Great Escape Winter 2022 | Page 43

college for Vail , Colorado ,

sional guides .

keeps the rider warmer

and went snowboarding or

“ The guides take all of

and helps prevent goggle

skiing every day . That led

the hazardous parts of

fogging . We had previously

to snowmobiling , “ because

snowmobiling out of your

seen them on display , but

I wanted to access terrain

control – the unknown

seeing these three riders

that was beyond what you

circumstances , the snow

wearing them and staying

could see from the lift .”

conditions , the weather , all

comfortable , we suddenly

He bought his first sled

of those variances that the

wanted our own Nekkr .

in 2006 and immediately

average rider doesn ’ t know

Soon Miller asked the

became passionate about

how to handle , the guide is

two guides , “ Should we

snowmobiling , to the point

out there for them ,” Rains-

try to get up high so these

where the snowboard gear

berger said . “ He ’ ll also take

guys can try snowboard-

rarely gets used anymore .

you to areas you otherwise

ing ?” Rainsberger and Asta

“ For me it happened real

wouldn ’ t see .”

said we could certainly try ,

quick ,” Rainsberger said of

Asta was one of Rains-

but getting up that high in

friendly guy with an interesting background and a forward-thinking vision . He was a snowboarding super-enthusiast who got introduced to snowmobiling while working with Polaris ’ ad agency – The Integer Group – and the Terrain Domination branding .

At first , Miller said snowmobiling was something he did on Polaris photos shoots or as a means to get deep to distant backcountry snowboarding destinations

with friends . But he soon became enamored with snowmobiling , and also saw an opportunity to introduce more snowboarding friends to snowmobiles . He then developed Backcountry United that aims to bring winter user groups together , and also created line of products that allow shredders to easily carry their snowboards on snowmobiles .

Unlike other rack systems , Miller ’ s Tsaina Rack puts the snowboard securely behind the seat and

out of the rider ’ s way . “ I was trying to learn how to snowmobile and keep up with guys like Chris Burandt , Dan Adams and Randy Sherman , and I wanted to get my [ snowboard ] gear out of my feet so I could still carry it , but not have it impede my snowmobiling experience .” His planned version 2.0 will be compatible to more sleds and also has a Timbersled application .

Like Miller , Rainsberger was also a snowboarder first . When younger , he left

his winter sport conversion . “ That happens a lot . A lot of my buddies who are big snowboarders come up here and rent snowmobiles from us and they kind of convert over the course of a single day . Once they see how far they can go and how much fun they can have , it ’ s kind of an easy conversion .”

Following his passion , Rainsberger started Colorado Sled Rentals , which had a fleet of 16 Polaris 800 Pro-RMKs and one snow bike plus a crew of profes-

berger ’ s guides , though , like both Miller and Rainsberger , this isn ’ t Asta ’ s only gig . In fact , he is a highly respected half-pipe-building aficionado for local ski resorts . He also has a small business he ’ s started in the snowmobile industry with a product called the Nekkr . It is a specially designed bandana that attaches to a rider ’ s helmet and hangs down beneath the chin – filling the normal gap between the helmet and the chest . It prevents snow from collecting in this area ,

these conditions wouldn ’ t be easy , and if we did they didn ’ t know if the boys ’ flatlander-style snowboards would have enough floatation in the day ’ s bottomless powder .

Once the fire was fully extinguished , everybody returned to their chariots and started following Rainsberger . We weaved back through part of Little Red Park , then headed east to try to plot a course up Hahn ’ s Peak . Soon one sled