We love getting feedback from readers and followers on the SnoWest Instagram feed, @snowestmagazine. We asked for your questions about the 2020 mountain sled models and these are some of the top questions. Let’s get to the answers.
2020 SKI-DOO
@jaywierzbicki
Hasn’t the Alpha One made the whole [Ski-Doo] line obsolete?
Ahh, snowmobiling… the most brand-loyal powersports segment on earth. The Alpha One is awesome. Making another brand obsolete? No. To make it obsolete, Arctic Cat would have to sell a whole heck of a lot more units, which means they’d have to make more units. They’d have to take over a lot of market share, capital growth, blah blah blah. Great sleds though, Cat is definitely on track as far as developing a great mountain sled. Can’t we just ride ride sleds and have fun?
@lmentzel8117
What’s the purpose of the mountain bar?
It’s a remnant of the ‘90s, where riders bought an aftermarket mountain bar and clamped it to their stock handlebars. The idea is on a right-handed sidehill, you can put your left hand on the mountain bar to get more leverage and move more of your upper body off to the side to pull the sled up into a sidehill. But they’re largely unnecessary anymore. Modern sleds are very agile comparatively and riders have learned they have more control with their hands on the handlebar grips at all times. Modern mountain bars are mostly used to tip sleds over in parking lots for shock adjustments.
@mitchpallock444
How do I get a free one?
Just hold out your hand. If Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has her way, she will come by in a few years and hand everybody one of each. Of course, they’ll be banned, outlawed and confiscated, so it will be more like a voucher for a loaf of bread. But it’s a “free one,” right?
@richmangt
Last sled I owned was a Summit 670. What’s changed since then?
Sleds got wider, longer and heavier, then got narrow, shorter and lighter. We’re basically back to a Summit 670 with better technology.
@keg_perttu
Regarding the 2021 lineup, any chance of an Expert 146”? Narrow front 137” chassis with the 146” under it. Make it a flatlander’s boondock sled.
We haven’t seen anything for 2021 yet, but that sounds like a good direction for the Backcountry models. However, cooling may come into play since more riders would be likely to run down hardpack or groomed trails with that sled. In deep snow, there’s no issue. Maybe a small radiator or something would be the solution. Change is good, and Ski-Doo is constant with change lately. Reminds us of KTM.
@8captain_clutch8
I wish they would get rid of the coil springs and upgrade rear suspension.
We could see an air spring option for the Summit X or the Freeride. But for the Summit X with Expert Package, the coil spring shocks are phenomenal. Coil springs have a more supple bump absorption feel and consistent rate performance than air. You can get close with top-of-the-line Kashima-coated air spring shocks, but then you’d be asking why the price tag jumped $2,000.
@askilvaaga
Possible to make slimmer side panels?
Yes. But easier for an aftermarket company to do it. Ski-Doo and other OEMs are designing around noise, moving parts protection and heat shielding requirements. That requires space for noise baffling, foam and heat shields. Ski-Doo could go a little slimmer in areas, but an aftermarket company could go even slimmer.
@go4snoe
Why does it cost so much when I have to remove 50% of the parts and replace with aftermarket ones that can withstand the type of riding I like to do?
Sleds in 2020 are expensive. We’ve gone through a lot of development and engineering to create engines that comply with EPA restrictions, drivetrains that maximize that power, chassis that are lighter, stronger, better, suspensions that make it handle like it’s 2020 and not 1990, and modern materials and components. That’s a high cost of development that got passed along to consumers, just like pickup trucks and mountain bikes. As for the rest of your question, you can’t really expect any OEM to build a sled with the parts every individual needs. I like to smash into rocks, should they make everyone’s bulkheads twice as thick and put steel bumpers back on?
@proxr
Why are they only made for somebody that’s 5 feet tall?
We have test riders over 6’4” who think the sled is made for their height, so not sure what to tell you.
@twwhitet
Are there plans for a bumper to tow a sleigh on the Summit Expert Package?
No. Why? This is supposed to be the Raptor of the Ski-Doo mountain lineup. Why would you buy a Raptor if you need a truck for towing? Look for the right tool for the job in the lineup.