Will these sleds be enough for the area?

[g_man]

We are planning a trip to the Valemount area with some friends. My wife and I have some old 1999 Polaris XC500 with factory tracks (121- .8 inch lug)Sleds are mint. I am concerned that they may not be equipped enough for the area. The friends we are going with have new sleds 800's with 2 inch tracks. We mainly do trail riding around AB/SK. That is what we want to do in Valemount, no grand aspirations of climbing . What do you think? Any suggestions for trails that would work for us? Thanks again!!

 

[Dragin]

Save yourself a lot of headache and leave the short tracks at home. They're just gonna wreck all your fun. There are lots of places to rent machines around Valemount for reasonable prices and you'll have a blast.

By the way this isn't just speculation 2 years ago we went with friends to Revy with some older shorter sleds and they couldn't go anywhere off the beaten trail. They had a terrible time and swear they'll never go back.

 

[Dragin]

And remember riding in the mountains all about un tracked ungroomed riding. The groomed trail is usually just to get you from the parking lot to the cabin.

Call Spindrift in Mcbride they'll help you out or direct you to someone that can

 

[Summiteer]

I'd suggest that Crowsnest pass would be a better choice for a destination, there are tons of trails you can ride in a mountain setting with lots of areas to get off the trails to play if you choose. Long drive from Lloyd, but worth it. Some folks make the short tracks work in the hills but it's easy to get into a bind up there.

 

[Dragin]

That's why I suggest renting rather than wasting time,fuel and effort hauling your machines all that way.

 

[g_man]

Thanks for the responses! Looks like I will have to upgrade these sleds, and there isn't much for groomed trails I gather in the area?

 

[canuckchampfan]

Wait till spring if you want to drive short tracks. It is packed done by then and you can go almost everywhere.

 

[Bernoff]

I agree if you want a great trip with the wife go in the spring. Long days and great weather. She will enjoy it so much, you won't be the one upgrading, she will bet you to it!!!!

 

[mach123]

x3 wife loves spring riding nice and warm lots of daylight, good luck

 

[Depsnolvr]

Thanks for the responses! Looks like I will have to upgrade these sleds, and there isn't much for groomed trails I gather in the area?

whoa whoa whoa.......a little bias here, but you will have a great time with your machines and if the weather cooperates, you will be able to see many of the beautiful sights that bring all of us back to the mountains time and time again. The clemina trail is a highway under good winter conditions and will take you into some amazing alpine scenery with ease, as will the chappell creek trail. Of course you will not be able to play as much, but we need to remember that for first timers, simply seeing the mountains first hand is all you need to make an amazing weekend out of this trip.

Do not expect to follow the 800 long tracks where they are heading, BUT you can expect to get to alpine and watch them play, thats for sure.

I will be back in the office on thursday the 8th. Please call me at 2505664817 and I would be more than happy to help you make your trip to Valemount a great one

Alpine Country Rentals in Valemount can supply you with sleds should you decide to rent, but more importantly, you can also rent your avy gear from there 2505669774

 

[tmix]

You will have fun, cheers!

 

[S.W.A.T.]

I wouldn't listen to them and what they think. I use to ride a air cooled 440 indy sport in the mountains. Sure deep powder days were a struggle and I couldn't always get to the big spots but I had fun and learned to ride well. You don't need to have the giggest baddes machine to have fun.

Just saying

 

[Free Rider]

x2. People have been riding in the mountains since well before 800cc engines and 136 - 174" tracks came out. I admit that you would have alot more fun renting a bigger sled and you will be doing alot of digging but if you stick to the trails and don't try to follow the bigger sleds into the powder to much you will be just fine. I would rent or ride yours before you go spend alot of money upgrading, maybe riding in the mountains won't be your thing. It's not for everyone. Although I am sure you will be hooked once you try it. Have fun and ride safe.

 

[plio7]

i have taken my little polaris indy up there.....it may be a 136 track but none the less, the trails are all groomed and we managed to get that machine right up to the good scenery which was what the g/f wanted.....if your just looking for a ride to see the mountains and arent worried about going and playing in the deep powder,l take your sleds and follow the trails....like depsnolvr said.....lots of places to go to see the sights without needing an 800 long track

 

[Dragin]

Just to clarify I said rent not upgrade buying new sleds is a little much if you have to travel 10 hrs to the mountains to justify buying them. I'm just saying if your gonna go all that way and the people your riding with are riding longer track sleds you will have more fun with a longer track. IMO

 

[g_man]

Man......thanks everyone for your input! And Curtis, thanks for your help! I will call you on the 8th for information and what jetting to use. Good points made....I think for this trip we will take our old machines and trail ride the area where we can as many suggested. However I can definitely see that the powder requries more machines....that will be in the near future . Funny stuff about the wife wanting a new sled before me....that is what I expect will happen after this trip! Again thanks everyone for your input!

 

[g_man]

I agree if you want a great trip with the wife go in the spring. Long days and great weather. She will enjoy it so much, you won't be the one upgrading, she will bet you to it!!!!

She was already shopping in October