The Essence of Boondocking:
Boondocking, a term derived from "boondocks" meaning remote, wild areas, encapsulates the essence of venturing off the beaten path. It's a skillful art that demands a symbiotic relationship between rider and snowmobile, as you traverse through deep snow and unpredictable terrain.
The Dance of Direction:
Unlike groomed trails, backcountry terrain can be unpredictable and challenging. Boondocking involves a unique dance on the sled, requiring the rider to shift their weight dynamically to change direction swiftly. It's not just about steering with the handlebars; it's about using your body as a counterbalance, a finely tuned instrument responding to the nuances of the snow beneath.
Physical Demands:
Boondocking is a physically demanding activity that engages your entire body. Shifting your weight from side to side, leaning forward or backward, and using your knees to absorb shocks are all part of the intricate choreography. Strong core muscles, sturdy legs, and quick reflexes become invaluable assets as you navigate through deep powder and tight spaces.
Terrain Reading:
The physically demanding aspect of boondocking extends beyond body movements. It involves constant terrain reading – understanding the snow conditions, anticipating hidden obstacles, and adapting your riding style accordingly. A skilled boondocker not only rides the sled but reads the language of the snow to predict its next move. Mastering these skills is critical to be able to achieve the adventures that are possible for a skilled rider.
Mastering the Pivot:
One of the key maneuvers in backcountry boondocking is mastering the pivot. This involves a combination of body movements, throttle control, and sled positioning to execute a smooth and controlled turn in deep snow. It's a testament to the rider's physical prowess and their ability to harmonize with the sled in challenging conditions.
Preparation and Training:
To excel in the physical demands of backcountry boondocking, riders should invest in physical preparation and training. Strengthening core muscles, improving endurance, and honing balance through off-season exercises can significantly enhance your boondocking experience.
The right rack for the job:
While many of these great boondocking adventures are purely to enjoy snowmobiling, we all know if some is good then more is better. That's why we bring our skis and snowboard with us, to grab a few silent lines along our backcountry adventure. That's why the port tack rack was designed to carry the skis and snowboards to stick out of the rear of the sled, leaving the cockpit open and free to ensure uncompromised boondocking while toting the extra gear along.
See how the ski tips come just up to the rear of the seat, meaning that the normal riding area is completely free of things to get in our way.
Boondocking in the backcountry on a snowmobile is not just a ride; it's a physical odyssey that demands agility, strength, and finesse. As you carve your way through untouched powder, remember that mastering the art of boondocking is not just about conquering the terrain – it's about dancing with the snow and embracing the physicality that makes the journey truly unforgettable. So, gear up, hit the backcountry trails, and let the exhilarating dance begin!
]]>From Swan Lake, Idaho - almost deep enough to get stuck a few times at elevation.
Here is an epic snowboard video from the Factorum Project crew. While it was released recently, the footage is divinely last season, still great to get your stoak on! Nice to see the Port Tack Racks snowboard holder and rack featured at 1m37s
Not quite so mountainous, but good depth in Island Palm, Vermont.
So far not too much action, but the seaon proper is around the corner.]]>
Check out the install and review of our snowmobile rack.
"Got my rack a few weeks ago and installed it. Love it!!!! So simple and easy to use. I made a blog post on the install for the website." Lucas Gibbons
]]>
KC Deane perches on the edge of a mountain face he’s been dreaming about skiing for years. The fluted off-camber line is guarded by fear. If Deane makes a bad turn, falls, gets hit with avalanche slough, or just goes a little too far left, he’ll go over a 45-metre (150-foot) cliff, accelerate rapidly, and land flat. It’s the kind of aesthetic and challenging line that inspires him. Being the first to lay tracks here makes it even more special. He’s moments away from the highlight of his winter.
But first he had to find it. Deane spent many hours exploring the Coast Range north of Whistler, British Columbia, before he stumbled on this remote zone. “Seeing what’s around the next ridge or up that logging road spur is a big part of why I love the mountains,” says Deane, a professional skier. “I love exploring and finding new places to ski. It’s what keeps it interesting.” Then he attempted the line several times, always aborting because of conditions. But today everything is perfect: the snow, the stability, and the morning light. When he finally drops in, the run is glorious — ski-porn dreams. When I ask him what piece of equipment made that run possible, Deane doesn’t credit his skis or waterproof jacket. Deane’s moneymaker is his dirty, loud, stinky, fossil fuel-burning snowmobile. And he loves it... read on
By Ryan Stuart and Mountain Culture online magazine
]]>One of the biggest challenges of cycling with cargo is the added weight and resistance that comes with carrying items on your bike. This can make it difficult to pedal, especially uphill or over long distances. E-bikes, on the other hand, make it much easier to carry cargo thanks to their electric motor, which provides an extra boost of power when needed.
