Rounding out my top five is the Arctic Cat M 8000 Hardcore 153. Not quite the deep snow monster the Alpha One is, the Hardcore is exactly what its name entails. The shorter 153-inch track and Fox QS3 coil-over suspension are a perfect match for a guy that loves to ride hard and jump far. I loved play riding on the Hardcore. Judging my top ten off of pure enjoyment and the Arctic Cat Hardcore belongs in the top 5.
No. 6 on my list is the Polaris 850 Pro RMK 163. Not a huge difference from my previous pick at No. 4. The 155 is more playful, but on those deep days the 163 gets the call every time. Especially now we have the 850 running power duty. Longer track lengths are usually easier to sidehill as well. They hold a line better without washing out the rear end of the snowmobile. So, on those late January bottomless powder days, the 163-inch Pro RMK 850 leap frogs the 155 for top Polaris spot.