotorsports.com

  • Starting Line Products47

www.startinglineproducts.com

  • Western Power Sports Inc.7, 64

www.wps-inc.com

Snowdust
We at SnoWest are big fans of snowbiking.
We’ve been riding them since Allen Mangum introduced the first Timbersled Mountain Horse prototype back in 2010 (and rode a few other prototypes years before that, too). The feeling of exploration and adventure is strong on a bike, despite the wide gap in horsepower compared to snowmobiles. We’ll always be hooked.
PHOTO: todd Williams, www.toddwilliamsusa.com
RIDER: Timbersled www.timbersled.com
Location: Wyoming
We at SnoWest are big fans of snowbiking.
We’ve been riding them since Allen Mangum introduced the first Timbersled Mountain Horse prototype back in 2010 (and rode a few other prototypes years before that, too). The feeling of exploration and adventure is strong on a bike, despite the wide gap in horsepower compared to snowmobiles. We’ll always be hooked.
PHOTO: todd Williams, www.toddwilliamsusa.com
RIDER: Timbersled www.timbersled.com
Location: Wyoming
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Thanks for reading our January 2022 issue!