E-bikes are also equipped with larger and stronger frames, which are better able to support the weight of cargo. This means that you can carry more items on your e-bike without worrying about the added stress on the frame.
In addition to the added power and stronger frame, e-bikes also come with a variety of cargo-carrying options. Many e-bikes have built-in racks or baskets for carrying items, and there are also a variety of aftermarket options available, such as panniers, saddlebags, and trailer attachments. The best way to lock that gear down is the electric bike cargo strap from Port Tack Racks.
Overall, e-bikes make it much easier to carry cargo while cycling, whether you're commuting to work, running errands, or going on a longer bike trip. So if you're looking to make your cycling experience more convenient and efficient, consider investing in an e-bike.
]]>The much more famous Yellowstone National Park is located just a few miles from away, while the Teton Range offers a wide variety of recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing are popular activities but it is also known for its excellent fishing and camping. In the winter, the Teton Range is a popular destination for skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.
The Teton Range is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, and is easily accessible from the towns of Jackson and Teton Village. To get to the range from Jackson, take Highway 191 north for about 10 miles to the park entrance. From Teton Village, take the Teton Park Road east into the park.
Once in the park, there are a number of trailheads and campgrounds where you can begin your adventure. The most popular trailheads include the Teton Crest Trail, which offers stunning views of the entire range, and the Cascade Canyon Trail, which leads to some of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the park.
Whether you're looking for a challenging hike or a relaxing day of fishing, the Teton Range has something for everyone. The area is also known for its abundant wildlife, so be sure to keep your camera handy to capture some amazing photos.
The Teton Range is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty and majesty of the Rocky Mountains. With its wide variety of recreational activities and stunning scenery, the range offers something for everyone.
]]>One of the best places to go backcountry skiing is Canada, which offers some of the most stunning and diverse terrain in the world. From the rugged peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the abundant snowfall of British Columbia and Quebec, Canada has something to offer every backcountry skier and snowboarder.
The Canadian Rockies, which span the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, are a true paradise for backcountry skiers and snowboarders. The region is known for its stunning scenery, with jagged peaks, alpine meadows, and glaciers all within reach of backcountry adventurers. Banff National Park and Jasper National Park are both located in the Canadian Rockies, and offer endless opportunities for backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
British Columbia is another popular destination for backcountry skiing, with its rugged mountains and abundant snowfall. The region is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world, such as Whistler Blackcomb and Revelstoke Mountain Resort, which offer a mix of groomed runs and backcountry terrain.
Quebec is also a great place for backcountry skiing, with its diverse terrain and abundant snow. The region is home to many popular ski resorts, as well as a number of smaller, more intimate ski areas that are perfect for backcountry enthusiasts. The Selkirk Mountains, located in the southeastern part of the province, offer some of the most challenging and beautiful backcountry skiing in Quebec.
No matter where you go, backcountry skiing and snowboarding are sure to provide an unforgettable adventure. So if you're looking for a truly unique and exhilarating experience, consider heading to one of these iconic Canadian regions for some backcountry fun.
]]>The west coast and mountain regions are experiencing a San Diego like fall, but snow in Alaska signals a proper switch to winter. The whole snow machining community is polishing their sleds and watching for snow, but the late start shouldn't be any trouble.
Typically early snow melts early anyways, so the lack of early snow shouldn't impact the snow levels at all. We will need some cool temperatures and precipitation in late October and through November to get a good base, but there is plenty of time for that.
Now is the perfect time to get ready for the season. Grab your tunnel rack and ski or snowboard holders and get them installed without getting your hands cold.
]]>They used the same GPS based techniques that helped the ski touring people reduce their avi risk.
Read the paper on snowmobile behavior in avalanche terrain in full by Jordy Hendrikx and Jerry Johnson.
If you want to contribute to their dataset, you can add your gps tracks here: www.montana.edu/snowscience/sleds or using the Skitracks app.
One key finding from the research is that snowmobilers are out of sight of each other far more than ski touring. That might contribute to the relatively high number of deaths as the group may not easily be able to locate a fellow rider on burial if they are not seen.
Above: tool to evaluate rider visibility
]]>
Announcing the Patrol Rack - New for the 2021/2022 winter season. The rack is very similar to our popular Large and Compact Racks that we have been making for a decade now... it wasn't broken, so this is not a revolution.
