Mountain Sledder Magazine Issue 16

FA L L 2 0 1 9 | I S S U E 1 6

& DA R K

LIGHT

FALL 2019 $6.95 CDN

+ DISPLAY UNTIL DECEMBER 5, 2019

B oot Test | Coa l Cr e e k | KH AOS & Su m m i t E x p e rt | S n ow Da n c e

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m jaa cck e et r

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STREAMLINED FIT IDEAL FOR TECHNICAL RIDING: WITH REDUCED BULK IN THE TORSO AND ADDED LENGTH IN THE BACK, THE MACER JACKET INSTINCTIVELY FOLLOWS THE WEARER’S MOVEMENTS.

THE MACER JACKET IS PROTECTED BY THE 2.0 GUARANTEE. IT CARRIES A WARRANTY FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE PRODUCT AGAINST MANUFACTURER AND MATERIAL DEFECTS.

BUILT WITH THE 45,000MM SYMPATEX® MEMBRANE, THE MACER JACKET IS 100% WATERPROOF AND 100% WINDPROOF WITH DYNAMIC BREATHABILITY.

NEW FOR 2020 THE HIGHMARK

GUIDE FEATURING 32L OF STORAGE AND THE UNRIVALED PROTECTION AIRBAG SYSTEM (P.A.S.)

ROB ALFORD CODY BORCHERS CHRIS BROWN JULIE-ANN CHAPMAN JEREMY HANKE CARL KUSTER CODY MCNOLTY NADINE OVERWATER REAGAN SIEG RILEY SUHAN LOGAN THIBODEAU BRETT TURCOTTE

FOR THE FULL TEAM VISIT:

HIGHMARKAIRBAGS.COM

THE PROS’ CHOICE

RIDER: NADINE OVERWATER

|[ INTERVI IG NIT I ONEW] |

W

elcome to another season of riding! And that means another round of Mountain Sledder magazines on your coffee table, the dash of your truck and the back of your toilet. So first, let us say: Thank you for reading our magazine.

And thanks to all the companies that advertise and make it possible for us to continue putting ink on paper in an increasingly digital world. If you enjoy this magazine in your hands, please consider spending your hard-earned bucks with the companies that support Mountain Sledder in these pages.

Issue 16 is a mix of light and dark. Good versus evil (okay, not really…it sounded good though). Perhaps it’s more like a tasty combination of salty and sweet. Like peanut butter and chocolate. Or salted toffee. Or jerky washed down with some energy drink. Uhhhh… nevermind, that sounds kinda gross actually. Anyway, the point is that opposite ends of a spectrum often combine to make something unexpectedly good in the middle.

On one end, we look at the cost of avalanches. Not in terms of dollars and cents, but the impact they have on people. We interviewed some family and friends of sledders who passed away in avalanches to find out what happened, and how their own lives have been impacted by the event. We learn that even the weight of a close call or the fear of an avalanche can be heavy.

Keeping travellers safe from avalanches is the job of Parks Canada staff who maintain the highway corridor through Rogers Pass, BC. The folks at Parks have devised one of the most advanced avalanche management systems in the world, keeping the highway open for the transport of goods and people so that we good people can get to the goods, people.

The vehicles we use to enjoy those goods are constantly being improved. Innovation is taking place and new snowmobile models are being developed. We take a look at two new models—the Polaris RMK KHAOS and the Ski-Doo Summit with Expert Package—in light of what drives snowmobile development today.

The lighter stuff in this issue is just as tasty. We showcase a riding zone near Fernie that offers plenty of safe, family riding in addition to some more advanced terrain for expert riders. Everyone benefits from the legendary deep Fernie snowfall.

Also inside, we report on a once-in-a-lifetime snowmobile experience had by a group of Saskatchewan high school students involved in an extra-curricular snowmobile club.

As always, we highlight some of the latest gear that can help you stay comfortable and safe in the backcountry.

And we go out on a lighthearted note, with some tips on how you can do your part to help summon a deep and snowy winter with your own booty-shakin’ Snow Dance.

Enjoy the issue! And stay safe out there this winter.

– Patrick Garbutt, editor

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// FALL fall 201 9

PHOTO: IRINA ELKHOVA

On their own, both the lighter content and the dark stand strong. But what we hope is that by mixing the two together, we achieve something even better. For example, by sharing how people have been hurt by the impact of avalanches, we can help sledders make thoughtful decisions when they are riding in avalanche terrain, and make our sport more safe and enjoyable—even for the people at home. That’s our hope, and we hope you feel the same way too.

[ CO NTE NTS ]

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 6

IGNITION

13 TRAILHEAD Chris Brown Opens Powersports Dealership in Pemberton, BC New Satellite Messenger Devices – Somewear and Bivystick Snowmobile Boot Durability Test

20 RIDE GUIDE

32 L IVES TOUCHED

By Marty Anderson In the wake of an avalanche fatality, the grief and sense of loss is centralized around the deceased, but it is the people left behind who endure the pain. These are the true victims.

36 WDEVELOPMENT? HAT DRIVES SNOWMOBILE Mountain snowmobiles improve each year—sometimes a little bit, at other times by leaps and bounds. But what drives the development of new models? We talked to those who had a hand in developing the new 2020 Polaris RMK KHAOS and Ski-Doo Summit Expert models to find out.

COAL CREEK & MORRISSEY

PHOTO: ANDREW TURNER RIDER: CODY MCNOLT Y

At the beating heart of Fernie’s growing snowmobile scene is the expansive network of the adjacent Coal Creek and Morrissey riding areas.

26

GEAR GUIDE

31

A CLOSE CALL

“ It turned out to be a very unfortunate place to fall, because right in front of our eyes, a 100’ wide crown propagated above him and the whole slope slid down onto Scott, burying him completely.”

60 EXPOSURE 69 TAILGATE

THE SNOW DANCE From the Duck Walk to The Dougie, here’s your guide to appeasing the Snow Gods with your best Snow Dance this winter.

72 SEND IT

44 AWAR RELENTLESS AT HOME

By Cassidy Randall Glacier National Park’s avalanche control program wages a modern-day battle to keep the Trans-Canada Highway clear through British Columbia’s Rogers Pass.

52 HIGHER LEARNING

A group of high school students from Naicam, Saskatchewan experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Arctic Cat’s Western Test Facility in Idaho and ride with their idol, David McClure, as part of a very special and unique extracurricular snowmobile club.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

7

C K X

C O L L E CT I O N

HIGH PERFORMANCE

20K/15K WATER-RESISTANT BREATHABLE ELEVATION ONE-PIECE THE WATERPROOF (20K) AND BREATHABLE (15K) TWO-LAYER FABRIC IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE ELEMENTS AND KEEP YOU DRY.

ONE-PIECE SUIT FOR INTENSE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

20K

20K: OPTIMAL PROTECTION AGAINST WATER, SNOW & WIND

15K

15K: BREATHABILITY FOR EFFICIENT MOISTURE WICKING

ELEVATION ONE PIECE 605864 / 605924 Zero

TITAN STEEP AIR FLOW 605824 / 605884 Zero

605834 / 605894 Zero

SKU are given for size Large, Zero indicates non insulated

605844 / 605904 Zero

605854 / 605914 Zero

512504

512504

512524

210° goggle Revo Red lens 120069

512534

512494

BACKCOUNTRY OPTIMAL VENTILATION TITAN AIR FLOW HELMET DESIGNED WITH NUMEROUS VENTILATION PORTS, THE HELMET ENSURES OPTIMAL FRESH AIR CIRCULATION AND EFFECTIVE EVACUATION OF THE WARM AIR.

WIDER FIELD OF VIEW REMOVABLE MUZZLE PERFECT FIT GOGGLE DESIGN WWW.CKXGEAR.COM WWW.CKXTITAN.COM

BC’s Snowmobile Insurance Leader EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Patrick Garbutt ART DIRECTION & Lyuba Kirkova GRAPHIC DESIGN COPY EDITOR Steve Crowe

twice a year (October and December) and can be found at powersports shops and on newsstands throughout Canada.

PRODUCTION Moa Bergström, Megan Crandall ASSISTANTS

CONTRIBUTIONS Mountain Sledder magazine is not responsible

PUBLISHER Mountain Sledder Media CONTRIBUTING Marty Anderson, Ben Birk, Martina WRITERS Halik, Clyde Hewitt, Jessica Joy, Matthew Mallory, Nicole Matei, Travis McNabb, Andy Messner, Nadine Overwater, Curtis Pawliuk, Cassidy Randall

CONTRIBUTING Lorne Alcock, Tim Alexander, Rob PHOTOGRAPHERS Alford, Leanne Beavis, Justin Befu, Get a free, online quote in less than 5 minutes

offroad.capricmw.ca

FOR RIDERS WHO DEMAND THE ABSOLUTE BEST

DISTRIBUTION Mountain Sledder magazine (MS) is published

Dave Best, Ben Birk, Brian Brown, Rob Buchanan, Chris Chudyk, Jennifer Coulter, J. Daniluck, Irina Elkhova, Patrick Garbutt, Alex Hanson, Clyde Hewitt, Rob Hoff, Ian Houghton, Blake Jorgenson, Aaron Leyland, Matthew Mallory, Nicole Matei, Chris Neibauer, Mike Reeve, Daniel Roberts, Allan Sawchuck, Callan Senyk, Billy Stevens, Daniel Stewart, Andrew Turner, Todd Williams

for unsolicited contributions. MS retains all rights on material published in MS for a period of 12 months after publication and reprint rights after that period expires. Submission inquiries can be sent to info@sleddermag.com

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Reproduction of any materials published in MS is expressly forbidden without the written consent of the publisher.

