The news just keeps coming out on these “3/4″ snowmobiles from Premier.  Recently American Snowmobiler’s Mark Boncher test rode the sleds and talked with developer Chris Bell.  He had great things to report on the AmSnow blog…

Initial Impressions Of Premier 200 and 300 cc Snowmobiles

Here’s a taste of what Mark had to say, or you can read the full text of the Premier Snowbile Review initial report here.

Initial impressions:

• …”sleds are extremely stable…”
• “…responsive steering on the trails…”
• “…suspensions are extremely capable…” (even with 175 pound adult rider)
• “…all the bells and whistles…current full-sized sleds come with…”
• “The fun factor is high on these sleds!”

Not bad, not bad at all.  That’s just a taste of what was said, and just a list of initial impressions.  I’d expect we’ll be hearing more in the weeks and months to come.

Don’t forget, I’ll be interviewing Chris Bell (President of Premier) myself via email, and there’s still some time to get your questions in.  Comment below or contact me via the SledChix Contact Page, and I’ll be sure to add yours to the list!

I introduced Premier Recreational Products Corporation the other day, in this quick blog post about Premier RCP. I have to say, I’m pretty excited by this company and their concept. The sleds caught my eye first, as the goal is to serve the underserved niche-markets that are not well represented in today’s snowmobile marketplace. In the future, according to Premier’s website, that could mean just about anything sledders want to see, and they’re open to suggestions. For the time being, they’re off to a great start with the introduction of their 2010 line aimed at serving that in-between set of riders of roughly (speculating a bit here) ten to fourteen-ish?

A Company With Family-Vision

This is what I really love about what I’m reading about Premier–this is a company with a vision that is building its foundations on the enjoyment and family-friendliness of the sport. It’s not a company trying to produce the next biggest, loudest, fastest, it’s a company trying to preserve the true integrity of snowmobiling by making sure there are good, safe, ride-worthy options for riders of all ages and levels. Here’s a snippet from their “About” page:

“Premier began with a vision: A remembrance of the snowmobile marketplace of old, a different view of what the marketplace of today should be. As the parent of three riders that were quickly outgrowing their 120 cc snowmobliles, this became a personal quest to reintroduce updated models to fill these current family segment market holes.

So, almost three years ago the idea to form a new snowmobile company began. We would be determined to build great products and to concentrate our efforts to build products to fill in the market gaps. We would re-introduce some highly successful, but long forgotten model segments. We would also introduce some new model segments along the way. What we would not do is follow in anyone else’s footsteps or build more of the product classes already well represented.”

An Important Snowmobile Market To Serve

In my own humble opinion (and you know I’m right ), this matters a lot. I think that introducing kids to the sport of snowmobiling gives them a healthy and positive outlet, and giving them the right machines that they can handle is essential. Kids seem to be naturally great riders, and with the right skills, attention, guidance, and equipment, they can all grow up to be the next generation of conscientious riders, out there enjoying the sport for all that it’s worth and probably all the better than us for having it!

What Would You Ask Chris Bell, President Of Premier RCP?

I’m excited about what Chris Bell and the crew are doing at RCP, and can’t wait to hear more about it. As luck would have it, Chris saw my post the other day and has been in contact with me, and agreed to do an interview with me via email. I’ve got a growing list of questions, but let’s make the most of this opportunity!

Comment below or Contact me and tell me…

What Do You Want To Know from Chris Bell and Premier Recreational Products?

OK, I’m off now to put the finishing touches on our “Enforcer Fund” can.  Donations gladly accepted…you can contact me for that too ;).

I’ve just come across this company, a U.S. start-up, in the recent American Snowmobiler newsletter.  Apparently AmSnow’s been talking about them, but I must be miserably behind on my reading.

Premier Recreational Products Corp Introduces 2010 Sleds For The ‘Tween Crowd

Premier Recreational Products Corp is a family-based Michigan business grown out of one family’s snowmobiling enthusiasm, and apparent real skill at building custom snowmobiles.  Premier set out to stake out their own niche in the snowmobile marketplace by serving a very underserved crowd–the ‘tween set of riders too big for the 120’s and yet too small for the next larger options.  I am learning all too quickly how soon this becomes a problem, as our almost 10 year old is already eating knees, and won’t make another year on the 120.  So this is very cool stuff for me, indeed!

