My "new" Pro does pretty well, but it's got an added cooler, full flap, scratchers (obviously), thermostat upgrade, and medium-lug track (2.5") - basically the best-case scenario. I have had one day where I struggled a little and spent some time piling snow on the tunnel. If I could afford two full-bore mountain sleds, one would probably only be for good snow: bigger track, no extra cooler (less weight), no snow flap, and the other would be more like the Pro. It's a lot harder to uncut the tunnel and put the cooler back on, so I stick with what works. Actually, it's coming time to take my old EDGE out. Once you get much into springtime, the best you usually find is mashed potatoes over a heavy crust, and even on the best of sleds, carving and technical riding turns into more work than fun. I think the dirty little secret is that the Summit Xs and Matryx alphabet soup sleds aren't remotely meant to be rode in spring conditions; you've got enough money for one of those, you must have money for one of our even more expensive side-by-sides. If your sled's overheating, it's Poo/Doo's way of telling you the season is over.
Anyway, I agree with
@kanedog and
@AdrenalineAddict, the key to spring riding is to let the melt work for you, not just give up til next season. Everybody gets so wrapped up in videos of the newest chassis in up-to-your-armpit snow. If I saw that all the time, I might even make a stupid (considering my budget) decision on a sled I couldn't really afford. The reality is, we don't get those days that often, and I can't afford to go chasing it either. Doesn't matter though: guys dressed more like Larry Enticer, goofing off on old iron in June are every bit as hardcore riders as the Facebook/Instagram darlings. I can't totally blame Doo/Poo/Cat for building a sled that only works well in deep snow if that's what sells, but they could at least give us some options to get enough cooling, other than settling for a heavy crossover that's too wide with not enough track.