ON THE COVER A four-foot storm of unusually cold snow had swept over Lake Tahoe, and my crew and I were out scoping features and trying new tricks. In a shaded corner of a lake, I spied a cool looking glob of granite with the perfect angle slope to try some re-entries.

SKINZCANADA.CA

I handed the camera off to my buddy Tim Alexander and went for it. The flat, snowy surface of the lake acted as a light bounce by reflecting the bright sun and illuminating me above the rock, creating an impression of light amidst the shadows.

– Ben PHOTO: TIM ALEXANDER RIDER: BEN BIRK

@benbirk

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// fall 201 9

CONTRIBUTORS Anyone who has ever picked up a snowmobile magazine has heard of Rob Alford. We’ve showcased his talents in nearly every single issue of our magazine to date, whether that be his mind-blowing shots from behind the camera or, just as likely, his riding skills in front. Yet he’s never been featured as a Mountain Sledder contributor, and it’s long overdue.

ROB ALFORD PHOTOGRAPHER

Browse enough magazines and you’ll learn about his extraordinary riding ability or his wealth of knowledge and experience in the backcountry. But what might not come across is the most obvious thing in person—he’s a super nice dude. @alfordrob

Cassidy Randall came north from Montana, trading bushwhacks and white-knuckle lines in questionable conditions for the consistently epic powder of Revelstoke.

While she’ll try to tell you that she pretty much sucks on a sled (but has unending appreciation for the folks willing to dig her out), she hasn’t looked back since.

CASSIDY RANDALL WRITER

As a freelance writer, Cassidy spends her time outside tracking down compelling stories that push the boundaries on how we think about adventure, travel, the outdoors and issues facing those industries and the people in them.

ABSOLUTE POWER AND PERFORMANCE LTD.

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Leading the industry with exceptional customer service.

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Turbos, Big Bore Kits, EFI Systems

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2 - 25210 Twp Rd 552, Sturgeon County, AB 780.460.9101 | abspow.ca

Order Online: recreationsupply.co

@_cassidyrandall

Todd Williams is an editorial and commercial photographer, working extensively across the action sports, motorsports and entertainment industries. He has been one of the chief photographers for Polaris Industries for several years, and his work can be found in publications, catalogs and galleries worldwide.

TODD WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHER

Having worked with some of the biggest names in photography, Todd is as comfortable shooting for Vogue or Cosmopolitan as he is rolling in the mud catching awe-inspiring ATV shots or spending weeks in a snowbank somewhere between Jackson, Wyoming and BC. @toddwilliamsusa

2414 Millar Avenue, Saskatoon sales@recreationsupply.co

1‑800‑667‑7669 P: (306) 664‑3560

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

11

“ T H E S T E E P E R T H E U P, T H E B E T T E R T H E D O W N .”

S UMMI T ® S P

Easily maneuvers on the REV® Gen4 platform, packs a punch with your choice of Rotax ® engines –

Carl Kuster Ski-Doo Brand Ambassador

the deeper the powder, the better this sled gets.

© 2019 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved.

Always ride responsibly and safely.

®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Products in the United States (U.S.) are distributed by BRP US Inc.

[ TRAILH E AD ]

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH POLARIS INDUSTRIES AND TIMBERSLED, THE SHOP OFFERS SNOWMOBILES, SNOW BIKES, ATVS AND UTVS FOR SALE, ALONG WITH POLARIS AUTHORIZED PARTS, AND SERVICE FOR ALL MAKES AND MODELS.

CHRIS BROWN OPENS POWERSPORTS DEALERSHIP IN PEMBERTON, BC

BY MATTHEW MALLORY

The name Chris Brown carries weight in the snowmobiling world.

As an athlete, he’s accomplished everything there is to do in the freeride scene, pioneering ridiculously huge drops and gaps, crazy chute climbs and tech tree lines for historic film segments.

But the timeline in which an athlete can perform at the highest level is fleeting, and Brown’s love for snowmobiling is much more permanent.

Evolution is constant, and just like the sport, riders eventually must evolve to stay relevant. Those who do, like Brown, find a new fork, a new path to travel, another step in their evolution within the sport.

Brown’s first step was to share his expertise with clients in technical riding skills across British Columbia. Nowadays, “Browner” sticks closer to home where he runs Ride Whistler, his successful backcountry tour and guiding operation based out of its namesake town.

This year, he’s gone further and dived headlong into the ownership of a new powersports dealership in Pemberton, BC called Backcountry Motorsports.

With his years of experience riding and guiding, Chris has a strong grasp of what works. But it never hurts to stack the deck, and for that, Brown has partnered with long-time powersports dealership manager, Andrew McBride, on the new venture.

In partnership with Polaris Industries and Timbersled, the shop offers snowmobiles, snow bikes, ATVs and UTVs for sale, along with Polaris authorized parts, and service for all makes and models.

The bright, modern shop is poised to add some competition to an area once dominated by Ski-Doo. Judging by the reputation of the owners, close ties to the local snowmobile scene and the volume of spring checked machines in their first year of operation, they are off to a running start.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

13

MAXIMUM VERSATILITY FOR ALL CONDITIONS DUNCAN LEE FXR ATHLETE

HELIUM PRO

TRI-LAM MONOSUIT A favorite amongst our Pro back-country athletes, the advanced lightweight shell features zonal Omni-Stretch™ and zonal ACMT™ technology. Heavy-duty shell material is used in high-wear areas, while ultra-stretch lightweight shell material is used in the back, giving the rider maximum mobility.

ACMT™ across the chest and down the back, provides maximum waterproofing and breathability in contact areas with your sled and pack, and a single layer Tri-Laminate fabric is used in the sleeves and front body to eliminate as much weight and bulk as possible.

[ TRAILH E AD ]

NEW SATELLITE MESSENGER DEVICES SOMEWEAR AND BIVYSTICK

On paper, the Somewear and Bivystick devices offer similar functionality, despite being visually distinct.

However, a deeper look reveals some key differences that might influence the decision of those looking to add a satellite communication device to their kit.

Either way, the safety, convenience and peace of mind granted by carrying a satellite communications device into the backcountry should make ownership a no-brainer for mountain sledders. And now with more device and subscription plan options available than ever before, there’s very little reason why at least one rider in every group shouldn’t be packing one of these devices this winter.

Safety

S.O.S. can be triggered without smartphone SMS with GEOS emergency center 100% global satellite coverage

Communication

Send and receive SMS

Canada and USA numbers only

Dedicated phone number Send email Message and share location with other device users

Tracking

Share location pindrop Track and share location via web

Navigation

Weather

Tracking intervals

Account required, 10 users max Adjustable between 10 and 60 minutes

10-minute only

Forecasts

24 hour and 7-day

3 and 7-day

Waypoints

Planned update

Routes

Planned update

Downloadable maps

Must be pre-loaded

Charging Battery

These devices, called Somewear Global Hotspot and Bivystick respectfully, join the ranks of the Garmin inReach and SPOT X devices with their ability to send and receive SMS messages, transmit an S.O.S. signal in an emergency and provide mapping and location tracking. Both utilize the very capable Iridium network, which provides 100% global coverage.

Bivystick

Trigger S.O.S.

Claimed battery life

Must be pre-loaded

Micro-USB

Micro-USB

1000+ messages

Up to 400 hours

Charge other devices Battery life indicator on device Display Connect via

Specifications

the safety, convenience and peace of mind granted by carrying a satellite communications device into the backcountry should make ownership a no-brainer for mountain sledders.

Somewear Global Hotspot

Standalone device Waterproofness Weight Dimensions

Cost (USD)

The SPOT and Garmin duopoly over satellite communications messengers is now officially over.

Two new players—Somewear Labs and Bivy—have come to market, each offering a device that pairs with a smartphone to offer the safety and convenience of satellite communications in the backcountry.

Price of device Basic monthly plan

Bluetooth

Bluetooth

S.O.S. and tracking initiation

S.O.S only

IPX7

IPX6

114 g

218 g

7.9 x 9.3 x 2.0 cm

4.7 x 15.8 x 2.7 cm

$350

$350

$100 annually or $15/month

$18/month

Plans can be paused

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

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[ TRAILH E AD ]

FXR Helium Lite Boa Boot

509 Raid Boa Boot

TOBE Nimbus Boot

SNOWMOBILE BOOT

DURABILITY TEST Boot, may I introduce you to Mr. Belt Sander

We started out testing the integrity of the hinge area of the forefoot—using an angle grinder, obviously. Not surprisingly, none could stop the grinding disc, which made quick work of the hinge area. While the disc didn’t fully penetrate any of the boots in ten seconds of grinding, the 509 Raid had the least amount of material left.

WINNER: NONE, THEY ALL DIDN’T STAND A CHANCE

Each winter, Mountain Sledder staff are lucky to be provided with new snowmobiling gear to be reviewed on behalf of our readers. Unfortunately, we rarely have the opportunity to test these products for more than a season, and that means long-term product durability isn’t something we can usually assess.

Yet, we know that durability is an important factor in choosing gear. So we decided to simulate a “test” of the durability of some top snowmobile boots— using powers tools and other implements of destruction!

So, with no further preamble, here’s our poorly-conceived (yet hopefully entertaining) snowmobile boot durability test!

In a test to simulate wear and tear on sharp running boards, we hacked away at the arch of the boot sole with a machete.

Despite a sharp edge, 30 strokes did almost nothing to the TOBE Nimbus boot, while the FXR Helium Lite’s big lugs suffered the worst damage.

