pursuits

Go wild in the snow

Because you’re still a kid at heart, rekindle that snow-day magic with a sled that knows no limits.

By Donna Rolando Calling all renegades! Do you live your life undeniably on the edge, or have an inner wild child? We all reveal a lot about our personality with our style of ride—a Ferrari or a Subaru, a Hummer or a Benz. A snowmobile is no exception.

If it’s not enough for you to conquer snow-packed mountains defying winter’s worst…if you’re the type that craves variety in your terrain, as in your life…the Ski-Doo Renegade X-RS 850 E-Tec just may be your next surprise gift for the deserving you.

You’d expect quite a selection from Ski-Doo. After all, the original SkiDoo was also the first snowmobile, invented by Canadian businessman Joseph-Armand Bombardier more than 60 years ago. And the brand has never lost its spirit of invention. One of several trailblazers, the Renegade X-RS 850 E-Tec packs several redesigns as it caters to the rebel in all of us, hence its name.

First of all, this baby is a crossover, which means trail or no trail, no problem. And with a lightweight chassis—the entire Renegade weighs slightly less than 500 pounds—this crossover is the one sled you need to master both groomed and powder.

Then there’s the Rotax 850 E-Tec Turbo engine—“for those who won’t be denied,” as Ski-Doo puts it. Designed for Ski-Doo, this factory twostroke turbo makes 165 horsepower at elevation on pump fuel. Thanks to simplicity and reliability, you can focus on why you geared up in the first place: the ride. And there’s no turbo lag, because that can spoil even the “snowest” of adventures. One key innovation that draws applause is the available Smart-Shox technology, a system of shock absorbers and sensors that can add three levels of comfort to your ride, even on the whoops (washboard-like terrain). You may wonder how these souped-up sleds can hit the mad slopes of winter like a conqueror, working to control pitch and prevent body roll by keeping the vehicle flat. It’s dial-in technology that lets Smart-Shox read the terrain and rider input to tailor the ride to your mood and conditions. It happens in an instant and with great precision. The result? An epic ride, no matter what. Other features include the rMotion X rear suspension and RAS X front suspension, which work together for precision handling no matter what nature throws your way. They allow the Renegade to handle corners like a pro in true Ski-Doo style. With its constant upgrades, Ski-Doo is known for chasing down perfection with each new model. Take the Pilot X skis, another redesign with more positive traction; and don’t forget the thicker aluminum RS running boards made to take tough landings. They provide aggressive stand-up ability for that competitive edge. And because even the most robust adventurer doesn’t want to get lost after dark, one option is a techie-approved widescreen 7.8-inch fullcolor display. Escape but never lose touch with GPS, Bluetooth and helmet-tohelmet communication. The 2021 Ski-Doo Renegade X-RS 850 E-Tec starts at around $15,000. But if you live for winter just to race the fresh stuff, it may be worth indulging. What a way to celebrate snow days!

Up your cold-weather coolness factor with the Renegade X-RS 850 E-Tec by Ski-Doo. This snowmobile is luxury on ice: It comes equipped with a lightweight chassis and two-stroke turbo engine that makes 165 horsepower, while a 7.8-inch widescreen display with GPS, Bluetooth tech and helmet-tohelmet communication are available for those who want to ride in style.