GOING THE DISTANCE
Big Mileage,
Big Power
TRAIL
Machines
Riding big miles often requires a certain kind of sled. Typically outfitted and adjusted to be comfortable and carry a lot of gear and supplies, these machines aren’ t always the most exciting to ride. But what if they could be? What if there were sleds that could both go the distance and make your eyes water with excitement at the same time? To test this theory, we selected three trail sleds that offer long-distance and high-performance capabilities. Snowmobiles that ask to be ridden far and fast, covering countless miles without sacrificing comfort or performance in the process. Sure, there are other sleds on the market that are more touring focused and likely better for traveling big miles over the course of long days. But why not have the best of both worlds?
But what are we looking for in a sled we’ re planning to ride long distance? Ergonomics are the primary importance, making sure you’ re comfortable on the machine with a cushy seat, foot wells that aren’ t going to cramp your boots, wind protection( particularly around your knees), heated grips, and plenty of storage for your gear. In the past, big sleds used to require a lot of work to ride, often wearing you out long before the fuel light would come on. Nowadays though, the power is so smooth and linear you can ride them all day without any engine fatigue.
As expected, each of these sleds comes equipped with a windshield and some form of wind protection( all of them have multiple windshield options as accessories), which is a critical component when looking at a sled you’ re planning to spend a lot of time on, covering big miles over multiple days. When it comes to riding all day, down long railroad grades and through sweeping corners, comfort is king. Start by keeping the cold conditions from disrupting your ride, make sure the ergonomics of the machine are right for your riding style, consider how much gear you can carry and what features are best suited for the terrain you’ ll encounter, and then decide what kind of power you want from your sled and how it will deliver it.
Not all machines are created equal, though, and during our testing we found that while some offered the right mix of comfort and trail performance, others just wanted to peel you off the seat in a hurry. Finding the right balance, the right mix of features to ride big miles and tackle any terrain you may encounter, is a challenge. And while these three machines are all capable of carrying you the distance, each of them brings something different to the table, from 2- and 4-stroke engines to turbocharged boost, wide and stable chassis to the latest navigation technology available on the snowmobile market.
SKI-DOO RENEGADE X-RS 900 ACE TURBO R
The Renegade X-RS is a high-performance, long-distance trail sled powered by the Rotax 900 ACE Turbo R, a 4-stroke Triple that makes 180 hp from just 899cc. It has a 137-inch Ice Ripper XT track and is suspended by KYB semi-active electronic shocks that automatically adjust compression and rebound on the fly, allowing you to
8 DECEMBER 2026 | SNOWGOER. COM