WINNER: TOBE NIMBUS

Unsatisfied with the lack of carnage in the machete round, we spontaneously decided to administer the sawzall, which chewed easily through the sole and arch of each boot. We’ve got to hand it to the spunky 509 Raid boot though; it managed to keep wiggling its way out of our clamping system’s grasp, thereby avoiding as much damage as the others.

WINNER: 509 RAID

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

17

Continuing our frenzy on the sole, we decided to get postapocalyptic with our own version of the Walking Dead’s Lucille. Our board and nail weapon managed to penetrate the sole of all three boots. But the 509 Raid suffered the worst of it, allowing the nails to just poke through into the foot bed area.

WINNER: TOBE NIMBUS

To test the strength of the Boa system cable laces, we placed a car scissor jack inside the boot, snugged up the Boa and got to cranking. After 15 full turns on the jack, all three of the boots looked like they were ready to explode, but surprisingly, none actually did. Imagining a high-tension amputation situation about to unfold, we determined the cable portion of the Boa system to be invincible and backed off the pressure.

LEAST DISTORTED: FXR HELIUM AND TOBE NIMBUS

In our final test of the boot sole, we applied a flapper sanding disc to the heel of each boot to simulate the effect of walking over time. The TOBE Nimbus suffered the most damage, but it was still a disappointingly small amount of wear. Basically, you’re never going to wear out the sole of any of these boots.

As for the top side, we used a belt sander with 100 grit on the toe box to see how well the protective material will hold up to a lifetime of toe stubbing. After 10 seconds, the 509 Raid boot had the least damage. Both the TOBE Nimbus and FXR Helium showed larger wear patches, but neither was fully penetrated. However, the FXR patch did feel the softest, so we’re calling it the loser in this case.

WINNER: FXR HELIUM

The Achilles heel of the Boa system is known to be the dial.

To prove this true, we smashed the dial with a hammer repeatedly, and not softly. Amazingly, the TOBE and FXR Boa dials survived all 15 hits and still worked afterwards! Sure the cosmetic little plastic covers died a horrible death, but the mechanisms held strong. Unfortunately the 509 Boa only lasted 9 whacks before calling it a career.

WINNER: 509 RAID

For our last test, we chose trial by fire! The idea was to simulate what might happen if you leave your boots too close to the furnace overnight to dry (and, well, because we’re pyros). Well—big surprise here—all three boots are flammable! Regardless of material, be it rubber, faux leather, canvas or whathaveyou, it’ll burn if you apply blue flame.

WINNER: BOA CLOSURE SYSTEM

WINNER: PROPANE

So, it turns out that these boots are really tough! While we never really expected any of them to resist an angle grinder or a propane torch, we were surprised by some things, like the strength of the Boa system and how well the soles resisted the hacking of a sharp machete.

Admittedly, the way we performed this test makes it pretty meaningless. But it was fun to do! And we’re now pretty satisfied that any of these boots will last a long time.

The only question remaining is what to do with three brand-new left boots.

18

// FALL 201 9

[ TRAILH E AD ]

Photo by Dave Best

What goes up must come down.

THE ROCKWATER GRILL AND BAR

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CABINS & GUEST HOME

After a hard day’s riding, slide into the Rockwater Grill and Bar. Large screen TV’s and food from the award-winning Whitetooth Bistro kitchen!

Situated in the Blaeberry Valley our home and cabins are close to snowmobile trails and are perfect for your next sledding adventure.

1-250-344-5951 www.rockwatergrill.com

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MOUNT 7 LODGES Luxurious 2,3 & 4 bedroom lodges with king or twin beds, hot tubs, full kitchen, BBQ’s, HDTV & WIFI. Secure and plentiful trailer parking.

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MOBERLY LODGE Secure off-road parking. Turning space for trailers. Ensuite lodge rooms. Individual chalets. Catering available. Hot tub. Drying facilities. Centrally located for all Golden staging areas.

1-250-344-6676 www.moberlylodge.com

tourismgolden.com

Coal Creek & Morrissey WORDS AND PHOTOS BY NICOLE MATEI

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// FALL 201 9

AT THE BEATING HEART OF FERNIE’S GROWING SNOWMOBILE SCENE IS THE EXPANSIVE NETWORK OF THE ADJACENT COAL CREEK AND MORRISSEY RIDING AREAS.

[ RID E GUID E ]

“MORRISSEY FEATURES PLENT Y OF STEEP BUT RIDEABLE TREES.”

PHOTO: ALEX HANSON

N

estled within the crook of a dogleg valley in British Columbia’s Southern Rockies, stands the historic mining town of Fernie, BC, where the air is thin, the stoke runs thick and sledding burns like coal in the soul.

This resource-extraction turned four-season-resort town is known for its rich history, eclectic local charm and a legendary nine meters of annual snowfall.

Long established as a powder skiing, mountain biking and fly-fishing mecca, Fernie is one of the fastest emerging snowmobile destinations in BC today.

Meeting that demand is the Fernie Snowmobile Association (FSA), which has worked diligently to establish land use agreements and infrastructure, and now provides over 160 km of maintained trails throughout five riding areas.

At the heart of it all are the flagship Coal Creek and Morrissey trail networks.

TERRAIN

Logging road arteries connecting expansive cut blocks, hidden meadows, technical lines, rolling hills and ridges Endless treeline and below treeline riding suitable for a variety of ability levels, including families Two warm-up cabins

SEASON

Mid-December to April GROOMING Sunday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

TRAIL FEE

$25 day use fee or $185 annual primary membership

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

21

[ R IDE G U I D E ]

“

THE BURN IS A PLAYGROUND FULL OF SMALL BOWLS, DROPS AND FUN LIT TLE CLIMBS THAT BECKON ALL ABILIT Y LEVELS.” Martin and Luke in the background

COAL CREEK Located just five minutes from downtown, Coal Creek is a wide and impeccably groomed trail gently ascending its namesake drainage. After crossing a large avalanche path just beyond the staging area, the first branch on the right is called The Matheson. This small drainage offers novice and intermediate glade riding on low visibility days.

Continuing farther up Coal Creek, riders will reach a major dogleg junction. Hang a left here, up Paige’s Draw, to reach Martin, Luke and Leech. These areas require a two meter deep snowpack for enjoyable riding, but are incredible boondocking zones if you are keen to explore the hundreds of acres of new logging.

The Burn

Proceeding straight at the Paige’s Draw intersection, riders will reach a key Y-junction. To the right, the Summit Trail contours through The Burn before joining up with the lower Morrissey Trail. Alternatively, riders may continue on ahead to get to the Rolling Hills Cabin.

Directly across from the Rolling Hills Cabin is the broad, south face of Leech Ridge. The ridge

Rolling Hills

22

// FALL 201 9

can either be absolutely loaded with snow or positively scoured, depending on how the storm cycles roll through. If everywhere else is wind hammered, give Leech Ridge a shot.

Directly behind the cabin is one of Fernie’s best family zones: The Burn. It is a playground full of small bowls, drops, and fun little climbs that beckon all ability levels, and it has easy access for family spectators.

The south end of this plateau is Rolling Hills proper. This area provides more advanced riding options and some great sheltered lines that hold snow for days after the last storm.

Continue farther south past the cabin, through the forest and along the flowy Doug Dean Trail to connect with the upper part of the Morrissey Trail.

For families, groups of mixed ability levels, or sledders new to the area, joining this groomed network of trails makes for an enjoyable fullday loop with warming cabins close at hand.

AGILE AND ULTRA RESPONSIVE ON ALL-MOUNTAIN TERRAIN

2020 RMK KHAOS

There's nothing like the confidence of knowing the mountain is your playground, especially when you're behind the bars of the All-New RMK KHAOS. It lives up to its high performance RMK namesake in every way, and carves fresh tracks by turning up the fun factor for all-mountain riding in any condition. Its unique combination of flickable performance matched with the industry's best suspension technology delivers a new way to own every moment on the mountain. All because you're BORN FOR MORE.

polaris.com/snowmobiles Polaris recommends that all riders take a safety training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride.

[ R IDE G U I D E ]

The Notch in the far distance

MORRISSEY The Morrissey staging area is located 20 minutes south of town. It offers more parking options than Coal Creek: a flat, lower lot for large trailers and an upper lot for trucks with sled decks.

Rolling Hills Cabin

“

ON THE DAYS FOLLOWING A STORM, THE ENDLESS ROLLING GLADES AND MEADOWS BELOW THE NOTCH CAN BE HEAVEN.”

24

// FALL 201 9

The groomed trail meanders up the canyon through privately owned cat-ski terrain, so it’s important to stay on the designated trail until you reach the power line.

Past the power line, the trail intersects with the south end of Summit Trail to the left, which leads to the Rolling Hills Cabin.

The next major junction is a four-way confluence of the Doug Dean Trail (left), The McEvoy East (straight) and a short bushwack (right) that will take you to Minnesota Flats, aka Wrangler’s Cabin Meadow. In order to reach the new Wrangler’s Cabin itself, continue straight on the McEvoy Trail to reach the turn off.

The McEvoy Trail takes riders on a loop into the Flathead, returning to the meadow via a section of the Pipeline Trail. This scenic, groomed circuit

features some benched play zones (great for novice riders and families) and ample tree lines for more experienced riders to dip into along the way.

The Notch (aka Sportman’s Ridge) can be reached by heading south down the Pipeline Trail from the east end of Wrangler’s Cabin Meadow. A series of climbs and descents over the Double Hills can be challenging, as can the open water or tenuous snow bridges in the early and late season. The FSA installs bypass trails once there is sufficient snow coverage.

