Don't you have more than one sled?

 

Nope! I would have loved to keep my 05, but I can only afford to keep one farely current machine.

 

I guess going out as far as you do into the back country you need a newer more powerful machine than what we use for the lake riding and trails around here!

 

Kinda, you want reliable, but it you also want to be able to keep up with your friends

Not to mention the fact that the newer machines take less effort to ride and and don't beat on you when you get on a rough trail heading in/out of the backcountry

 

I guess my 1988 Arctic Cat Jaguar beast is a good beater, a buddy and I three years ago bought both of them for $1200 and a pile of parts. All we do is buzz around the lake and a couple of local trails. Haven't put a dime in either one since except fuel.

 

It is more about having fun then the latest model too me, but it is nice being able to keep up with my friends

Nothing is worse then sitting at the top of a bowl and being too chicken to drop into it with your buddies because you aren't too sure about the machine's ability to climb back out!

 

We have to wait pretty late into the season before we can even attempt a run on the lake, I went swimming once, and swore I'd never do it again that early in the season, it scared me enough dropping it in the water. Let me tell you about the panic that over came me.....

 

I bet. Do you pack ice picks and wear a floater suit?

 

Wow, big news at work. The company has been bought out by a Consulting company based in New Zealand. Yet another Canadian company goes overseas Oh well, I will stay for another year and see how things work out, but I can see myself moving to a new job in the near future.

 

Hey Jason. Scary news about your company.
When does your season typically start?

 

Well, some people have started already, but it is much too risky for me to ride yet.

Usually it is early to mid December before I start riding.
Right now they are driving way up the roads, just to ride on 2' of snow with no base. Dealers love these people though, because they break lots of parts

 

Season here starts December 15 doesn't matter how much snow is on the ground before that date for the trails to open. If there is enough snow they may let the groomers go out a couple days before to work It some.

 

When our groomers get out depends heavly on the snow levels. Most of our trails need atleast 2' of snow (when packed down by the groomers) to allow them to clear all the rocks, stumps, and humps. They generally have to work the trails with their blades only for a few weeks before then can even think about pulling a drag up them. The trails are all considerbally narrower then the 16' wide groomers, so they have to use snow to widen them as they build them each winter. Then the trail has to be set up anough that the BRs can pull the drag up them (not grooming) and then groom back down. Rarly, do things get set up anough to groom up hill.

 

Unfortunately, and unforgettably no I didn't, but we do not separate at night like I did that time. I will not go out on the lake until the northern bridge is completely frozen, that is the only narrow place that if that freezes over solid, then isn't any chance of going through anywhere on the lake.

They do have a group of maniacs that want to be the first to cross under the bridge, and they have lost many sleds till spring!

 

Ever try water skipping?