Fresh tracks

There’s no argument that there’s a stark difference between finding solace deep in the backcountry of British Columbia and ticking off trails that weave through the hills of Wisconsin. While the two riding styles might seem worlds apart, there’s one thing that connects them—there’s a snowmobile that will get the job done and leave you grinning ear-to-ear no matter what type of riding you’re doing.

For 2023, Ski-Doo has introduced new platforms with several features that will make those smiles even wider for both trail riders, mountain riders, and everything in between— Ski-Doo Ambassadors Troy Oleson and Tony Jenkins can attest to that. Oleson, a lifelong snowmobiler, spends a good deal of his winters riding the trails in upper Wisconsin, while Jenkins spends his time deep in the mountains of eastern Idaho. With a lifetime of experience on snowmobiles, Jenkins and Oleson are the perfect duo to speak on the latest and greatest from Ski-Doo—the 2023 lineup.

Ride Longer, Ride Stronger

With a wealth of knowledge gained from the development of the REV Gen4 Platform, Ski-Doo engineers went to work completely redesigning the machines to perform even better. What they came up with is the game-changing REV Gen5 platform, boasting plenty of refinements on the design.

For Jenkins, who spent a good deal of time on the 2023 Summit X, the completely redesigned hood, side panels, and running boards meant two things: lighter weight and improved sidehilling.

“The narrower side panels and running boards make a huge difference on how the Summit goes through the powder and works on steep sidehills,” he explained.

Every ounce shed from a mountain sled is gold to the mountain rider. The combination of the hood and side panel design, the platform and running board design have allowed the Summits to eliminate between 6-16 pounds of unwanted weight. Add in a 34-inch ski stance on the Summit X and Summit X with Expert package, and you’ve got a sled that’s as light and nimble as you can find, hands‑down.

Jenkins also points to the new engine cradle with four mounts as a huge contributor to the sled’s overall balance and weight distribution. “The Summit X is more nimble than previous years,” he explained. “It cuts through the snow with a lot less resistance, and the sled just walks through those areas that would cause you to trench.”

For the Expert Package, Ski-Doo has also completely redesigned the rear suspension to create a more stable ride with greater predictability in technical terrain. “I think the Expert will cater to a very aggressive riding style—the sled that converts riders to Ski‑Doo,” Jenkins said. The Expert Package will also feature a new ski designed to ride flatter and perform better in variable snow conditions.

And as if that wasn’t good enough news, there’s more—there’s a new engine to go along with the completely redesigned platform! The new Rotax 850 E-TEC Turbo R, the most powerful factory built 2-stroke in the industry will take all the weight savings in the new machines and make the most of them, delivering 180 true horsepower. The end result? The best power-to-weight ratio in the game.

For Trail Riders, the new platform brings better durability, less noise and increased belt life.

One benefit in particular that stood out to Oleson when he got behind the bars of the 2023 Renegade Adrenaline was in the new hood and side panel design.

“I noticed less wind around the top of my legs and chest. The side panels really protect your midsection,” said Oleson.

All in all, the new platform makes longer trail rides more attainable with a bit of extra peace of mind, more comfort than ever, and of course, a few new bells and whistles that are sure to blow your mind.

LED Lights Have Arrived

One of the things that stands out the most about the new machines is the new LED headlights.

“The new Ski-Doo headlight design is definitely the brightest in the industry. Its beam is brighter, and its cast is broader and longer,” said Jenkins.

While the two-bulb LED lighting system on the Summit and Freeride sleds take deep snow riders to a new level of illumination while also saving on weight, it’s the four-light LED system on the trail sleds that takes things to a whole new level.

“The Ski-Doo trail sleds have a four-bulb system that basically turns night into day.. and a bright sunny one at that!” said Oleson.

Connectivity That Goes Deeper

When it comes to electronics, the innovation certainly doesn’t stop at the new headlights. The 2023 lineup features a new optional infotainment system that boasts a 10.25-inch Color Touchscreen Display, bringing all the technology and information available to your fingertips.

“The touchscreen is easy to use and it mirrors the BRP GO! App when you hook up your phone. Plus, you can play your music and the screen is at a flattened angle so it’s easier to see without you having to take your eyes off the trail.”

While the enhanced electronics represent the techy stuff that makes the 2023 lineup interesting, there’s much more to get excited about, and trust us, we’re just getting started.

Sleds for Everyone

Now, Now, even the smallest of little rippers have the opportunity to discover what That Ski-Doo Feeling is all about. Mini-sleds are back and the MXZ 120 & 200 are the perfect way to get the kids started learning the basics of riding technique, control and confidence that’s loads of winter fun.

