Snowmobiles!

[SuziQ]

I am so glad you did, because all of these nice pics have me thinking about it again. My father and I were talking just yesterday about taking a trip together, Ireland and a few other places were discussed, nothing decided, but I just saw this link while searching. I would love to try to luck up and see the northern lights for the first time while on a snowmobile for the first time as well. Although wonderful, this does not sound like a first time kind of trip though. Does anyone know of a good place to have a chance to see the lights, for two people who have no clue what they are doing on a snowmobile?

Edit: a place that will take us on snowmobile tours of course.

http://hurtigruten.co.uk/norway/excursions/Northbound-2011/SNOWMOBILE-TRIP-IN-LAPLAND/

 

[D-Roc]

A bunch of the Gta guys ripped my sled this past weekend. All our snow melted since. I am sure we will get more.

Sent from my iPhone

 

[snowxr]

We've seen the northern lights while riding our snowmobiles in northern Michigan a lot over the years. Rental machines are usually around $200 a day, with clearly marked trails as far as you'd like to ride. I have a GPS with the maps downloaded, which makes navigation very easy. MI's U.P. is a great place to ride. The northern lights are not constant, though. No matter where you go, you may not be lucky enough to catch them.

 

[SuziQ]

We've seen the northern lights while riding our snowmobiles in northern Michigan a lot over the years. Rental machines are usually around $200 a day, with clearly marked trails as far as you'd like to ride. I have a GPS with the maps downloaded, which makes navigation very easy. MI's U.P. is a great place to ride. The northern lights are not constant, though. No matter where you go, you may not be lucky enough to catch them.

I am surprised, Special K. Do you have any photos/vid?

May be wise to try it somewhere in the states, prior, but look what I found the other day!

http://www.creativevacations.no/W_programme.html


I think we would have a better chance of seeing them there, and particularly this year.
I am wondering if they could take us on snowmobiles, because that would be awesome!

 

[Jp79]

Bought a ZRT800 to replace my bomber and haven't been able to try it out.

PROBLEM IS, IT NEED'S TO SNOW!!!!!!
We have been ready to ride for over a month and can't. Even NY trails aren't open.

 

[Scorn800]

Bought a ZRT800 to replace my bomber and haven't been able to try it out.

PROBLEM IS, IT NEED'S TO SNOW!!!!!!
We have been ready to ride for over a month and can't. Even NY trails aren't open.

Trails in NY are open but not good. I was up in Old Forge, NY yesterday and my boy hit a ice mount on his new Arctic Cat T1100 turbo and bent the driveshaft. Only did 60 miles. They need more snow.

 

[SuziQ]

We've seen the northern lights while riding our snowmobiles in northern Michigan a lot over the years. Rental machines are usually around $200 a day, with clearly marked trails as far as you'd like to ride. I have a GPS with the maps downloaded, which makes navigation very easy. MI's U.P. is a great place to ride. The northern lights are not constant, though. No matter where you go, you may not be lucky enough to catch them.

I gave it more thought, Special K, obviously a lot:

If I had even a chance of being within the middle of a magnetic disturbance, I would not want to trust a valuable gps. Could I not periodically tie red markers on some trees as we go and try to take some landmark pics as well, printing them on the spot, if I can? Even if we had a local guide, I would still be leery about trusting he/she/them. I do NOT want to get lost in some endless sea of blinding cold snow; the thought reminds me of Jack London’s short story, “To Build a Fire”! I am now thinking we should go for warmer climate, and potentially set this venture up for March of next year.

 

[snowxr]

Huh?? We have a nice trail system with signs and maps. They are partolled by police and DNR. Heck, most trails get groomed so that they are relatively smooth. You wouldn't be wandering through the wilderness like Louis and Clark.

 

[SuziQ]

I think a practice run in MI would be wise, in order to become familiar with the basics of snowmobiling, prior to venturing off to some extreme locale with extreme climate.

My thoughts were relative to Tromso, not Michigan, when I made the last post. Since the magnetic disturbances are comparatively frequent there, I would not want what is described within the attached link to happen while I am on an unfamiliar machine, with people unknown to me as guides, combined with extreme weather, as well as likely difficult terrain!

http://www.spaceweather.ca/tech/se-gps-eng.php

That is a trip I wish to put much research/planning into, because the timing for the lights will be of utmost importance, plus we will be visiting many countries. So, March of next year sounds better (even though I wish to go this year); it will give me more time to learn about night photography to make it worth it (I would cry if I messed up the photos). It might be better to try to catch the lights from a cruise ship (even though cruises bore me), and just go snowmobiling in a more pleasant climate with easy terrain. All I know, is that if we decide to hunt for the lights within the Arctic Circle while on some fun snowmobile excursion, I am somehow lugging snow skis along as well, just in case (and some biodegradable red spray, etc.), because I refuse to trust a gps within that environment (or the snowmobiles).

Do you have any pics/vids from the area you ride up in MI?

 

[SuziQ]

Somewhere near the end (15mins long) shows a snowmobile excursion; it looks pretty tame. http://www.visitnorway.com/en/What-...se-in-Norway/Go-on-a-cruise-with-Hurtigruten/


And this video was nice! I do wish to see this while riding a snowmobile (or from a sleigh with reindeer), I just think it would be more fun with a snowmobile.

http://www.visitnorway.com/en/What-...-be-northern-lights/?media=video&autorun=true

 

[Jp79]

Got a short ride in on Saturday and Sunday , then the rain came this week and it's all gone.

 

[suva]

Got a short ride in on Saturday and Sunday , then the rain came this week and it's all gone.

Bummer...
It's been really good here.

 

[Scorn800]

We finally got about 8inchs in NJ last weekend and it was 1st time riding my 88 Yamaha sno scoot . That little sled is soooo much fun.

 

[D-Roc]

As I leave for sunny Dominican this week, we finally get some snow. Is this still Canada?

 

[D-Roc]

Jealous of your sno scoot. I gotta find one before my uh kids get too big?

 

[Scorn800]

Jealous of your sno scoot. I gotta find one before my uh kids get too big?

You really should. I'm pissed my parents didn't buy me 1 back in the day. I can't believe how much this little sled is. It's the perfect size to ride around my house. I was hitting the jumps on my pitbike track with it and just ripping it up. Must have put 4-5hrs on last weekend. I had my daughter on it for about 15mins but she says it to fast for her now. I had her on the 120 mini Skidoo, than I tied a sled to behind the 120 and was pulling her around the house. We stopped to talk with my wife when I took back off Kate fell off the back of sled. She cried at 1st than got right back on. Pretty hardcore for 3.

 

[D-Roc]

Ah man is that your shack in the background? I miss my skishack. If I could get rid of my banshee I would pickup a scoot for sure. The only one I seen locally this year was like 2200 bucks. These are not getting cheaper.

 

[feartheride]

Better then any sled I ever had ,

 

[D-Roc]

Hey Paul do you still have the sno hawk? I would love to try one someday.......

 

[Scorn800]

Droc that is my garage. The roof started to leak after the huricane so I put a tarp over it till spring when the whole grage is getting redone.
Now that I've ridden the scoot really makes me want to find a sno sport. The 125 is got to awesome.
Paul that snow hawk is sick, I've always want to rip 1 of thoses in powder. Got to be alot of fun.