Carbides, Slides, Trail Pass Costs and Conditions

[tsg]

Obviously a bad snow season in major portions of the Midwest, which leads to frustration and depression, but come on, anyone who buys a snowmobile, regardless of age, costs, usage, etc... knows exactly what they are getting into from a cost and snow condition perspective, period! Carbide replacement, slide replacement, certain parts for off trail guys and trail passes for ALL (YES, EVERYONE SHOULD BUY ONE WHEN RIDING IN A CERTAIN STATE) are all part of the game. Understand that people do not have unlimited resources, but these are all part of the sport and cost to enjoy it. And, with the internet, ebay, etc... parts and different kinds of parts can be had for a good price! I realize that a lot of the snow people have certain preferences regarding carbides, slides, oil, etc... but there are a ton of options available, at a variety of prices.

As for conditions, ride when you can on what you can, or do not complain about it. Riding on ideal snow conditions in ideal temperatures exist in only select locations. In other locations, snirt, gravel, and low snow obviously deter from the overall experience, but do not prevent it from happening!

This post was a reaction to the 10 or so other posts i have read of late where people have done nothing but complained about the snow, the conditions, carbide and slide replacement costs, whatever! I have 4 sleds, 3 2014 or newer, and will ride them in adverse or really crappy conditions, because I like to get out and ride. If a few things get trashed or ruined, so be it.

Get out and enjoy the sport, regardless of conditions and circumstances, because for most of us, it lasts only a few months, if that!

 

[xcr440]

Exactly - there is snow out there to be ridden, GOOD snow in quite a few places. If we want our sport to continue, we need to support it financially, and emotionally.

 

[snobuilder]

Obviously a bad snow season in major portions of the Midwest, which leads to frustration and depression, but come on, anyone who buys a snowmobile, regardless of age, costs, usage, etc... knows exactly what they are getting into from a cost and snow condition perspective, period! Carbide replacement, slide replacement, certain parts for off trail guys and trail passes for ALL (YES, EVERYONE SHOULD BUY ONE WHEN RIDING IN A CERTAIN STATE) are all part of the game. Understand that people do not have unlimited resources, but these are all part of the sport and cost to enjoy it. And, with the internet, ebay, etc... parts and different kinds of parts can be had for a good price! I realize that a lot of the snow people have certain preferences regarding carbides, slides, oil, etc... but there are a ton of options available, at a variety of prices.

As for conditions, ride when you can on what you can, or do not complain about it. Riding on ideal snow conditions in ideal temperatures exist in only select locations. In other locations, snirt, gravel, and low snow obviously deter from the overall experience, but do not prevent it from happening!

This post was a reaction to the 10 or so other posts i have read of late where people have done nothing but complained about the snow, the conditions, carbide and slide replacement costs, whatever! I have 4 sleds, 3 2014 or newer, and will ride them in adverse or really crappy conditions, because I like to get out and ride. If a few things get trashed or ruined, so be it.

Get out and enjoy the sport, regardless of conditions and circumstances, because for most of us, it lasts only a few months, if that!

Not sure what yur point is. You and me are both far removed from the simpler times when a $200 sled was as fun as anything today at 100 times the cost, BUT guess what .... that scenario is still very real and possible in fringe riding areas. AND we all better hope it never dies!

I am seeing "fringe" riders out on my local small lake as I type this....gawd bless 'em...they are "real" sledders as well as them who brag that Snowmobiling HAS to be expensive and "I" can happily afford it....whooopy for ME!

As far as bides....I only warn fellow sledders of my real and recent experiences so they won't get caught 100 miles from home with a future ski replacement.

I think we are in agreement except I think sledding fun can be had for a few 100 dollars!too bad a person has to shlump around and dig out another wad a cash for a f'in trail permit when it might only cover a day or 2 of riding fun.

 

[olsmann]

Done buying new sleds for while (used to buy new every 3 years) Wife and I are gonna try the UTV thing and see if its for us. Sledding is a waste of money no matter how good the season is. But I still love it. Just tired of being heartbroken every year To be real honest, I have as much fun riding a 70's sled around the lake as I do trail riding an AXYS. Its just different

 

[tsg]

My original message to all was that certain items are just a part of the cost of the sport, regardless if you have a $ 100 sled or a $ 15k sled. Agree with the permit side of it, but at least that SEEMS to be a decent way to get some monies back to the clubs. And the weather, need to take advantage of it where and when you can. Just have really been tired of so many posts of late complaining about some of the necessities needed and about things we cannot control.

May be in the minority, but have both ATV and UTV, and these are fun, but no comparison from an enjoyment standpoint to riding a sled.

 

[maddogg]

For me its amazing how a little ride and pass the hardships of the cost - meaning it only stings before and after the ride lol. What upsets me is that the clubs have to do so much promoting, fundraising, work, and mainly get disrespected by poor grooming complaints, low snow conditions, trespassing issues. I mean clubs can only have so many fundraisers, raffle sales, etc. And like any other group its a small majority that do most of the work.

