Deep-snow sleds are some of the most highly modified snowmobiles on the planet, and the upgrades usually focus on two goals: reduced weight and more power. Of course traction, ergonomics, storage and durability are important, and wild, color-filled wraps and graphics are also popular.
Every year at the annual Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Expo in Denver, Snow Goer magazine selects a group of special Extreme Machines to be displayed at the show. Do you have a modified mountain snowmobile that you’d like to show off at the Expo October 10-11, 2015?
To apply to display your sled, email pictures and a description of each modification you made to your sled to aswanson@snowgoer.com.Riders willing to bring their sleds to the show for display can apply. New this year, owners of machines displayed at the Expo will win a free, two-night stay at Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort in Nathrop, Colorado! Entries will be accepted until September 25. Even if you don’t have a sled to display yourself, come to the show and see these unique creations. The Expo will be held at the National Western Complex.
Here are details about the Extreme Machine that won Best In Show at the 2014 Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Expo. The award-winning snowmobile is a 2013 Arctic Cat M 800 Limited 153 owned by Josh Cook of Montrose, Colorado.
Riding days for Josh Cook usually start shortly after sun up, and he tries to get back to the truck by dark. “An ideal day is with deep, fresh powder, sunshine, snow coming over the hood [and me] jumping over the seat sidehilling through ravines and trying to get to the top,” he said. “Every time we go out and hit the hills my goal is to get to the top. Not the middle. I’m never satisfied with making it part way up.”
Riding 50 to 60 days every winter, Cook and his buddies from the Colorado Boondockers club boondock, jump and climb all over the state, but especially Black Mesa, Grand Mesa and Hahn’s Peak.
He started riding at age 21 and always did simple, bolt-on modifications to his sleds, but now 35 and with more riding experience he wanted to get into places he couldn’t reach before riding a sled with turbo, he said. “Turbo is best because it gives you the extra power you need when you need it. It’s always about more power, right?”
The structure of the Cat ProClimb is perfect, but sleds can always afford to lose weight, he said. Other modifications he hopes to make include a carbon fiber tunnel, side panels and hood, and a track with 3-inch lugs. “I’ve got the power to move a little more snow,” he said.
Power modifications:
Push Turbo Pro-G-TBBT turbo kit
Push Turbo Vi-PEC engine control unit
Push Turbo clutching specs
Chassis & control:
Zbroz Racing Exit shocks
Slydog Powder Hound skis
Appearance, storage & protection:
ArcticFX custom wrap
Arctic Cat handlebar bag
Total aftermarket investment: $13,500
