Who had the sickest sleds at the show?

[lilduke]

I disagree with this statement. Actually I see it 100% the opposite way. On hardpack all the weight is positioned in the center of the track and not so evenly distributed like a 2 rail design would be. Assuming there is some flex in the fibreglass rods, there would be minimal force downward on the outer 1/3 edges of the track. So I would assume the traction will suck on flat hard-pack compared to a 2 rail system. In deep snow the track will be fine as it will have equal forces downward in all locations once the fibreglass rods bend to their happy point. If you are on a side-hill things get interesting though, the tracks that twist to the hill will stay more at the angle of the hill and tend to slide down when they spin. Tracks that cut in and set a horizontal bench will hold the hill better. I think the Alpha will find conditions that it will dominate too. It will be where the track can flex and mold around uneven ground.

My experience comes from sleds of old that had many boggy wheels, they put forces down all over the track and even though those sleds had minimal length and shortest lugs they had surprisingly good traction. IMHO

Thats great, but I disagree with you though. Can't see it helping one bit in 4 feet of pow.

(Don't think it will hurt it's deep snow performance either)

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

Didn't make to the show.............was afraid of the huggin bunny!

My feelers are hurt...lol

 

[Barry Barton]

Do you mean Ken @ Specialty Sleds?....they were at the show

I don't think Mountain Magic has supported the show for a few years now....

Just like the other guy said the cost has gone up but not the gain, he has a open house on friday when the sled show starts. So if you are looking for deals go to his shop and ask thats the best way of get his products.

 

[luvz da mud]

Not a fan of the direction the show has went that last 5-6 years. Barely about sleds anymore, its all the secondary industries/attractions surrounding it. Kind of annoying when you're there to go look at some nice sleds and there is 10 hotel/lodging booths offering a $5 discount on there rooms...

Northlands f**k's up everything they touch. It's not just the sled show, the car and bike shows along with K-days exhibitors are getting smaller and smaller each year thanks to Northlands greed. $16 just for parking? F**k that!

 

[Cat401]

Northlands f**k's up everything they touch. It's not just the sled show, the car and bike shows along with K-days exhibitors are getting smaller and smaller each year thanks to Northlands greed. $16 just for parking? F**k that!

Northlands hardly exists today. City of Edmonton took over control of the Expo Centre in late August of this year.

 

[maxwell]

you guys are forgetting that this is the single biggest fundraiser for the alberta snowmobile association aswell. if the show is failing its unfortunately hurting them more than anyone. Be nice to see it thriving again. A little weird to see more business not related to snowmobiling than snowmobiling itself at the show.

 

[007sevens]

Worst show in years,

 

[Longhairfreak]

Northlands f**k's up everything they touch. It's not just the sled show, the car and bike shows along with K-days exhibitors are getting smaller and smaller each year thanks to Northlands greed. $16 just for parking? F**k that!

You think $16 for parking is a lot. You should see how much it costs to rent a booth.

 

[armascott]

Northlands f**k's up everything they touch. It's not just the sled show, the car and bike shows along with K-days exhibitors are getting smaller and smaller each year thanks to Northlands greed. $16 just for parking? F**k that!

I agree Northlands is killing vendors, and making it outrageous for consumers to get in. As Maxwell said it really sucks for the snowmobile association as they are relying on the funds. Maybe the Alberta Snowmobile Assosiation should consider doing what some rv dealers do and rent out the old Rona building on Stony Plain road for a weekend. Sure the show won't bring in the major big manufactures, but it may bring the cost down enough that the smaller sled shop vendors can afford to get back in and show off what they can do.

 

[scotts]

I agree it wasn't as good as years past! Need to remember that things aren't as good as they used to be in this province either! Sledding isn't cheap and a lot of folks just don't have the money they used too.the part that bugged me the most was about 3 times I went into booths that really weren't busy and the people there couldn't be botheredto look up from their phone long enough to acknowledge a person! Granted maybe an old farmer doesn't look like someone who would buy something from Tobe, but it's pretty crappy salesmanship!

 

[deaner]

I agree Northlands is killing vendors, and making it outrageous for consumers to get in. As Maxwell said it really sucks for the snowmobile association as they are relying on the funds. Maybe the Alberta Snowmobile Assosiation should consider doing what some rv dealers do and rent out the old Rona building on Stony Plain road for a weekend. Sure the show won't bring in the major big manufactures, but it may bring the cost down enough that the smaller sled shop vendors can afford to get back in and show off what they can do.

Thats exactly what I was thinking. For an event like this you dont need a central downtown venue. In fact I think most of the people would prefer something more remote. Get a large facility that is reasonably priced, charge a reasonable admission (and no parking), drastically lower vendor fees so its attractive for the cool ones to come, and a really cool thing that you could add is a swapmeet section for guys like us. Wouldnt it be cool to be able to take your sleds or parts to the show to sell? What about the red deer exhibition grounds?

