Name: Dallas Androsoff
Lives in: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Age: 17 (turning 18 in June)
Occupation: High school student; pump attendant at a Co-op fuel station
Sledding since: 1998
First sled: 1994 Arctic Cat 60-cc Kitty Cat
Current sled: I recently sold my latest sled—it was a 2007 Polaris 600 Switchback. But I am pretty stoked for next year because I am snow-checking a 2014 Polaris 800 Assault.
What did you like about your sled? I loved the Switchback that I had; it was modified exactly to how I like to ride. I love just messing around in pow and hitting whatever I can find, and with the 144 Camoplast Backcountry track and a narrow stance, I could do just that and have lots of fun.
If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do to it? Oh gosh, this might be a long list. But if money wasn’t an issue, I would put a Timbersled Barkbuster front suspension and Mountain Tamer rear suspension with Fox Float R Evol’s on the front; a Fox Float R Evol and Fox Float 2 on the rear; Skinz Airframe running boards; a Skinz Next Level windshield bag; an SLP pipe and can; a Camoplast Challenger Extreme track; a C3 Powersports SyncroDrive; some RSI bars, and finish it off with a sick wrap and powder coat every visible piece of aluminum black. Not only would all of this look really cool on the sled, but it also would bring a lot of great function. This would, of course, be on my 2014 Assault—once I get it.
Do you remember your first ride in the mountains? Oh yeah, and I’ll never forget it. To be honest, I was really, really nervous and I didn’t know what to expect. I knew I wasn’t going into any gnarly terrain like you see on Slednecks or anything but I knew I was in for something that I had never experienced. I came in with the mindset that all of my years of riding in the Prairies will have very little to do with the mountain terrain, and that’s exactly what it was like. I got stuck day after day, and at times it bummed me out but then it actually helped me progress and learn from my mistakes. The best part about it—other than the fresh and deep pow—was how much skill I gained and what I could do with that skill back home. I was able to do things in two inches of snow back home that I never thought I would be able to do before going to the mountains.
Where do you usually ride? I usually ride around the Hafford area near a friend’s farm or around the Blaine Lake area where my dad and uncles grew up and rode. I also go on a lot of sled rallies across Saskatchewan.
What’s your favourite kind of riding? Messing around in deep snow and exploring, especially exploring through the trees in the mountains as well as hucking it off anything I can find. But I also love going to rallies with my dad, friends and other family members or just casual ride days where everyone is having fun—nothing beats that!
What was your most memorable ride this season? My trip to Revelstoke, B.C., for a week during the February break. There was a group of nine of us but my cousin Nick and I drove up a day earlier than everyone else and had an awesome day in some fresh snow. The next day was beyond perfect—it was bluebird and we found a lot of nice untouched areas with fresh snow. Not to mention that it was nice enough to wear a T-shirt. The rest of the week was kind of socked in but we still managed to find some awesome areas and have a blast. I was really quite impressed at how much I have improved since my first time in the mountains. I think it was because of how much more confident I was and I learned that confidence is key when riding out there.
What was your most epic sled whoopsie? Hmm, fortunately I haven’t had really extreme accidents but I guess my most epic would be this year in Revelstoke. I was sidehilling and there were some trees in front of me that I was getting close to but I thought I would be able to get around them but it turned out I was wrong. I got past the first tree but didn’t see the one behind it. I ended up yard sailing over the bars while the sled stayed still with a tree in front of the left A-arm. Luckily there was no damage to me or the sled, just a lot of laughs and pictures being sent to Mom and Dad back home.
Favourite riding area: My favourite area to ride would have to be Boulder Mountain in Revelstoke. It was the main mountain we went to every day and the terrain and untouched snow you can discover is endless. It’s really awesome because there are so many areas that fit everyone’s riding level and you can progress quickly out there.
What does sledding mean to you? Honestly, sledding means everything to me—I grew up with sledding surrounding me since before I could walk. Being able to say that you’ve been places that no one else will ever be unless they’re on a snowmobile is really cool. I really don’t think there is a day where me or a family member doesn’t mention the word sled or something related to sledding. It will be plus-30 during the summer but sleds are still on our minds. My dad has been riding for over 40 years and my uncles are all sledders, along with my cousin Nick who is a diehard rider. Everything I have learned about sledding came from my dad and my relatives—especially Nick when it comes to mountain riding. He’s one of the most experienced guys I know and he always is there to teach me new things. I just love the freedom and escape that sledding gives you and no matter what, I’m always having fun.
