The easy question to answer is from Feb 15-Apr 1 is when you should order a brand new sled. The best deep snow sled would be either the Expedition or Skandic. But if I read your question right, you still want to have a good time on groomed trails? In that case, those two are only offered in a minimum track length of 154" which will feel like driving a Mack truck on groomed trails. In fact, the cheapest option, the Tundra Sport is the only 146" track. The 600 ACE or 600EFI will be a slight improvement in power over your 550f. If you feel a 146" is enough track and you want to spent a significant amount of time going a little faster, the Backcountry series offers more engine choices, different/better front suspension and the same C-Motion rear suspension as the Tundra Sport.

 

Many people use the 900t expedition for trail riding, it does a good job and is good offtrail.

 

Thanks , i'll look it up in my closest BRP store

 

I have an Expedition Sport 900NA and a xrs 900r. I don't mind driving the Expedition one bit on the trails. Its not a rocket but for a 16" x 154" x 1.5" track the Expedition does surprisingly well both on and off the trail.

 

If you are usually by yourself breaking trail in the woods stay away from the four strokes! A 900 wide track will make you wish you brought a fit and strong friend when you get it stuck! ...and you will.

Which two stroke and which model to pick would have to be decided by the amount of trail riding and at what speed you want to go. The narrow "Thermos front suspension" is great for maneuvering in the woods but not as brilliant on trail.

 

Disagree. 600/900ACE Skandic WT and SWT's are the best there is in the deep. 600R is there with them.

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The ability of the sled comes down to the rider . My self i am not the best ( old and warn out ) but have been in over my waist deep in very loose snow . The expo 900 does really well , have to do 16 point turns some times but it works. Put it in sport mode and it is fun on the trails .I could go places with my G4 154 summit 850 , but that is not breaking trail .

 

Expedition. Good for work and play.

 

Simnil, you lost all credibility claiming that you can ride an RX 1 in waist deep snow....

Well, maybe you could for a few meters and then the recovery process begins.

No one will ever ride with you again if they have to help you with that chore.

As to the original question, Skidoo provides many options and don't forget the Tundra models. Just have to establish your priorities.

If you are by yourself and may have to dig out while exploring, a 2 stroke for lightness may be the way to go.

Lots of options, hopefully you can spring order at a decent price.

 

Simnil, you lost all credibility claiming that you can ride an RX 1 in waist deep snow....


If you are by yourself and may have to dig out while exploring, a 2 stroke for lightness may be the way to go.

Lots of options, hopefully you can spring order at a decent price.

I have a big heavy 2010 Skandic SWT 800 and I got stucked by myself a few times. I never had to lift or pull to get out.

Ever heard of the " Attach in the track " trick ?? With the benefit of the low gear, it works pretty good.

 

I went for a Expy sport 900ACE and updated my shocks, this gives me great trail handling and the capability of trail to haul wood.
I leave the track in the unlocked position for trail riding, the track on the ground is about the same as a Renegade 137 and if needed lock it and get the full 154 traction, but don't expect to have the same handling as a Renegade the SC5U is not made to transfer the weight like the Rmotion is.

I never got stuck, but when going of trail for wood, I carry a hand winch just in case.

Best time to buy once you made your decision is today, it seems dealers started taking down pre-pre-orders without even having official price lists yet, the 2023 lineup released is Feb 14th.

EDIT.
If doing more of trail that on trail a 600EFI would be lighter at 228kg (502lb)
I went for the ACE engine for reliability but it is 252kg( 552lb)

 

I hope you are not cutting trees and making trails on your own property and not someone elses.

 

Its a Seigneurie , which mean I can cut dead trees that are already downed , It keep the woods ''clean''

 

You are going to find lots of different opinions here.
I think some of it will depend on how deep the snow is, how tight the woods are, and how aggressive you ride off vs on trail. The Tundra’s narrow pogo front end makes it easier to get around in tight areas. However, the narrow front end makes it a little tippy which makes it less desirable on the trail. I’m not too familiar with the Skandic, but I believe it has the pogo front end but a little wider. Perhaps a little less maneuverable in tight areas, but a little less tippy. The Expy sport has A-arms which makes it more trail friendly but I’ve read some feel the A-arms are a little vulnerable in the brush. I’ve been running an 06 Tundra with A-Arms. I’ve impacted a few trees with them and have never bent an A-arm though I’ve twisted the front frame a tad….


Personally, I do a lot of back woods riding solo. One of the reasons I haven’t bought a new sled is they keep getting heavier. Even the new Tundra is heavy in my opinion, much less the other sleds mentioned.

Steve

 

Simnil is from Sweden so the snow conditions may be very different. I've been in some reeeeeelly super deep, super light powder, in a deep forest where the sun and wind never reached it to pack it down, out in the Rockies on a 600 ACE and it was a no-go! So I would not discount his experience.

