Getting out on the snowmobile in October or November is something we all dream about. Ski-Doo Brand Ambassador Jeremy Mercier is usually lucky enough to call that dream a reality most season. Living at high elevation in the mountains of Colorado means the snow comes early – really early! But those early season rides don’t happen by accident! Here are his tips to catch that early POW.

Early season riding has always been a favorite of mine. There’s nothing like getting out for the first time and enjoying those views of snowcapped mountains. I often get asked where I go, but the goods are in short supply, so that secret stays with me! There is a lot of time and effort invested in finding these areas with good snow and safe riding. Here are a few tips to help you find your own early season powder turns:

1. The work to ride early in the fall really starts in the summer months. Whether you hike, mountain bike or dirt bike, these are really good tools for exploring the mountains. I use my dirt bike to scout areas that are rock and stump free. Snap a few photo’s so I don’t forget when it’s covered in snow. I spend quite a few summer evenings and weekends on these recon missions.

2. Pick several locations, not just one. Early storms don’t deliver equal amounts of snow to all areas. Look at zones that receive a lot of snow, typically near a ski resort is a good starting point. I like to find logging roads that lead to the alpine and I can drive my truck up. That way if the snow level is high, I can keep driving until there is enough snow to ride. In Colorado the law is there needs to be at least 12 inches on the road to ride it, so keep it legal!

3. Once the flakes start to fly I use the internet like no other. I use the NRCS SNOTEL map to see how much snow has fallen in the zones I’ve been studying. Not only does it tell you how much is on the ground, it also tells you what the temps have been. I also use the CDOT’s (Colorado Department of Transportation) website. They have webcams on all of the mountain passes.

4. When there is enough snow to legally ride, I go through that first ride excitement and can hardly contain myself. I usually forget at least a few things. So, it’s good to pack up all your gear the night before. That way when you wake up at 4 a.m. from snow anxiety you can just hit the road. Make sure you have all the survival gear as if it was mid-winter like fresh batteries for your beacon, extra food/water, etc. Sounds simple, but I forgot my boots a few years ago. Making pow turns in Vans is no fun.

5. Once on the snow take a moment to look at photo’s you took over the summer and confirm that meadow doesn’t have a massive rock in the middle or that it is stump free. Nothing worse than making that first turn and ripping a ski off! And always keep in mind if there is enough snow to ride, there is enough to slide. Avalanches early season are pretty common and slide right to the ground resulting in a very bad day if you were to get caught.

And lastly… have fun and be sure to post or text your buddy a photo of riding before them! Just don’t tell them where you were ;)

-Jeremy Mercier

14. studenog 2019. godine

Vožnja tijekom listopada i studenog nešto je o čemu svi sanjamo. Ski-Doo Ambasador Jeremy Mercier svake sezone ostvaruje taj san. Život na visokoj nadmorskoj visini u planinama Colorada znači da snijeg dolazi rano - stvarno rano! Ali te vožnje tijekom predsezone nisu slučajne! Evo savjeta kako napraviti onu savršenu snimku.

Vožnja tijekom rane sezone uvijek je bila moja najomiljenija vožnja. Ne postoji ništa poput prve vožnje i uživanja u pogledu na planine prekrivene snijegom. Često me pitaju kuda idem ali mislim da je dobro tajne sačuvati za sebe. Mnogo je vremena i truda uloženo u traženje ovih područja s dobrim snijegom i sigurnom vožnjom. Evo nekoliko savjeta koji će vam pomoći da pronađete svoju savršenu stazu.

1. Jesenska vožnja doista počinje u ljetnim mjesecima. Bilo da pješačite, vozite brdski bicikl ili dirt bike, ovo su stvarno dobri alati za istraživanje planina. Svoj brdski bicikl vozim za istraživanje područja bez panjeva i kamenja na stazama. Napravite nekoliko fotografija tako da ne zaboravite kako izgledaju, kada su prekrivene snijegom. Provodim veliku količinu ljetnih večeri i vikende na tim izviđačkim misijama.

2. Odaberite nekoliko lokacija, a ne samo jednu. Rane oluje ne donose jednake količine snijega na sva područja. Pogledajte područja s puno snijega, u blizini skijališta obično je dobra polazna točka. Svojim kamionom volim se voziti po običnim putovima koji vode do šume. Na taj način, ako je razina snijega visoka, mogu nastaviti voziti dok ne bude dovoljno snijega za vožnju sanjki. U Coloradu za vožnju sanjki i po zakonu mora biti 12 in. snijega za vožnju motornih sanjki!

3. Nakon prvog snijega sve informacije tražim na internetu. Koristim NRCS SNOTEL kartu za informacije o količini snijega u područjima u kojima se vozim. Ne samo da vam govori koliko snijega je na tlu, već vam daje informacije i o temperaturama. Također, koristim i CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) internetsku stranicu. Na svim planinskim prijevojima imaju web kamere.

4. Ako ima dovoljno snijega za legalnu vožnju, uživam u prvom susretu sa snijegom i ne mogu se suzdržati. Obično zaboravim nekoliko stvari. Stoga, dobro je upakirati svu opremu noć prije. Tako odmah nakon buđenja, već u 4 ujutro možete krenuti na put. Pobrinite se da posjedujete svu opremu za preživljavanje poput svježih baterija za vaš signalizator, dodatnu hranu/vodu, itd. Zvuči jednostavno, ali prije nekoliko godina zaboravio sam svoje čizme. Okreti na snijegu sigurno nisu zabavni u „vansicama“.

5. Ako ste na snijegu, odvojite trenutak da pogledate fotografije koje ste snimili tijekom ljeta i potvrdite da u dolini nema masivnih stijena i panjeva. Nema goreg nego kad potrgate skiju nakon prvog zavoja! I uvijek imajte na umu da ima dovoljno snijega za vožnju i dovoljno snijega za klizanje. Lavine u ranoj sezoni prilično su česte i brze, što može rezultirati nezgodama i ozljedama.

I na kraju… zabavite se i svakako objavite ili pošaljite svom prijatelju fotografiju prije same vožnje! Samo im nemojte reći gdje se nalazite ;)