AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
A FEW RIDER PROFILES:The Doctor (Kirk Zach) - Kirk always looks after everyone he rides with and his pack has tools, tapes, probes, saws, flares and quite possibly an ambulance with two paramedics in it. The retired snowboard competitor has been on sleds since the 1980's and meticulously tests HMK's gear himself in many winter sport applications. He is also known to slice up a mountain slope like a surgeon… The doctor is in, let the fun begin!
Hometown: Hood River, Ore.
Years riding: 25+
Job: Owner HMK Snowmobiling, (
www.hmksnowmobiling.com)
Sled: 2008 Arctic Cat M8
Hollywood (Aaron Kreps) - The extreme sled-video guys should get their cameras out for this guy. He could really light up their lenses! It's nothing for Aaron to nonchalantly toss one of his custom-built TOTS sleds across a monster-sized gap or free-fall off a cornice wall. He will have a big smile on his face when he comes back around too. In addition, Aaron oversees just about everything at his Cat/Polaris dealership. He also talks a lot on his super tiny cell phone.
Hometown: Carson, Wash.
Years riding: 20+
Job: Owner The Outdoor Toy Store (
www.outdoortoystore.net)
Sled: 2009 Arctic Cat M8
Cowboy Kris (Kris Kreps) - Like the range roamers from times past, Kris knows the Washington mountains like the back of his hand and guided us for 3 days. He calls Mt. Adams his backyard… he's got one great playground! He also wears Wrangler jeans.
Hometown: White Salmon, Wash.
Years riding: 13
Job: Rancher/Logger
Sled: 2007 Arctic Cat M1000
The Iron Chef (Kerri Smith) - On the menu is any guy who thinks he can out-climb, or out-ride her on her Arctic Cat iron. She'll toast you off the start then serve you a fresh side of snow dust in your face as she pulls past. But don't worry, she's friendly, humble and she makes a mean Huckleberry pie too!
Hometown: Trout Lake, Wash.
Years riding: 7
Occupation: Owner KJ's Bear Creek Café, 509-395-2525
Make and model of snowmobile: 2008 Arctic Cat M8
The Snowman (Bob Riviello) - As a representative for Rossignol snowboards, skis and swag, and an avid snowmobiler, Bob literally "slides down the slopes on just about anything." Whether it's using his snowmobile as his own personal chairlift, or dropping bigger-than-expected cornices on it, Bob is at home in the snow.
Hometown: Hood River, Ore.
Years riding: More than one hand's worth
Occupation: Rossignol Sales Representative
Make and model of snowmobile: 2005 Ski-Doo REV 800 151-in., but soon to be a '09 Summit XP 146-incher