This September, I had the incredible chance to attend Hay Days 2025 in Minneapolis, MN, and let me tell you—what a whirlwind of a weekend! If you’ve ever been, you know what I mean: two short days packed with everything snowmobile culture has to offer, from media conferences and product launches to freestyle shows, swap meets, and late-night afterparties.
But here’s the truth: I couldn’t have made it happen without my industry friends. A huge thank you goes out to TOBE Outerwear, Yeti SnowMX, RedRose Creations, and SledMagazine.com for helping make this trip possible. With their support, Poire. made it to Minneapolis to soak up the festivities, reconnect with the community, and gather energy for the season ahead.
Coffee, Conferences, and Cat Lunches
My Hay Days kicked off with slow-brewed morning coffees with the Yeti crew, where conversations flowed as easily as the caffeine. And right there, I had a proud little moment: spotting a few of my own Poire. wraps graphic kits out in the wild. One of them was on Jason McMurray’s sled—and after sponsoring him for over five years, I finally got the chance to meet him in person. That connection alone made the trip extra special and reminded me exactly why I pour so much heart into this work.
From there, it was a hustle of media conferences with the big manufacturers—where new machines, tech, and announcements took centre stage.
Midday, I joined the Arctic-Cat hosted lunch, which was not only delicious but also memorable for another reason: I found myself as the only woman at a table of 20+. That’s some real Jessy.P energy, baby! Sitting among engineers, executives, and media pros, it hit me once again just how rare it still is to see women holding media seats in this industry.
In fact, throughout the weekend, I realized something: in most manufacturer press releases and media conference lineups, I was the only female media present. That didn’t go unnoticed either—Luke from SnowTrax gave me a shoutout, calling me “Gold.” Hearing that from another respected media outlet filled my heart. There’s nothing quite like being recognized and supported by peers who understand the grind.
TOBE Tribe and Real Connections
Another highlight was reconnecting with the TOBE Tribe. Some of the crew answered my call, and hanging out together reminded me of something important: conflict isn’t an obstacle—it’s an opportunity to grow closer to those who matter. On top of that, it was great to meet up with their American brand manager and Kyle Huestis at Freshies Built for a quick photo session and to catch up on the upcoming season’s goals. That mix of camaraderie and forward momentum made the whole weekend even more meaningful.
Caleb Kesterke’s First Custom Polaris Build
One of the standout moments of Hay Days was being right there for Caleb Kesterke’s first-ever custom Polaris build release—a milestone etched in snowmobile lore and captured perfectly by my talented friend Amber from RedRose Creations.
For anyone who hasn’t been following his path, Caleb is already a name carved deep into backcountry legend. From his Montana roots, he’s earned respect for turning the gnarliest terrain into pure art: wild re-entries, massive drops, and lines most riders wouldn’t even dare to imagine. He’s not just a rider—he’s a creator, a coach, a boundary pusher. Watching him ride feels like poetry in motion, and witnessing the unveiling of his first Polaris build in person was nothing short of legendary.
And let’s be real—this machine isn’t just a sled, it’s a monster. Caleb went full send with a Hillclimb Open Mod 9R Boost engine that’s cranking out over 280 horsepower—so much juice that even he admits he’s not entirely sure how to tame it yet. That kind of power means bottomless throttle response, insane pull on the steepest climbs, and instant recovery when a line gets sketchy.
To keep that beast fed, the chassis carries a hand-built 8-gallon aluminum fuel tank tied to a reworked in-tank fuel system with fresh lines and filtration. The design isn’t just about extra volume—it’s built to deliver steady fuel even when the sled is sitting at ridiculous angles. Nose-down in a chute, sidehilling on a near-vertical camber, or pivoting through a sketchy re-entry—this tank keeps the motor happy no matter what position Caleb throws it into.
The rest of the set-up is just as dialled: custom HD rails, a 2.5″ lift kit, and Fox 2.0 shocks that let the chassis soak up brutal landings but still stay playful enough for quick maneuvers. The gearing is tuned at 6:17, giving the sled a ridiculous punch off the line while still leaving enough stretch for wide-open alpine pulls. And with three-piece aluminum beadlock wheels wrapped in Continental 335/80 R20s, traction isn’t a question—it’s a guarantee, even in loose snow conditions where most sleds would just spin and dig.
This is the kind of build that doesn’t just look mean—it demands respect. It’s engineered to live at the edge, where control and chaos blur, and the rider’s skill is the only limit.
Even better? The story doesn’t stop at Hay Days. In January, I’ll be heading to Seeley Lake, MT, to join Caleb for his Proven Progression snowmobile camp, which will also mark his first ever all-women’s clinic. Huge thanks to Amber Heberling at RedRose Creations for pulling the strings to make it happen. For me, the stars have aligned—I’ll be riding Polaris this season, and I cannot wait to prove (pun intended 😉) what the 9R progression looks like under Caleb’s direction.
PowerHour and Poire. Pride
No Hay Days recap would be complete without mentioning the legendary PowerHour. For those unfamiliar, it’s a high-energy video contest where riders submit their best 60-second edits showcasing progression, creativity, and style. During the show, the videos are played back-to-back in front of a packed crowd, and the judging combines official scoring with the roar of audience reaction. It’s as much about innovation and flow as it is about big tricks and technical riding.
This year, one of Poire.’s very own athletes, Keaton Roper, took home the win. What a proud moment! Even though he can’t run my Poire. wraps on his Lynx sled anymore (industry rules—wink 😉), we were cheering him on with everything we had. The logos may change, but respect and support remain forever.
Ramps, Parties, and Missed Mud Bogs
Between business, media, and networking, I still managed to squeeze in plenty of fun. Watching the freestyle shows from inside the Rink, standing literally feet away from the ramps and landing bags, was an adrenaline rush all its own. Later, I chased friends around the Swap & Meet section, where time disappears as fast as your cash.
I also managed a photoshoot with Freshies Built, plus the Backwoods BMP VIP dinner and afterparty—the kind of night that reminds you how much this industry thrives on passion, connection, and the stories we tell over a good meal.
And yet… for the second year in a row, I managed to miss the Mud Bogs. Someday, I’ll make it, but for now I’ll keep laughing at the fact that two days at Hay Days will never be enough to see it all.
Looking Ahead: The Beast Awaits
As I wrap up my Hay Days’ reflections, I want to extend a special thank you to Polaris Snowmobiles and SledMagazine.com for setting me up with the ultimate ride this season: the Patriot 9R Pro RMK Burandt Special Edition (155 × 2.75). Just being at Hay Days, surrounded by the hype, confirmed what I already knew—I’m ready to take this sled and push myself harder than I have in years.
Like Polaris says, it’s time to Think Outside.
Final Thoughts
Hay Days 2026 reminded me of why I love this sport so much. The mix of community, progression, competition, and connection is unmatched. Between early coffees, media tables, freestyle shows, industry wins, and heartfelt reunions, I left with a full notebook, a full heart, and a fire in my belly to ride harder this season.
See you in the mountains,
xox
Jessy.P 🍐