The grooming ends at The Notch, the summit of a knife edge ridge casting impressive views south to the USA border. Note that the prevailing winds can play havoc up here, creating large cornices, fetch areas of scoured bedrock, rimed trees and ‘fat’ fans below the headwall. On the days following a storm, the endless rolling glades and meadows below can be heaven. Anything more than a week after the last snowfall though, and you are likely to be riding styrofoam until the next reload. Good thing then that big winter storms roll through Fernie on a regular basis.

Boasting the thickest lens in the industry, a massive field of vision, the all new No Sweat Face Foam and SCOTT’s proprietary lens lock system, the Prospect Snowcross goggle delivers on all fronts. Leave nothing on the table, your time is now. Allow the SCOTT Prospect to Defend Your Vision during unwavering pursuit of victory.

FAC E F OA M

SCOTT-SPORTS.COM | MICASPORT.COM © SCOTT SPORTS SA 2019 | photo: Arctic Film Crew

PROSPECT SNOWCROSS

DEFEND YOUR VISION

CKX TX319 Offroad Helmet | $140 Style and protection at the most accessible price point on the market. Includes a fully removable, washable liner.

HIGHMARK Charger X Avalanche Airbag | $950

TOBE NOVO v3 Monosuit | $1,100 TOBE’s flagship monosuit, the Novo, receives constant attention from its designers. New this year is the introduction of an insulated version.

East Coasters, rejoice!

Highmark has a reputation of working with their athletes and responding to feedback.

The Charger X shares the impact protection of the Charger, but adds a full front zip making it easier to get on and off.

TOBE Nimbus Boot | $500 TOBE’s latest boot is a two-in-one—meaning you get ultimate comfort from the inner liner (1200 g of cozy warmth!) and the durability of a tough, waterproof exterior.

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[ GE AR GUID E ]

SCOTT Snowcross Prospect Goggle | $150 The Prospect Goggle accomplishes a huge field-of-view by heightening the lens, fitting it closer to the face and curving the lens as much as possible for wide, peripheral vision.

TOBE Macer Jacket | $500

Fly Racing Incline Bib | $385 Sympatex is all the rage these days, in part for offering awesome 20K/20K waterproofness/ breathability protection in these pants, but also for being 100% climate-neutral.

The forerunners in the monosuit game want you to know they build kickass jackets, too. The Macer features 45K (45K!) waterproofing in the awesome Sympatex material.

SCOTT 350 EVO Plus | $230 Conehead Technology uses a multi-density EPS liner, with tiny cones (duh) that act to dissipate impact forces. The EVO Plus combines this with MIPS to keep your brain unshaken and unstirred.

509 Velo Raid Boot | $390 Designed for snowbikers, these three-buckle boots feature shin guards and shifter pads for protection and durability.

FOX 1.5 IQS KIT | $5,000 No more counting clicks.

Easily switch between 4 different ride settings on the fly with the push of a handlebar control button.

Available for Ski-Doo and Polaris sleds.

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[ G EA R G U I D E ]

509 Tactical Helmet | $230 It’s awesome to see a 509 helmet with the same fit, and similar function and look as their top-of-the-line helmet, but at a more budget-friendly price point.

509 Stoke Jacket + Bib | $480 EA 509’s stretchy 5TECH material combines the best of both worlds—20K/20K protection and the stretchiness of your fave sweatpants.

DSG Women’s Trail Glove | $100 Products designed for women in particular are few and far between in the snowmobile world. Smash this patriarchy with these feature-rich gloves tailored specifically for ladies.

MOUNTAIN LAB First Aid Kit PLUS | $50 There’s no bigger hero than the guy with the fully-stocked first aid kit. This one comes complete with burn treatment supplies.

MAMMUT Alugator Pro Light Avalanche Shovel | $95 Typically you can have it strong or you can have it light, but the Pro Light brings together a high volume blade and way-strong construction, all at 645g.

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[ GE AR GUID E ]

MOUNTAIN LAB SKI PULL STRAP | $25 Sometimes the simplest things make all the difference. Rather than throw out your back heaving on your skis, get some serious leverage with this handy strap.

FXR Helium Pro Trilaminate Monosuit | $725 It’s fantastic when products are designed with purpose. The Helium Pro is designed to be slim-fitting and lightweight for riders who are constantly in motion.

Alpyne Apparel Turcotte Snapback Hat | $40 If there’s a better pairing than a homegrown company from Saskatchewan and X Games Gold Medalist Brett Turcotte, we haven’t seen it.

ORTOVOX Kodiak Shovel/Saw | $150 When it comes to a lifesaving tool, it just has to work. Look past the price tag and see the huge blade, grippy handle, hoe function and built-in snow saw.

CKX Elevation Zero Monosuit | $590 The Elevation Zero Monosuit checks all the boxes for mountain sledders—20K/15K waterproofing/breathability, full-leg zips, taped and sealed seams, and zero insulation.

ORTOVOX 320 Steel Probe | $130 As the only steel avalanche probe on the market, this 320cm probe is the heavyweight champion of avalanche safety.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

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GO DEEP.

A CLOSE CALL WORDS AN D IM AG E S

BY CLYDE HE WIT T

AN AVAL ANCHE BUR I AL C AU G HT ON C AM ER A

The story of this avalanche starts on December 10, 2017, when four buddies and I met up for an early season ride at the Isabel Pass area in the Eastern Alaska Range. After a three-hour drive, we unloaded and punched out to a spot called Hookup Gully. Although there is incredible glacier and high elevation riding just a twenty minute ride farther, the snow was so incredible that we decided to stay and play around in the lowlands.

The intermountain snowpack is typically very dry, but doesn’t bond well and is prone to sliding after a winter storm rolls through. On this day, both sides of the gully showed signs of an unstable layer and slide activity since the most recent snow had fallen just a day prior. The snow seemed dangerous on any moderate slope, and I’ve seen my friends almost get snuffed out more often riding in the Isabel Pass area than anywhere else in AK. After playing around for a couple hours and snapping photos, my main riding buddy Chris and I sat and watched two of our friends work on getting their buried sleds unstuck. The fifth rider in the group, Scott, sat underneath the short but steep climb up to the bench at the top of the gully.

After looking at the slope for a couple of minutes, he attacked it with a handful of throttle. A quarter of the way up, he stood his sled straight up-and-down, and fell off the back into the trench his 165” Summit 850 had made on the way up.

It turned out to be a very unfortunate place to fall, because right in front of our eyes, a 100’ (30 m) wide crown propagated above him and the whole slope slid down onto Scott, burying him completely.

It was at this moment that I threw my camera down into the fresh snow, and Chris and I doubled up side-by-side directly to the last place we had seen his body before it was covered. Thirty seconds of frantic digging later, we had uncovered his legs (he ended up being buried head down), and after a minute, we had cleared his airway and got his helmet off.

“

T HERE WA S A N UMBNE S S— L IK E A CHIL D ’S BOT TOM AF T ER BEING SPANK ED F OR MISBEHAVING .”

When we finally got him fully unburied, Scott, Chris and I all sat panting on top of the fresh slide. Scott was visibly shaken, and his eyes were wide.

“Don’t worry Scott, your sled is okay,” Chris said with a grin, and we all laughed.

Within a few minutes, the other two riders in our group had shown up and we all exchanged hugs.

The rest of the day went by like a ringing in our ears. It was pretty clear—we knew with certainty that we had come very close to losing one of the crew.

The fact that we hadn’t gave us a feeling of elation, but there was also a numbness—like a child’s bottom after being spanked for misbehaving. It was a pretty visceral experience, and definitely the only time in my life that I can say with absolute certainty that I helped save another human being’s life.

The takeaway, for me, was to never ride out of eyesight of your riding buddies, and always make sure there’s someone there to assist in case the worst happens.

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LIVES

BY M AR T Y AND ER S O N

TOUCHED T H E R IPPL E EF F E C T O F A FATAL AVAL ANCH E RE AC H E S FAR BE YO N D T H E V IC T IM, L E AV IN G A L A S T ING IM PAC T ON FA M ILY, F RIENDS , RE SC UER S AND E V EN TOTAL S T R ANG ER S .

When an avalanche occurs, the devastating effects are far reaching. In the case of a fatality, it is the people close to the victim who carry the burden long-term. But even just the news of an avalanche or a near miss can have a long-lasting impact on family and friends.

We gathered some thoughts and opinions from those who have been impacted by the devastation of an avalanche, or simply the threat of one, and how it has affected their lives. These accounts are not meant to pass judgement on any decisions made; but rather to expose the far-reaching consequences of the dangers of avalanches and, in doing so, highlight the importance of being prepared and exercising caution when riding in avalanche terrain.

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Andrea Davidoff The Krazy Kanadian, Dan Davidoff, was lost to an avalanche on March 14, 2016. Beyond his legion of fans and followers, Dan left behind a wife and children. His wife, Andrea, is still working on what her new reality is like as a single parent. Making decisions that normally would have been discussed and shared with Dan is hard. Being responsible for the house, the car, the money, the pets—the list seems endless. Even looking after the garden Dan loved became a monumental task on her own, which played a part in her decision to sell their house and move to a place that required less maintenance.

“Being a single parent is the hardest thing,” says Andrea. “When Dan and I got together, this was a big thing that we agreed on.

Neither of us wanted to be a single parent. Ever again. And he didn’t keep his part of the bargain on this one. I don’t feel resentful or angry.

Just sad and disappointed. Because he is missing out on so many good

things. All the firsts. Noah’s first day of school, first lost tooth, the first time across the monkey bars on his own. Both of our daughters’ graduation ceremonies, their first boyfriends, first places of their own.