The Patrol Rack is a modest improvement on what has been working without screwing anything up.
It uses slightly less tunnel space while the snowboard and ski holder mounts remain the same width apart for stability.
Installation is a bit easier, by providing slightly larger access points without weakening the rack in any way.
Additional pre-drilled holes to accommodate all of the new sled chasis, all of the legacy sled chasis, while providing plenty of footprint for custom hole drilling.
The rack is a few grams lighter, by using only 5 cross beams instead of 6, but we we've evenly spread them across the platform so nothing is lost.
Updated pre-drilled ski and snowboard mount holes for easy installation of our updated mount kits.
In short, the new Patrol Rack is the same as our old Large Rack - just better! Have a look and pre-order before July to grab a $25 discount, it's the only discount we'll be offering all year.
cheers,
Ben, Pete, and Jer
]]>The electric snowmobile from Montreal-based startup Taiga Motors looks like any other snowmobile to untrained eyes. Gently press your thumb onto the throttle and the machine is amiable and unintimidating, just as company co-founder Gabriel Bernatchez said it would be. It pulls away more smoothly and predictably than a typical gas-powered sled. The only noise is the sound of the tracks crunching snow. It makes this novice snowmobile rider feel confident and in control, or, at least initially.
But flick it into Sport mode, and you’d better have a firm grip on the handlebars. Give the throttle a confident jab, and the electric sled accelerates like a roof-less Tesla, with all the traction of a tank. It streaks forward through deep snow like some kind of apparition, leaving in its wake only a high-pitched killer-bee buzz and a rooster tail of fresh powder.
Its electric motor takes just 0.1 seconds to deliver full power, but you can’t physically press the thumb throttle fast enough to experience that, says Bernatchez, who is Taiga’s chief technical officer. The sled will do 0-100 km/h in around three seconds, which makes it quicker than most, maybe all, gas-powered sleds from established brands.
As Tesla has electrified the car market, Taiga Motors hopes to electrify the powersports market with its battery-powered snowmobiles and personal watercraft.
Bernatchez co-founded the company in 2015 along with Sam Bruneau and Paul Achard. The three met while at McGill University, working on a student project to create and race electric vehicles. After graduating, they knew they wanted to continue making electric vehicles, but unlike Elon Musk or Robert Bollinger or so many other founders of upstart EV companies, Bernatchez, Bruneau and Achard were not already rich.
“We didn’t have any money. We were students, and we didn’t come from rich families,” Bernatchez says. They put a few thousand dollars of their own money into the company in the early days to build the first prototype and set about attracting investors.
There are 1.2 million snowmobiles registered in the U.S., with another 600,000 registered in Canada, according to the International Snowmobile Manufactures Association (ISMA). Last year, 133,100 new snowmobiles were sold worldwide, of which 46,800 were bought in Canada.
The market is dominated by four major manufactures: BRP, Polaris, Arctic Cat and Yamaha, none of which yet offer an electric model.
Bernard Guy, senior VP for product strategy at Quebec-based BRP, said the company is exploring the potential of electrified snowmobiles but hasn’t committed to a timeline for producing one. “It’s all a matter of finding the right market segments for which the performance, range and charging time, and the cost all make sense. This may be limited to niche segments at first,” Guy said in an e-mail.
Sam Bruneau, co-founder and chief executive of Taiga Motors, sees potential to grow the snowmobile market with an electric sled.
“Hundreds of our reservation holders are people that don’t currently own snowmobiles but who used to snowmobile when they were younger,” Bruneau explains. “They don’t own one now because it’s loud, it pollutes, they don’t want to disturb their neighbours, and they’re kind of maintenance-heavy … electric allows them to get back into the sport.”
The company currently has more than 600 reservation holders who have placed $500 deposits.
Fleet and utility snowmobile users – ski hills and tour operators, for example – are a prime market as well, Bruneau says. The Aspen Skiing Company, which operates four mountains in Colorado, is getting a Taiga sled to test.
The rise of Tesla has been like a gateway drug for other e-things. “A lot of [reservation holders] are people who are buying Teslas and other electric cars, and they’re looking for other electric products,” explains Bruneau. People are becoming more comfortable with EV technology, he says.
Not all snowmobilers are convinced just yet, though.
John Enright has been riding (gas-powered) sleds for 30 years and is a director with the volunteer-run Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA).
