Alpine Motor Sports Staff

Arguably the world’s best all-around snowmobiler, Chris Burandt began riding snowmobiles at the tender age of six, in the Colorado backcountry surrounding his grandparents’ cabin. His natural talent in snowmobile riding led to a successful career in snocross as a teenager. Over time, speed and standard jumps weren't enough excitement for the Colorado native, and Chris’ strong competitive edge and a desire to give the crowd a show, led to him seeing just how far he could make his machine fly.

In 1999, the 20-year-old joined the Slednecks crew, where he showcased his talents in the film Slednecks 3, opening the door to his career as a professional snowmobiler. Chris’ success on a sled helped pioneer the sport of snowmobile freestyle, so much so that in the early 2000's he acquired the nickname "Big Air Burandt." After learning how to back flip just two weeks prior to the first ever Snowmobile Freestyle event at ESPN’s Winter X Games, Burandt took home the Gold.

The drive to succeed at any cost has helped Chris to go farther than any other snowmobiler in the world, pushing backcountry riding to a whole new level. He brings that driving desire and unquenchable thirst for life to his business and the groups that he rides with, sharing with them all that he has learned, including a revolutionary new methodology for backcountry riding. His enthusiasm for what he does, and for making sure that your snowmobile tour excursion is nothing short of spectacular, will define your riding experience at Burandt’s Backcountry Adventure.

Sled: VOHK-built Polaris® RMK 850 155 with a Boondocker Sidekick turbo, Zbroz suspension, Ice Age Rails, ArcticFX wrap, and Sled Solutions storage. THIS THING RIPS!

Real job: Attorney

Other hobbies: Mtn biking, fly fishing, running mountains

Why do you ride VOHK? Erik Woog (VOHK) has an uncompromising commitment to performance. His depth of knowledge and experience are unparalleled, and while he won't admit it himself, Erik is one of the strongest backcountry riders in the sport. He understands the performance that serious backcountry riders demand, and builds the best aftermarket boondocking sleds in the industry.

More than just a builder, Erik is an accomplished rider in his own right, and has appearances in many videos and a racing career that spans decades. On any given weekend you are likely to find him in some north facing, tree riddled, rock strewn, box canyon in the middle of nowhere testing some new set up.

There are few that have ridden as much, as hard, in as deep and steep as Erik has. This has afforded him the insight to build sleds capable of this kind of riding, and to do so in a consumer available package offered to everyday riders. Hence the creation of VOHK performance.

I started riding 8 years ago as a way to get my skis up the hill. That lasted for about a week. Over the past 8 years, I have evolved from a beginner trail racer to a sponsored backcountry rider. I am living proof that anyone can do this sport if you love it enough to dedicate the time and effort it takes to learn it. I walked into Alpine Motorsports 5 years ago and bought my first Boondocker turbo. I guess I was the first girl to ever walk into Erik's shop and buy herself a turbo, but all I could think was: Why should the guys have all the fun?

That was the beginning of a lot of changes in my life, including really learning a sport I love, and making some of the best friends I have to this day. I was going through a lot personally, and snowmobiling was my escape from everything. I began riding with a handful of friends who started teaching me, which made me realize I didn't know how to ride yet! These guys put up with teaching me for my first 2 years of real riding. Adam Onasch, Mark Conley, Chris McKinney, Brian Baker, and Gilbert Ramos are the guys who got me unstuck countless times, taught me how to sidehill, tortured me in the trees, and loved to tell me we were lost in the dark when we weren't. I owe so much to them for taking the time to teach me, because I couldn't have done it without their friendship and support.

I met my first sponsor, Tomas, the owner of TOBE Outerwear, riding in a snowstorm at Wolf Creek Pass. People ask me all the time how they can get 'sponsored', and all I can say is that I wasn't trying, I was just out riding! I started filming with Boondocker Movies and The Crew in 2012, and was picked up by more sponsors along the way. Two years ago I started teaching Ladies Riding Clinics with Matt Entz and Mountain Skillz. It is so rewarding helping other female riders progress, and seeing the excitement they have as they improve. In 2014 I won the 'Pink Yeti' for Outstanding Female Rider at Sledfilm in Bend, Oregon. It really meant a lot to me, to be recognized in the industry for being a positive role model to other female riders.

I am thankful to Erik at Alpine Motor Sports for always being there, whether it's late night parts, tuning my sled to perfection, or schooling me in the trees, Erik has not only been a great sponsor, but a great friend.

I am also very thankful to all of my other sponsors, I wouldn't be where I am today without them:

VOHK, TOBE Outerwear, Boondocker Turbo, Skinz Protective Gear, Arctic FX, 509, RSI Racing, Ars FX, TKI Industries, Boondocker Movies, Blown Motor, Truckboss Sled Decks, 2 Cool Air Vents, Frankensled, Sled Solutions, Miller Designs, Tudizzle Films, Snow Big Deal, Thunderstruck Films, Marlenee Photography.

Born and raised in southern Colorado, I was first introduced to snowmobiles by my father at a very young age, nearly 30 years ago. We would ride them in the fields by our house. As I got older, he started taking me to the mountains. Once I was old enough to buy my own sled, it became a way of life. Spending every weekend and vacation day either in the mountains riding or working on sleds occupied my winters. I met a great group of locals through riding that were very passionate about snowmobiling as well, and we shared some very memorable times exploring and discovering the area.