“ A LL OF MY HAPPY MOMENTS ARE SHADOWED BY A SADNESS. HE IS MISSING OUT ON SO MUCH.” “One of the biggest holes in my life is the fact that Noah is growing up without knowing his dad. Without being able to roughhouse, and spit, collect rocks, get firewood and do all those things that they loved together. Knowing that I can’t possibly fill those shoes because I’m so busy trying to be all the other pieces. And I don’t know how to do dad stuff with my son. It breaks my heart that they are both missing out on knowing each other.

“All of my happy moments are shadowed by a sadness. He is missing out on so much.”

Dave Merritt

GETTING LOVED ONES HOME AS SAFE AND FAST AS POSSIBLE IS THE GOAL, BRINGING CLOSURE TO THE FAMILIES WHATEVER THE OUTCOME MAY BE.

Dave Merritt wears many hats in the backcountry community. He is a professional member of the Canadian Avalanche Association; his company, Outside Ventures, provides Avalanche Skills Training courses; and he is the manager of the Prince George Search and Rescue Society (PGSAR). When there is an avalanche incident in Northern BC, it is very likely that Dave Merritt will show up.

has passed and must be left in the backcountry overnight. Getting loved ones home as safe and fast as possible is the goal, bringing closure to the families whatever the outcome may be.

Avalanche victim recovery takes its toll on Dave and the members of SAR. In any SAR operation, Dave’s first priority is to keep his team safe.

But keeping a victim’s emotional family focused and positive while a search is hampered by darkness or weather is a challenge. This can be exceptionally hard if a group has self-rescued but the victim

Dave has participated in over 45 SAR tasks since digging out his first body in 1993. He thinks of his ability to keep doing it like a cup that is slowly filling: “I don’t know if I am near the bottom, or if the cup is almost full. But it is filling. Maybe my next recovery will be the one where I say, ‘That’s it, I’m out.’”

And sometimes, in a small community of backcountry users, it can get personal when the victim is someone known to Dave or other members of SAR.

Bruce Williams Fifteen years ago, avalanche awareness was not as common amongst backcountry users as it is today. Still, there were groups with the necessary gear and training, and as one of those, Bruce Williams and his buddies had confidence in their abilities in the backcountry.

On one particular ride, the group noticed some small sloughing in a few areas and decided to move on to what was considered “better” terrain. Yet, despite this decision, one of the riders in the group was completely buried when an entire hillside came down, filling the valley bottom with avalanche debris an estimated six meters deep.

Armed with transceivers and the ability to use them, the wellprepared group found their friend Scott quickly. However, he was

buried head down—leaving a lot of work to do, digging through the cement-like snow before they could reach his airway. Despite their best efforts, Scott did not survive.

The incident took a big bite out of Bruce’s passion for sledding, but the final straw came a year later when he found himself digging out another friend in a similar area, not far from the site of the fatal avalanche a year before. While the outcome was a positive one this time, it made Bruce think, “I really don’t need this.” With young children at home, he understood that he had more important priorities in his life.

While he does miss his days riding in the mountains, Bruce has found other ways to fill his winters since then. “I play a lot of hockey,” he says.

THE FINAL STRAW CAME A YEAR LATER WHEN HE FOUND HIMSELF DIGGING OUT ANOTHER FRIEND IN A SIMILAR AREA, NOT FAR FROM THE SITE OF THE FATAL AVALANCHE A YEAR BEFORE.

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Julie Cote Even the tragic news of an avalanche can place an emotional burden on those who may not themselves ride in avalanche terrain, but have loved ones who do. Julie Cote, whose spouse frequents the backcountry, is one of those empathetic people.

“I am an avid worrier. Every year, I hear about experienced sledders losing their lives in the mountains.

I hear about the dangers and avalanche warnings in the areas he loves to ride.

“We are both volunteer firefighters, so I understand the thrill of potential dangers we may encounter in that role. We both understand the importance of personal safety, and proper safety gear and equipment. Despite how well prepared he is—and I know he is prepared—can anyone ever be prepared enough for Mother Nature? Avalanches, cliffs, breakdowns, unpredictable weather conditions to name a few: these are the things I worry about.”

“

DESPITE HOW WELL PREPARED HE IS— AND I KNOW HE IS PREPARED—CAN ANYONE EVER BE PREPARED ENOUGH FOR MOTHER NATURE?”

Toby Cartwright When a prolonged cold snap finally broke in January of 2016, Toby Cartwright and his friends were anxious to get out and enjoy the fresh powder that was waiting. Before heading into the backcountry, the tight-knit group of riding friends discussed a known instability in the snowpack.

“ C OMING BACK TO TOWN AND CALLING FAMILY AND FRIENDS WAS THE HARDEST.”

But when the wall of snow hit and buried one member of their group, that rider never saw it coming. Cartwright did, but it was too late to warn his friend. Having previously broken out into smaller pairs, he was the only other rider in the immediate area. He radioed for the rest of the group and started an immediate search.

Knowledgeable and well-practiced with avy gear, Cartwright pinpointed the victim’s location quickly and started digging.

Unfortunately, the victim was

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buried too deep for the solo rescue to be successful in time. Search and Rescue would be needed for the recovery mission.

“Coming back to town and calling family and friends was the hardest,” says Cartwright.

The group of friends was knowledgeable, trained, wellpracticed and familiar with the area.

They had discussed the conditions and managed the risk as best the group reasonably could.

Despite the tragedy, the group of best friends still rides together, including an emotional yearly return to the site of the avalanche.

“Quitting riding was never an option,” says Cartwright. “Kenny would be the first to tell us to get our asses back out there.”

SLED KOOTENAY Ride it. Live it.

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Photo credit: Dave Best

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WHAT DRIVES

?

WORDS AND PHOTOS

BY PATRICK GARBUTT

SNOWMOBILE DEVELOPMENT

THE CASE OF THE 2020 POLARIS KHAOS AND SKI-DOO SUMMIT EXPERT

“

SUCCESS IS DRIVEN BY THE ABILITY TO INTERPRET AND UNDERSTAND WHAT CUSTOMERS TRULY WANT.”

“ If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” – Henry Ford Those words are commonly attributed to the American industrialist, Ford, who revolutionized transportation with his affordable, mass market Model T automobile.

In truth, that quote has never been verifiably traced back to anything Ford ever said or wrote, and it’s unlikely that he was so arrogant as to imply that his innovation occurred in the total absence of consumer input.

Ford was, however, clearly insightful enough to separate the literal demands of his future customers from their actual desire—which of course was to get from Point A to Point B more efficiently. And that’s what drives success: the ability to interpret and understand what customers truly want, and to provide a product that meets or exceeds that expectation.

Two new snowmobile models for the year 2020—the Polaris RMK KHAOS and Ski-Doo Summit X with Expert Package— are the direct result of manufacturers hearing the demands of their customer base.

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What Drives Development For Polaris, development starts with listening and understanding what the customer is asking for, says Polaris Product Manager, Marty Sampson. Sampson has been with Polaris for 21 years, as the lead role in mountain sled development and validation for many years, and now overseeing the entire Polaris snowmobile product lineup.

“The KHAOS came from what some of our customers were telling us,” says Sampson.

Through various customer feedback channels, they were starting to hear and piece together snippets of feedback that said, I don’t always need a sled to be as precise or as focused as what a PRO acts like.

“It took time to hear that though,” says Sampson. “We spent a lot of time and a lot of years making the PRO-RMK just better and better at a fairly focused element, which was—how steep can you climb, how steep of a sidehill line can you pull, how precisely can you carve around that tree. I know that because I was part of that team.

“Quite frankly, it left some people who don’t always ride like that feeling like the sled wasn’t as fun as they’d like it to be for how they want to use it. What we pieced together was: we need a sled that’s a little bit less focused on one thing.” The result is the RMK KHAOS, which was designed specifically to exhibit additional transfer and ski lift for a more lively and fun feeling, without sacrificing much of the precise handling of the PRO-RMK.

CHRIS BROWN ENJOYS THE PLAYFULNESS OF THE NEW POLARIS RMK KHAOS.

As for BRP, the goal with the Ski-Doo Summit Expert was also about addressing feedback the manufacturer had received from both their expert ambassadors and customers alike. The Expert offers improvements based on ideas developed and tested in the field by Ski-Doo backcountry experts. These allow the sled to be more capable in challenging terrain and, like the KHAOS, the Expert also exhibits a more playful attitude.

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“

ATHLETES WHO RIDE NEARLY EVERY DAY GAIN A LOT OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AND ARE A TREMENDOUS SOURCE OF FEEDBACK.”

Feedback Comes in Many Forms So how do the manufacturers capture useful feedback from customers? They try to gather as much consumer voice as they can, through many different channels. Much of that, of course, comes from directly talking with customers on rides, demos and at public events. And yes, believe it or not, even social media comments are being scrutinized. The marketing team is living in the consumer world, and their role in development is to collaborate with the development team to incorporate consumer feedback.

Another source of feedback comes from the frontline—the dealership network. As Sampson points out, a dealer who is in-tune with their customer base can accurately communicate the desires of many individual customers with a single voice.

Naturally, the manufacturers invest in traditional research methods as well, using surveys and focus groups to gain valuable consumer insights.

Another piece of the puzzle comes from the folks working for the manufacturer being enthusiasts and users themselves.

Analyzing and interpreting all that feedback requires some reading between the lines, says Sampson. “You listen, and you ride and you see what people are doing.”

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RIDER: ROB ALFORD PHOTO: LORNE ALCOCK

The Role of the Athlete Ambassador Athletes and ambassadors, such as SkiDoo Backcountry Expert Carl Kuster, are a tremendous source of feedback for manufacturers as well, and their value is two-fold.

First of all, athletes who ride nearly every day have the opportunity to gain a lot of practical experience with the product. When they’re riding, they’re working—unlike most sledders, who are just there for a good time.

