Choosing The Right Snowmobile

If you are looking for a new 800-class mountain sled, there are many options to choose from that each have unique characteristics. You will first have to choose from the 3 top snowmobile companies which are Polaris, Ski-doo, and Arctic Cat. There are multiple options of mountain sleds to choose from made by each of these companies. SnowGoer magazine has officially named the top snowmobile of of each company which narrows your options down to 3 sleds.

Arctic Cat M8000 Limited 153:

Since the introduction of the ProClimb mountain machine in 2012, Arctic Cat has focused on inproving the subtleties that add to the enjoyment in the backcountry. This is the most improved sled in my opinion and has dropped a total of 18 pounds from last year's edition. This is a huge advantage and made the sled ride better, but it still felt heavy and was tough to sidehill. This might be caused by the Fox Float shocks that may need to be readjusted differently. Overall I think this is a good sled with the most attractive design, but is the 3rd best sled out of the three.

Ski-doo Summit X 154:

After several years attempting to improve on what was basically a snowcross racetrack-built XP sled, Ski-doo went back to the drawing board to make the sled better in deep powder. This sled seemed very tippy and required an always on your toes style of riding. This machine was the most fun in the trees because it felt easy to manuver. In my opinion this is a great sled in all conditions and is the 2nd best sled out of the three.

Polaris Pro-RMK 155:

Polaris needed to change very little for 2014 to remain its spot atop the leader board in the mountain segment. This machine is the lightest mountain machine out there and had the most power out of the three. The skis are almost always not touching the snow when going up hills and through trees. I felt like I had the most control when riding this machine which added to my confidence. Also, it maintains its line across ruts which is a huge benefit. This machine proved to be the best mountain machine with the others close behind.

Stay Safe Snowmobiling

Right now is the peak of the snowmobiling season which also means there are greater dangers to your safety. So, what do we do to keep it safe in the mountains?

One of the first things all serious riders always put on before they ride is a chest protector. This type of protection is often overlooked by riders and simply not worn. This year you’ll see a lot of hardcore riders wearing the SV1 Trail Protective Snow Vest from EVS. These vests are built with a puncture resistant internal EVA and PP armor construction to protect against collisions and abrasions. They are also equipped with RECCO Avalanche Rescue System which is crucial for hill climbing.

Beyond the safety features, these vests also give you another layer of warmth. They can be worn under your jacket or outside, as the Hi-Vis reflective piping makes the rider highly visible. The full front zip closure make for easy-on/easy-off and it’s relatively light weight too.

EVS also makes race version of their SV1 vest which has an optional compatible neck brace and conforms to all ISR guidelines. The race version is shown in the picture below.


In the end, being safe when out in the powder is the most important. EVS is one of the more popular brands for safety equipment from knee and neck braces to chest and shin protectors. There are many other brands who make similar products that could fit your needs, but I recommend EVS.

For more information on EVS protective gear check out www.evs-sports.com.

About me

Hi my name Kody and I was born and raised in Colorado. Living in a small town in the mountains, I have had a lot of experience with outdoor activities. Even though I enjoy all activities outdoors, snowmobiling has been my main passion since the first time I went. I now have many years of experience of riding in deep powder, hill climbing, boondocking, and trail riding with various different sleds. With my access to constantly ride new sleds with different customized extras, I am able to test the capabilities of the sled in every situation and condition. Each sled has its own pros and cons which makes it hard to pick a favorite sled, but I will blog my experiences and reviews for each machine I ride. I also will blog about the best riding spots, equipment and gear, and different snowmobiling events.