Yamaha encourages riders to arm themselves with proper education

So you’ve attended an avalanche briefing, and you’re up-to-date on the latest avalanche activity…you’re prepared to handle a serious situation, right? Wrong. It would be nice if they didn’t exist, but avalanches are a dangerous reality when it comes to riding snowmobiles in the mountains.

Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you deal with avalanches safely and effectively.
Yamaha understands the hazards involved with mountain riding, that’s why every Nytro MTX sold is available with a free BCA Mountain Kit—the only manufacturer to do so.

“It’s a start, but riders need more than equipment to safely handle an avalanche,” says Yamaha Motor Canada’s Western Regional Sales Manager, Randy Swenson. “Yamaha’s commitment to providing riders with the tools necessary for avalanche safety goes beyond the BCA Kits. We strongly advise riders to attend accredited Avalanche training courses. Anything less is not sufficient.”

Avalanche education was presented at Yamaha’s Western dealer meetings, with 200 dealers signing up for accredited training courses.

From that, many dealers have partnered with programs like HangFire and TriggerPoint to offer courses to customers in their stores.

“Too many people are ‘depending on’ these free awareness seminars which do not include the level of knowledge and training appropriate to dealing with a real life avalanche situation,” adds Swenson. “Don’t be fooled into thinking you are properly prepared.”

Yamaha urges you to pay the $300 and sign up for an AST-1 level course—it is the only way to develop the skills you will require to save lives.

For a complete listing of dates and courses offered, please visit www.trigger-point.ca or www.hangfiretraining.com.

Additional information can be found at www.avalanche.ca and avalanche.org.

To learn more about Yamaha’s BCA Mountain Kit sales program, go to Yamaha-motor.ca.

BRP played host to over 110 racers for the first of two race schools this past weekend in Sturtevant, Wisconsin at their Evinrude production facility.

The racers were kept busy all day with a seminar type format that covered everything from basic setup to athletic training.

There were vendors on hand from traction, performance and parts companies including the BRP Mobile Support truck, Woody’s traction, Goodwin Performance, C&A Pro skis, Stud Boy traction and Action Graphics to help racers prepare for the start of a new season with special race school pricing.

In addition the major race circuits were on hand allowing racers to complete membership and race registration forms in advance of their first events.

The schools are widely known for delivering a wealth of technical information to get racers prepared for the upcoming season.

Each attendee leaves with a complete Racing Handbook that will serve as a constant source of tuning information, setup tips and parts diagrams on all the different MXZx 600 RS systems, in addition to nutrition and fitness handouts to tune themselves up.

The final school will be held this Saturday November 6, 2010 in Cambridge Ontario at the Holiday Inn, 200 Holiday Inn Drive, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

With its new Rotax E-TEC 800R engine and Ski- Doo Summit Freeride model creating a buzz for the 2011 riding season, BRP is launching a blog and Facebook page dedicated solely to mountain riding.

To kick-off the program, BRP will host a mountain sled webcast with Pascal Vincent, product manager of Ski-Doo snowmobiles, on November 18.

Elevation, the new mountain blog, can be found at mountainblog.ski-doo.com, and under the 24/7 tab in ski-doo.com. Elevation will include articles, videos and photos on everything where Ski-Doo snowmobiles and mountain riding intersect: behind the scenes info, mountain riding events, cool new gear and more. It will also be where riders can keep tabs on the Summit Freerider ambassadors and their escapades.

The Ski-Doo Mountain Riding Facebook page will include the latest news and info on BRP’s Ski-Doo mountain products, events, and tidbits from the Summit Freerider ambassadors. Anyone can access the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SkiDooMountain. But Facebook members who “Like” the page will have the latest information delivered right into their News Feeds, and be able to interact with BRP.

Riders will also be able to comment on Elevation blog articles. Both projects come together for a webcast with Ski-Doo Product Manager Pascal Vincent on November 18. Vincent will cover the 2011 Ski-Doo Summit snowmobile lineup, including technical highlights and changes made between the spring introduction and production.

Vincent will also answer consumer questions on the 2011 Summit snowmobiles, submitted on the Ski-Doo Mountain Riding Facebook page before November 17. The webcast will be posted on the Elevation blog on November 18 at 8 p.m. (Pacific time).

More information on Ski-Doo snowmobiles can be found at www.ski-doo.com.

BRP and its Ski-Doo brand have gathered some of the most talented and dynamic mountain snowmobilers to share their rides, opinions and thoughts with all those who enjoy the steep and deep of western North America.

The “Summit Freeriders” include a five time X-Games medalist, one of the most photographed extreme winter sports personalities ever, guys you see in the extreme snowmobiling movies, former racers and adventure seekers who never stop looking for fresh powder to play in.

And when the riding day is done, the “Summit Freeriders” will be talking about their good times via online media, along with their take on the gear they wear, how they customize their sleds to fit their style, even riding tips.

The “Summit Freeriders” have different backgrounds, different riding styles and different ideas about what makes a great day on the snow. It’s that diversity that will appeal to all types of Summit riders.

The “Summit Freeriders” include some well known names: Heath Frisby from Middleton, Idaho, professional freestyle snowmobiler, 5 time XGames Medalist, Freestyle motocrosser. Rob Hoff from Alpine, Wyo., Back Country specialist, appearing in seven films over the past two years.

Carl Kuster from Malakwa, B.C. extreme mountain rider, former snocross racer. Dan Treadway from Pemberton, B.C. pro extreme skier and snowmobiler. And a couple guys you will get to know soon: Calvin Felker from Fort Collins, Colo., extreme mountain rider, former snocross racer.

Calvin was a dominant western Pro snocross racer just a few years ago and now works in his family’s powersports dealership.

Calvin is especially knowledgeable about Ski-Doo snowmobiles and the technical side of our machines. He’s also skilled at teaching people to ride in the powder.

Dave Norona from Vancouver, B.C., professional adventure athlete. Dave is one of those guys who takes in all life has to offer.

When it comes to outdoor competition and adventure, he’s done it – or is currently doing it; from motorcycles and snowmobiles to bikes and skis. Once you experience Dave’s energy and passion, you won’t be surprised he is also a motivational speaker and team building expert – during his free time.

In addition to their regular casual rides, the “Summit Freeriders” will be hitting the snow with customers at select dealer events and demo rides. They’ll also be making limited appearances at powersports shows this fall.

The Freeriders and their friends will be recording their adventures in videos, photos and text, which will be posted in a new mountain blog on ski-doo.com and Facebook page debuting the first week of November.

BRP will introduce these riders in greater depth on that site throughout the season. Be sure to check out ski-doo.com in November for all the details.

More information on Ski-Doo snowmobiles can be found at www.ski-doo.com.