Ski-Doo, in partnership with Backcountry Access, recently announced its 18th year of free Avalanche Awareness seminars through its Responsible Rider program and is inviting snowmobilers and winter adventurers to join one of the 35-plus free seminars across Canada and the U.S.
For nearly two decades, these seminars have helped
riders make better backcountry decisions through practical, up-to-date education covering avalanche awareness, route planning, rescue techniques, safety equipment, and forecast resources, while encouraging participants to pursue additional avalanche training. More than 30,000 snowmobilers have attended to date, making it one of the longest-running and most trusted avalanche education programs.
The seminar content continues to evolve each year, reflecting modern riding styles, new technologies, current avalanche forecasting tools, and the latest best practices in backcountry travel. Sessions are informative, engaging, and designed specifically for today’s snowmobiler.
Many seminar locations will include hands-on opportunities to practice with avalanche transceivers, probes, and shovels, helping attendees build confidence with the equipment they may one day depend on.
Supporting the program for a ninth consecutive year is Backcountry Access, a leader in avalanche safety equipment and education. BCA will provide prizes at every seminar stop while showcasing its latest avalanche safety products, including transceivers, airbags, radios, and rescue equipment.
Attendees at each seminar could win either a BCA Tracker avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel, or a pair of BCA BC Link two-way radios.
Canadian seminars will be led by Marshall Dempster, a professional avalanche forecaster, lead Avalanche Canada instructor, Level 3 lead guide, and board member of the Canadian Motorized Backcountry Guides Association.
U.S. seminars will be presented by Mike Duffy, who has more than 30 years of mountain riding and rescue experience and has trained recreational riders, guides, rescue teams, and military personnel throughout his career.
The Avalanche Awareness seminars are free to attend, open to all experience levels, and welcome riders of every snowmobile brand. Both Canadian and U.S. registrations are now open.
Polaris’ government and defense division recently introduced its latest military snowmobile: the Military 850 Voyageur 155 Crossover, joining the OEM’s over-snow lineup, which includes the Military 850 Titan 155 and Military 850 Pro RMK 155 snowmobiles.
U.S. military relies on Polaris to provide off-road, light tactical vehicles for various off-road conditions. Polaris militarized snowmobiles remain a critical component of the off-road arsenal for winter warfare.
The new Military 850 Voyageur Crossover snowmobile combines an 850cc engine with payload capacity for a driver, passenger, and stowed gear. With 450 lb. of towing capacity, Polaris says it provides military forces with a snowmobile that isn’t available anywhere else. Polaris Military Snowmobiles, including the new Military 850 Voyageur Crossover, have several modifications for the military mission:
Blackout mode – a single switch instantly turns off all lights for discreet operation
IR light – infrared lighting provides visibility to operators while in blackout mode
White body panels – additional white on military snowmobiles provides camouflage
12V outlets – power or charge hand-held electronics and other mission essentials
Polaris adds that the U.S. Army has ordered 50 of the new snowmobiles, along with 25 Military 850 TITAN 155 snowmobiles and more than 30 Ranger UTVs. The Marine Corps has also placed a new order for 60 military snowmobiles, 20 of each of the three models, to be delivered to units based in Norway.
In addition, the U.S. Air Force has ordered Voyageur snowmobiles for the 57th Rescue Squadron in Italy in support of its combat search and rescue, personnel recovery, and casualty evacuation efforts.
KLIM is putting the spotlight on snowmobile adventure and the riders who pursue it with the launch of “Perfect Winter,” a new nine-episode video series focused on snowmobiling, mountain riding and the culture surrounding the sport.
The series recently launched with a preview video that premiered on KLIM’s YouTube channel and social media platforms. The first full episode made its debut in September, with additional episodes to follow.
“Perfect Winter” takes viewers into snow-covered mountain terrain alongside experienced riders and athletes as they pursue challenging riding experiences. The series will feature technical riding, backcountry terrain and the camaraderie and challenges that are part of snowmobiling.
KLIM says the series is designed to showcase not only the riding itself, but also the people and passion that drive the snowmobile community. The series consists of nine episodes, with each installment released individually throughout the season. The launch video is available on KLIM’s YouTube channel.
The Rigby, Idaho-based company develops products using waterproof, breathable and durable materials and incorporates feedback from riders and product test teams into its product development process.