2024 Ski-Doo Freeride Details

In the mountain segment, the 2024 Ski-Doo Freeride model features the most significant changes, more than any other 2024 Ski-Doo deep snow model.

Hang tight, because there’s quite a bit going on here! Let’s get into it, starting with the list of the big updates for MY2024:

• tMotion XT w/ fixed rear arm
• 15” wide PowderMax X-Light full rod track
• Track options:
  • 146 x 15 x 2.5 in. (2.86 in. pitch) NEW
  • 154 x 15 x 2.5 in. (2.86 in. pitch)
  • 154 x 15 x 3.0 in. (3.5 in. pitch)
  • 165 x 15 x 3.0 in. (3.5 in. pitch)
• KYB Pro 40 EA-3 series shocks
  • 50% more compression damping than MY23 Freeride KYB 36 EA-3 shocks
• New spindle geometry

• Pilot DS-4 Skis
• New 146” length 850 E-TEC Turbo R power choice
• Lower 120mm riser
• New Neo Mint/Spartan Red colour

Here’s our take on the updates to the Freeride model for 2024. There’s a lot to discuss, so we’ll work our way though the list above, one item at at a time.

tMotion XT

Headlining these updates is the implementation of components that bring the handling characteristics of the 2024 Freeride a little closer to what was offered first on the MY23 Summit X w/ Expert Package, starting with Ski-Doo’s fixed rear arm suspension called tMotion XT.

Along with changes to the track, spindle and ski, tMotion XT adds significantly more precision to the handling of the REV Gen5 platform sled. With the fixed rear suspension arm, sidehills are considerably easier to maintain on a line—especially in chop and other less-than-ideal snow conditions. For riders on the Freeride, this will help them set up their approaches to a takeoff with a lot more confidence.

The move to a more precise handling package makes a lot of sense, given that riders who gravitate to the Freeride model tend to be aggressive riders who are often riding a fine line between success and failure. These are the riders who are more likely to be willing to accept a bit more steering and sidehill initiation effort in exchange for more precise handling at high speed or in tough conditions, when it really counts.

15” wide PowderMax X-Light full rod track

While a 15″ wide track will provide slightly less floatation at slow speeds than the 16″ wide track that is found on the Ski-Doo Summit models, that is a fair trade off for Freeride riders who stand to gain more from the additional track speed and a lighter rotating mass provided for by a 15″ wide track.

The 15″ wide PowderMax X-Light track used in the Freeride is new for 2024, with updates from the 15″ wide track used on the MY2023 Lynx Shredder sleds (these have likewise been updated for MY24, to increase durability and further reduce the risk of delamination).

In the same way that the Summit Expert package benefits from the use of full-width rods in the track to gain some additional on-edge stability, so does the Freeride for MY24.

KYB Pro 40 EA-3 series shocks

The premium shocks package offered on the Freeride is even better for model year 2024, with the upgrade to KYB Pro 40 EA-3 series shocks all round.

These longer 40 mm piston shocks are configured for 50% more compression damping over the previous model year’s KYB 36 EA-3 package. They maintain their easy, three-position adjustment.

New spindle geometry and 36″ ski stance

Part of the up front changes to the Freeride model include a revised spindle. The spindle angle is slightly adjusted for better stability at high speed.

What’s not changed is the 36″ ski stance. While more of the Summit lineup moves to the narrower 34″ ski stance for improved tip-up, Ski-Doo engineering feels that the additional stability provided by the 36″ stance is better-suited for the type of rider who is typically drawn to the Freeride model.

Pilot DS-4 Skis

The Pilot DS-4 was new on the MY23 Summit Expert, and it makes sense to add it now to the Freeride model. The ski, with its extended keel and relocated spindle mounting position does add a small amount of steering effort, but is well worth the cost for its improved ability to hold a line in technical terrain and harder snow.

New 146” track ength 850 E-TEC Turbo R power choice

If you really want to go to extremes, Ski-Doo is making a pretty wild configuration available. It’s the Freeride 146″ track option with TurboR engine! Talk about wheelie potential with 180 horsepower delivered via such a short track.

Ski-Doo ambassadors have been asking for this option for their spring riding, booter sessions and just for rowdy playfulness in general, and we’re confident that the bro-tie crowd will be all over it too. Heck, we want one!

Cockpit

For 2024, the Freeride will come with Ski-Doo’s low, 120 mm (4.7 in.) riser—the same as what’s offered on the Summit Expert. The low riser puts the rider into a more athletic position (knees bent) that will help them achieve maximum control in tough terrain.

The handlebars use a smaller diameter than the base model deep snow sleds, which improves grip, and feature an adjustable brake lever and a new aluminum brake master cylinder.

The 10.25″ touchscreen display is an option for the 2024 Ski-Doo Freeride model, while the 4.5″ gauge remains standard equipment.

New Neo Mint/Spartan Red color

Regarding the new colour scheme for the 2024 Ski-Doo Freeride model, there will be internet haters (sadly we’ve already deleted some prejudicial comments posted to our social media regarding the colour of this sled—comments that have no place in snowmobiling or life in general).

In the official opinion of Mountain Sledder, this colour scheme pops! Which is great for those who like it, because as usual there’s only one colourway offered for the Freeride model.

Of course, you can always wrap it if you don’t like it. Or buy a Summit instead, where greater sales numbers make more colourway variety feasible. But really, riders should be choosing a model based how it fits with their particular riding style and preference, with colour a distant priority.

Other Key Features

Of course there are a couple of other carryover features that help make the Freeride stand out from the rest of the Ski-Doo deep snow lineup. These include:

• Sway bar quick-disconnect
• Suspension rail stiffener

If you like to charge hard and get after it, the 2024 Ski-Doo Freeride model is going to be better than ever at helping you fulfill your dreams of taking big air, smashing high speed bumps and cranking bro-ties until you’re dizzy in the head. But it will also now be better at holding a line through the thick and gnarly stuff as well.

The point of all these changes in the 2024 Ski-Doo Freeride is to increase the confidence-building consistency in the handling characteristic of the sled, for the hair-straight-back crowd of riders who just wanna ‘send it’.

The narrower track and fixed rear arm suspension provide a little more predictability and precision for lining up those big hits. The 36″ ski stance, carried over despite a trend across the other deep snow sleds to a narrower 34″ stance, allows the rider a little more stability for those high speed approaches and manoeuvres.

And the 2024 Freeride improves yet further upon its trademark characteristic, which is the best shocks package available in the Ski-Doo deep snow lineup.

– MS