Snowmobiler Daine Elliott (@daineelliott99 on Instagram) has spent decades chasing deep powder and pushing the limits of his machine. Originally from Creston, B.C., he developed a passion for the sport at a young age, trading hockey skates for handlebars and never looking back. Over the years, he’s tackled everything from local backcountry terrain to high-stakes competitions like the World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climbs in Jackson, Wyoming. Through it all, FXR has been a key supporter, sponsoring Elliott since 2014 and continuing into the 2025 season.
Whether he’s carving through the Kootenay Summit with his tight-knit riding crew or lining up at the start of a hill climb race, Elliott brings relentless dedication to the sport. His journey—from a kid testing the power of his dad’s Yamaha to a racer competing against the industry’s best—proves that passion, persistence, and the right gear can take a rider to incredible places.
Where are you from and where do you most like to ride currently?
I am originally from Creston, BC, Lived in Calgary for almost 10 years but am back in my hometown Creston now since 2020. Over the years I have really enjoyed riding in Golden but since living back in Creston riding up the Kootenay Summit has been my main go-to as it is a short drive and our small group knows of some really fun and challenging areas.
How did you first get into snowmobiling, and what sparked your interest in the sport?
My parents always had been outdoors people and since a young kid they always kept me engaged in quadding and snowmobiling with friends and family. As I grew older I just loved snowmobiling more and more, and next thing you know I quit playing hockey, started purchasing snowmobiles on my own and have not stopped since.
What was your most memorable snowmobiling adventure, and what made it stand out?
Oh my—there are many adventures that's for sure, through the years. I would like to share three separate ones.
First one, I remember being about 11 years old or so and my parents just purchased a brand-new Yamaha SRX 700 for my dad to ride. We went to a sledding party to the Kidd Creek powerline, I remember going for a ride on this power house of a machine for the first time by myself and just couldnt believe how powerful it was and how deep the track could spin down, not to mention the sound of this beast of a machine. I knew right there that I could not wait to ride with more power and handle such a big machine. It really was the greatest feeling ever.
Second adventure was when I was riding my mom's Yamaha Ovation 340 in an area called Devil's Hole. I was watching all the adults ride up a hill and sidehill, I thought that was the coolest thing ever so I asked if I could go up the hill and try. Off I went and after numerous attempts I finally figured out how to sidehill a bit. I just remember the feeling that I was really accomplishing so much. It felt so amazing, so I continued to push myself to sidehill harder and longer then next thing you know things went wrong and there goes me and my snowmobile tumbling down the mountain and popping the window off the machine. At first I was devastated but after some patch work and guidance from my mentors back on the hill, I went and kept pushing which I can say I still do up to this day.
Third adventure that was very memorable for me, was the first year I got invited to race at the World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climbs in Jackson, Wyoming in 2014. It was something I had only ever seen in movies and it became a reality when I had the opportunity to compete. Driving into the city gave me goosebumps. I was so scared, nervous, excited and just thrilled to be there and see this insane hill that we are supposed to race up. Still to this day, every time I go to compete at this event I feel the same as the first time I went there. It is an intense hill, but every time, it gives me so much joy and appreciation for the growth (I've experienced) since I was a little kid just dreaming of riding the big power machines and sidehilling.
Do you have a favourite destination or trail that you return to again and again?
Currently in the group I ride with locally we really like our areas up the Kootenay Summit. When I lived in Calgary we would always like to ride in Golden up Quartz Creek, as we had some specific areas that we would always go to since majority of the riders did not know how to get into them—which was always a great time.
What kind of snowmobile do you ride, and why did you choose that specific model?
I have been riding Ski-Doo since about 1999 and was a part of the Ski-Doo race team from 2008-2021. Since 2011 I have been riding mainly Ski-Doo Freeride machines and still to this day I do. I have a 2019 Freeride with a Redline aftermarket turbo on race gas as well as a stock 2024 freeride n/a.
How do you prepare for a big snowmobiling trip, both mentally and physically?
I do not have any specific way to prepare for a mountain ride aside from being sure I have everything I need then just go out there and have a blast safely.
Preparing for a race is a totally different story. Preparing for a 12-hour drive to Montana or Wyoming takes some extra time to plan out with vehicles, trailers, insurances, tools, parts, machines to get prepared, and registrations. Then once I get to the race track—nerves start kicking in and its a whole body craziness which starts to really become reality when you see all the other pro racers and teams, steep hills, jumps and all the set-ups. Once this all kicks in I get so nervous that I dont want to eat anything, mouth feels constantly dry no matter how much water I've drank, and I just feel the anxiety building the closer I get to having to take a run at the hill.
