6 ENGAGEMENT ARCTIC CAT UPDATE Plus trails grants , a passing legend and more
10 FLASHBACK 1984 JOHN DEERE SNOWFIRE The last of the legendary free air sleds
12 SNOWMOBILE CLUB SPOTLIGHT TRACKSIDE BLAZERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB Friendly service in a popular sledding hotspot
40 SNOWMOBILE SCIENCE THE COMPLEXITIES OF SKIS From their keels to their heels and beyond , much thought goes into ski design
42 SERVICE & REPAIR BUILDING INSPIRATION A unique high school class meshes work , fun , racing and education
46 COLD TESTED USI EPIC SNOWMOBILE SKIS Plus , feedback after a season spent with the CKX Men ’ s Keltic Jacket and FXR Helium Leather Gloves
CONTENTS
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 5 / V O L U M E 3 5 / N O . 0 5
REGULARS
14
FEATURES
14
20
36
THE BEST OF NEW YORK SNOWMOBILING
If you ’ re more attracted to the northern lights than the Broadway lights , you ’ re definitely one of us . The Empire State of full of great snowmobiling destinations . We break the state into five quadrants and highlight the best riding in each area .
2025 MOUNTAIN SLED COMPARISON
The powder-churning , hillside dangling long track machines of today seemingly get more mountain-capable with every passing year . We compare and contrast four interesting model year 2025 options , including the Arctic Cat M 858 Mountain Cat Alpha One 165 , Polaris 9R Pro RMK 165 , Ski-Doo Summit X with Expert Package 850 E-TEC Turbo R 154 and Lynx Shredder DS 850 E-TEC Turbo R 3900 .
THE BEST LOOKING SLEDS OF ALL TIME
What are the best-looking snowmobiles of all time ? For a sport with such a rich and colorful history , and which has included more than 300 brands , it ’ s nearly impossible to narrow it down to a few machines by year , make and model . But our expert panel boldly took on that exact task . See if your favorite sleds made their lists .
6 ENGAGEMENT ARCTIC CAT UPDATE Plus trails grants , a passing legend and more
10 FLASHBACK 1984 JOHN DEERE SNOWFIRE The last of the legendary free air sleds
12 SNOWMOBILE CLUB SPOTLIGHT TRACKSIDE BLAZERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB Friendly service in a popular sledding hotspot
40 SNOWMOBILE SCIENCE THE COMPLEXITIES OF SKIS From their keels to their heels and beyond , much thought goes into ski design
42 SERVICE & REPAIR BUILDING INSPIRATION A unique high school class meshes work , fun , racing and education
46 COLD TESTED USI EPIC SNOWMOBILE SKIS Plus , feedback after a season spent with the CKX Men ’ s Keltic Jacket and FXR Helium Leather Gloves
DEPARTMENTS
04 ........................ BREAKING TRAIL 50 ................................. WHAT ’ S HOT
/ WHAT ’ S NOT
call 763-383-4492