First Impressions: 2026 Ski-Doo Summit Expert 850 165”

For 2026, Ski-Doo equipped the SnowGoer mountain testing garage with an 850cc E-Tec 165” Summit w/ Expert Package. In this part of the west, winter…well, is terrible. Flying in to mountain towns or driving from the Midwest into elevations usually shows some white on the ground prior to reaching the trailhead, but this year is not the case. Dirt, sagebrush, and grass are all present throughout the month of January in the southwest section of Montana. While it doesn’t make one excited to go cruise into the “snow”, it is surely out there and requires a mindset to rise 1000’ to find it. Even with poor conditions, this machine has racked up miles in a mere 5 weeks w/o chasing snow around – all with a smile on the face of the pilots – somehow reminiscent of the smiles from the 2021 Ski-Doo Summit X Expert 175” Turbo season– but for unrelated giggle factor reasons.

It’s no secret the ETec 850 receives high points for runability, reliability, and smoothness. This 2026 model is no different. At 30*F air temperature with a warm engine or down to negative 25*F and a cold engine – 1 pull from the recoil fires the Summit readying it for battle. The SHOT system to refire has showed zero sign of fatigue or failing to reignite the engine once a few minutes of idling has passed.

We never go storage happy on these machines opting to carry all gear in the backpack, but adding a BCA LinQ bag to the tunnel was an easy choice for rides requiring some hauling. 2026 Expert models come from the factory with 2 sets of LinQ attachment points – and this addition is greatly appreciated/approved by all.

Also for 2026, team Doo shrunk the ski stance by a staggering 2” to 32”. It wasn’t difficult to assess the impact this narrowed width had on the handling of the sled during last season intro rides, but the grander effect comes with the adjoining parts changes to make the TwinLink32 happen. No bump steer, easier to hold a sidehill, less steering effort, increased ski turn all equate to a sled that’s easy to ride, makes us excited, and doesn’t wear us out. The prior years of Ski-Doo mountain sleds in the Gen4 chassis have never been uber difficult to initiate a carve in the open or steep sidehill, but now, NOW this sled has notably reduced effort required in sticky scenarios even from what used to be considered easy comparing to older machines on the same ride – coupled with the ease of holding that line. Staying neutral over the sled with one foot on each board without jumping to one side and tugging lets a rider relax knowing this sled will respond to a mere foot and hip input.

We’ll save more for later. So until then, it’s time to get out and put some more miles on this Monument Gray beauty!

Ride On.