Great Escape Winter 2022 | Page 41

how to attach their boards

was a treeless path and no

to the sleds utilizing the

other signs that this could

Tsaina Rack made by

be a trail .

his company . He name-

Each of us blasted

dropped some of the top

through the initial bank ,

backcountry snowboarders

landed in deep fluff on the

with whom he had recently

back side and then pinned

ridden – the names were

the throttle to gain mo-

lost on me , but the boys

mentum . The sleds snarled

were impressed .

as their tracks dutifully

clawed through the powder looking for traction . The

“ Have you guys ever ridden

snow was so fluffy it didn ’ t

in powder before ,” Miller

seem possible at first , but

asked as we fired up the

never doubt the capabilities

machines .

of modern mountain sleds

“ I have , but these boys

– sure enough , we built

haven ’ t snowmobiled or

speed and plowed forward .

snowboarded outside of

And what a plow it was !

the Upper Midwest ,” I re-

With a hillside on our right

sponded .

and trees on the left , Rains-

He looked at them and

berger joyfully weaved

said , “ Well you ’ re in for a

his Polaris back and forth

treat , guys !”

across the trail ’ s width and

this snow ? I didn ’ t think

Polaris 800 Pro-RMKs ,

With Rainsberger lead-

we gleefully followed as

before the wild-eyed

and into my goggles . We

I ’ d make it up here !” he

and also marveled at the

ing the way , we each made

best we could . Between the

Rainsberger pulled over

enthusiastically shared the

said with a devious laugh .

rate of accumulating snow .

a run at the huge snow-

snowfall , the hazy condi-

and let out a celebratory

moment , then realized we

Moments later Kris Rains-

When the Colorado locals

bank in the corner of the

tions and the snowdust

“ Woooooo !” I pulled up

were alone . Doubling back ,

berger , then the co-owner

are amazed , it might be an

parking lot – the backside

being kicked up by the

next to him , laughing at

we found Miller and Asta

of Colorado Snow Rent-

epic day !

of which was the start of

sleds , visibility was a major

the amazing amount of

getting the flatlander boys

als in Steamboat Springs ,

After their snowboards

Trail 505 / 500 . Or so we

challenge .

powder that was already

pointed in the right direc-

showed up towing a four-

were properly adjusted ,

were told – with this much

We weren ’ t more than

packing in around my

tion – in the snowdust ,

place open trailer with four

Miller showed the boys

fresh snow , all we could see

10 minutes up the trail

neck , under my helmet

one guessed wrong on the