 

[dragonweld28]

I think this is something that as a group we should pursue. Find a new Venue location and start our own show. This year was the first for my small company and was pretty expensive. The booth was $900, plus carpet, internet, power, parking and food. The weekend was $1500 for the smallest possible booth. 10x10. I know the other bigger spots are over $15000. Its taken the fun out what the shows used to be.... cool fun builds and showcasing new products. We sold a few things, but almost everyone that was willing to buy something wanted a 20-30% discount. The only one that wins in this is Northlands and the city of Edmonton.

 

[Bnorth]

Thats exactly what I was thinking. For an event like this you dont need a central downtown venue. In fact I think most of the people would prefer something more remote. Get a large facility that is reasonably priced, charge a reasonable admission (and no parking), drastically lower vendor fees so its attractive for the cool ones to come, and a really cool thing that you could add is a swapmeet section for guys like us. Wouldnt it be cool to be able to take your sleds or parts to the show to sell? What about the red deer exhibition grounds?

I think this is something that as a group we should pursue. Find a new Venue location and start our own show. This year was the first for my small company and was pretty expensive. The booth was $900, plus carpet, internet, power, parking and food. The weekend was $1500 for the smallest possible booth. 10x10. I know the other bigger spots are over $15000. Its taken the fun out what the shows used to be.... cool fun builds and showcasing new products. We sold a few things, but almost everyone that was willing to buy something wanted a 20-30% discount. The only one that wins in this is Northlands and the city of Edmonton.

Go to the WSSA show in Puyallup. It's a fair grounds with tons of room for vendors both indoors and out. Tons of swap meet stuff inside the venue and then even more in the parking lot across the street. It really sets the tone for what a mountain sled show should be.

 

[Old-Soul]

Thats exactly what I was thinking. For an event like this you dont need a central downtown venue. In fact I think most of the people would prefer something more remote. Get a large facility that is reasonably priced, charge a reasonable admission (and no parking), drastically lower vendor fees so its attractive for the cool ones to come, and a really cool thing that you could add is a swapmeet section for guys like us. Wouldnt it be cool to be able to take your sleds or parts to the show to sell? What about the red deer exhibition grounds?

Hey I'm down with holding it in Red Deer haha.
While not as bad as Edm, Westerner loooves to gouge people parking too.
However, I do think a more central location would help the show grow again. More likely you'll see riders from Calgary, Lethbridge etc.

 

[dragonweld28]

Ya. Its huge undertaking to organize and would require the right location to make it all happen. Hopefully someone knows some one that has a huge vacant building that can be temporarily rented and start form there.

 

[Old-Soul]

What was parking this year? I may have missed it.
I know when we have our large antique car swap the parking is $10 (if memory serves correctly). So that's not terrible.
I have no clue what they charge for vendor space though. They have their three main buildings with more on the way.

 

[Cat401]

I agree it wasn't as good as years past! Need to remember that things aren't as good as they used to be in this province either! Sledding isn't cheap and a lot of folks just don't have the money they used too.the part that bugged me the most was about 3 times I went into booths that really weren't busy and the people there couldn't be botheredto look up from their phone long enough to acknowledge a person! Granted maybe an old farmer doesn't look like someone who would buy something from Tobe, but it's pretty crappy salesmanship!

Geez, not sure what day you went....we went on Friday. Was there just before 5 and pretty much every booth we stopped at or went through we were asked numerous times if we needed assistance finding something. The only booths where we noticed there seemed to be zero interest in getting involved with the customer was the main sled booths. And yes, we waked through them all....the staff maintaining them seemed to be content talking among themselves. Not sure if they were dealers, factory reps or sponsored riders....just noticed the lack of enthusiasm in those venues. But the private companies were very attentive and wanting to engage the customers...now that was Friday, early....maybe as the weekend went on that changed.....

 

[+SLEDWRECKS+]

Friday and Saturday were busy for us, and then Sunday was quite slow, as Sunday is only a 5 hr show, then pack up and leave.
Be nice to have a Friday / Saturday event and be out of there !
Booth costs are high, and still doesn't included parking passes...wtf !
Saskatoon has a better gig, as it's free parking, and show goer's spent an extra $5 or $10 at the door and get a 3 day pass.

 

[nathan#19]

If I was a bettin guy those Alpha 1s are gonna be hard getting off the mountain after 10 beer.

Nobody should be trying to do that.....no matter what sled they have.

 

[NoBrakes!]

I think this is something that as a group we should pursue. Find a new Venue location and start our own show. This year was the first for my small company and was pretty expensive. The booth was $900, plus carpet, internet, power, parking and food. The weekend was $1500 for the smallest possible booth. 10x10. I know the other bigger spots are over $15000. Its taken the fun out what the shows used to be.... cool fun builds and showcasing new products. We sold a few things, but almost everyone that was willing to buy something wanted a 20-30% discount. The only one that wins in this is Northlands and the city of Edmonton.

which company are you with? im always interested in supporting local