I don't think most mountain riders that hit the 'net have migrated to other sites. Other sites are out there but Snowest is still the only dedicated mountain sled site. Many times Snowest is referred to "over there" for info about mountain sleddin'.
Lot's of people only visit a few times. Lot of people visit a lot. Some never post. Some post a lot. Some post 3 words lol. Some post a lot of words lol.
I'm one of the more "long winded" lol posters because I can type faster than I can think lol, Honed my skills in the seat of a pick-up with a phone in my ear lol. Does that make my posts mean more than just a visit and read ? Nope, not when it comes down to interpreting internet facts.
The 'net is here to stay. I'm sure interpreting it will be a PHD in the near future. I am also sure #'s mean something.
Back to the Pro lol. For me, it is obvious (even without a PHD) why this side gets the most posts. I didn't want to believe it and waited 3 yrs. It is the better sled for the mountain masses.
If your experienced, one ride and you know this is something special in many ways. Whether you allow yourself to admit it is another thing.
If your a rookie you wonder what all the talk about skill needed was about.
The Pro introduced "the rest of the mountain" to many many people. Few will deny that after 4 yrs. I can't think of another model that changed the game so much, so fast, and for this long. Even the M-sled took a 6yr evolution to become " out of the box ready" in 2011. Then the Pro just shut it down.
After 2011 the others scrambled to try to catch up 'cause they rode them too. One introduced a new model too soon and has been fixing since. One took the path of re-engineering the wheel. One just gave up and jumped in bed with the brand that could use the most help from them.
Did it help? Doesn't look like it to me. If you can't build a stable, predictable, lightweight sled, looks like you have to either resort to gimmicks ( Ronald Macdonald or new flexability in your adds) or deception (tree wells or turbos beside NA sleds) to sell now.
IMO if it was not for brand loyalty or the fact that everyone just does not want to be the same, the others could die. I think Poo knows this and has held back some.
So Poo, for '15, addresses the tree well vids, ignores the "flexibility" stuff 'cause they added flickability (well,,, it is true!!! lol) a while back, adds individuality for those that want, refines the innovations that no one else has attempted, gives you aftermarket suspention, ES, windshield selection, handlebar selection, storage options and let's you put it all in a basket, shake it up and pour out what you want. All for one price that the others need to discount to get to.
Whoa! lol. If Poo adds the front of the AXYS (- 10 lbs) to the mountain line and finds another 7 in the rear with CF tunnel parts and-or innovative suspention design, they could have that magic # 400lb pull and go machine on the showroom floor without having to re-invent anything. Whoa! lol.
If that happens, I think Snowest may need a separate server for the Proride side cause the #'s will only increase.