Best sled (snowmobile) for backcountry (pow)

Halvortex, I plan to use the sled between 2900 and 4000 mts of altitude. And I'm 80 kilos (180 pounds aprox). But I suppose that for skiing you must carry another rider uphill so that weight should double.
 
If your going to do a lot of doubling, then I wouldnt get anything below an 800 with a 151. I l earned on a 159 rmk 900 and i would say that, that is not the way to learn how to ride a sled, haha. But, I started hopping on some 800 revs and I was so used to a sled that weighed 80 pounds more that it was soo fun and easy. Basically if you going to be doubling up stuff in the powder i would recommend an 800. The new Dragons are really sick and the Summits are also pretty sick. One thing is that when ski doo did the chasis change in 04 the sleds that year seemed to have a lot of issues. My buddy has an 04 rev and that thing is in the shop pretty much 1-3 times a month at least.
What kinda price range are you looking at too? I have heard of a few people getting the 08 Rev XPs for in the low 6s now.
 
Im also starting my sled research...

I live in summit county, CO (9,000feet and higher), weigh about 160 lbs., and a total beginner. My price riange is hopefully $2500-3000. I have a few sledhead buddies who gave me these recomendations:

Polaris RMK 700 144 track or longer - good cheap, reliable sled

Ski Doo Summit 700

Yamaha Mtn Maxx 700 - 144 track or longer

That being said, i think Im going to search out a 700 rmk first, , i guess theyll have good enough power for me, and be reliable, unlike the 800s and 900s.

I will be using my sled and first a tool to go skiing, second, a toy.

So maybe there's a few tips for you, depending on your price range.
 
i picked up a 97 yamaha mountain max 700 for my first sled this winter and it rips for an old ass sled, gets me just about everywhere i wanna go although it does get bogged down a bit at higher altitudes and deep snow.
 
Ok, If your looking used and on a budget you cannot go wrong with a 05 rev' they were the first rider forward sled, A M7 is a great sled aswell, Or if your willing to go Older, Pick up a older 670, Make sure to try pick up the 98 X package ( it was a better sled, Tuned pipe and had the 99 moter in the 98 s-chassis) And throw a 151 under it, Stock it has enough power to spin a 151. Clutched it will spin at roughly 75 depending on the snow. if your willing to jet, you can pull all the extra crap out ( Altitude compensator, air box ext).
 
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As u can see from all the trophies surrounding the sled, this is the best possible sled u can get hands down. Jusst look at the flames.
 
Here are a bunch of things no one has touched yet, Most importantly is, are you strictly going to be skiing because if you are the yamaha apex is bigger and stronger and can haul ass up a mountain with many men on it. Older summits are great they pull well too. I have an M7 162 and its strong too. THe most important thing about these sleds are that they are built strong!!!!! 2 and 3 person tandems are incredibly hard on sleds from chassis to drivetrain. A friend of mine has a brand new Polaris and the Tunnel is twisted and cracked from tandems and he blew two motors just last winter. If you arent going to be skiing all the time and plan on sledding a bit or if you have no sledding skills, the apex and older summits handle like shit and if you manage to get the apex stuck you will be fucked. The Polaris and summits handle like a dream and are prob the best for sledding but arent strong enough for a lot of tandems. I hate to say it but the arctic cat Ms are not the best handling but will take more of a beating common with sled skiing and can still sled with the summit revs and RMKs. I have spent 30 days each of the past two winters on mine (mostly skiing) and only blown two belts, plus the heavier harder handling will only make you a stronger sledder in the end. The guys I ride with have an 08 RMK 700 155, Apex 162, and a 04 summit 800 159 all good sleds in their own rights. Choose wisely whatever you decide get the longer tracks
 
I got a 2000 Yamaha Mtn Max 700 Triple , 141 inch track. Its a GREAT first sled. It had 1200 miles on it when I bought it, now it has about 1800. I have not had to turn a wrench at all on this sled, it has been extremely reliable which is important to me in a sled.

The only complaint I have is the 141 inch track which I feel doesnt climb up deep steep slopes very well at all. It is also kinda heavy.

But fuck, I would def reccomend Mtn. Max's or perhaps even the Vipers (newer mtn maxes). Yamaha makes some reliable shit.

 
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