Sledboarding Colorado Mountains / Nine Year Flashback 2007 / Snowboarding the Backcountry

 CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE!!

Chasing the snow storms was how we rolled 9 years ago. We had been in the sledboard game for 3 years, with 10 years of snowboarding under our belts, we kept pushing the bounderies.

Back in 1999 we started to head to the mountains from the Midwest. By 2002 we had taken an avalanche course in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The backcountry was our drug, best served with storms and driving through blizzards that just added to the adventure. 

 The town that caught our attention early on was Steamboat, Colorado. This was a big resort town, but also the appeal was the main town which still felt like a cowboy town. Nothing beats a good snowstorm in Steamboat.

 The goal 9 years ago was to hit the early season storm as it was dropping fresh powder in the surrounding mountains.

We went all in with the sled part of the backcountry adventure, 2 long track mountain sleds, enclosed trailer and 3/4 ton pick-up. 3 years into this adventure, we had replaced one of the sleds with a new 2008 Polaris RMK with a 155 inch long track. We still had the original 800 Polaris RMK 159" track.

The system was to have both sleds, ride both down the mountain and park 1 sled. Then Weez would sit in front and hold onto the bars while I stand and drive back up the mountain. Unload the boards and the snowboard down the mountain together. arrive at the parked sled, load up and roar back up. Sometimes we would use a waterski rope and I would pull Weez back up the mountain behind the sled.     

 The White Room... look close and you can see Weez in the trees.

 Riding the Polaris Mountain Sleds... awesome terrain and scenery... fresh powder.

 Living the rock and snow life... Our own mountain for the day, nobody else out there... Yee Haa!!

 Backcountry mountain weapon, Polaris 700 RMK 155"/2.4" paddles.

 Took a break from the backcountry 1 day and hit the Steamboat Resort on the boards.

The trip was all part of the big Adventure...East of Omaha heading into Des Moines, Iowa. 

Brapppp On!!

Sled Mods & Thanksgiving

These are the 4 modifications that I made to the M8 Arctic Cat to prepare for the mountains. The first trip to Wyoming and Colorado is coming up quickly so I was glad to finish the project. I took the pictures in the dark trailer, I'll get some better pics on the snow.

Click on picture to enlarge.

3 " Riser block to raise the handle bars.

Ice scratchers (the black coiled spring on the rail) to kick up the snow to keep everything running cool on the track and the engine cooler under the tunnel. They release off the rail and drag in the snow

The new seat, it is shorter, taller, narrower and 4 pounds lighter.

The all important snowboard rack. It went on with only drilling 2 holes. I am able to remove the rack with 2 twist knobs and releasing 2 straps that attach to the rear bumper. There is still plenty of room for a plastic gas container on the tunnel.

SUV Powder CAT.

Thanksgiving Day

Three of my 5 grandkids at their house for Thanksgiving.

Snowmobile Snowboard Rack System

The pictures are from a posting I did Dec. 2007. I have been using this system for 4 years. It shows the rack system I mounted on my sleds. The racks come in handy for snowboards, avy shovel (carry one shovel on the sled, BUT you should always carry a shovel in your pack at all times), ski poles (a pole can come in handy in certain snowboard situations).

At the time I had a 2005 800 RMK 159 and a 2008 700 RMK 155. I just traded off the RMK 800 for a new 08 Polaris Dragon 700 155. It is the same set-up as the 700 RMK. That's the project this week is to get the new sled set up. I'm heading out to Wyoming and Colorado this week-end, Dec 6-7 for about 5 days. I am going to use this trip to break in the Dragon and explore different areas.

As I post this it is snowing in the mountains, They got 2 - 3 feet last week-end so the weather is looking good!!

Snowboard rack on 08 RMK 155"

Snowboard / Shovel rack on 05 RMK 159"

Using the 4-wheeler gun racks to carry our snowboards. Clamp them on bumper and drill 2 holes into bumper and tap a screw through mount and bumper. It keeps rack from turning on the bumper. I've used this system for 2 years. It's light and simple.

On the 08 700 RMK I'm using the Polaris rack system, gas can holder and avy shovel pack also.

The gear bag on the back of the 05 800 is a motorcycle tank bag. It works well cause it has a clear map holder on top. I can carry a 1 person tent (2 lb. 12 oz.) in it , for emergencies.

Heading out on Sunday / Sledboard Rack Polaris Mountain Sleds

We are taking off in about 2 hours. As soon as I finish this, we pack the truck & trailer & hit the road. We will leave Minneapolis about 12 noon Sunday & be snowboarding in Steamboat by 12 noon on Monday, about 1200 miles. The catch is we are heading right into the storm that just dumped in Colorado. I'm sure we will be locked in 4-wheel drive several miles this trip, good times! It will be a sleeping in the truck night I am sure. Sledding & boarding the next 4-5 days! Should be fresh powder in Colorado.

Gettin crazy on a 2 degree slope doin da heel grab, Ya!!

Can't wipe that happy smile off dat face.

It just puts me in the mood to drive 1100 miles to hunt for the deep white stuff.

Snowboard rack on 08 RMK 155"

Snowboard / Shovel rack on 05 RMK 159"

Using the 4-wheeler gun racks to carry our snowboards. Clamp them on bumper and drill 2 holes into bumper and tap a screw through mount and bumper. It keeps rack from turning on the bumper. I've used this system for 2 years. It's light and simple. The gear bag on the back is a motorcycle tank bag. It works well cause it has a clear map holder on top. I can carry a 1 person tent (2 lb. 12 oz.) in it , for emergences.

Let the Powder Games Begin, eh

Got out to the slopes today, doing some boarding and ski patrolling. Got my new Burton boots set up with my bindings . While hanging out in the patrol room a few of the elder patrol chit chat about past winters on the hill. Good times! It's great to be out on the hill. Some day these will be the past winters.

Here's a few pics from the last few days. Gettin crazy on a 2 degree slope doin da heel grab, Ya!!

Can't wipe that happy smile off dat face.

It just puts me in the mood to drive 1100 miles to hunt for the deep white stuff.

Snowboard rack on 08 RMK 155"

Snowboard / Shovel rack on 05 RMK 159"

Using the 4-wheeler gun racks to carry our snowboards. Clamp them on bumper and drill 2 holes into bumper and tap a screw through mount and bumper. It keeps rack from turning on the bumper. I've used this system for 2 years. It's light and simple. The gear bag on the back is a motorcycle tank bag. It works well cause it has a clear map holder on top. I can carry a 1 person tent (2 lb. 12 oz.) in it , for emergencies.