On top of that, Ski-Doo has developed an all new lineup of sleds for smaller-framed riders, the Summit Neo and the MXZ Neo. The sleds offer full-size fun and a fully-loaded riding experience, built with ergonomics for lighter riders, or anyone who is looking for an affordable ride. The lineup is designed for light, easy handling and is the perfect stepping stone to enjoy adventures in deep snow or on long trail rides.

Upgrades Across the Board

In the end, everyone got what they wanted— lighter and narrower, for mountain riders, with a dose of technology borrowed from the trail riding segment. For trail and deep snow riders, the 2023 lineup brings a clear, clean view regardless of the time of day, a connected experience, stylish new looks and a more advanced platform. Plus, now there’s a sled for every age and skill level so the whole family can get in on the fun.

For 2023, it’s time for Ski-Doo to let its light shine for the best lineup snowmobilers have ever seen!—now that’s something a trail rider and mountain rider can agree on.

Atop the ridge looking down into a steep ravine, Ashley Chaffin’s eyes search the dark timber to see if there is an obvious route to the bottom. Without hesitation, she crests over the slope to take a quick look to assess whether she has time for one more adventure.

Several years ago, there would have been two options: commit to riding into the ravine or go home for the day. But today, she’s got a new trick up her sleeve as she turns her skis to the right, jumps over to her left-side running board and feathers the throttle just enough for her sled to carve into the slope and pop back out on top of the ridge. “The canyon can wait for another day,” Chaffin picks her way back through the trees to her riding group to return to the trailhead. For Ashley, little moments like this are what make her journey into deep snow riding all worth it. A simple, agile maneuver is one of the many subtle but totally necessary skills any rider needs to truly appreciate the unbridled freedom that snowmobiles offer. But that only comes once you put in the time and effort to get educated.

As any seasoned rider knows, it’s not all pow turns and rooster tails along the way—a concept that Stefanie Dean of Coalville, UT, is all too familiar with. When Dean started riding in 2015, she had plenty of days that were more grit than glory.

On one particular day, she was out with a group of seasoned riders. As the others weaved through technical terrain with relative ease, she found herself stuck countless times. Fortunately, her group was more than willing to tug a ski or turn her sled, offering encouragement every step of the way. In their minds, they were just helping a friend and keeping their day moving, but to Dean it was something bigger.

“The next day I felt so much more comfortable on my sled,” she explained. “It motivated me to push myself more.”

Now a seasoned veteran behind the bars, Dean is returning the favor—helping others and offering the same encouragement that jump-started her deep snow career.

This camaraderie might seem purely mechanical, but in reality, it’s so much deeper than that—even if you come from a background steeped in powder like Shena Thomas of Sicamous, BC.

After spending most of her youth riding gravity at ski slopes, Thomas didn’t feel the pull of snowmobiling until later in life.

“My friend approached me and basically told me I had to buy a snowmobile because 1) I would fall in love and 2) she missed me in the winter,” she said. “I’m very competitive and very progress-driven, so that was my ultimate driver for the first few years.”

While her passion and desire were sparked, Thomas was missing something important— a role model to help her navigate the peaks and valleys of deep snow riding.

“I knew I wanted to be the best possible rider that I could be. I knew I wanted to be a role model for female sledders. And I knew that I wanted to push the boundaries for what a female could do as far as mountain riding in the trees,” she explained.

And Thomas has done just that, proving you don’t have to start young—she’s catapulted herself to the forefront of the snowmobile scene in Interior British Columbia. Not unlike her friend and sled partner Nadine Overwater.

Born and raised in the sled mecca of Revelstoke, BC, Overwater also spent her youth on the ski slopes. “I didn’t start mountain riding until about 2002, and it was mostly just to access snowboard terrain,” she said.

After a few years of “doubling” on the back of a snowmobile, Overwater decided to get her own sled. Soon, she was having more fun climbing to the top of the mountain than she was having riding her snowboard back down the slope. Eventually, she started leaving her snowboard at home and just snowmobiling.

“Snowmobiling was really empowering,” she explained. “It’s a really difficult sport to master, so it’s very rewarding when you make progress.”

Behind that progress, like for so many others before her, was her community. “I was fortunate to have a really positive support system. It becomes a natural progression when your peers and riding partners push you to pursue something,” she noted.

For these four Ski-Doo ambassadors, deep powder riding has become their lives. From the physical feats to the sense of community, it all feeds into what makes deep snow riding so addictive, dynamic and limitless.

