SxS vs snowmobiling

[Augie]

Interesting post as I had your same thoughts, I got back into snowmobiling 4 years ago after a long time and living in S.E. Wisconsin the trails here were only open a handful of times. At 58 years old I needed something else to satisfy my powers ports bug because 1 or 2 trips to the northern part of my state snowmobiling wasn't enough.
Started shopping for a used Yamaha Grizzly so I could try the sport Without investing A lot of money but ended up buying A Polaris Ace 570 which is basically The same thing as a SxS but only one the seat. Just this past weekend We took a trip to the N.E. Part of Wisconsin And I was amazed at their trail network and we had an absolute blast!
To me the whole experience was very similar to a snowmobile trip And I'm extremely glad I made my purchase But if I had to choose between the 2 I would say snowmobiling is a little more thrilling and/or exhilarating.

 

[Deeppow16]

I don't have a SxS but I do have 2 ATV's. I have started to do more riding in the summer and have found it to be pretty fun and your right about the traffic part as there is way less people riding SxS and ATV's. Where I live in MN we don't have any trails even close to us so usually I head over to the Hayward WI area and really like that area. The wife and I have talked about taking a trip up to the UP for a summer ride but didn't get up there this summer. I will never give up snowmobiling though.

 

[Apexpat]

Interesting post as I had your same thoughts, I got back into snowmobiling 4 years ago after a long time and living in S.E. Wisconsin the trails here were only open a handful of times. At 58 years old I needed something else to satisfy my powers ports bug because 1 or 2 trips to the northern part of my state snowmobiling wasn't enough.
Started shopping for a used Yamaha Grizzly so I could try the sport Without investing A lot of money but ended up buying A Polaris Ace 570 which is basically The same thing as a SxS but only one the seat. Just this past weekend We took a trip to the N.E. Part of Wisconsin And I was amazed at their trail network and we had an absolute blast!
To me the whole experience was very similar to a snowmobile trip And I'm extremely glad I made my purchase But if I had to choose between the 2 I would say snowmobiling is a little more thrilling and/or exhilarating.

Agreed. Exactly like a snowmobile trip without the crowds, ungroomed trails, or changing snow conditions, sub zero temps. I’m not bashing snowmobiling by any means and won’t give it up. I liked the sxs weekend because it reminded me so much of snowmobiling. I’ve been contemplating a change and this may fill the bill. Reduce some sled trips, especially the ones I make in marginal conditions, sell a sled or 2 but keep the Apex forever, and replace lost snowmobile time with a Wolverine x4. And the benefit of shorter travel from where I live. Central/northern lower Michigan vs UP/Canada chasing snow. Plus an extended riding seasons. And lastly the wife can’t say no when I say let’s load up and head north. She rides once or twice a year on the sled but not a fan of cold. I’m gonna research some more, but think this is the direction I’m headed.

 

[biffdotorg]

I really don't see this being a debate of SXS over snowmobiling. In MN they legally cannot overlap. In fact I use my Wildcat SXS during the tweener season (Fall/Spring) But if the trails are open to sleds/grooming, SXS are illegal. And if they are open to SXS, you would never sled. So the decision is not between those two. It's more a decision of Boating/SXS or what you want to allocate garage space to. It's tough to go out doing one, knowing it is perfect weather for the other.

This is ironic that this came up this week. As I had gotten an offer on my Wildcat. Since I do this with buddies and only really use it in the fall and spring, I told my wife that I was considering it and putting towards the boat loan. She said "HELL NO" that machine gets you out of the house when you are the most insane. So I guess that settles that discussion with her. I'm keeping it.

This past weekend we rode, 35 degrees for a high, and it was snowing while we plowed through semi-frozen mud holes!! What a hoot! Video to come!

 

[DranttelSS]

We sell just as many if not more SXS vs. ATV's. I enjoy both, but like most have said, its not as fun as snowmobiling. Maybe if we had a decent trail network around here that would help. We are limited to ditch riding from August 1st - April 1st. Gravel roads aren't technically legal on ATV's (SXS are) but most wont hassle you as long as your being smart. Id say go for it, gotta have something to do in the off season!

 

[Deeppow16]

I really don't see this being a debate of SXS over snowmobiling. In MN they legally cannot overlap. In fact I use my Wildcat SXS during the tweener season (Fall/Spring) But if the trails are open to sleds/grooming, SXS are illegal. And if they are open to SXS, you would never sled. So the decision is not between those two. It's more a decision of Boating/SXS or what you want to allocate garage space to. It's tough to go out doing one, knowing it is perfect weather for the other.

This is ironic that this came up this week. As I had gotten an offer on my Wildcat. Since I do this with buddies and only really use it in the fall and spring, I told my wife that I was considering it and putting towards the boat loan. She said "HELL NO" that machine gets you out of the house when you are the most insane. So I guess that settles that discussion with her. I'm keeping it.

This past weekend we rode, 35 degrees for a high, and it was snowing while we plowed through semi-frozen mud holes!! What a hoot! Video to come!

