AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
Our bottom lineFortunately we don't have to pick your ride. You do. Since off-trail riding requires more serious needs (you aren't planning to get stuck are you?), you need to truthfully assess your riding skills and how much actual boonie bashing you'll be doing.
If you ride in areas where it snows a great deal (did you say Upper Michigan?) and you'll be plowing through deep snow on a regular basis, an off-trail machine may be a big consideration. If you occasionally ride out of bounds, chances are your regular trail sled is good enough and you don't really need a longer tracked model.
You also have to decide on how much track you need for your style of off-trail riding. How much power do you want spinning that track? How much weight do you want to haul around in deep snow? Does a mountain strap fit your style? How will the sled handle the groomed trails?
Those are just some of the questions you should ask when picking your off-trail ride. Put brand loyalty aside for a moment and check out what you want when you're in the deep snow and see which unit offers it. Good luck!
This story appeared in the January issue of American Snowmobiler magazine