They are thinking critically about how the vehicle is performing in all manner of varying snow conditions, elevation, terrain and weather. Kuster’s background in snowmobile racing and his experience as a journeyman motorcycle mechanic, for example, allows him to make the kinds of diagnostic assessments that provide invaluable feedback to the engineers at BRP. An example of the development that can start at the athlete level is Ski-Doo’s removable snowflap, an idea that Kuster started playing around with back in 2008. He customized a snowflap that could be held

in place with a couple of clutch cover pins and quickly removed without tools. Today, BRP manufactures a removable snowflap as an accessory; and in the case of the Expert Package, performance benefits are reaped with no snowflap at all.

To go from inception to final product, “some ideas, even simple ones, can be 10 years in the making,” says Kuster. “Like the small seat on the Expert—we started doing that in 2008 as well.”

The other benefit of athlete feedback is that they get to watch a lot of people ride snowmobiles, talk with them and see what problems they’re having.

“They get a really wide view of the snowmobiling community of people who are expert riders, people who are novice riders and everybody in between,” says Sampson, of Polaris athletes like Chris Burandt and Dan Adams.

“As much as they themselves have some influence on what we’re doing or what we’re thinking about, they also have a huge view of the customer base because they’re with groups of people every day.”

2020 Polaris RMK KHAOS Features KHAOS REAR SUSPENSION GEOMETRY

STEEPER RAIL PROFILE

LONGER TORQUE ARM AND FRONT SHOCK LONGER, DUAL LIMITER STRAPS WALKER EVANS VELOCITY SHOCKS

MID-MOUNTED REMOTE RESERVOIR

HI-LO COMPRESSION ADJUSTMENT ALUMINUM OVER STRUCTURE AND REAR BUMPER

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2020 Ski-Doo Summit X with Expert Package Features TUNNEL SHORTENED BY 5”, NO SNOW FLAP KASHIMA-COATED HPG PLUS COIL-OVER SHOCKS NEW SKI SPINDLE AND RUBBER SKI STOPPER ADJUSTABLE LIMITER STRAP IMPROVED RUNNING BOARDS FORTY7C PERFORMANCE SEAT SHORT 4.7” RISER SMALLER DIAMETER GRIPS SHORTER MOUNTAIN STRAP HANDGUARDS

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CKMP GUIDE SHELLEY FERGUSON RIPS ON THE SUMMIT EXPERT.

Product Development is a Balancing Act New product development must satisfy the needs of five different groups, Kuster shrewdly observes; in addition to what the consumer wants, new product development must also satisfy the needs of engineering, design, sales and marketing, and legal and accounting in order for the product to be successful.

Unfortunately, there’s a common misperception in the media and public that the “bean counters” (aka legal and accounting) dictate the development of new product. That’s just not the case, says Sampson. He asserts that Polaris is really trying to lead with what the customer is asking for, and points out the fact that it really wouldn’t make sense to do it any other way. But there is a balance that must be reached.

“Without other considerations taken into account, the manufacturer development teams could produce a very light sled,” says Sampson, giving an example.

“Heck, Chris Burandt built a 355 lb Polaris PRO-RMK, and he doesn’t have a fraction of the development resources at his disposal that Polaris does. But what you’d end up with is a $40,000 sled that probably can’t stand up to much abuse and may not meet certification requirements.”

So while all the aspects of the business must be taken into account in new product development, it really is up to the engineering team to innovate a product that answers the demands of the customer, in the right way.

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Down the Road So if Polaris customers are asking for a more playful, less precise instrument, does that mean that the PRO-RMK will eventually be phased out in favour of the RMK KHAOS? “I personally think, over time, that we’ll see 75% of our riders migrate to a KHAOS-like handling sled,” says Sampson. “I think the majority of mountain riders will embrace the quicker handling and the light front-end, and I think it will trend largely towards that.

And the guys who are riding super-steep terrain, riding technical lines in the trees, will probably still want a PRO. I think that there’s a place in our lineup for both, for the foreseeable future.”

But what about Ski-Doo? Will we see the upgrades to the Summit X Expert Package become integrated into the entire Summit lineup slowly over time, or will they possibly become part of a future Gen5 platform?

They’re not saying. But when we asked Kuster which models he ordered for the fleet of client sleds at Carl Kuster Mountain Park next year, his answer was simple: “All Experts.”

As for the future, Kuster thinks there is plenty of room for improvement. “They’re good right now, but I think we can make them tremendously better,” he says.

“If I had to take a guess, I think we’re at 50% of the capacity of what these things will be able to do. I hope I get to see some of my ideas through, or they come to life. There’s some stuff that we’re working on that I think will be cool.”

Betcha Ford thought his Model T was pretty cool too.

“ I PERSONALLY THINK, OVER TIME, THAT WE’LL SEE 75% OF OUR [MOUNTAIN] RIDERS MIGRATE TO A KHAOS-LIKE HANDLING SLED.” – MARTY SAMPSON, POLARIS PRODUCT MANAGER

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1 | VOLUME 12

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HIGHMARKAIRBAGS.COM

A Relentless

War at Home

BY CASSIDY RANDALL IMAGES COURTESY OF PARKS CANADA

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK’S AVALANCHE CONTROL PROGRAM WAGES A MODERN-DAY BAT TLE TO KEEP THE TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY CLEAR THROUGH BRITISH COLUMBIA’S ROGERS PASS

44

// FALL 201 9

THE GOAL IS TO LIMIT THE OCCURRENCE OF MONSTER SLIDES LIKE THE ONES THAT HAUNTED THE EARLY DAYS OF TRAVEL THROUGH THE CORRIDOR, CAUSING THE TRAGIC LOSS OF MANY LIVES.

T

he savage terrain of Rogers Pass seldom sees peace in winter.

Sledders know Rogers Pass to be the crux of the TransCanada Highway as it connects the rest of Canada to some of the best riding areas in British Columbia.

At 1330 m, the pass dissects the Selkirk Mountains through the heart of Glacier National Park, and is flanked east and west by the towns of Golden and Revelstoke respectively.

Few, however, know that Rogers Pass is home to one of the most advanced avalanche management systems in the world.

With 134 avalanche paths threatening the safe passage of the flood of vehicles that travel through each winter day, Glacier National Park staff and the Canadian Armed Forces have developed a world-class forecasting and avalanche control program.

While the program is most famous for firing Howitzer artillery rounds at the mountainside, there’s an entire dance of sophisticated steps that takes place before the explosives come out. The goal is to limit the occurrence of monster slides like the ones that haunted the early days of travel through the corridor, causing the tragic loss of many lives.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

45

Diplomacy First Keeping the highway safe starts with static defences—preventative measures that keep snow off the highway near some of the most defined avalanche paths. The most obvious of these are the five snow sheds within the park and three more just outside (and the berms around them that help divert snow), which have been in place for decades.

But just last year, teams completed a burly new static defence. There are now two kilometers of snow nets on Cougar Corner, the largest such installation in the western hemisphere and one of the most complex in the world. Keeping snow in the start zone prevents the occurrence of avalanches in the first place. These nets corral snow in place, high up in three steep avalanche paths that have a tendency to slide earlier or at different times than other areas.

The snow nets at Cougar Corner corral snow in place.

Photo: Ian Houghton

Avalanche paths on Fidelity Peak can be triggered remotely.

46

// FALL 201 9

Photo: J. Daniluck

“

BE PREPARED, CHECK DRIVEBC.CA AND DON’T TRAVEL DURING THE TIMES WE’RE DOING CONTROL. AT ANY TIME YOU’RE DRIVING THROUGH MOUNTAIN PASSES IN WINTER, IT’S GOOD TO BE PREPARED WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS, EXTRA FOOD, WATER, WARM CLOTHING AND A SLEEPING BAG.” – PARKS CANADA SENIOR AVALANCHE OFFICER, JEFF GOODRICH

Know Your Enemy But avalanche control, at its heart, is not static; it’s the definition of dynamic. Which is why Parks Canada’s top-notch forecasting team must accurately analyze a range of moving pieces daily to help keep Highway 1 open as much as possible throughout the winter.

The first step in solving the puzzle is gathering weather data. Parks Canada uses a series of radio telemetry weather stations to monitor wind, temperature, humidity, precipitation and accumulation.

The information is transmitted to headquarters, where it is collated with results collected from the field.

The second step is to collect data on what’s happening in the snowpack. Avalanche technicians head out into the mountains each day to dig snow profiles for in-depth looks at the layers in the snow. This information provides clues as to where avalanches could start, how big they might be and if they could propagate across slopes.

Current avalanche activity is the third source of data—some of which is collected the old-fashioned way, by simply driving along the highway to observe the hundred-plus paths. But this method is also being modernized. There is a three-year project underway in which a system of 13 overlapping arrays that use infrasound and radar will be used to detect avalanches in real time. Each array has four to five sensors, spread out 50 meters away from a centralized point. These can detect waves travelling at the speed of sound, at a frequency below what the human ear can hear. The advanced technology relays the direction and magnitude of an avalanche with only a minute delay.

LEADING THE INDUSTRY. USED BY PROFESSIONALS.

Secure the Perimeter Armed with this supply of information, the forecasting team will constantly analyze the avalanche situation, and when necessary, make the call to close the highway for control work. The team announces closures with as much advance notice as possible (often the night before) so that drivers can plan their travel accordingly. Highway closures are posted on the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure road conditions website, DriveBC. “When we do these closures, it’s for the safety of the people travelling,” says Parks Canada Senior Avalanche Officer, Jeff Goodrich. “Our philosophy is to try to cause more frequent and smaller avalanches. If they stop just short of the road, that’s ideal because it’s a reduced threat to the highway and we don’t have the big cleanup times. When avalanches get large and we’re not able to keep them off the road, that causes longer closures.”