Can I ask you where you ride? I'm about an hour west of the cities and there is nothing here as far as trails go and I would love to stay in MN to ride but I just don't know where I can.

 

[Deeppow16]

We sell just as many if not more SXS vs. ATV's. I enjoy both, but like most have said, its not as fun as snowmobiling. Maybe if we had a decent trail network around here that would help. We are limited to ditch riding from August 1st - April 1st. Gravel roads aren't technically legal on ATV's (SXS are) but most wont hassle you as long as your being smart. Id say go for it, gotta have something to do in the off season!

Yeah this is tough part about living in MN. There is not many SxS or atv trails but WI has a million of them. I wish MN was more like that!

 

[biffdotorg]

Can I ask you where you ride? I'm about an hour west of the cities and there is nothing here as far as trails go and I would love to stay in MN to ride but I just don't know where I can.

Heck yes, anywhere North of Highway 10. It's a drawing line as far as where ATV's can ride. But we ride mostly anything North of Highway 34 from Detroit Lakes across to Walker.

The snowmobile trails in that area are all Minimum Maintenance roads. So with minimal Grant In Aid trails, they are open year around. You can drop at about any boat landing or bar, and get on trails. If you have Polaris ride command and choose ATV or Snowmobile, you were see what is out there. Keeping in mind, that 85% of the snowmobile trails are open to ATV/SXS.

This past weekend we dropped in Two inlets, rode to Ice Cracking, on up to Elbow Lake Store in White Earth State forest and back to Two inlets. The week before we rode out of Osage up to Ice Cracking and made a loop. This weekend, we have a large group leaving out of Aikley heading up into the Stompin' grounds and around the Nevis area. All of the Paul Bunyan State Forest is one big ATV park in my eyes!

Do yourself a favor, go buy a cheap Garmin Nuvi off of Ebay/C-List or Facebook marketplace and load the Redpine Mapping. It will open you up to all sorts of riding up this direction.

Good luck!

I actually got my wife to ride along on this ride. 8 machine leaving North of Park Rapids out of Vacationaire to Ice Cracking and back. Lots of "safety meetings" along the way with a fun group. I edited this in portrait mode for Cell phones.

 

[Deeppow16]

Heck yes, anywhere North of Highway 10. It's a drawing line as far as where ATV's can ride. But we ride mostly anything North of Highway 34 from Detroit Lakes across to Walker.

The snowmobile trails in that area are all Minimum Maintenance roads. So with minimal Grant In Aid trails, they are open year around. You can drop at about any boat landing or bar, and get on trails. If you have Polaris ride command and choose ATV or Snowmobile, you were see what is out there. Keeping in mind, that 85% of the snowmobile trails are open to ATV/SXS.

This past weekend we dropped in Two inlets, rode to Ice Cracking, on up to Elbow Lake Store in White Earth State forest and back to Two inlets. The week before we rode out of Osage up to Ice Cracking and made a loop. This weekend, we have a large group leaving out of Aikley heading up into the Stompin' grounds and around the Nevis area. All of the Paul Bunyan State Forest is one big ATV park in my eyes!

Do yourself a favor, go buy a cheap Garmin Nuvi off of Ebay/C-List or Facebook marketplace and load the Redpine Mapping. It will open you up to all sorts of riding up this direction.

Good luck!

I actually got my wife to ride along on this ride. 8 machine leaving North of Park Rapids out of Vacationaire to Ice Cracking and back. Lots of "safety meetings" along the way with a fun group. I edited this in portrait mode for Cell phones.

Thanks! I have to look into for next summer!

 

[biffdotorg]

Now is the time to ride. Colors are out, and there are only a few weekends left before deer season. Then all the trails will shut down for hunting. The reservation trails may close this weekend as their deer season starts two weeks early.

 

[Deeppow16]

Now is the time to ride. Colors are out, and there are only a few weekends left before deer season. Then all the trails will shut down for hunting. The reservation trails may close this weekend as their deer season starts two weeks early.

Yeah I wish. The wife and I just had our first kid a couple weeks ago so I wont be going anywhere for awhile! Haha!

 

[biffdotorg]

Yeah I wish. The wife and I just had our first kid a couple weeks ago so I wont be going anywhere for awhile! Haha!

Congratulations! That will be taking up most of your time for quite a while. Just in time for the 2025 release of the all new, all Yamaha snowmobiles!

 

[maim]

in the spring i do a mud run or 2 on the old bear with mt gf on her canam and some times we sneak my brothers rhino along for people who want to try it. summer is for fishing, camp, atving, motorcycle and car rides. fall is when the atv goes to work on my frends trapline till snow is deep enough to use a sled on.

congrats on the little one btw deeppow16.

 

[bleedyamaha]

Hmmm Snowbunnies in the summer time with bikinis and helmets. Might have to give up some pontoon season!

 

[Deeppow16]

Congratulations! That will be taking up most of your time for quite a while. Just in time for the 2025 release of the all new, all Yamaha snowmobiles!

Ha Thanks! I'm pretty excited that I will have a future riding buddy! Already thinking about looking for a little sled for the kid haha!