“It’s going to take time for these to catch on,” Enright says of electric snowmobiles. “Are they going to be No. 1? No. Are they going to have their niche? Yes,” he says.
There’s a small but growing buzz around “e-sleds” in the enthusiast community, Enright explains. Taiga has been written about in snowmobile magazines, as has a company in Finland that’s converting a small number of gas sleds to electric. Enright thinks the HCSA’s 2,500 members are generally open to the idea of e-sleds, but expects their concerns would echo those of drivers considering an electric car: high prices, short range and a lack of charging infrastructure.
Taiga’s snowmobile starts at US$15,000 and has an estimated range of 100 km. On a 240-volt outlet, a charge would take two hours. On a DC fast-charger, it would take 20 minutes to refill the battery up to 80 per cent. Canadian prices will be announced at a later date, Bernatchez says.
“According to our market study, 80 per cent of people do less than 100 kilometres a day on a snowmobile,” says Bernatchez. He acknowledges that the range won’t be enough for everyone.
The range of electric vehicles often suffers in cold weather, which you’d imagine would be a major problem for snowmobiles. However, Bernatchez says Taiga developed a preheating system for the battery, so it only loses 10 per cent of its range at -40 C. If the sled is plugged in while preheating, you’d still get the full 100-km range, he says.
The first of Taiga’s electric snowmobiles should reach customers next winter.
“The goal is to launch higher-volume production in the coming year, and for that we’re putting together a big funding round at the moment,” says Bruneau, Taiga’s CEO. The company is aiming to produce 500 snowmobiles next year and ramp up from there.
Assembly will take place in Quebec in partnership with an existing tier-one manufacturer, Bruneau says, although he’s not willing to divulge who that is yet. Taiga’s personal watercraft (think: electric Sea-Doo) will be assembled in the same facility, making this a potentially year-round operation.
The company’s three founders have yet to strike it rich like Elon Musk, but they have so far raised “several million dollars,” according to Bruneau. That has been enough to fund prototypes, testing, begin low-volume production and grow the company to roughly a dozen employees.
Of all the vehicles it’s possible to electrify, snowmobiles seem especially ripe for it, given how much the sport is affected by climate change. Over the three decades he’s been riding, Enright says he has noticed the snowmobiling season in Ontario becoming shorter. There’s less snow, and it’s less predictable.
Enright won’t buy one of Taiga’s electric snowmobiles himself, at least not yet – he has nowhere to charge it – but he says e-sleds are the future. “They are where Tesla was 10 years ago,” he says.
Shopping for a new car? Check out the new Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest discounts, rebates and rates on new cars, trucks and SUVs. Click here to get your price.
Stay on top of all our Drive stories. We have a Drive newsletter covering car reviews, innovative new cars and the ups and downs of everyday driving. Sign up for the weekly Drive newsletter, delivered to your inbox for free. Follow us on Instagram,@globedrive.
]]>Check out the riding video Mountain Sledder has put out with a foggy but fun and deep snow ride!
]]>
We have updated the geometry of the ski holder so that it can now accommodate a Snowboard well! By adjusting the lengths of our various protective areas and strap lengths, we can now fit snowboards into the ski holder.
At the same time, we've also made another small update to the rear outer protective strut, so it should be a bit more durable as we can a couple issues in 2018.
Our pros tried out the new setup last season and were stoked. For those of you who want to accommodate a few different buddies that only ski or snowboard, opposite to your preference, this update is for you. For those of you who want to ski or snowboard, depending on the day, this one is for you.
Instead of tough choices, we now offer you the optimum set up... and here it is:
a) Choose your snowmobile rack. If you can fit the large rack, use it as it hold skis' slightly better and you get more space for you bags or fuel.
b) buy one Ski holder or one Snowboard holder of your preferred set up. If you like to Ski, get the the Ski/Combo holder. If you like to Snowboard, get the snowboard holder.
c) then get the ski/snowboard combination holder for the other side, so any of your buddies, or anyone you want to help out up the mountain can be accommodated.
d) grab an accessory strap or two to carry any bags or spare fuel cans you might want.
This is a pretty sweet development for the Port Tack Racks systems. Nobody likes to compromise, so now everybody can get set up to handle whatever comes up on the mountains.
All Prices in USD.
What it holds:
NOTE: Rack must be separately purchased this, the Ski Holder Mount Kit Does not include the snowmobile rack.
Installation:
Here is a video showing how to install the mount kit to one of our racks. Takes just a few minutes and then you're ready to go.