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER mammut.com

//

47

“

IT’S AMAZING TO WATCH THE POWER OF A RUNNING AVALANCHE; WHEN YOU SEE THAT, YOU KNOW YOU DON’T WANT TO BE ANYWHERE CLOSE TO ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHEN IT’S RUNNING FULL-PATH.” – JEFF GOODRICH

Commence Fire Finally, at this point, the guns come out.

While vehicles are stopped in “ponding areas” (safe zones on either side of the pass), teams of Canadian Armed Forces set up 105 mm Howitzer artillery guns at two of 17 permanent gun placements along the highway. At the first placement, the gunman sights in on the target. The lead forecaster gives the order to fire, and snow, hopefully, plunges down the mountain.

“It’s amazing to watch the power of a running avalanche,” says Goodrich. “When you see that, you know you don’t want to be anywhere close to one of those things when it’s running full-path.”

While the first team wraps up operations and prepares to move the Howitzer to the next placement, the forecaster is already en route to the second gun team, eliminating delays for setup and cleanup times between shoots. The guns leap-frog each other along the highway with an efficiency that comes from 58 years of partnership with avalanche teams at the pass. Known as the “Snow War”, in a nod to the ongoing violence of these volatile mountains, the avalanche control program at Rogers Pass is the Canadian Armed Forces’ longest-running active military operation.

At the same time the Howitzers are bombing start zones in the heart of the corridor, forecasters fire remote control explosives on the east and west peripheries with the touch of a laptop key—yet another system that combines old, yet still effective, methods with new technology.

Withdrawal After cleaning up any debris that may have blanketed the road, the Trans-Canada is re-opened to the thousands of drivers who safely traverse this stretch of highway every day—most of them blissfully unaware of the high-stakes, perfectly-executed operations safeguarding their journey through one of the wildest avalanche battle zones on earth.

48

// FALL 201 9

Photo: Rob Buchanan

44 km

stretch of highway through Glacier National Park

1330 meters elevation at the pass

REDUCED TO

PROTECTION

2 km of snow netting 5 snow sheds

134

340

avalanche paths

artillery and remote detonation targets

Approximately

2000

A single

8-hour

ASCENT 30 AVABAG

is estimated to cost the economy

$500,000 Te

closure

recorded avalanche events each winter

Parks Canada

14

STAFF Canadian

avalanche forecasters, technicians and visitor safety staff

Armed Forces:

2

rotations of artillery gun troops (17 in each rotation)

si sT

Te

eger

sT s ieg

er

The sensationally LIGHT and COMPACT AVABAG SYSTEM provides PROTECTION – even during the most demanding of activities. This has been achieved through a new welding technology and an innovatively simple venturi unit. A reduced number of parts and a completely closed, robust system make the AVABAG light, compact and extremely reliable!

Learn more about AVABAG on ortovox.com!

Photo: J. Daniluck 170803_AVABAG_MountainSledder_EN_MAH.indd 1

03.08.17 | KW 31 15

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M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

51

Higher Learning High School Students from Naicam, Saskatchewan Become Invested in Learning with One-Of-A-Kind Mountain Snowmobiling Club

52

// Fall 201 9

PHOTO: LEANNE BEAVIS

Back in high school, most of us didn’t think much past the weekend.

Sure, some kids had ideas about what career path they might like to pursue. Fewer actually wound up on them. But for many of us sledheads, all we really wanted to think about was snowmobiling.

That got Chris Chudyk, the vice-principal at Naicam School in Saskatchewan, thinking about how he could better engage the students in learning. Chudyk teaches the small-engine class at the high school, and he was well aware that many of the mechanicallyinclined farm kids in the class weren’t being challenged by the primarily utility four-stroke material. Chudyk asked the students what they might be interested to learn more about, and the response was clear—they are fascinated by mountain sledding. So he proposed the idea of an extra-curricular mountain snowmobile program, and they were all in.

There was only one problem: Chudyk knew that most students wouldn’t have access to a snowmobile to work on in the practical component of a program.

So, with approval to proceed but no funding available from the North East School Division, Chudyk made the decision to cash in his personal savings on a 2018 Arctic Cat Mountain Cat for the kids to learn and work on.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

53

THE AVALANCHE

SAFETY SPECIALISTS

Theory and Application In late 2017, the group started meeting once or twice a week after school. Chudyk designed the program to spend part of the time in the classroom, learning about theory and understanding how each component contributes to performance.

“Basically, if you look at a service manual, that would be a breakdown of how we’re doing it,” says Chudyk.

The rest of the time is spent hands-on in the school’s shop, applying newfound understanding in practice to the Mountain Cat, or to the kids’ own sleds.

PACKAGES, RENTALS & ADVICE.

Then Came the Alpha One With a successful first winter of theory and wrenching nearly in the books, the question of how to continue and evolve the program in its sophomore year remained. By then, Arctic Cat had revealed its new Alpha One platform. With a desire to keep the program rolling and some healthy anticipation for the new model from students and teacher alike, Chudyk consigned the 2018 Mountain Cat for sale and committed to an Alpha One.

The Economics of Sledding

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It’s one thing for an adult with steady work and some savings to invest in a new snowmobile. The fact that new sled ownership is outside the reach of high school kids is not lost on Chudyk. He has made it a point to educate the students on the economics of sledding, and how to work on a budget. The students learn about things like: how to perform general maintenance, and how to setup and tune stock components for better performance in the mountains at no extra cost.

Meanwhile, in an effort to get the kids excited and enhance the performance aspect of the program, Chudyk reached out to some aftermarket companies for support. Several were keen to help out with parts and accessories, or discounted items for the program.

With the support of the industry, the kids had a taste of both worlds: how to pursue their passion on a budget, and the chance to work on a dream project—a customized, high-performance Alpha One.

Beyond the Classroom In its second year, the program went a step further and took learning into the field.

Students and parents who hadn’t been riding in the mountains before were asking questions like: “Where can I ride?” and “What things do I need to know?”

Chudyk realized that the program had been focused on only one aspect of mountain sledding—the machine—but there was so much more that the kids wanted to know.

The first step was to arrange for an Avalanche Skills Training course to take place at the school. Every student in the group and each of their dads (less one family who was already certified), plus an additional seven other members of the community, came together to participate in the classroom portion of the course offered by Hangfire Training.

AlbertaSnowmobile.ca

11759 Groat Road, Edmonton, AB 780.427.2695 @AltaSnowmobile

Next up, the kids had to be outfitted with avalanche gear. Backcountry Access is a supporter of the program, and the company offered a generous discount for the families of the group. Every student in the program was fully outfitted with an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel.

To help develop their new skills, Chudyk asked Naicam town staff to bury a transceiver with their equipment under a pile of snow, so the kids could practice locating a transceiver on a slope and dig through snow that would simulate avalanche debris.

After digging through the massive pile of rock-hard snow, “the kids found the transceiver alright—it took them awhile to get to it, but they found it. And they were tired,” says Chudyk with a chuckle.

The final objective of the program would be to take everything they’d learned and head to the mountains.

PHOTO BY HANNAH KARINE

54

// Fall 201 9

With the support of the industry, the kids had a taste of both worlds: how to pursue their passion on a budget, and the chance to work on a dream project—a customized, high-performance Alpha One.

With a successful first winter of theory and wrenching nearly in the books, the question of how to continue and evolve the program in its sophomore year remained.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

55

Program Recognition Through social media, the club’s activities had come to the attention of Arctic Cat athlete David McClure—who, as a professional rider, many of the students look up to. McClure took the time to exchange some letters with the students in the group, and through him, Arctic Cat become aware of the program as well. Arctic Cat recognized Chudyk’s personal commitment to the program and reached out to express an interest in supporting the program with parts for the new sled build.

Then came an unbelievable offer—an invitation for the students and families to come down to Island Park,

Then came an unbelievable offer—an invitation for the students and families to come down to Island Park, Idaho, to see Arctic Cat’s Western Test Facility and to ride some of the new sleds.

Idaho, to see Arctic Cat’s Western Test Facility and to

Island Park Trip

ride some of the new sleds.

The invite came directly from Arctic Cat’s Mountain Product Team Manager, Andy Beavis.

“It’s a cool thing, getting young people excited about snowmobiling,” says Beavis, when asked about the program. “We’re always looking for ways to get new people into the sport. I thought it was a great idea from the start. We try to do what we can to support things like that, whether it’s individual people or in this case a group of students.”

On February 19th, eight students, five parents and Chudyk headed south across the border. The group stayed overnight in Billings, Montana, where they were invited by Tom Kobza to tour his TKI facility the next morning. The students were shown a demonstration of the machining and fabrication processes of parts for TKI products such as belt drive parts, wheels and brake levers.

Later, the group arrived at Island Park, where they would spend the next three days riding with Beavis and his wife Leanne, former Arctic Cat employee and snowmobile guide Jason Howell, and, of course, David McClure.

The Riding The first day was a chance to take it easy and assess the skills of the large group.

Consideration of the avalanche hazard was the highest priority, and the group played it safe with conservative terrain choices.

For many of the kids and parents, it was their first time riding in the mountains.

“They were really taken aback by the environment, just being in that kind of scenery. They were soaking it in as much as they could,” says Chudyk.

On the second day of riding, the group was surprised with a rare privilege that is normally reserved only for the media—an outsider’s chance to see and ride unreleased models, including the new Riot crossover.

“We took out the 2020 models with us that day, which was a day before they were revealed to the public,” says Beavis.

