What do you do when it's late fall and you are just itching to get out on your new sled? Take your T.V. out to the garage, pop in a sledding DVD, turn up the volume and watch some of the best riding caught on film from the seat of your own machine! We're not necessarily saying that we did this EVERY weekend in October, but we did review five of the hottest new snowmobile DVDs for you.
31st Annual World Championship HillclimbBAM Productions
Do you want to see what it's like to take on the gnarliest hillclimb in the world? Then check out this behind the scenes look at the Jackson Hole, WY World Championship Hillclimb. We're not sure who is tougher in this film, the riders or the guys that catch the sleds that are out of control on a hill that is almost straight down. Interviews, by Meg Allen, of riders, race teams and more are interspersed throughout the carnage on the hill. After watching this you'll be pointing your sled at the biggest hill you can find and trying your best to top it. Running time: 120 minutes (MSRP $24.95) More info:
www.bamfilmproductions.comThunderstruck 5Jim Phelan
Still the king of backcountry hill climbing action, Jim Phelan and Team Thunderstruck take on some of the biggest steeps we've ever seen. This DVD also has a smile-inducing crash section that is entertaining for anyone regardless of snowmobile experience. Rider personality and awe-inspiring free riding abound in this year's Thunderstruck video, and you won't find this many big hills in one movie anywhere. Running time: 65 minutes, plus over an hour of extras (MSRP $29.95) More info:
www.bigskyx.comBoondockers 3Dan Gardiner and Andrew McCarthy
These guys put together a concise, hard rocking show with plenty of big cornice drops and entertaining spills. You will recognize famous riders throughout this DVD including Cody Borchers, Chris Burandt and, of course, Dan and Chris. With only a small amount of narration, this film is mostly big action and tunes. It's simply fun to watch! Running time: 43 minutes (MSRP $24.95) More info:
www.boondockers.caExtreme Velocity: Sledheads 2Tahoe Films Limited
Thomas Opre has compiled numerous in-depth rider profiles and individual footage of 9 of the most phenomenal western riders still topping the hills. There is plenty of narration to let the viewer know what they are watching and what the riders are thinking. The soundtrack is secondary to the rider discussions and action on the hills, but the music is all high-energy. The quality of photography also far exceeds your normal snowmobile flick. Running time: 64 minutes (MSRP $29.95) More info:
www.tahoefilms.comAdrenaline Overload Vol. IITeam Sno-Quest
If you want to see some scary deep powder, than this is the movie for you. Sleds disappear left and right into the fluffy powder after clearing cliff drops. You can almost feel the fun these riders are having. Paul Berg and Jason Nieters were responsible for catching all this deep powder action. With almost a pure music backdrop, you can't argue with the impressive footage and the sheer amount of snow that these riders play in. You also get a bonus Overload disc with more footage. Running time: 95 minutes (MSRP $24.95) More info:
www.teamsnoquest.comMountain Mod ManiaZoom Productions
Producer and videographer Greg Painter - Doc Zoom - highlighted several of snowmobiling's best known companies and put together more hill-climbing action than last year's edition. With several of AmSnow's western staff making cameo appearances, we know that there is some major sled power on film here. Again this year Greg opted for a less aggressive soundtrack and more narration than some other flicks, but there is a ton of footage on this one! Running time: 91 minutes (MSRP $24.95) More info:
www.mountainmodmania.com