It is honestly more exhausting having to sit around all day long waiting to do your one-minute run up the hill. Once I do a run up the hill the anxiety and worry seems to melt away and I am forced into being present and just riding that sled racing a clock. It is one of the craziest experiences I have ever gone through and still to this day every race I go to I still feel the same even though I know much more now than when I first started. As much as it is a crazy feeling, after every race weekend follows an extreme feeling of excitement and fullfillment. I would say if anyone feels like butterflies in their stomaches when they are around snowmobiles whether its racing or just a good ride or even just a crazy stunt or line they pulled through the trees—then you are right where you need to be!
Have you ever faced a challenging situation or close call while snowmobiling? How did you handle it?
Over the years I have been riding there have been many challenging situations and close calls that have presented themselves, but there is one specific incident that has really stuck with me and actually happened March of 2023.
I was riding with our normal group in an area where we have gone numerous times. I was going up the hill through the trees and drainages and got redirected off the direction I was looking to go and I turned out slowly but got caught off guard as my sled was wanting to roll over and I could not react fast enough. So I got thrown off the machine down into a tree well then my machine rolled upside down on top of me with the handlebars pressing onto my chest (thankfully I always wear a tek vest). We always carry radios and I was able to reach with my one hand to call for help but once I pushed the button to call for help my radio just beeped every attempt I pushed to get help. It was then I realized that my battery was not charged enough to get the call out and I needed to do something before my time was up.
I could hear one of my friends somewhat close to me so when I heard his machine shut off I had one chance to try and yell as loud as I could to see if he could hear me and thats just what I did with the limited amount of air I had. I was not sure if he heard me but I knew I needed to keep pushing to try and get out from underneath this machine, I kept trying to go deeper in the snow and hopeful the machine would stay up and it was working enough I could get more air and then I finally hear my buddies sled as he found where I was and he was able to help me out. This really sticks with me now as I was not sure if I would make it out in time and the amount of thoughts that goes through a person's head when it is life or death is crazy. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to come out of that unharmed. The lesson I learned very fast from this is always, always, always, have eyes on your buddies—manage a buddy system when everyone splits off (we have always done this) and always carry a CHARGED radio! I never go out without a fully charged radio now.
What’s the most important piece of gear or equipment that you always bring along?
I would say the most important equipment to bring along would be an avalanche beacon, two-way radio and an avalanche air bag backpack along with a probe and a shovel. As for important gear to wear I always wear knee/chin pads and a tek vest on top of the usual boots, snow pants, jacket, helmet and gloves as the tek vest has saved me from fracturing or breaking ribs—and knee pads to protect knees and chins from hard impacts into the panels or on the sharp running boards.
Have you ever taken part in snowmobiling competitions or events? What was that experience like?
Yes, I started racing in hillcross and snocross in 2007 in Sandpoint, Idaho, then had the opportunity to race Hillclimb with the RMSHA circuit in the states starting in 2012. The experience was so amazing having the chance to compete against some very fast riders in the industry. It really made me push harder to get better and faster.
What tips do you have for someone looking to improve their snowmobiling skills?
I would ask them what it is they really want to learn more to do? Race? Chute climbing? Tree riding? Casual? Competitive? Whatever the answer is then I would say to ask yourself why you want to improve and have a purpose for wanting that. Knowing the ''why'' will really make you focus on exactly where you want to go with it. Once you have that the fastest way to improve is follow your role models of others that have achieved and succeeded in that area you are wanting to be. Watch, learn, try, try and try again, dont give up. Ask questions and be okay with failing constantly, on the other side of failure is growth.
How do you ensure your safety while riding in remote or challenging areas?
By always riding with a group that are all aware of the areas and dangers, all are prepared with necessary equipment and knowledge, ride using the buddy system, and have discussions prior to leaving the parking lot about options and procedures in case of any incidents.
Are there any bucket-list snowmobiling destinations or trails you still dream of exploring?
My friends and I have always talked about riding in Alaska for a week-long trip and I still think that would be a really good time with great friends to experience that. I also think doing an international trip somewhere would be a great experience, as well.
How has snowmobiling influenced your life or shaped your perspective on adventure and the outdoors?
I have really based my life around snowmobiling over the years. When I was a kid all I wanted to do was work on my snowmobiles and ride on the weekends. Then later on I would just work and spend money on sleds and sled trips no matter what it cost, even building my current construction companies around snowmobiling being my number one hobby. I would prioritize riding, racing, hanging out, sled trips, and working on sleds, and dedicate endless amounts of money to this amazing sport that has given me so much joy through my life. I can honestly say having that passion that fulfills you is an amazing feeling and you will do whatever you need to do to keep doing it.
Sledding has always been and will be my passion. There’s just nothing like that feeling that sledding gives you, whether you’re behind the handlebars or in the trailer just hanging out with those who share the same passion.
