This has been a bizarre snowmobile season right here in Utah. The climate has fluctuated from spring-like temperatures to dumping toes of snow on what seems like a weekly foundation. As I write this, it’s going to be round 50 levels in the present day. However tomorrow, nicely, the present forecast says 2-feet of recent powder. And it is gone by way of this cycle about each two weeks.
Suffice it to say, snowmobiling has occurred, but it surely’s been sporadic to say the least.
And it has been equally bizarre climate for a lot of the remainder of the nation, because the East Coast noticed a greater winter general, however intervals of heat, too and the West and North noticed what I have been encountering in Utah. There’s good snowpack, however these heat interval have sucked a variety of the enjoyable out of sledding this yr. Which is why I am wanting towards subsequent season’s rides, particularly since Polaris simply dropped its 2026 snowmobile lineup.
Looks like the corporate has one thing for almost everybody. Here is hoping subsequent yr’s snow hits.
Photograph by: Polaris
Photograph by: Polaris
Photograph by: Polaris
Photograph by: Polaris
Nearly each snowmobile in Polaris’ lineup has been touched, whether or not that is an all-new mannequin or only a handful of updates. The largest announcement of the lineup is the all-new Voyager Sport Utility collection.
In line with Polaris, “This all-new lineup is the last word alternative for winter journey whether or not riders are breaking path, hauling gear, or hitting the paths with a passenger.” And that is all simple to see from the specs. Powered by the model’s 650 Patriot engine, and coming with a 15-inch monitor, together with two lengths—146 and a 155—the brand new Voyager is designed to get of us and their compatriots out into the sphere, whether or not that is for backcountry path rides, utilizing them to cross nation, or doing work round your compound.
Perhaps even utilizing it to hunt muskox within the Arctic? However for me, and my love for high-revving, batshit snowmobiles that I can do foolish issues on, Polaris’ RMKs and Switchback Assaults are the jam I am spreading over my toast.
For 2026, little is modified on the Professional RMK and RMK Khaos, as the 2 went by way of extra thorough adjustments lately. What Polaris did do, nevertheless, was add a Particular Version mannequin for each, and embody a set of alternative equipment picked out by X-Video games Gold Medalist, and all-around backcountry psychopath, Chris Burandt. These equipment embody Burandt’s entrance and rear bumpers, his personal handlebar bag, and two paint choices; Dream Orange Pearl or Matte Metal Blue with chrome decals.
Photograph by: Polaris
Photograph by: Polaris
Photograph by: Polaris
As for the Switchback Assault fashions, Polaris calls this collection a Crossover. Fortunately, the corporate doesn’t suggest a Honda HRV or Toyota RAV4. New for the fashions is a special entrance suspension and monitor setup. Referred to as the Escape Entrance Suspension package deal, the setup permits for 39-41-inch monitor widths that give the Assault Switchback “a narrower entrance suspension and a number of other RMK elements to present [customers] the last word off -trail expertise” with out sacrificing path usability. Polaris’ authentic Race Entrance Suspension stays unchanged, and each function the model’s Walker Evans’ shocks.
Lastly, Polaris performed with the suspension settings of the Indy XCR sleds, bumping up the stiffness by 20%, and dropping the Lengthy-Tail setup onto the collection to raised throttle management and cut back bottoming out.
Pricing will depend upon the match and end of the sled, however Polaris has snowmobiles that’ll match most anybody’s finances. And for many who cannot wait, or those that nonetheless have a ton of snow to play with and wish to burn by way of their tax cash, Polaris has some killer rebates on this yr’s fashions. We’re speaking up to some grand off on sure fashions.
So who’s prepared for subsequent season?