The kids and parents weren’t allowed to share pictures or information on social media, but they did get a chance to ride some of the new sleds, which Beavis says they were pretty excited about.

“There were a few of them who were scared—they didn’t want to wreck it.

Especially the parents.

“That was part of the experience,” he says. “We wanted to give them the inside feeling—we talked through the new product with them and all of the development of it.”

56

// Fall 201 9

P H OTO : LE

V IS ANNE BE A

Arctic Cat Western Test Facility At the end of the third day, being toured around by McClure, the group was treated to a look inside Arctic Cat’s Island Park R&D facility. Originally a dealership, the property was purchased and repurposed 18 years ago. Today it’s an engineering facility with a work area, machine shop, parts and vehicle storage, and an office.

Access to the trail system and backcountry of Island Park and West Yellowstone makes the location perfect for elevation and mountain testing.

Naturally, being a product development facility, certain projects had to be put under wraps for the tour.

“I just kind of arranged it so that we didn’t have any of our future prototype stuff there,” says Beavis.

After the tour, the kids had the chance to ask Beavis—who has worked on Arctic Cat mountain product for 19 years—questions about development, the industry, vehicles and everything in between. They showed great interest in the Alpha, which Beavis has been involved with since its inception. They were curious about things like: how long it took to move the Alpha from idea to production, and how Beavis came up with the idea.

David McClure fielded a number of rider-focused questions such as how he became a professional rider and what used snowmobile would be a good purchase.

To put a cap on the experience, McClure signed some autographs and handed out some Arctic Cat swag to the kids, and Beavis presented the group with a custom painted Alpha One rail to match the black and green colour scheme the kids had chosen for the project sled.

An Incredible Experience For David McClure, the biggest kick was seeing the enthusiasm of the kids on snow.

“We would stop in, to me, a pretty lame spot, like the top of a hill. And the kids wouldn’t stop, they’d just keep riding around. I was thinking it didn’t take much to keep those kids entertained. They’re used to the flatland, so any type of bump or hill—they were stoked with whatever they had in front of them. They were just ripping up the snow,” says McClure.

As for spending the day riding with them, McClure says, “I could tell that they’ve been watching the videos a lot, because even though they didn’t have much experience in the mountains, they knew the right techniques. They have the desire, and they aren’t afraid of the throttle. They all have huge potential as riders.”

From the kids’ perspective, getting the chance to ride with one of their snowmobiling idols was surreal.

The students are just dying to know: what will David McClure order for lunch?

“We’d be riding up the trail and stop, and the kids would be whispering to each other, ‘We’re riding with David McClure!’ They were in awe of being around David and Andy and the mountains,” says Chudyk.

For Chudyk himself, the experience was unbelievable. “You tell people about it after, but it almost sounds foolish. Obviously, I support Arctic Cat, it’s a great company and everything, but on top of that, it’s good people. I think that’s what everybody came away with after riding down there. It was just cool to see people respond so positively to something like this.”

In addition to Arctic Cat, Jason Howell of Yellowstone Arctic Yamaha was also a huge source of support for the group. He lined up rentals, took care of issues as they arose, guided the group for a day and even brought out parts to the cabin and repaired a sled belonging to one of the students.

“To give the kids an experience like this, and put that amount of time and effort into supporting a small group of kids from east Saskatchewan is a really amazing thing.

These are companies, but it’s the people behind them,” notes Chudyk.

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

57

The group at Arctic Cat’s Western Test Facility (right) and the finished Alpha One project sled (below).

Thinking About the Future Andy Beavis is one of the rare few who knew from early on what career path he wanted to take.

“I decided in about the 10th grade that this is what I wanted to do,” Beavis says. He was inspired by his uncles who were engineers, who told him, “If you can do one thing, do something that you’re interested in and you’re passionate about.”

The opportunity to meet Beavis and learn about his education as a mechanical engineer and present-day job was an eye-opening experience for the students of Naicam School.

“Really, you could do that? That’s what they do? I thought they made buildings,” expressed one student, who later says that he’d like to consider mechanical engineering as a path forward.

And that was the whole point of the program to begin with—to get the students invested in learning and thinking about their future.

Moving forward, Chudyk might be hard-pressed to imagine how he could possibly one-up the program next winter. That said, there is already a plan in place to travel west to complete the field portion of the AST course that the students and parents started last winter.

“If there are goals for next year, it might be that if we could somehow get this in more schools, get more kids involved, get some more industry effort towards the inclusion of kids,” hopes Chudyk.

“As far as topping anything, I don’t think that’s our goal anymore. If it sparks interest and gives more kids the opportunity to see what’s out there and what they can do, you really can’t ask for more than that.”

In addition to the companies and people mentioned in the story, Chris would like to thank the following for their support and assistance with the program: Speedwerx – Stage 2 Exterminator Kit Octane Ink – Custom sled wrap with student signatures, decals C&A Pro Skis – Custom skis and learning tools Caliber Products – Sled wheels and deck glides K.M.K Sales – Donor sled sale and OEM parts Prairie Recreation – Riding gear for students and families Sawtelle Mountain Resort – Island Park accommodation Elk Lake Resort – For a delicious hot meal in the middle of nowhere

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EX PO SU RE 60

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PHOTO: ALEX HANSON RIDER: LOGAN THIBODEAU

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PHOTO: ROB HOFF RIDER: ROB ALFORD

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[ E XPO SURE ]

PHOTO: CALLAN SENYK RIDER: DATHAN HEADGE

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[ EXP OSU RE ]

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PHOTO: TODD WILLIAMS RIDER: JUSTIN SHEAFF

PHOTO: MIKE REEVE RIDER: CALEB KESTERKE

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[ EXP OSU RE ]

PHOTO: DAVE BEST RIDER: RICKY EDMONDS

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PHOTO: CLYDE HEWITT RIDER: CHRIS SCHOPPENHORST

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

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MOUNTAINMOTORSPORTS.CA

[ TAILGATE ]

THE SNOW DANCE HOW TO CALL DOWN THE RIGHT SNOWSTORM THIS WINTER

BY TRAVIS MCNABB Snowseekers. We’re a strange breed. The never-ending obsession with deep snow days turns us into certifiable weirdos—eccentric morons whose bizarre quirks alienate us from the general population.

But the power of the Snow Dance is accepted as truth amongst sledders, because…well because without faith, what chance have we got? It just has to be true. And the more people doing it has to increase the odds, right?

The most curious of these quirks must be the conviction that we have the power to call down precipitation from the heavens above by appeasing the Snow Gods with a passionately executed ceremonial “Snow Dance”. In most circles, this belief would be enough to send us straight to the loonie bin.

But first, we must understand that one Snow Dance ain’t like the other. And, like any good ritual, it’s best not to go in blind. Here are a few examples to help make sure that your dry-spell booty-shakin’ yields the proper results this winter.

THE DUCK WALK Right around the same time Joseph Bombardier was assembling his first Ski-Doo in 1935, this particular dance was first being performed by the legendary guitarist, T-Bone Walker. It would later be popularized by Chuck Berry in the 50s, as he hopped one-legged across the stage in a squat, wailing out riffs on his axe during performances of Johnny B. Goode.

It’s a well-known made-up fact that doing a kilometer-long Duck Walk in a full-faced helmet on a hot summer day guarantees a winter that’ll totally “razz your berries”.

THE MOONWALK THE WORM (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE Strangely enough, there’s no Wikipedia entry for The Worm, BOONDOCK) It’s hard to talk about the moonwalk in this day and age.

It’s largely associated with a man who should never have been trusted with anyone’s children. But it’s worth noting that MJ didn’t actually invent the moonwalk, and that its origins can be traced as far back as Cab Calloway in the 1930s. James Brown did it as well, as did a handful of other performers over the years.

Either way, moonwalking has little to no effect on precipitation. But you’ll likely only be able to do it in a pair of thick wool socks on a hardwood floor, so at least your toes will be ready for the first cold snap of the season.

so we can only assume that it was invented by some guy who dropped his keys under the truck.

As far as moves go, it’s fairly self-explanatory. But it’s about as good for your spine as loading your own sled without a ramp.

That being said, if anyone within your crew of riding buddies is able to successfully execute The Worm, it is rumoured to guarantee a snowfall of 45 cm on the eve of January 7th.

THE DOUGIE

TWERKING

The more people doing The Dougie in the offseason, the deeper the winter’s going to be.

And it’s one of the easiest dance moves out there—all you do is step side-to-side with a little more style than usual, and maybe even run your fingers through your hair while you’re doing it for increased effectiveness.

If you thought this move was reserved for ladies in yoga pants, you’re as wrong as wrong can be.

It’s a secret weapon employed by sledders who live in drier climates, who need to rustle up storms with the most aggressive move they can muster.

Anyone can learn. So teach ALL your friends how to Dougie, especially the ones named Doug.

Because Dougs doing The Dougie make it snow even harder.

The harder the twerk, the deeper the following day, even if you live in the Rocky Mountains. You can’t argue with science.

Of course, this list is anything but exhaustive. So you’ll just have to use your imagination for The Robot, The Sprinkler, The Watusi, The Achy Breaky Heart and all the others. And remember, as ridiculous as any of these moves might seem, Snow Dances are better for the environment than burning a stack of old snowmobiles.

Praise Üllr!

M OUNTA IN SLED D ER //

69

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[ S END I T ]

“

A wedding shouldn’t get in the way of a good powder day! When we arrived at the cabin to 20 cm of fresh powder, I just couldn’t resist the urge to bust out some wheelies first thing in my wedding dress. The groom took a rip around too, but, being the gentleman that he is, he gave me first dibs.“ – MARTINA HALIK

JENNIFER COULTER

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// FALL 201 9

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