Hi all, this is my first post in the forum, glad to be here.

I live in far Northern California (Mt. Shasta) and my boss has really been trying to get it my in to sledding. I'm all for it of course I've just never been able to afford that type of thing. Now that I'm making decent money I'm thinking about taking the leap and buying my first sled.

I am and avid snowboarder and love steep back country runs, which we have a ton around here. I want a nice sled that will be able to get me around the terrain here. The Land scape here is endless 6-8000 foot mountains to the west and the giant volcano Mt. Shasta (14,179ft) to the east. I can't do much snowmobiling on Mt. Shasta itself, because it's a wilderness area (Don't want to damage the delicate and fragile massive volcano that's going to erupt relatively soon anyway) but on the other side there are hundreds of miles of groomed trails with tons of smaller volcanic features. But I probably won't make it out there too often.

I will probably mostly stay to the west which is all high mountain back country with lots of deep snow (pretty wet but there's a fair share of light pow too). I'll mostly be using the sled to mess around on fairly steep slopes some with trees, access drop ins for snowboarding, and maybe a few small drops or chutes here and there.

I'm an avid dirt biker, I don't know if that will apply or not but I figure it couldn't hurt. I tend to prefer lighter, better handling bikes so I figure I'll feel the same way about snowmobiles I've attached pics of some of our surrounding area (tiny portion) just so you can get an idea of what I'm working with. Based on this criteria, what kind of sled would you guys recommend? Thanks in advance!

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2209/img3135vd0.jpg

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/3994/IMG_3114.jpg

(be sure to click the thumbnail)
http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/2503/wa.th.jpg (http://img465.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wa.jpg)

another pic:
http://cain.ice.ucdavis.edu/repository/SerpWebPic/Dom05-10a.jpg

Wow! If i could have any sled on that terrain i'd get the 08 or 09 ski doo rev. 800cc 159-163" track, light weight lots of power and deep lugs to toss snow. But if you like the better handling just go for a short track evan though i would not recomend it in those conditions. That sled would get you everywhere and have pwople wondering how you did it. Pretty pricey but i believe you can get and 08 for under $10,000 mabey $8000. Let me know what you think.

Thanks for the input eazyduzit. I probably can't afford an 08 or 09 right now. We'll see though. A friend of mine has a 2002 Polaris 800 RMK for sale for 2000 dollars, is that a good sled and deal?

Thanks for the input eazyduzit. I probably can't afford an 08 or 09 right now. We'll see though. A friend of mine has a 2002 Polaris 800 RMK for sale for 2000 dollars, is that a good sled and deal?

I think that '02 Polaris would be a decent place to start. That price seems pretty fair, at least from what I know. I don't really know much about the mountain riding, but an 800 RMK should give you enough muscle to climb the steep stuff. As mentioned, a longer track will trade off a little handling for the ability to float in the deep snow better, which would be practically a necessity if you're riding terrain like in the picture.

Some of the big-time mountain riders sink a small fortune into their machines with aftermarket mods, etc. For big hill climbing, they will run long tracks, and I think that those RMK came with 144 or 151 inch tracks with 2 inch paddles, which would suit you nicely, IMO. There's longer out there, but I think one could grow into something bigger if you found the need.

Good Luck!

Hi I have sledded at mount shasta for the last few years. You will want at least a 144' track or longer the 2002 800 rmk is a good machine espessially for 2000. Its enough to get you hooked until you can get a newer sled. We ride Polaris's and love them because they are dependable and easy to handle. I have a 2007 rmk 144' and my husband rides a 2008 800 dragon. the folks at the fun factory sled rentals there at mount shasta ride polaris's. the terrain there is awesome we always try to get up there once a year. I am from the tahoe area. Good luck and happy sleddin

Those yamaha mountain max 700 triples grip n rip in the back country, you can get a deal on one of those for under 3000.

You can choose your suitable sled at powersports360 (http://www.powersports360.com/Accessories-Apparel/Snowmobile-Mini-Sled-Parts)

That polaris sounds like a good deal and a great starter sled, but if you can find a ski doo rev, 2004-2007 models, you would like them alot more. They feel more like an ATV then a snowmobile. Stay away from the gas hogs (Arctic Cat & Yamaha) and you will be hooked for life.

Wow get the RMK that's a great deal for 2,000. Around us people would be selling them for 3k plus depending on the condition. It would have enough power to get you around those big slopes. Sounds like a good deal, if I were in your spot that's what I would buy.
-Matt-