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April 3, 2006 – Snowmobile Report

Ski-Doo jackets go high tech
Ski-Doo gives new meaning to the phrase “I?dig your jacket” as the snowmobile maker now offers a garment that includes an avalanche rescue system.
The RECCO system comes in the company’s Mountain Light shell jacket and Highpants. Special reflectors, which are integrated into the apparel, enable directional pinpointing of a victim’s precise location using harmonic radar. It is not a substitute for a standard transceiver, but it facilitates a faster recovery. The new 2007 Mountain Light Shell Jacket (MSRP: $329.99 CDN; $269.99 USD) and Mountain Light High pants (MSRP: $359.99 CDN; $299.99 USD) will be available only at authorized Ski-Doo dealers this fall.
BRP Customer Satisfaction Goes Real Time
BRP dealers can now access their customer satisfaction index (CSI) online in real time, with the second phase of Ralyn Business Intelligence’s (RBI) program.
The BRP CSI system is a Web and an interactive voice response-based initiative that gauges a customer’s experience, said Lynn Stephen, president of RBI.
This CSI system was built based on dealer requests during CSI’s first phase and on a 2005 pilot project. Korey Cronquist of Team CC in Alaska, who used the online system during the trial period, said this CSI system has changed his dealership’s business structure for the better.
RBI held CSI seminars at this year’s BRP Club. The seminars covered the launch and how to effectively use the reports and hot sheets. Dealers who attended the seminars also received tips on how to raise their customer voice score and effective customer management techniques.
Morgan, Ski-Doo Extend Contract
Blair Morgan signed a two-year contract extension with Ski-Doo last month, said Jamie Anseeuw, manager of Blair Morgan Racing Team.
Other factories showed interest in acquiring the five-time X Games snocross gold medalist, but the team wanted to stick with Ski-Doo, Anseeuw said. “In business, anything can fall apart. But (negotiations) moved as expected and we re-signed,” Anseeuw said.
Anseeuw expects Morgan will race at least five more years. “I think he plans on racing another contract after this one, for sure. He feels he can win ’til he’s 35,” he said.
Endurance XC In Labrador
A 780-mile cross-country endurance race is happening in the remote regions of Labrador, a part of Canada’s eastern province, Newfoundland.
The Cain’s Quest race, which began on March 18, was scheduled to take three to four days to complete. The race starts and ends in Labrador City. Racers, in teams of two, will cross wilderness on ungroomed trails, checking in at pre-determined points along the route. There will be mandatory rest periods throughout the race. Each machine will be equipped with a GPS tracking system, and fans can see their progress online at www.waypointinfo.com/cainsquest. An estimated $20,000 purse is on the line, with about $10,000 going to the overall winner. The remaining purse will be divided based on the number of entrants. According to the race Web site, 17 teams have entered the event. Most racers come from Labrador or Quebec.
Park Service unveils alternatives for Yellowstone winter use
The National Park Service has revealed to the public a long-term range of possible winter-use options for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.
Currently, the park service’s winter-use rules are only temporary for Yellowstone.
The purpose of the winter-use regulations are to ensure park visitors have a range of appropriate winter recreational opportunities, while ensuring these activities are in an appropriate setting and do not harm park resources or values.
The winter-use alternatives, which could be part of a draft plan that will be out in the fall, are the following, according to the Casper Star Tribune:

  • Continuing with the temporary plan, which allows up to 720 snowmobiles and 78 snowcoaches into Yellowstone each day and requires all riders to be accompanied by commercial guides.
  • Banning snowmobiles and allowing up to 120 snowcoaches into Yellowstone each day.
  • Grooming the roads from the South Entrance to Old Faithful and allowing 250 commercially guided snowmobiles and 20 snowcoaches each day.
  • Allowing 1,025 snowmobiles each day in Yellowstone with 75 percent accompanied by commercial guides and 25 percent either unguided or with noncommercial guides. Also, 105 snowcoaches would be allowed each day.
  • Allowing 540 snowmobiles each day with 80 percent commercially guided and 20 percent unguided while also setting a daily limit of 83 snowcoaches.
  • A mixed-use proposal to plow the road from Mammoth to West and from West to Old Faithful and allow wheeled vehicles on those roads. Snowmobiling and snowcoaching would be permitted in other parts of the park. All visitors would be with commercial guides. The daily limit for snowmobiles would be 350, and the snowcoaches would be capped at 40. psb

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