Premier’s line-up is starting out with a 200 and 300 Enforcer, that you can see here.  I’ll do a little more digging on the company while you all watch this YouTube video of the Premier 2010 sleds.

Don’t miss out on more news on Premier RCP–SUBSCRIBE to the SledChix snowmobile blog now! It’s easy and ensures you never miss a post!

It’s a great time to buy for a snowmobiler!  From last years’ leftover sleds to the new sleds (Polaris Rush tempting anyone?) and preorders, and then of course to the season-end apparel close-outs, this might just be the best time to buy ahead for the next year!

Lots of dealers and online sellers are advertising huge deals on snowmobile parts, snowmobile accessories, and snowmobile clothing and apparel.  Dennis Kirk has an online snowmobile outlet store, and they’re advertising up to 90% off on some items.  It doesn’t get any better than that!  By the way, a lot of these guys have opened up shop on Ebay, so there’s an option for some year-round snowmobile bargain hunting.  Dennis Kirk has one, you can see their eBay store here.

One of the reasons I like to buy now as opposed to in October when all the fresh new snowmobile catalogs come out–besides the great prices–is that by now I’ve figured out what I’ll be needing next year, and I can take the time to get ready for the next slow to fly, without be caught-out because I’d forgotten something I needed (must remember I need new skags!!!).  So all go out with your lists in hand, have some fun, spend some money, stimulate the economy a little in your favorite way, and come back here to let us know where the great deals are!!

These are fun, and simple (although they probably will not be all about snowmobiling, but likely from sled season, as that’s the only time I seem to have a camera out!).

It’s easy to play, here’s how it goes:

1. I post a picture, and kick it off with a caption, unless I decide to let you guys take the lead.

2. You comment below, coming up with your own unique caption for the photo.

That’s it. But what would make this even more fun would be if you guys all sent me some pics to play along with, too (sledderchick@gmail.com)! Let’s give it a shot!

Caption This Snowmobile Picture

My Caption: Ride like a Man Your Mother!!

What’s yours?

This might possibly be what my kids were doing whilst I was away riding–found these in with the downloaded snowmobile pictures!! (Click on any picture to see it larger).

And The Crowd Goes Wild

Don’t forget to download your 2009 snowmobile pictures and send them along, too!  Contact me through the SeldChix blog Contact Page.

And in case you missed it, here’s a link to the the 2009 Snowmobile Season Photo Album Part I

I promised random postings of pictures from the trail and 2009 snowmobile season, so here goes!

2009 Snowmobiling Pictures

Mary Ward, Shari Hanson, Lori Crevier, Sarah Woodis

Getting Ready to Ride

Helmet Head

Snowmobiling in the Royalston, Masachusetts area - Gus & Shari Hanson, Craig Hosley, Bill Ward

Gus & Shari, still happy after all these years (Now that they have snowmobiles again, that is!)

Craig, patiently awaiting Bill to decide the course

Snowmobile trail in Winchendon, MA, Lake Dennison/Otter River area

Share Your Pics From The Season

Don’t be stingy, share the fun!  Let us see some pics from your favorite rides this year and make it a real community photo album.  You’ll find contact info on the SeldChix Blog Contact page, send them there!

Kristy Martin was kind enough to update us on the Carve for the Curves Event that was held last weekend.  The event enjoyed great support from several companies and countless individuals.  Looks like all had an excellent ride for an even more excellent cause!

First Annual Carve for the Curves

Here’s an update from Kristy:

Well the benefit first annual Carve for the Curves went off without a hitch!!! It was a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen, for the Cure, Aspen, to help fight breast cancer. It was held on Saturday March 7, 2009. Over 45 people showed up and we had a great lunch buffet, the door prizes were a hit. I had some great donations from Scott USA, Klim, HMK, Alpine Bank, R & A Electric, and many other local businesses, which ranged from baseball caps, coats, gift certificates to 4 seats at a Colorado Rockies game, and 4 seats to a Colorado Avalanch game. I have raised so far over $1,400.00 to be donated, and of course checks are still showing up. I want to thank all of you who donated, participated and that wished me well!!

