Guys in the midwest ride shorty's in 20 inches of fresh all the time. It's more about the rider than it is the sled, especially in this case. If you just got the sleds over the summer you are going to need some more seat time before you really know what your sled can do in powder conditions.
I have an 02 XCSP 800 (with a 1 inch track) and have ridden it in deep snow several times over the last few years. You have to get a feel for your throttle and work on maintaining momentum without just hammering it and digging ditches. Also learning how to use your body weight and lay the sled over and carve will help you a ton. It's all about practice and trial and error (and having decent snow to practice in). One thing that the short tracks are not good at is climbing, you can carve them, boondock them, jump them and have a ball on them but if you want to climb they are not going to work well for you (from my experiences).
If you live in the midwest and don't ride the mountains and deal with the massive powder they get out there you will be fine with your sled and don't need to run out and buy a mountain sled. If I was you I would ride what I have for a season or two and see what type of riding you enjoy. If you ride for a few years and realize you enjoy boondocking and powder riding than you can stretch your current sled or go out and buy a sled that fits your needs better. That's what I did, rode my 02 800 shorty for 5 seasons and realized that off trail was my style. Went out and bought a 2010 Crossfire to better suit my needs.
Good luck and have fun!!
Here's my shorty in some fresh stuff last year
I have an 02 XCSP 800 (with a 1 inch track) and have ridden it in deep snow several times over the last few years. You have to get a feel for your throttle and work on maintaining momentum without just hammering it and digging ditches. Also learning how to use your body weight and lay the sled over and carve will help you a ton. It's all about practice and trial and error (and having decent snow to practice in). One thing that the short tracks are not good at is climbing, you can carve them, boondock them, jump them and have a ball on them but if you want to climb they are not going to work well for you (from my experiences).
If you live in the midwest and don't ride the mountains and deal with the massive powder they get out there you will be fine with your sled and don't need to run out and buy a mountain sled. If I was you I would ride what I have for a season or two and see what type of riding you enjoy. If you ride for a few years and realize you enjoy boondocking and powder riding than you can stretch your current sled or go out and buy a sled that fits your needs better. That's what I did, rode my 02 800 shorty for 5 seasons and realized that off trail was my style. Went out and bought a 2010 Crossfire to better suit my needs.
Good luck and have fun!!
Here's my shorty in some fresh stuff last year
