Oh there is an agenda alright. 

BRP oil is made by Lube-Tech in Minnesota.     Not sure who makes VES but I wont be surprised if its the same company.      As long as you run as quality oil made with the same certifications as the OEM oil you are fine.     The OEMs are just covering their azz in the event that you run some old mineral chain saw oil in your 180hp sled.    I personally run Liqui Moly Oil in my sleds as I hate the smell that E-Tec oil gives off.      Never had an issue with it.    

I think the "LIFE COST" situation has always been the case. Is it worse now? Maybe, but has always been the case where when you're younger, you have other things more urgent to spend on. As you grow older, you will probably have extra funds for non urgent things. I have been snowmobiling for 50 yrs.+ and never did an up north trip until I was in my 40's. And I can add, I think you would certainly need to earn better than average wages to afford it at any time.

It kicks the crap out of $1000 to go away for a long weekend once you figure in gas for truck, gas and oil in sleds, hotels, food, booze etc....    

I just came back from a Quebec trip.   6 nights.  2 guys per room.   1800km total Fuel was $2.05 to $2.50 a litre at some of the remote Lodges. One night the One lodge, 4 sleds at almost 30 litres/sled and 4 litres of VES oil was $350.00 I think.   I didn’t pay that one.  But we filled up 3 times that day.   Easy $1,500 for the week.  Likely more.  I haven’t added my bills up and likely will not.   Between card and cash it’s Better not knowing.      Truck fuel was on company card.