Works with:
Specs:
Weight: .6 pounds
Material: UHMW plastic holders, over sized stainless steel bolts (do not worry it is strong enough!)
Hardware: Ski Mount Includes all mounting hardware and bolts required for installation.
Installation: Bolts onto racks via pre-drilled holds - takes about 5 minutes to install (Including a 3 minutes break!)
Shipping:
Free shipping with all orders over $ 165 Within Canada and the US (lower 48 States). Worldwide shipping available.
Questions?
Have a question? Something not clear? Send us an email at ben@portackracks.com or phone us at 604 340-3749 - Would we be happy to help!
]]>
All the rest of the gear is on the shelf and ready to go. While the forecasts always say there is going to be great snow this year, we actually have no real clue. What we do know is that it's too late to strap a board/skis to your sled if you order your rack on the day it's snowing deep.
Order early in the season, so when the perfect riding day comes, you're already set.
]]>The tragedy struck while the riders was below a steep zone, triggered from the bottom. Be careful out there snowmobilers, and take special note when conditions are unstable.
]]>
There was some worry about the full tunnel radiator interfering with being able to carry a rack, but fear not, there is plenty of room along the sides of the radiator to secure a rack to it. With the 850 making it so easy to double riders and so easy to get to the top of sweet fresh lines, we'd recommend always bringing along at least a board.
In these photos you can see a large rack placed as far forward on the machine as possible. For those who will carry skis with them, we recommend the large rack as it decreases the leverage on your skis more while riding. For those who will carry a snowboard only, a compact rack would be the cleaner choice, unless you want to be able to carry 10 gallons of spare fuel, and thus opt for the large snowmobile rack.
Happy riding!
]]>Check out an order this week from (lets call her Christy) who needed a snowmobile rack for her husband for Christmas. He's been hauling the kids around and needed to carry extra fuel.
I said if she ordered Monday it would almost surely get to her by Christmas (Friday - 5 days)... well, turns out it got there next day!
We had a similar experience last week, with delivery to Edmonton in only 2 days. Obviously with free shipping we're using ground, so if you're back east you'll still have to wait for as long as it takes to drive that far, but we're really quite impressed!
For our American Customers we continue to use Fedex as we don't quite trust the system yet for crossing the border, but will do some experiments and keep trying to improve all aspects of the customer experience.
In any case, everything is in stock, and for those of you in Western Canada, it might not be too late to get a Christmas present ordered! Works especially well now for customers using PO boxes or in buildings, where Canada Posties have access to your mailbox properly.
For those in Alaska, we're offering for cost shipping now and want to try using Canada Post for you. We think it will be only about $40 for a rack and won't take too long. Send us a message to test it out.
]]>1) Sure, you’ll still be gone all day, totally exhausted when you come home, smelly, and useless, but your wallet will be full enough for your to order pizza and leave you alone.
2) The North American oil industry is dying for reserves to be used up to stop the slide… time to help a brotha out and burn some of that fuel, and do your part for the working man.
3) No more reasons to fight with you buddies about who’s turn it is to fill up the truck on the way to the mountain, everyone will be begging for it to be ‘their turn’ to take advantage.
4) Safety first, even more reason to carry around a spare jerry can full of fuel, smart and cheap.
5) Bring a friend, your treat. How much more justifiable is it to offer to take a buddy up for the first time now that their trip is half price.
6) Expedition time. There’s never been a better time to load up a rack or trailer full of gear, plan a point to point trip, and burn baby burn! As the snow starts falling, it’s time to nail down that expedition you’ve been dreaming of.
]]>
In 2014 our price for a Large Snowmobile Rack was 219.99 CAD and for a Ski Strap was 129.99 CAD. We figured that by changing to 184.99 USD and 99.99 USD the price for Canadians would be the same while the price for American’s would seem lower, so sales would improve.
Well, in a year of trying this what we can say is that both our customer bases, Canadian and American, much prefer buying in their home currency, but since we only have one shop, that’s a challenge. Instead of selling 50-50 to Canadians and Americans it's now more like 75-25... fellow Canadians, we're looking to improve! So, as the Canadian dollar continues to tank, and with it our home country sales, we’re here today to announce a price drop… sort of.
We’ve taken 30 dollars USD off our racks, and 10 dollars USD off our ski straps, but had to keep snowboard straps at 99.99 USD as we'll probably run out in early 2016. For American’s, enjoy the price drop. For Canadians, know that we are trying as best we can do shield you from the tanking Canadian dollar, and don’t forget there is no tax on our items, so don’t be so afraid of the conversion. Happy Holidays everyone, may your days be filled with braaap braaap.
