The Backcountry Powcast

Kris Kaltenbacher aka Smasher, is an icon in the snowmobiling world & has been featured in several films, such as 509, Thunderstruck, and Boondockers. In this episode, we talk to him about his career from how he got started, to his more recent adventures competing in the grueling Alaska Iron Dog race.

Regarded as one of the best snowmobilers ever, Brett Turcotte is an X Games gold medalist & epic backcountry snowmobiler. In this episode, we discuss his path to winning Gold at the 2026 X Games freestyle.

In this episode, we chat with Frank Tousignant, founder of Carbon Pursuit LLC. Frank shares his pathway to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the snowmobile parts industry that makes some of the coolest carbon fiber sled parts.

In this episode, we talk to Jordan Yankee from ArcticFX Graphics and his journey to building one of the most successful snowmobile graphics businesses. The conversation covers the challenges of starting a business, the evolution of ArcticFX's product line, including their recent expansion into Europe.

In our first episode of 2026, we recap our experience from a recent trip to Wyoming to attend a Level 1 Avy course. We discuss the importance of avalanche training, detailing the skills learned during our class, including snow pit analysis and rescue scenarios. We wrap up with discussing our top 10 essential gear picks for backcountry riding.

Michigan's own Matt Downey! Matt is a Ski Doo brand ambassador, snowmobile guide, riding instructor, and owner of Keweenaw Snowmobile expeditions.

Mike Duffy shares his extensive experience in avalanche education and snowmobiling, emphasizing the importance of proper training and awareness in preventing avalanche fatalities. We discuss the evolution of avalanche education tailored for snowmobilers, common misconceptions surrounding avalanche safety, and the essential rescue skills every snowmobiler should know.

Hailing from Blue River, B.C., Jamie is a seasoned mountain rider that has been featured in Mountain Sledder magazine, SnoRiders, Turcotte's YouTube channel, & 509 films. He is also a team rider for Cheetah Factory racing.

In this episode, we talk to Cameron Chimenti about the birth of 3C Guiding & the importance of safety in backcountry snowmobiling. Cameron shares valuable insights on tailoring guiding experiences to different skill levels and the importance of being prepared for unexpected situations in the wilderness.

We sit down with Matt Flynn from NineTwenty Builds about his journey starting a snowmobile customization business. Matt shares insights on trends in the industry, tools and technologies that have changed the game, and how his riding experience influences his builds.

In our latest episode, Matt discusses his journey starting as an amateur backcountry snowmobiler, to one of the most respected riders in the industry. We discuss his riding clinics at Mountain Skillz, and the importance of being avalanche aware while developing your skillset.

Female viewers, we didn't forget about you! In this episode of the Backcountry Podcast, Tara from Michigan Sled Chicks shares her journey into snowmobiling, the rise of women in the sport, and the importance of creating a supportive community for female riders.

Nick & I recap the weekend of the 25' Novi snow. We talk about show size & attendance, and how these affect its future. We also give some spoilers on future guests!

In this episode of the Backcountry Powcast, we sit down with Benny Carlson, the founder of Wide Open Wisconsin, a snowmobile-focused power sports festival. We discuss the event's growth, the inspiration behind its inception during the COVID lockdown, and the challenges faced in organizing such a large-scale event. Benny shares his background in motorsports and emphasizes the importance of community engagement and support from local clubs. The conversation also touches on future plans for the festival and the need for innovative ideas to keep the snowmobiling industry vibrant and engaging for all generations.

In this episode of the Backcountry Powcast, Derek & Nick sit down with Jack Sarama, also known as Long Track Jack, to discuss his journey in snowmobiling, the evolution of Boondock Nation, and the new venture of Backcountry Village. Jack shares his early experiences with snowmobiles, the lessons learned from building a community around snowmobiling, and his vision for creating a hub for snowmobilers in the Midwest.

In episode 3, we talk shop with Andy about his startup of BSB Fab, how things are currently going, and the plan for some future products.

Paul Anderson is the owner of Sled Solutions, former MISORVA president, and is entering his 7th year as a Polaris snowmobile ambassador. In this episode, we discuss snowmobiling & ORV legislation in Michigan and what the future may hold, as well as the founding & development of Sled Solutions and their products.

In this first episode, Nick & I introduce our selves and the vision for the podcast. We also discuss sleds, Hay Days, the Novi snow show as well as future episodes. If you are into Midwest backcountry snowmobiling, then this is for you.