Riders considering a trip to New Denver this season can go on the advice of a pro; 36-year-old Jared Sessions, who rides professionally for Idaho-based snowmobile manufacturer BoonDocker Performance, said the area has “all the variations of terrain that I seek out to ride.”
Currently working full-time as a research and development tester and product developer for BoonDocker, Sessions said his passion for snowmobiling started early.
“When I was 15 I moved to Island Park, Idaho, where my parents purchased a motel and snowmobile rental operation. There I had my first real snowmobiling experiences with my dad and brothers; we all rode Sport 440s and headed into the mountains of Island Park.”
He then worked for Polaris West in West Yellowstone, Montana, for ten years before making the move to BoonDocker.
“Right now my sled of choice is the Polaris Pro RMK with BoonDocker Turbo,” Sessions said. “With my job I am fortunate to ride all the current models from all the manufacturers with the latest and greatest BoonDocker Turbo products to test, tune and develop.”
While riding snowmobiles for a living means he is working in-field on average 180 to 200 days a year, he said he always tries to make personal time for a trip or two to the New Denver area.
“My first trip was in 2006 to meet up with Extreme Team Films to do some extreme back country riding,” he said. “The area has become one of my favorite riding places and now I try to visit as often as my schedule will allow.”
Since that first trip in 2006 Sessions has tried to make two trips a year, sharing his “top-secret riding area” with great friends.
He said the vast and varied terrain has never disappointed.
“I would describe my riding style as a backcountry rider with a combination of tight technical tree riding, rolling powder fields, some big jumps and cliff drops, along with some intense hill climbing,” he said. “Between the vast amount of riding areas available and smaller rider population, and hospitality of the Valhalla Inn with in-house restaurant and pub —a great place to relax, hang out and meet the locals—the chance of having a great riding experience in New Denver is almost a guarantee.”
For the best conditions, Sessions advises visiting in the spring after the ski season is over.
“It makes for some great riding and access, as that great area hasn’t been ridden by snowmobiles all year long. The weather is sunny but there are still snow conditions that allow you to explore the great terrain that the New Denver area has to offer.”