 

[1fujifilm]

My original message to all was that certain items are just a part of the cost of the sport, regardless if you have a $ 100 sled or a $ 15k sled. Agree with the permit side of it, but at least that SEEMS to be a decent way to get some monies back to the clubs. And the weather, need to take advantage of it where and when you can. Just have really been tired of so many posts of late complaining about some of the necessities needed and about things we cannot control.

May be in the minority, but have both ATV and UTV, and these are fun, but no comparison from an enjoyment standpoint to riding a sled.

I agree, we bought a new Ranger 900 with Boss plow three years ago and trail rode it twice and haven't used it other than plowing or to ride on our small 5 acre lot since. It has like 280 miles on it. Why; I spent as much time cleaning and detailing the damn thing after riding through 80 trail miles of dust and mud (that sucked) than riding the trails.
Oh yeah; ain't hitting 75 MPH on every grade stop sign and UTV's do not handle like they are on rails.

Bear

 

[toddspolaris]

Glad you will ride dirt and gravel, not for me, I'll wait and ride the good, I don't unlimited funds to spend on wear items to ride on crapy conditions. I ride my ATV on snirt

 

[Attak man]

Look at all this dirt and gravel I rode on today in Minocqua....yeah stay home...smh...lol

 

[snobuilder]

Seen way too many wheeler enthusiasts with the racoon eyes when the goggles come of for me to think it is a fun time....tried it a few times....snow melts down your face or back....mud doesn't....LOL

 

[Modman440]

Never did care about the details I love sledding have now owned 14 sleds from brand new factory race sled to modded trail/off trail sleds. It’s by no means a poor mans sport but I don’t care. I’ll ride as long as I’m physically able and the snow permitting. Money is money you make some and you spend it. That’s how it goes for everything. You can be a millionaire and have nothing and no meaning. You can be broke have things your proud to own with a lifetime of amazing memories. Cost is just something that goes with the sport. I’m fortunate enough to have beater sleds and sleds I’m picky about when and where they come out to play...... even in years where we went west all season and not north I still buy trail permits for mich because I support what I love! Just my .02

MOD

 

[brad460]

Look at all this dirt and gravel I rode on today in Minocqua....yeah stay home...smh...lol

View attachment 58005

Rode back from Houghton to Minocqua this morning..we were the first ones on groomed trails nearly the whole way. The only poor area was in and around Sayner, but that is typical. Surprisingly the trails even in WI were pretty damn good..heck coming out of land o lakes they were excellent.

 

[Attak man]

Rode back from Houghton to Minocqua this morning..we were the first ones on groomed trails nearly the whole way. The only poor area was in and around Sayner, but that is typical. Surprisingly the trails even in WI were pretty damn good..heck coming out of land o lakes they were excellent.

X2 Brad...the trails quite good...if I believed some of the comments on here the sled would be parked...i had to take pics to prove it....i don't know about you..but I wasn't hitting rocks or burning my slides off...yeah...there are a few thin areas...not perfect by any means...but pretty damn good...i saw 4 sleds all day, and was the first track down three freshly groomed trails...all after 1 pm today.
If folks want to head to the u.p. and ride that's fine, lots of snow up there...but you will be skiping some pretty good riding here, and by Saturday afternoon you will be fighting heavy traffic, and bumps the size of Volkswagens.

 

[snobuilder]

Unfortunately the snow drops off drastically east of there....bides and slides still be cookin'....LOL.... Today's 2-4" will help and if we get a little more this coming weekend, we will head up for the 1st decent ride of the year around the 25th....way later than normal.

 

[fastwilly]

This is the dirt we were riding on 1-11-18 in the willow area

 

[Grant Hoar]

View attachment 58021 This is the dirt we were riding on 1-11-18 in the willow area

Man, that sucks!

If we listened to the logic of all the complainers, I would quit driving my truck because the tires wear out.

 

[zimmer1310]

there is always 10% no matter what your sport or job is that are chronic complainers. enjoy the season.

 

[Attak man]

View attachment 58021 This is the dirt we were riding on 1-11-18 in the willow area

Beautiful Fastwilly...put on another 130 yesterday (Posted in trail reports)...unfortunately no pics...but 80 percent of the trails we were on were good to excellent...St Germain was the only marginal area I was in (snirty)...of course with warm weather, and it being Derby weekend conditions will change...Just stay away from the high traffic areas, and you will find good riding anywhere north of highway 8

 

[snobuilder]

Beautiful Fastwilly...put on another 130 yesterday (Posted in trail reports)...unfortunately no pics...but 80 percent of the trails we were on were good to excellent...St Germain was the only marginal area I was in (snirty)...of course with warm weather, and it being Derby weekend conditions will change...Just stay away from the high traffic areas, and you will find good riding anywhere north of highway 8

"Anywhere north of hy 8"

Even Forest, Marinette, and Florence County?....lol...you guys are in a small circle.....and where are all of these whining ppl that the few of you keep whining about?...link me up to the John Dee posts, please.

No doubt it looks decent where yur at but it's still a couple sets a bides to trail ride there from the east....no big deal....we'll be riding soon enough.

 

[fastwilly]

We put on 154 miles going north 8-7--5-12-10-19-17-9 northern air for lunch mercer and back to swamp lake like you say 80-90% real nice but it was cold set the trails up nice. Hope John's forecast holds up .