Ben, Peter, and Jer
]]>
Cody Townsend's Line of the Year.
Looking forward to an epic season.
]]>
Iowa Report:
Having some shallow fun.
Michigan report:
OK, so not exactly epic, but a good way to burn some fuel and get out there at least…
Vermont report:
Pretty much the same as Michigan, there is some snow on the ground and some kids having fun, but every is waiting for more.
Finland Report:
OK, so a bit of a stretch, but at least it’s nice to know the conditions are only average…
Siberia Report:
OK, now that is more like it. Of course, the commute to Siberia is a bit rough, but worth it when you get there;)
So basically, unless you live at the top of a mountain, everyone is crossing their fingers for more snow!
]]>In between all that, the snowmobiling conditions have been distracting. While the coast mountains of BC have been pretty disappointing so far this year, the interior of BC has had some great riding. Mountain riding is always a highlight for the year, but there is a lot to be said for trail riding especially when it starts and ends at a remote cabin in the Canadian wilderness.
In recent years the trail riding has been tough in BC as the pine beetle epidemic has devastated much of the forests. Aside from the ecological impact, the practical impact to snowmobiling is that trail systems now need even more maintenance than usual. We set out to clear on our favorite local trails, a Christmas tradition in recent years, and it was hot and hard work. Where snowboards and skis normally sit on our racks, we now never leave the cabin without carrying a chainsaw.
The new growth is significantly larger this year, so it's nice to see the forest renewing itself. The trouble is that these no longer saplings are sprawled across the trails bowed by the great snowpack! That's right, there is tons of snow right now in the caribou, and it's light and fluffy and lots of fun to play in.
After clearing a few broken trees to access our favorite trails we found mile after mile of deep fresh powder to ride to our hearts content. Deep enough to carve beauty figure 8's. Deep enough to ride roughshod over stumps that are no longer obsticles, and deep enough to take face shots all day long.
So, for all the frustrated mountain riders out there, head out to some new territory over the holiday, and don't forget your chainsaw;)
]]>Get your stoke on watching Daniel Bodin professional snowmobiler jump 220 feet off a ski jump in sweden.
]]>Props for pulling it off though - would love to see if these guys or anyone else improved the technique or got more air time? The driver looked a bit cautious . . . and dam, rightly so!
Next time someone wants to fly their snowmobile extra points for either:
1) doing it with a fully loaded Port Tack Rack Snowmobile Rack (obviously)
2) trying something like the video below of the paraglide skiing!
Seen something crazier than this on a sled? Put a note in the comments section with details and we will put up a blog post on it!
]]>So much soft fluffy powder (and in our backyard). It really was an amazing season last year if you could find treed areas to keep safe in with all that bad vis. Thanks to Tetongravity for sharing the best pow on the net!
Load of ski lines only accessed from snowmobiles, which is what we love!
Luckily, it's seem youtube was invented as the best ever teaching tool. It's easy to use videos to gain confidence to tackle a neglected part of your sled or even ideas of areas needing maintenance that we may never have though of. That first perfect day of the year is right around the corner, so get ready now so that day is not the day you start digging the sled out, Carpe Diem!
As I was saying, youtube is a gold mine for how to's and this vid above is a great overview of how to spend a couple nights this week getting your snowmobile into tip top shape. There are some great little ideas here from a Robinson Crusoe jack stand to stations dedicated for carbs and clutches. Lots of emphasis on good light and enough space to get the job done. See Andrews youtube page for a a whole host of snowmobile fixing videos.
Don's spend that first day where you could be finding perfect snowboarding lines from your sled turning up in the parking lot instead!
]]>The slowmo playback of the guy bailing after running up the but of this deer is priceless... props to the guy riding for keeping it in frame... looks like he's all Matrixed up gliding there!
]]>What Amber does is teach high level (and beginner) skills for backcountry snowmobiling. Every extreme sport is technical in nature, and few are more technical than snowmobiling in fresh powder and in steep terrain. There are mountain skills, mechanical skills, and riding skills all coming in to play and determining to a large extent how much fun and how safe we are in the backcountry.
A day or two learning the real physics and techniques from a pro can dramatically change a season or riding, or a lifetime. Personally, I'm looking forward to the location as well... the Seven Devils lodge looks like a snowmobiling paradise! There are plenty of other great snowmobiling lodges but this has got to be at the top of the list!
Way to go Amber, and thanks for doing what you do!
]]>