Any snow machine men here?

[Steve B]

I need to buy a snowmobile for winter access for my cabin. We are going to start renting it out to winter snowmobilers, snowshoers, and winter travelers. I will need to go in between rentals, and clean it, and prepare it.

The mile from the trailhead to the cabin is 2.5 miles, just along the steep curvy road up to the cabin from the asphalt, and I'd be pulling a sled.

What are good brands and models of snow machines from the standpoint of reliability, serviceability, and ease and cost of maintenance?

Input appreciated.

Steve

[DerbyDad03]

I know I don't need to say this, but I will anyway. ;-)

A Google search of 'snow mobile forums' turned up a huge number of forums, some product specific, some just general chat forums. Have you tied lurking in any of those forums to get a feel of the type of chatter that goes on as a means to find one that feels right for you?

A few years ago I found a forum dedicated to outdoor power equipment where I go for Snow Blower advice. No politics, no name calling. They speak to rookies in friendly, rookie-appropriate language and don't pass judgement on anybody else's opinions. It's a breath of fresh air compared to a.h.r.

I'm sure there is a snow mobile forum with similar attributes that might work for you.

[Attila Iskander]

Have you considered a 4x4 with winter tires ? Then you would also have something for the rest of the year..

[clare]

Don't know about you, but i've been many places on a snowmobile that NO 4wd road vehicle would ever manage. And those places WERE on road. I've been places with a snowmobile that a SNOWMOBILE could hardly go - still on-road. Then you look at all the OFF road places a snowmobile can go. All 4wd does is get you farther from help.

[Dean Hoffman]

Some snipped.

We use ATVs at work. We ride mainly in corn and soybean fields. Our area recently had about 10" of snow. Even that was sufficient to create enough drifting to cause problems for us. I've gotten mine stuck about 3 or 4 times so far. It's just the ATV, a few tools, and me. No trailer. The problem is an ATV can get high centered in just a few inches of snow. Sometimes it will ride on a hard drift then fall through when it gets to where the snow is softer. We leave our 4 wheel drive pickups on the road. They would be much harder to dig out, obviously.

[nestork]

Well, here in Manitoba, many of the natives living on the northern reserves make money during the winter by trapping. The pelts of animals caught in the winter are more valuable because animals grow a thicker coat of fur in winter than they do in summer.

What I'd do is click on the "Contact Us" link on both of these two web sites and explain that you're looking for a recommendation on a reliable and easy-to-maintain snowmobile, and are wondering what's the most popular snow machine amongst the natives in Northern Manitoba for checking their trap lines in winter.

sells Arctic Cat

'Northland Leisure - Home'

Which sells Polaris and Yamaha

Both of those businesses are located in The Pas, which is a fairly large community in Northern Manitoba of about five thousand people. I expect both of those businesses sell plenty of snowmobiles, and would know which ones are most popular with natives because they're generally regarded as the most reliable and easy to maintain.

Most people in Canada buy snowmobiles to go crazy on in winter. Native trappers need reliable transportation because often their trap lines are dozens of miles from anywhere, and in areas where there are more bears per square mile than people. Having your snow mobile conk out on you while you're out on your trap line is a life threatening situation. (less so nowadays since natives have mobile phone service in northern Manitoba)

[DerbyDad03]

I'm confused by your response. The forums I am referring to would be frequented by actual owners and real people. Just like DIY'ers hang around here, snowmobile forums would have snow mobile owners hanging around in them.

Forums like:

All of these (and many other forums) have general chat sections where actual owners and real people discuss the world of snowmobiles.

[Harry K]

Unless you have very deep pockets forget about trying to clear that distance with a snow blower if you get any snows over about 6" deep. I have an 11hp, 30" wide blower and it will take me a minimum of an hour to clear my 100' long, 3 car wide driver of a 4-5"" snow. If it has drifted itwill take a lot longer.

Plows maybe but you are still going to need a large commercial machine to handle any significant snow fall.

Harry K.

[Harry K]

Man, I should wake up a bit before posting. Somehow I was thinking you wanted to clear the road for vehicles.

Harry K

[clare]

Anything that can be had for $100, or even $500 is going to be WAY more trouble than they are worth - and you will triple your investment in a hurry making them dependable - generally speaking.

Anything that is half decent is worth $1000 anywhere it snows enough to use it.

[DerbyDad03]

.

If someone suggested a specific brand of tool or product in this newsgroup, would you post the same question in a snowmobile/cooking/ tax advice forum looking for actual owners and real people?

After all, there are shills in any forum. ;-)

Any ice fishing on that trout lake? Once you have your snow mobile - and sled - you can tow a bob house out onto the lake and hang out with your friends.

Something like this wouldn't be so bad:

[Jim Elbrecht]

That's pretty luxurious. My neighbor has a 4x6 [or so] shanty that folds up into a box that get towed behind his sled. The floor is insulated & one side is clear for solar gain. [and it gets *hot* in there]

I might go 'fishing' with him if he had one like your link showed.

Jim

[krw]

On your snowmobile? ;-)