In 2007, I received the opportunity of a lifetime when a local dealership called and asked if I would be interested in showing Dan Gardiner and a group of riders around. That was a very memorable couple days, and the next season I was invited to join the BOONDOCKERS for some riding in Utah. These are now many of my best friends and are a lot of fun to ride with. I enjoy meeting up with them every chance I can get, and every ride seems better than the one before. We have made riding/filming trips to numerous locations across the western United States and Canada. 

In 2012, my wife Jesse and I started our own snowmobiling business, Mountain Skillz. Our primary focuses are avalanche safety and technical riding instruction. It's an honor to help people become safer and enjoy this awesome experience in ways they they did not know were possible. There have been more influential people along the way than I can possibly mention, and we are extremely thankful for each and every person and opportunity. There are three people that stand out the most along the way: Dan Gardiner, Erik Woog, and Chris Burandt. I have learned and continue to learn on and off the snow from them.

There are many people that make this dream of ours a reality. My amazing wife Jesse and our two daughters Elly and Ashley are my inspiration and biggest supporters. I am very thankful to work alongside the very best companies in the snowmobile industry. Our sponsors are Polaris® Snowmobiles, Klim, VOHK, Highmark by SnowPulse, Mammut, BOONDOCKERS, Mountain Skillz, BoonDocker, DOBBS Enterprise, ArcticFX Graphics, ZBROZ Racing, C&A Pro Skis, Sled Solutions, RSI, Timbersled, IceAge, ItWorks, TKI, EVS, Frankensled, Backcountry United, Jon Miller designs, Caliber, Sledfilm, Napier Motorsports, Reel cameras, the crew, SnowBigDeal, and Ken's Service Station.

Information coming soon.

I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and have been riding snowmobiles my entire life. It all started with family snowmobile trips every weekend, at a cabin in Utah’s Uinta mountains. I got my first sled when I was 12 and have never been without a snowmobile, and have never stopped riding, since then. Snowmobiling is my passion and I love getting up in the mountains and letting go of everything else.

I enjoy big challenges and test myself every time I go out to improve my skills and technique, to become the best rider out there (although my age is catching up to me), and to be an inspiration to the younger generation of riders. I have learned a lot over the years, from technique and riding ability to snow conditions. Basically what I can and can’t get away with, what is dangerous or not, and what situations I can get out of or not. I also enjoy riding motorcycles, four wheelers, camping, boating, and anything I can do outdoors while I’m waiting for winter for come back. I like spending time with my family and friends no matter what time of year.

I started snowmobiling at the age of six with my dad on a 1962 Ski-Doo. I grew up in Storm Lake, IA and would jump on a sled any chance I got, whether it be riding in ditches, fields, on lakes, or the occasional poker run from town to town. When I was thirteen my dad, cousins and I took our first trip to the mountains and I was hooked! 
Ever since that first trip I’ve been pushing myself as a rider and always have a blast anytime I’m out in the mountains! It is a great feeling executing a technical line and spending time with friends in the backcountry. I love riding with people from all skill levels. It’s a great feeling teaching someone how to execute a specific move and watching them successfully complete it! It’s also fun mobbing through the backcountry with skilled riders, pushing each other’s limits!
I have been very fortunate to work alongside some of the best companies as an athlete in the snowmobiling industry. The relationships and friends I have made are the best part!
 In 2016, I founded Sled USA as a place for snowmobilers to share their adventures and bring the community together. It has done just that and has been so much fun building a brand around what I love.
I met Erik at a parking lot up by Rabbit Ears during the time I was having some sled issues. I brought the sled down to Alpine Motor Sports and they got the sled back up and running like a top! Their customer service and knowledge was very impressive. Every sled I’ve had built by them since, has been a blast to ride!  I have been blown away by the performance that come out of sleds built by VOHK and am honored to be a Team Rider. Erik and the guys at VOHK are a great crew to be around and are some of the most knowledgeable in the industry. I am extremely excited for the years to come working with VOHK!

Raised on a ranch in Black Forest, Colorado I used to ride sleds to check fences and count cattle. Now my passion is riding sleds and snow bikes in the steepest gnarliest terrain!

In the fall of 2014 I signed up for a Mountain Skillz workshop with Matt Entz and rented a VOHK Tuned Boondocker turbo Polaris snowmobile and was immediately hooked. Shortly after, I graduated from college and financed my first sled from Alpine Motorsports. Their dedication to quality and customer service is what attracted me to AMS and VOHK Performance. Since then I have been learning from the pros in the sport and focusing on progression. This consisted of multiple trips to Burandt’s Backcountry Adventure and Mountain Skillz.

Currently I am focusing on creating exciting media content, chasing storms across the Rocky Mountains, demoing our newest products, and riding with as many new riders as possible. Thank you to these amazing companies that share my passion to enhance the riding experience:

VOHK, Klim, Boondocker Turbo, Burandt’s Backcountry Adventure, Fox Shocks - Burandt Edition