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Jay Mentaberry on the 2023 Ski-Doo Summit X.
Photo: Ryan Thompson for SnoWest
Albin Johansson gets inverted during Ross Robinson’s trip to Sweden.
See more on page 44.
Photo: Courtesy Lynx Snowmobiles
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Location: Montana
Photo: Ryan Harris for SnoWest
Location: Montana
Photo: Ryan Harris for SnoWest
Avalanche safety is tremendously important and KLIM understands the intensity of mountain riding better than most. Its need for a durable, snowmobile-specific avalanche backpack led KLIM to develop the Alpride E2 Airbag System. The 26-liter Atlas pack is designed around the new Alpride E2 multi-use electronic airbag system, which is smaller, lighter, produces a larger airbag, reduces transceiver interference, and features many other advancements over the previous E1 system. Robust materials and construction make this pack ideal for heavy powersports usage. Airbags help you stay near the surface of a moving avalanche, reducing the risk of burial. Ride thrilling backcountry terrain with more peace of mind and quick access to your equipment. (www.klim.com)
Polaris has remained committed to keeping its customers and dealers informed and sharing details regarding the recent snowmobile recall. It has determined that with degraded fuel and especially after extended storage, Model Year 2021-2023 MATRYX, 2015-2022 AXYS, and select Model Year 2013-2014 Trail Performance (Pro-Ride) snowmobiles may pose a risk of fire due to electrostatic discharge (ESD) inside the fuel tank. Under specific conditions, vapors may be ignited inside the fuel tank, posing a potential injury hazard to consumers.
Polaris has identified 30 reports of fuel tank ruptures, including 16 incidents of fire and one report of injury and the estimated number of affected vehicles is around 230,000 units globally.
Summit Subtleties
If you’re looking for the perfect top-of-the-line Ski-Doo mountain snowmobile, you’ve likely narrowed your selection down to three trims—the Summit w/Expert, Summit X and Freeride. All three feature the 850 E-TEC engine, new REV Gen5 platform and pDrive drive system with QRS Vent Plus. All three also come in the Turbo R trim if you feel you need ultimate power.
With the same power and chassis, what separates and distinguishes these three models?
First you need to recognize that the 2023 Summit Line is vastly different from 2022 thanks to the redesigned REV Gen5 platform. The change in platform created a trickling effect throughout the sled design. It became narrower, lighter and designed for a purpose.
SwitchBack 146
If you’re looking for a snowmobile that can hammer the trails with the best of them and still wander off into the powder and hang with the mountain sleds, Polaris has the perfect sled for you … actually two of them.
The 650 SKS 146 and the Switchback XC 650 146 are two similar snowmobiles with just a subtle difference in a few features to give them a little added strength in certain terrain conditions. The SKS 146 is a mountain-segment sled made for trails. The Switchback XC is a crossover segment sled made for trails. Both feature the 650 Patriot engine (the Switchback XC is also offered in an 850 Patriot engine) and come with the same drivetrain systems with a slight variance in calibration.
Although the SKS feels lighter in deep snow, it actually is about 50 pounds heavier than the Switchback. The SKS is a little longer and taller which gives it more flotation and better standing leverage. Although both have the same track length, the SKS uses the 2-inch Crossover track while the Switchback XC offers your choice of either the 1.35-inch or 1.6-inch Cobra track.
THE BEST PLACE TO KICK OFF THE SEASON
THE BEST PLACE TO KICK OFF THE SEASON
Catalyst
In recent years Hay Days has become the top venue to launch new products and make big announcements. So when a new chassis platform was set to be unveiled, Arctic Cat knew exactly the place to share the good news. It was arguably the most anticipated release at this year’s Hay Days as Arctic Cat unveiled its Catalyst chassis platform for model year 2024 to an excited crowd. Attendees stood shoulder-to-shoulder waiting for the covers to be removed from the new sleds and for a solid hour the rest of the show was very quiet as no one wanted to miss out on the announcement.
Homeland
Photos by lynx snowmobiles
Homeland
Photos by lynx snowmobiles
The introduction of LYNX snowmobiles to North America made waves. The brand that many had been asking for finally entered the market with model year 2022 sleds.
I’ve been lucky enough to be aboard these new sleds from day one here in the USA. Even for me, it’s taken some time to learn what this Finnish company is all about. My trip to Finland and Sweden this past May certainly showed me who is driving Lynx and where they’re going.
Podium
Chasers
Polaris & Ski-Doo debut new race sleds
There were a lot of attention-grabbing announcements made at this year’s Hay Days event back in September, including the release of the all-new race sleds for model year 2023. After two years of extensive testing, Ski-Doo made some noise at Hay Days by unveiling its all-new race sled to a crowd that had gathered specifically to see its new model in person.
“For the 2023 Ski-Doo MXZ 600 RS we’ve made a lot of significant changes, mostly to the chassis and suspension,” said Ski-Doo race coordinator Carey Daku following the Hay Days announcement. “We wanted more traction with this sled for the holeshot and also wanted the sled to corner a little better, stay flatter through the turns and accelerate harder out of the corners.”
ToBe Vivid V2 Monosuit
Over a decade ago, ToBe founder Tomas Berntsson took a trip from Sweden to Idaho. We hooked up with Berntsson for a couple days along with Josh Skinner, who at the time was helping out the ToBe brand in the US. We gained a high level of respect for Berntsson and his Swedish ToBe brand, what he envisioned for riding gear function and appearance, and how dedicated he is to the sport of snowmobiling among other winter enthusiast activities.
Since then, we’ve been on the ToBe bandwagon. Not only for its grassroots story, but for its ever-improving riding gear—this stuff is great mountain equipment.
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Location: West Yellowstone, Montana
Photo: Ryan Harris for SnoWest
Location: West Yellowstone, Montana
Photo: Ryan Harris for SnoWest
