Snowmobile Season Wrap-up with DSG Outerwear Ambassador Darian Campbell

Me in DSG's new Prizm Technical Outerwear with Sympatex

As the sledding season draws to an end (and as some of us try to pretend it isn’t, holding on to the last bit of spring riding) I have been reflecting on this past season. The good times, the stucks, the friendships and the newly learned skills from this season. As a young rider, I still have SO much learning and growth to do. This year has been one of practice, boundary pushing and the feeling of actual improvement. I began my season with a women’s exclusive riding skills clinic, DSG Outerwear’s Riding Clinic - what a fantastic weekend! Spending time with other ladies who share one of the same passions as I and then going out and doing it is so much fun! We spent the days learning new skills, practicing and helping each other, all while testing DSG Outerwear’s new technical outerwear line, Prizm. One of the best parts about riding in a big group of ladies is the friendships made. Nothing beats coming back to the hotel after a day of riding to have a hot tub, look at some sweet action shots, relax and just visit about the rad day we had. Oh, and of course the big cloud of pink, purple, teal and other bright colors blowing past a group of guys on the mountain with their jaws dropped at the sight of us is such a great feeling. The independence of being able to travel, load and unload your sled (whether it is down a deck ramp, out of a trailer or off the back of a pick-up) and then ride all day without relying on your boyfriend, husband or dad is a very empowering feeling. Of course it is still awesome to ride snowmobiles with the guys, but it is also very different.

This year, on one of the deepest days of the season and in the deepest snow I have ever ridden a snowmobile, I got to ride “with the guys”. Our day started around 7 a.m. - driving to the parking lot, listening to some pump-up tunes and watching the freshly dumped three feet of snow sparkle outside my window. After arriving at the parking lot, we quickly unloaded and started ripping our sleds down the trail until we came to a spot to play, in a meadow at the base of a slope. I fell into old habits and did a few carves and donuts at the bottom until I realized that all of the guys had gone up the big slope, into the trees. I was forced to push myself and ride up through the trees as well, to where everyone else was playing. With only a couple tries (and stucks along the way) I made it; my dad and his friends gave me good advice and helped me through. While climbing, I took some branches to the Prizm Outerwear, and the Sympatex fabric was very durable and did not even rip or tear at all. From there, the day only got better and better as I pushed myself even further, at one-point able to side hill past two of the guys who were stuck on the slope. It was an awesome day!

Throughout my time riding, there have been good stucks and bad stucks (with my fair share of getting yelled at), and I do understand it is tiring and frustrating to be constantly helping someone get unburied. However, this is all a part of riding and learning, we have all been there, and we all strive to be better. It can be discouraging and frustrating at times, but if you never give up, continually challenge yourself and believe in yourself, you can do truly Do Something Great! Thank you to DSG Outerwear and their new Prizm Outerwear with Sympatex for keeping me completely dry and warm throughout the day. I cannot wait for next season to expand my boundaries and push my limits!