For anyone looking to expand their abilities in deep snow, the ambassadors have shared a few tips to help make your mountain riding experience safer and more enjoyable.

1. Respect your comfort zone: take it slow and steady.

2. Invest in good gear that’s comfortable, waterproof, designed for mountain riding and gender-specific for optimal performance.

3. Don’t drink and drive. Save alcoholic beverages for when you’re done riding.

4. Be prepared to spend a night out in the snow, especially if your group tends to explore new areas.

5. Find the right machine for you: women and lightweight riders might need a shorter track for easier maneuvering.

6. Take lots of photos.

7. Find the right crew—it can make a world of difference. Many specialized camps offer a safe learning environment and an opportunity to hone your skills as a female rider.

8. Approach each new day, new challenge and new skill with an open mind. Learning takes time, and remember—fun comes first!

In the state of Wisconsin, the number 25,000 is significant for two reasons. One, it was that many years ago that the world-class trail system was shaped by a glacial recession that became home to sprawling hardwood forests. the receding ice leaving behind a scattering of the perfect mixture of lakes and rolling hills across the landscape. And two, the state boasts 25,000 miles of trails that climb, wind and descend through a natural landscape that lends itself particularly well to one thing: subzero days at full throttle.

But on this crisp winter day, 19-year-old Wisconsin native Eddie Bergmann isn’t thinking about ancient history. As he leans into a tight corner, tapping the brake lightly while simultaneously transferring weight to the front end of his sled, he’s leaning into something much more than a feeling of weightlessness that he’s come to know well over the past decade. He’s leaning into a more recent history, one characterized by many years of commitment and hard work.

His carbides bite hard into the compacted snow and pull him through the turn, allowing him to grab a handful of throttle and accelerate down the trail and leaving his buddies back in his snow dust. Does it get any better than this?

In the parking lot, Lucas Mallek has just pulled in and is busy unloading. He’s brimming with anticipation for another day of riding. From the moment he steps out of his truck, the brisk winter air fills his lungs and clears his mind from the pressures of life. His thoughts are now focused solely on the day, the terrain and his snowmobile. About 250 miles of connecting trails promise to challenge him physically while reinvigorating him mentally.

Bergmann and Mallek are just two of the thousands of trail riders who migrate to the groomed trails that twist and turn across the Upper Midwest in winter. But these two young riders do more than just take advantage of the extensive trail systems and epic scenery.

Hold the Line

When snowmobiling first started growing in popularity, it was the Baby Boomer generation that established a trail system that could continue to be used by future generations of snowmobilers.

Now it’s up to the younger generation, like Bergmann and Mallek, to renew decades-old relationships that helped establish public access to lands, to ensure snowmobile trails throughout North America don’t disappear.

“Most people you see out on the trail think all it takes is a fresh groom after the first snowfall to kick off the season,” Bergmann said. “But without trail maintenance, there wouldn’t be any snowmobile trails.”

Before the trails can even be maintained, the complex relationship between landowners and sledders needs to be respected.

“Over the years, there’s been a lot of off-trail riding in areas where it’s prohibited,” Mallek explained. “That type of behavior Acts like that compromises the relationships that club members have worked so hard to build with landowners and public officials.”

Once the respect is there, it’s up to the riders to continue to prove they can be stewards of their respective playgrounds.

“It starts with you and I doing our part to protect and respect private lands. Without that mindset in each and every snowmobiler, snowmobiling has no future,” says Mallek.

Giving Back

While both started snowmobiling when they were 8 years old, it’s taken them a few years to understand the potential impact their generation can have.

“The club that my grandfather was a part of has since folded due to lack of membership over the years, so I reached out to the local club, the Junction City Sundowners,” Bergmann recalled. “I love volunteering my time for trail maintenance, brushing and getting the trails ready for the upcoming season.”

While he might be young, Bergmann knows one thing for sure: without trail maintenance, there is no trail. But it’s not just the trail that the community would lose. It goes deeper than that.

“It’s much more than just getting on a snowmobile and riding. It’s the bonding of friends and family, the inherent community feel,” Bergmann explained.

From the first leaf that turns to the last patch of snow, Bergmann is all-in at the young age of 19, and that requires a whole lot of effort, from trail clearing and advocacy to early morning rides and more. What makes it all worth it?

“From the smell of the two-stroke to the squeeze of the throttle, trail riding just takes me to a mental state that I can’t achieve anywhere else.”

To keep that feeling going, Bergmann knows it takes a community that puts trail preservation and awareness first, a lot of hard work and a whole lot of love for snowmobiling. Just add snow.