Then Luke gears up from head-to-toe with help from FXR and walks you through a few of the different kits we wear depending on weather and terrain conditions.

AJ’s in the TRAIL TECH shop taking a closer look at the new Slim Jim 2.0 carbide runner from Woody’s.

Then in TEST RIDE Luke gets deep in the powder aboard the 2023 Polaris Patriot Boost RMK Khaos Slash 155.

The 2024 lineup is complemented by nearly 250 new parts, apparel and accessories that provide even more personalization options. This year, Polaris is making its SnowCheck program even more compelling with the launch of a SnowCheck Ship Guarantee*, which promises all 2024 SnowCheck orders will ship by November 30, 2023.

“Everything we do starts with our riders in mind,” said Jenny Nack, vice president and general manager, Polaris Snow. “The 2024 Polaris snowmobile and Timbersled lineup is one of our most refined and complete in recent years. And our new Ship Guarantee will give SnowCheck customers confidence that their customized snowmobile will not only deliver the best riding experience but will also arrive in time for winter.”

Building on an industry-leading snowmobile portfolio, the 2024 lineup offers new options for deep snow riders, along with feature and performance enhancements for trail riders. Highlights include:

Polaris is introducing an all-new Series 9 325 track, the largest in the industry, that further elevates Polaris RMK to the top of the mountain. A SnowCheck exclusive option, the new 3.25” track propels riders through the deepest powder with a design that spools up instantly and delivers a new level of traction and lift. The Series 9 325 track is joined by other SnowCheck-exclusive features including the factory-mod power of the Patriot 9R and the turbocharged Patriot Boost.

As the newest engine, the four-stroke ProStar S4 is offers enhanced efficiency and durability across INDY, Voyageur, and Titan snowmobiles. From its smooth throttle response, to less maintenance and easier ownership, it continues to deliver spirited performance, with the capability and fun to hit the trails, haul gear, and enjoy the winter.

The 2024 lineup boasts an optional 7-inch display powered by RIDE COMMAND technology. The Polaris-exclusive offering, RIDE COMMAND is the sport’s first and most dedicated GPS mapping and rider connectivity technology without needing cellular connection. RIDE COMMAND continues to set the standard allowing riders to plan routes, organize and track riding groups, and offers industry-leading Bluetooth connectivity on a full color, glove-friendly touchscreen 7S Display.

“We never stop looking for ways to improve the riding experience,” said Nack. “Whether through bold, game-changing innovations like Patriot 9R and the Matryx platform, or our ongoing efforts to tune and enhance quality and performance, the passion and commitment of our team to continually raise the bar is always there.”

To complement the 2024 lineup, Polaris is launching nearly 250 new accessories, parts and apparel. Mountain riders can discover increased comfort and customization options with our new handlebar gauntlets, new colors in our backcountry handguards, and new options in our signature Lock & Ride Flex Storage bags. Trail riders have expanded auxiliary lighting options, as well as added accent lights to enable even more personalization. Those looking for extra storage needs may be interested in the new towable Adventure trailer, featuring independent suspension and a taillight.

SnowCheck – the industry’s most comprehensive customization spring order program – launched for 2024 snowmobile model ordering on March 6 and will run through March 29. This year, exclusivity and customization remain at the forefront with models, engine options, technology features, and specific colors available only through the pre-order program.

Riders that order through the 2024 Polaris SnowCheck program will also receive up to a three-year extended warranty and a shipment guarantee that provides riders with the confidence their sled will ship by November 30, 2023 or customers receive $1,500 off at purchase.

Full details on the 2024 lineup of Polaris snowmobiles, along with the SnowCheck spring order program and associated Ship Guarantee, can be found at PolarisSnowmobiles.com.

2024 TIMBERSLED UNLOCKS MORE RIDING FREEDOM

Timbersled is long regarded as the industry leader that revolutionized the sport of snow biking. The 2024 lineup demonstrates continued innovation, providing riders the ultimate in control, performance, and agility.

For 2024, that evolution of ultimate riding freedom continues with the introduction of the RIOT Gen 2. The RIOT Gen 2 system will join the technical terrain focused ARO on the Gen 2 platform, and both will be available in Premium and Pro trim levels. The new system features a narrowed rail stance, a new lightweight track, and an overall weight reduction, making the new RIOT more agile and more responsive. Available exclusively in the Pro package, RIOT Gen 2 also features responsive QDT belt drive technology. These options along with the youth focused Timbersled Ripper and exclusive color choices easily makes the 2024 Timbersled lineup the most extensive in the industry.

Discover the complete 2024 lineup at Timbersled.com, along with the latest in partnered accessories and details for the SnowCheck spring order program.

About Polaris – As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER, RZR and Polaris GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.

polaris.com

Mark Says:

Here’s an example of how Ski-Doo refuses to let any buyer fall through the cracks.

