The outdoors is my favorite place to be. I can ride motorcycles, go camping, head out into the backcountry to hunt or fish, drive UTVs, and generally just experience the glorious world around me. And, if you can't guess, I think the world would be a better place if more folks when outside and got away from screens.
Everyone, that is, not just kids.
And Polaris, the folks behind most of the go-fast, have-fun powersports vehicles that let you play in those outdoors from spring until winter, have been doing their best in getting more and more people out into those space, but not just from selling those machines. No, in fact, the brand's Polaris Adventures program, which partners with outfitters and guides across the United States, has been sending regular people out into the woods on snowmobiles or ATVs, and driving UTVs, for a while now and just recently crossed a major milestone.
Not only has it sent a ton of people into the woods to experience our public lands, but it's sent a metric ton of people. How does 2 million customer rides sound?
Polaris started its Adventures program only in 2017, and partnered with just a few outfitters and guides at the time. Fast-forward to today and the program has sent 2 million customers into the woods and out into the real, natural world and has seen the initial partner program grow to include "250 outfitters across 41 states," according to the brand. That's a heck of a lot of rides, adventures, and partners looking to help folks get outside.
And what's cool about the Polaris Adventures program as it allows people to gain access and experience our collective public lands, enjoy it in real, tangible ways, and gain new understanding of the world that's so close to their doorstep. All while not having to fork over a monthly payment for their own machine. Well, that is until they love it too much and decide to turn up at their local Polaris dealership to get one for their own garage.
"Two million rides is more than a number – it’s a reflection of the growing passion for outdoor adventure," says Gray Rentz, Polaris Experience's Vice President and General Manager, adding, "Outfitters give riders of all skills the opportunity to connect with the outdoors in meaningful ways. It’s not just about offering rides – it’s about unlocking experiences at popular riding destinations or in riders’ own backyards."
Rentz later said, "The two-million-ride mark is a testament to this, and we are committed to continuing to help more people experience the outdoors in an off-road vehicle, snowmobile, Slingshot or boat."
As for the Polaris Adventures program, there's likely one within an hour's distance of your home, and spans off-roading in UTVs or ATVs, the aforementioned Slingshot three-wheeler, and even snowmobiling whether that's backcountry powder or trail rides. You just have to find the right one for you and get your butt outdoors as, again, life would be better if more folks went outside and touched grass.
