The anticipation for winter is a long build-up. For us, it essentially starts as soon as the previous winter ends. Currently based in Stanley, Idaho, we live on a ranch that’s accessed by snowmobile only during the winter, so beyond the desire to ride deep powder, preparing before the first round of big snowstorms is no joke. This blog shows a glimpse into how we prepare for winter with Zbroz from installing new Zbroz Exit Shocks on our snowmobiles to physical training and growing our own food. 

Jeremy and I love snow. We both have been life-long skiers which progressed from kids getting hollered at by ski patrol for going too fast to adults learning the nuances of safe backcountry travel as big mountain skiers. After getting the taste of the throttle, there was no going back. 

Rider: Jeremy Lato | Photo: Amy David

I grew up in rural Pinedale, Wyoming with a long family history in snow sports from historically building their own skis to using some of the first snowmobiles where the Wyoming Range begins. Jeremy grew up in Hailey, Idaho, and has a knack for creating things from welding his own sled deck, filming videos, and growing plants. I became starry-eyed the first time I saw the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho and got to know Jeremy.

Jeremy describes the Zbroz kit, “Having a quality suspension setup on my snowmobile is extremely important to me. It gives me the exact feedback I’m looking for especially when I’m in technical sidehill maneuvers or when I’m ripping down the trail when it’s super bumpy. Just being in 100% control of your sled is one of the best feelings there is.”

To maximize fun on the snowmobiles, it’s in your favor to be physically strong and healthy. Strength training will improve anyone’s riding and the endurance will sustain your energy longer throughout the day. It all equals more fun. We have an at-home gym for full-body training, but throughout the summer, our go-to is cross-training on mountain bikes, hiking, and the physical labor to up-keep the property. I’m a huge fan of making up workouts with bodyweight, rocks, logs, buckets, and getting creative to use what’s available.

We’ve been lucky to have access to a greenhouse to grow our own vegetables. Jeremy is a natural when it comes to building healthy soil and growing plants. This year he grew everything from carrots, tomatoes, kale, spinach, cabbage, cilantro, eggplant, zucchini, artichoke, lettuce, peas, broccoli, and more. I’m the lucky gal that gets to cook and eat it!

Snowmobilers know to use 91 non-ethanol fuel and the proper oil in their machines. Why would we not do the same for our bodies? Not the gas, of course! But healthy, nutrient-dense food that will sustain us through long days slaying pow, digging to get unstuck, and doing it over and over until the sun starts to set.

In our next video and blog, we’ll share how Jeremy and I set up our suspension to suit our different body sizes and riding styles. We’ll also show how we assess our avalanche rescue gear and practice companion rescue before going out for our first ride of the season. Think snow, folks!

Follow Amy Jane David @AmyJaneDavid  and Jeremy Lato @JeremyLato on social.

Check it out for yourself! See which ZBROZ Products Amy and Jeremy are running this year below.