Sad to say

[newfie09xtx]

Here on the west coast of Newfoundland we are pretty much guaranteed snow. Last winter sucked (because we didn't have fresh pow every day) but it was still a 100 day season. Had to settle for the 1.75" track and keep the 2.5" in the garage, lol. We're a long way from no winters here and if any of you guys want to do the drive, its worth it...the terrain here is incredible. You would have to go to BC or AK to beat it, its that good. Anyways, hopefully only another 12-14 weeks to go!

Thats the biggest thing I noticed when I moved from NS to NL. The winters here are insane (in a good way!). But...I moved here in 2007 and I notice the winters are shorter even in 5 years. In 2008 (if my memory is right) I remember we had a couple feet of snow the first of december. Last year the trails weren't groomed until mid to late january. Hopefully we get back into those winters here again.

NL is amazing for snowmobiling. For anyone who can make the trip it is well worth it. The only way I would sell my skidoo is if I moved back to NS!

 

[nards444]

You can always rent.

I sold my sleds a couple years back when the maintenance got to be more of a pain than it was worth, I didn't enjoy them anymore so I unloaded. I still plan to buy when the money is available, but for now renting is nice. No maintenance, no trailering, etc. Biggest downside is that I can't get insurance on my rental sleds which makes me nervous, also some rental places have limited selections ( although I have been able to rent a vector and 600 e-tec) and I can't go for a quick ride close to home. But I have a blast the couple of times a year I rent!

You better find something to fill your time, otherwise you'll go stir crazy! I took the kids sledding a couple times last year, also bought myself and my dad some nice snowshoes so we can at least get outdoors in the winter instead of just sitting around.

yeah thats what we are thinking of quads or dirt bikes, those can be used bar none 8 months out of the year and dont depend on weather. There are few rental places around here if I really get the itch and i still have all my gear. Talking to the old lady if the snow comes back well probably just go with a 2up this time as i used to go mainly with a friend who has moved away and her sled just sat. I also kept my trailer so to get back into wont be that hard.

Last year was freak but really the winter before sucked and like I said regardless the trails get worse and worse and almost become not friendly to ride anymore. Im not old and can take bumps but going 20mph and bouncing the whole time sucks.

sledding wasnt a financial burden and wasnt taken food off the table. But with the almost a grand a year just to get to ready and the liability of just having sleds, right now I can think of a better way to spend money instead of riding 1-3 times a year.

 

[sgilbert]

I am keeping it all.....

 

[nards444]

I am keeping it all.....

Lol I wish. For me it gets to be more than a money issue it becomes an ace pain issue. Dealing with sports cars, boat, travel trailer etc. and its always one thing or another

 

[yamajammer76]

In the Black Hills we always get snow and I live right in the middle of it so the sled is the only toy I keep around. Some years are better then others. Last year wasn't that great, but I still managed almost 1,300 miles.

Economically I can only really afford one nice toy so I kept the sled and sold the ATV. The problem with ATVs up here is there just aren't a lot of good places to ride and no one wants them around because they claim people are tearing up the forest with them. We have around 300 miles of groomed trail and a lot of different play areas. Not big mountain riding by any means, but I sure have a good time. I just wish I had more people to ride with since I am just a single guy and my father who is now 75 is the only person in my family that still rides.

Anyhow with that said I am going to buy a new sled after 7 years this fall. Yamaha has some really good deals and rebates especially on the left over ones. I can understand why it might not be worth it to own one if you don't live in a snowy area.

I'm a little concerned though because I have a feeling this winter will be on the dry side. We will still get snow since we always do and the riding will probably be pretty good at certain times, but we also get a lot of out of state people when they don't have snow. Very good for the economy, but it completely destroys the trails.

 

[nards444]

In the Black Hills we always get snow and I live right in the middle of it so the sled is the only toy I keep around. Some years are better then others. Last year wasn't that great, but I still managed almost 1,300 miles.

Economically I can only really afford one nice toy so I kept the sled and sold the ATV. The problem with ATVs up here is there just aren't a lot of good places to ride and no one wants them around because they claim people are tearing up the forest with them. We have around 300 miles of groomed trail and a lot of different play areas. Not big mountain riding by any means, but I sure have a good time. I just wish I had more people to ride with since I am just a single guy and my father who is now 75 is the only person in my family that still rides.

Anyhow with that said I am going to buy a new sled after 7 years this fall. Yamaha has some really good deals and rebates especially on the left over ones. I can understand why it might not be worth it to own one if you don't live in a snowy area.

I'm a little concerned though because I have a feeling this winter will be on the dry side. We will still get snow since we always do and the riding will probably be pretty good at certain times, but we also get a lot of out of state people when they don't have snow. Very good for the economy, but it completely destroys the trails.

Thats the funny thing is were supposed to get snow, heck I basically can see Canada from my house so its not like we live in the tropics. But over the last 5 years it keep getting less and less. But the traile system is also getting to be horrible around us and not even worth riding. Sad thing is we have one of the premier sledding areas in the NE. Theres got to be hundreds if not thousands of miles of it.

Even if we have a good snow this year I expect the trail system to be poorly maintaned till almost half way through the season as last year was so bad people took a huge loss, and its going to take sometime to make that up.

 

[Murse]

You know really i don't disagree with anyone here, Weather is unpredictable and depressing in recent years. I lost my License and hadn't gone sledding in 4 years. Last year my father in law had me out 3 times, we live southern Ontario rode local trails and Calabogie decent runs 300km days 2 days a piece. I scrounged up enough cash got my dream sled 2006 Apex GT BLUE got it from the best guy ever talked him to 5000 he had ocd and took ridiculous care of the sled. I bought it with no intention on riding the first year and we got a wicked snow storm that lasted a week. Rode 1100 km's and I am ADDICTED! As my father in law says, if there is no snow here we will find it. We trailer 2 hours north cross Ottawa river and ride Quebec towards Mont Laurier, wicked awesome trails. Can't wait for winter and ride from home up to Gaspe and back perhaps or head towards north bay Ontario and go around Algonquin park and back home.

 

[srx900]

snow

If I won the lottery I would biuld a giant indoor snowmobile park to ride my sled all year round and people could pay to come ride .I could use some of the shut down factory plants in our area only cost 100 million or so. Any investers out there.

 

[raginyamaha]

Re: snow

If I won the lottery I would biuld a giant indoor snowmobile park to ride my sled all year round and people could pay to come ride .I could use some of the shut down factory plants in our area only cost 100 million or so. Any investers out there.

i like the idea!!

 

[dilligaf]

Sorry, but I can't part with my sleds. I tried one time and had serious withdrawals. The shakes I would get when it would snow was real bad without sleds!

But don't get me wrong, I understand your logic completely.