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The manu's make what sells. They have all made entry level units that sit in boxes.   Hell, a 120 cc sled is $6k. A 200cc is $8k. Doo has been marketing 600cc EFI sleds for several years around the $11-12k mark and you often see them as left overs for less.   So what would this "Spark" sled be? and cost?   The used market is full of 5 year old high tech 800+cc sleds around the $10k mark. It doesn't inspire the youth to buy in. The youth are not motor heads. They've grown up on video games and instant access to anything on the internet.   If I wasn't so deeply entrenched in sledding, I'd be buying a SXS for offroad thrills myself. It offers more bang for the buck.   I expect Cat to bring a turbo 4-stroke to the market as soon as they can manage. That's why they have gone the EPS route. They will likely have to massage the Catalyst chassis to fit the block as well.   Even with the negativity, I don't think sledding will "die". It will continue to shrink, it will evolve and change with the times.    

Ski Doo already has that, a huge lineup of entry level 600EFI 2 strokes, very reasonably priced and well equipped.       People just over look them as they want all the bells and whistles

People on PWC, boats, bikes do not need to go as far to enjoy those other fun toys, plus cold vs. warm - huge pro & con for the two power sport groups and big reason for the interest or lack there of, IMO. Just like you and many other parents, my kids are exposed to sledding and dirt bikes too, I was never as a kid exposed to sledding, but always had a dirt bike when I was growing up, but I ended up on a sled at some point and still am, both my kids look forward too and enjoy the sled rides. Now both kids are exposed to the water sports, plan is to buy a PWC for just that, the fun factor, so a boat first and PWC soon. Kids can then decide on their own when the time comes what if anything they want to invest in themselves based on exposures we gave them. I wonder how many parents are doing that these days (exposures) - my guess is a lot less then before for obvious reason.   So, is your son going to be doing some off trail ON riding with his 146  ... lol I think it is great to hear kids doing what your kid is doing, but I feel like it is the exception to the norm and really do not feel like even with a "spark" type of sled, that is the saviour to the sport - I hope I am wrong.   I hear way more "older" or more established people getting back into the sledding sport, but also those that are getting out at the same age or older - so maybe a wash, no idea, but those people mostly want the mid to high end stuff and not the entry level "cheap" sleds. Mountain segment, that is a western culture, younger folks and I have asked this a few times, I really do wonder how that market is doing - shrinking or status quo or growing....new tech we see comes from the mountain segment sleds, so I have to imagine still going strong.    The 26k remark was simply comparing a sled to PWC, not the spark specifically - you have PWC that range the same as sleds, yet as you suggest, the PWC market is growing, which has more to do with the activity & environment that it is enjoyed in vs. the price, IMO.   I do not usually like to be a downer, but I really do not see the sled market changing a great deal, not enough that will see some massive increase in followers/riders.....it will not die, shrink in our backyard, for sure, but in places like northern ON, QC and NB, no way, just means if you want to ride, you need to go further, whereas on a bike, PWC, you do not have too!   

Mark I am sure we will cross paths somewhere in Ontario or Quebec this season . I  am updating my Gps this year hopefully the G8 will help me navigate the trails this winter. Greg

On the first bold - they're all similar unless you live on the water or have property and a track on your property. You're travelling and going to a destination to enjoy it. The season is longer - but it's not without considerable time/money to enjoy it.   On the second bold - all of them - if they had access to it and could afford it. Influence 100% starts at home - I exposed my kids to it and 1 loves it - 1 enjoys and will ride - but is not going to spend her money on it.   My son bought a 146 Switchback. We let him use the one purchased for him to sell/trade - he paid the difference with his own money and is on his own now.  He didn't go 146 to get more tunnel length to put saddlebags on.   Younger interest is not great right now - but if the industry does not do a better job of capturing that and building something that caters to it - it will be dead in less than 10 years when all of the 50+ crowd stop riding.   There is no 26k spark. The Spark market remains top selling for a reason. Lightweight, cheap to run, FUN.   Sledding needs to realize this and understand that saved the PWC industry. 26k 3 seater turbo charged PWC are boats - they are NOTHING like how the PWC started, or intended to be. BRP recognized they had gotten too far away from what that identity was and smartened up.   The amount of Sparks in the last 5 years has gone through the roof. We bought a pair the year they came out. I think there were 2 others on the lake that summer. Fast forward to today and there is hardly a dock without at least 1 of them there. They are everywhere And what are people doing with them - having fun - putting on wraps, doing "tricks" - just having fun - what they were always intended to be.  And doing it economically vs. the ridiculous 3 seater turbo charged whatevers...   Snowmobiling needs to wake up to this.