This sled represents careful targeting at the almost mountain specific market while still allowing for spirited and pleasurable trail riding.

The 850 Freeride can get you to the snow and the vertical rides better than any pure mountain rooster. With fully adjustable KYB’s out front and a custom calibrated t-Motion skid, the Freeride comes as close to anything you might call dual purpose in MY 2018.

Before Kent loses his mind (it may be too late for that), let me qualify my last statement. If you were heavily into trail carving and into riding off-trail frequently, the new Renegade Backcountry X 850 with a 146 would be the right choice. However, there’s a ton of riders who spend significant time on trails or hard pack just to get to the big snow.

This 146 x 2.25 PowderMax-equipped Freeride is the perfect balance of track and suspension to make both genres enjoyable.

There’s more here making my intuitive anointing of the Freeride as the BIC winner. Think about a 165-hp E-TEC with lightweight SHOT batteryless starting, mass centralization, tunable KYB dampers, RAS 3 IFS, t-Motion rear suspension and the list goes on.

The Freeride is, quite frankly, one of the best-equipped vert sleds in Ski-Doo’s line-up, yet it still displays competent trail riding versatility.

Hard to beat, Kent.

While anything with a motor, track and two skis will get me excited about winter, I always have my top picks for the season and the sleds I’m most likely to fight the rest of the crew to be on once we have enough snow.

Lucky for me I pretty much have my pick of off-trail shredders as Mark and Luke tend to gravitate towards the flat-top category, leaving me with at least a couple of good deep-lug shovels to get digging with.

Strangely, this season I’m most excited for not just one sled but a whole host of sleds that fit my riding style. I guess I have to include bikes in there now too because we have two Aro Timbersleds with the Trio front shock set up.

Back to sleds: I think the most enlightenment I’ll get is comparing the SKS to the Backcountry X. I’m excited to use both and see which one comes out on top.

I already have a good understanding of the Switchback Assault and I think I know where the limitations of the Freeride 137 will come in, too. Truthfully though, I’m just plain excited to tear it up on all four of these mint sleds!

I just wanna be off in the untouched snow, watching the powder fly off the ski tips as I carve and find some good natural jumps and transitions where a little bit of shovel work and the coaxing of some good friends builds up the nerve.

Right now, it’s the kind of snow base we’ve been waiting for and last week we had a single day above freezing that really caused the snow to sink.

Most times that seems bad but at this point, with the powdery fluff we’ve had and the continued sub-zero temps, it really will help get us that crusty structure that’ll stick to the landscape and be the barrier between immovable frozen earth and the sled.

With a few decent snowfalls, the backcountry and off-trail routes will start to be traveled and new and unique features will start to emerge.

If the snow stays heavy I think the Freeride 137 will be my first choice, however, if we get hit hard with fluffy powder and the depth builds I think I’m going to be putting in the majority of my time on the SKS 146 and the Backcountry X 850.

I’ve been tempted to do a little behind-the-scenes swap of the Freeride suspension into the Backcountry X and see if we can’t build it the way ‘d like to see it from the factory.

No matter how you look at it, I’m excited for this winter, and all I can say is bring on the SNOW!

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Since off-trail riding in the flatlands had been growing in popularity, I knew the extra bulkhead cooler and wheels in the skidframe would make for a perfect flatland off-trail shredder, and so to the chopping block I went.

The SKS weighed in significantly heavier than the basic 155 Pro RMK, which was just shy of 410 pounds. The SKS’s extra 30 pounds is due to the extra cooler, coolant, rear skid wheels, piggyback shocks, traditional chaincase drive system as well as other parts and pieces. Would I have liked the RMK Pro? Yes. Would it have been the right sled for the flats? Nope!

MBRP offers two exhaust systems for the SKS and both see huge weight reductions as well as solid performance gains. The trail exhaust system reduced the weight of our project sled by ten whole pounds and because of the reasonable decibel level is trail legal in most states. The race version is a little louder, but does save an extra three pounds.

When it came to suspension, the stock Walker Evans shocks were okay, but okay wasn’t what I was going for, so I opted for the Stage 5 Elka shock package allowing nearly limitless adjustability via wide-range clickers in the high and low speed compression department as well as a wide range rebound clicker and a true dual rate spring set up. While the Elkas are a little heavier than the Walkers, I was more than happy to sacrifice a pound to gain the superior suspension compliance.

Style is a big deal in off-trail riding, everyone wants to look like they slay powder for breakfast, lunch and dinner and bring the message home with a crazy wrap or something that says they’re the shiz-nit. Personally, I’m more into the sexy approach, so I drilled the powder track stock orange running boards off and a few pop rivets later had a sweet set of black Powdertracs installed, which look great and got a lot of attention throughout the season.

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