2025 Alberta Sled Show Recap
If the buzz in Edmonton this past weekend was any indication, winter can’t come fast enough. The Alberta Snowmobile & Powersports Show presented by GMC Canada rolled into town and the sled community showed up BIG TIME. One show rep summed it up perfectly:
“We had an excellent show turnout this year at the #yegsledshow. Nearly 15,000 people turned up to see the new lineup of sleds and ATVs. A 20% boost over last year’s attendance. The Stoke was high for both attendees and vendors for the upcoming season.“
The halls were packed with riders talking setups, checking out new gear, and getting their first real-life look at the 2025 machines. You could feel that classic pre-season stoke in the air.
Friday night set the tone when Brett Turcotte (@turcotte16) dropped the premiere of his new film, That’s Sleddin’. The crowd packed in for the showing, ready to see Brett and crew send it in the backcountry. The film’s a mix of huge lines, deep snow, and that perfect dose of storytelling that reminds you why we all chase winter. Keaton Roper (@keeterbars) also made an appearance, fresh off winning the 2025 Haydays: Backwoods Bumper Powerhour film contest, and shared his award-winning edit with fans. Another example of the next wave of filmmakers pushing what sledding looks like on screen.
On the educational side, we caught up with Marshall Dempster (@marshalldemp), BRP’s lead Canadian Avalanche Educator. Marshall’s about to kick off his nationwide tour of FREE avalanche seminars, hitting Ski-Doo dealers from coast to coast this season. As an ambassador for BCA, he’s made it his mission to help riders level up their knowledge before heading into the mountains. His message was clear: the more you know, the better your chances of making it home after a deep-pow day. You can catch his full seminar schedule here: https://ski-doo.brp.com/ca/en/discover-ski-doo/events/avalanche-awareness-seminars.html
Saturday brought some star power when Levi LaVallee (@levi_levallee) rolled into the FXR (@fxrfactoryoutletsuperstore) booth where fans lined up for a chance to meet one of the most legendary riders in snowmobile history. Multi-time X Games gold medalist, distance-jump record-holder, and all-around good dude who’s as genuine as they come. Between autographs, Levi took time to swap stories and talk shop with riders, the kind of moments that make shows like this worth every minute.
And the build everyone was talking about: the Whiskey Throttles Ultralight Polaris 1150 Big Bore. This thing was a showstopper. What started as a 2024 Matryx 9R 155 got torn down to the bare bones and rebuilt piece-by-piece with titanium and carbon fiber everything. The heart of it is an Upshift403 1150 Big Bore with twin pipes and 60mm throttle bodies, paired with full Carbonsled suspension and Slayer Ti components from riser to jackshaft. Even the bearings are ceramic. The level of detail is next-level, and the weight savings? UNREAL. It’s a build that screams performance.
Deviant Ink’s: Sledder Cast was also on-site, running live interviews with names like Brett Turcotte, Jamie Iwaschuk (@iwasjamie), and Chase Masson (@chasemasson). Real conversations with riders who are shaping the future of sledding from film to freeride.
Over at the Cheetah Factory Racing (@cheetah_snow) booth, things were buzzing as always. The crew rolled in with their signature lineup of tough-as-nails handlebars, mounts, and racks — but what really caught everyone’s attention was their new stash bag release. Designed for riders who want quick, secure storage without the bulk. It’s built from rugged, weatherproof material and features the same no-nonsense design we’ve come to expect from CFR.
With nearly 15,000 attendees through the doors, this year’s Alberta Sled Show might just be a turning point. Rumor has it the organizers are already looking at expanding next year’s event to make room for even more vendors, premieres, and big names. Wherever it lands, one thing’s for sure – the winter stoke is high, and 2025 is shaping up to be one hell of a season.
Photographs by Megan Dawn: @megandawngood @megandawnvisuals