But, by the same token, Simnil's deep woods experience may not fit the snow conditions where the OP is riding.

 

 

Any of the 3 you mentioned can do the job, might just depend of personal preference and how much your load weighs. If you have any amount of groomed trail riding to do the Expedition WT would be my choice. 900 ACE would be great, or add the turbo if its your fancy.

 

if you do not have much to haul, don't bother with a 20" machine. between the Tundra LT and Expy sport, if you really value groomed trail riding, you'll definitely want the expy, however the tundra is dramatically better at working its way thru tight woods. you'll have to decide what youre most willing to compromise on.

there is also the Tundra sport with the 146" cmotion skid, but id never buy a utility sled without an articulating rear skid.

 

What did you end up choosing? Are you fully committed to a sled for utility purposes (Tundra/Skandic) or are you leaning more toward an A-Arm equipped Sport/Utility sled like the Expedition WT/SWT/Sport? They have their pros and cons.

With today's uncertain supply chain and delays, if you really want either of these, Spring Order is the way to go.

 

i will go with the expedition swt thanks for your reply

 

I think simnil has a certain snow condition i mind when he praises the two strokes over the four strokes, and that's driving in 1 meter of dry, cold waist deep powder. That's what he means driving off trail is, and almost only that. I can imagine that off trail in Labrador means a lot of harder packed tundra-like snow conditions, and in those scenarios a 600 or 900 ace would be golden.

 

I agree. I suspected that the snow in Sweden is different. I suspect that Labrador snow is going to be a lot more wet snow from coming off of the ocean that surrounds it.

Western Rockies snow can be deep powder if you are back in some deep woods in a ravine or canyon, where the wind and sun never reaches it to pack it down. I have been in a batch that was 3-4' deep of soft, fluffy powder!

It all just goes to show that there are a lot of varying conditions that can effect such a decision. Since the OP is from Canada (I don't know which part... Quebec?), it is more likely he will have snow like those using the Expeditions. Makes me want to get one!

Hey Json... when is the big Swedish FIA rally?

 

I would consider the Backcountry sport. It has a 85 HP 600 EFI engine and is available with a 146" X 2" powdermax track. If you're looking for a lightweight trail breaker, That's the ticket.

 

i will take a look for sure

 

I do much of what you do as well.
I have a 05 550F Skandic SWT and it by far the best bush bashing sled I've ever ridden. Beat them like a red headed step child before I bought this one as Army surplus with a blown motor.
I have ridden my sled, 600 etec Skandic SWT's, Expedition SWT's, Viking Pro's, Bearcats, Tundra's. Tens of thousands of miles with the military as the Arctic response company group. Each had their own pro's and con's.
The combination of the ease of repair, least weight, fanner so it'll just run happily as you work away, and the upward facing rear suspension for ease of backing up makes it my first choice.
I do wish it had more power in some situations, but that comes with a cost I'm not willing to take.
I put 220 screw in studs on the track and it makes it virtually unstuckable, if that's a word.
It is however not at all a trail friendly daily driver. It's like riding a lawn tractor at any type of speed, that makes you bow legged due to the tunnel width.

 

Wet snow in Labrador? No. That's Newfoundland, not central and Northern Labrador. I am talking about dry and deep powder and the 600 and 900ACE Skandics excel in these conditions, at least as good as the 500F and 550F's of days gone by, with the improvements in clutching and bottom end torque, they're even better.



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Ah, thanks for the good explanation! Yes I was thinking Newfoundland.

 

looks like this conversation is pretty much wrapped up, but regarding the tundra vs skandic question, a couple things not mentioned:
My neighbor has a second throttle lever on his Skandic so he can stand way over on the left side of the machine to try to get more weight on that side, whereas the tundra leans over and bites in. This makes a difference on steep, hard, windblown snow especially. He also carries a rope comealong which is needed to tip his Skandic back over when it rolls, since it’s too heavy to do solo. I’ve spent a lot of time on both machines and prefer the tundra for riding solo because besides being more maneuverable, it’s less of a chore to get unstuck, so you can have more fun getting into trouble (steeps and brush) versus riding more conservatively on the Skandic because you don’t want to get stuck. Obviously for hauling, the tundra doesn’t have the mass or stance to bring heavy loads down steep hills without getting pushed around (like a big load of logs for milling or firewood), just like a Tacoma is pretty good off-road but not so much for hauling a big boat.

 

Seems the Tundra was given the nickname mechanical snow shoe some time ago for very good reason... I had one for a bit it was fantastic in tight woods deep snow conditions constantly being surprised at how slow I was able to go and still not get stuck. Beware most of these suggested models are ridiculously heavy!!!! I have to go now I'm still digging my RX1 out, I got stuck late in 2019!!!