Still Time to Donate

Kristy says there is still time to donate to this event.  You can either contact Kristy Martin through her website or donate directly via PayPal to kristy@kristy-martin.com.  Donations will be accepted until Friday, March 20.  THis donation is tax deductible as well.  Contact Kristy at the above address or through her Backcountry Riding Website and she will be happy to provide you with a recipt for use on your 2009 taxes.

Snowmobile Pictures from Carve for the Curves, 2009

Kristy Martin, 2009 Carve for the Curves

]]> http://skinnymoose.com/sledchix/?feed=rss2&p=356 http://skinnymoose.com/sledchix/?p=345 http://skinnymoose.com/sledchix/?p=345#comments Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:09:49 +0000 Mary Ward http://skinnymoose.com/sledchix/?p=345

It appears that the 2008-2009 snowmobile season is over for us, unless we go for the true swan song and jet off to Maine for one last ride this weekend.  I’m fighting back the urge, but since our sleds are already there, amidst snow that’s still measuring in the feet and random small snow storms (it’s snowing there as we speak!), the urge is winning.  It would be pretty easy to grab a change of clothes, the gear I haven’t yet unpacked from February’s vacation, and head up for that one “final theatrical or dramatic appearance” (thank you wikipedia, for clearing up the origins and meaning of the phrase).  By the way, if anyone is up in Maine, do be so kind as to give me an update on the riding in the Lincoln Lakes area?  Very recent detailed online resources are scarce for that area.

So alas, here I am feeling worse than a kid the day after Christmas (at least at Christmas there are new toys to play with!).  All I’m left with is wishful thinking, teasing intros for new snowmobile lines for 2010, and the realization that I may have to actually buckle down and get back to work!  It might help if our piddling excuse for Massachusetts snow would just melt and get on with Spring already (did I just day that!?), or if Maine’s would so I would know there just was no option but to muddle through the next warm months (sorry, you know how close misery and company are…).

I suppose I shouldn’t complain too much.  We had a banner year, and did more riding than ever.  I think we clocked in our February snowmobile vacation alone more miles than we normally do in a regular sled season, and that’s not counting the couple hours we managed in Maine in January and all the riding we did here at home in Massachusetts–which was a lot, especially for us with 4 kids that need sitting and especially for Massachusetts; it’s not often we get this much consistent snow.

So I’m trying to suck it up and move on with life, and considering a few sled-related projects for the upcoming spring and summer.  In the meantime, I’ll wax poetic and reflect fondly on our season, and start posting some pics from the past riding season.  If random pics show up here as posts with little or no explanation, that’s what they’ll be.  No time to start like the present…but before I go, I do hope you are still getting in some fabulous spring rides, and enjoying a dramatic song or two of your own…so please feel free to comment and tell me all about it!  I’ll be green with envy, but enjoying the vicarious life (comments always open below).

Bob's steaming head cracks me up every time. But maybe you need to know Bob to appreciate it....

I'm too mature to caption this something queer like "BFF"!

Look! My own vintage sled pic! But not mine, it's Stanley's Vintage Sled

Firstwind Wind Farm, Prentiss, Maine

Scenic lookout over Lincoln, Maine Lakes Region

My Lonely Sled :(...Miss her already....*tear*

Just a quick update to let you all know that even if you can’t make Kristy Martin’s March 7 Carve for the Curves Ride, you can still donate and support the event and breast cancer research.  Kristy does have a PayPal address for donations.  You can contact her for more details at

kristy(at)kristy-martin.com

Or, just go to her website and contact her via the contact page.

And just to tease you a little more, for those of you one fence, here are some of the great door prizes you can win for attending!

Door Prize Donations

(Kristy says she’s still working on these–these are just the tip!)

Klim-Pullover
Scott USA-Hats, MX Back Packs, Coozies, Water Bottles
HMK-Hats, stickers
ShadowShot-Gift Certificate
Molly Mogavero (massage)-Gift Certificate
Kaci DiMarco-$25.00 towards any hair service
Rifle Preformance(Ski-doo)-$50.00 Gift Certificate
Hi Point Motorsports(Yamaha-honda)-$100.00 Gift Certificate
Mountan Powersports(Polaris)-$50.00 Gift Certificate
MG Sports(AC)-Very nice pair of sunglasses
Colorado Sled Style-Hoodies/Hats/Stickers