How much better is a skandic or tundra that just a regular skidoo for trapping. Finding a used skandic or tundra is almost impossible here, but you can pick up other snowmobiles for 2-3K . Is it worth waiting for the workhorses? Never would buy new, so that option is out.

Not sure what you mean by a "regular Skidoo" . If you mean a short track, there is absolutely no comparison. ...IMO.

Depending on what you want to do with it and your snow conditions, you might get by with a 'regular' machine. But they will not do what a Tundra or Skandic will do, with a lot less effort and hassle

Depends on your snow conditions,and type of trapping.

Mountains or open country? I have a newer skandic and like it for pulling and gas efficiency. I can easily pull a 1/3 cord of wood on a packed trail. The wide track stays afloat fairly well with the skins it is better. The main down side I have found it that it is a little tippy and will dive every once in awhile. A friend has a tundra and I used to have one. I think if you are not pulling heavy loads you can easily get away with the lighter less expensive tundra.

All trapping here is in the mountains- mostly very fluffy and powdered snow. I was thinking with all the advancements in snow machines that can go almost anywhere nowadays that just about any snow machine would be fine, Where is the advantage to the tundra/skandic machines? At low throttle or what? Only an issue if pulling a load??

I opt for 153" of track. Just about anything less is an exercise in frustration in the conditions you refer to. For me with constant open creek crossings and water the flotation of my sled makes that kind of stuff a non issue. Ask the poor souls who decide to follow my tracks what they think of short track sleds. Looks like a war zone when they get stuck from all the shenanagins of getting unstuck. While just about any newer sled is granted better than the older stuff, a purpose built off trail tled with lots of flotation is King.

Alright, I'm biting. I probably shouldn't.

Yamaha, Ski doo, and Arctic cat and Polaris all make or made work machines.

The work machines come with longer/ and or wider tracks than a short track. Many go-fasters come with long tracks generally with longer lugs.

Work machines have the following:

1.Back racks for carrying stuff.

2.A hitch for pulling stuff.

3. A large windshield that actually blocks wind

4. A large seat with under seat storage, ( or the ability to make your own), not a motorcycle seat.

5. Some are actually built a little tougher than your average go faster.

6. The better work machines come with a metal brush guard/bumper.

Newer stuff being better is an opinion not a fact. Comfort; they tend to be better, mileage tends to be better, other things not so much.

You could use a mountain machine to climb those mountains, however you tend to leave a trench which makes that route hazardous to run again. If you are pulling a sled, I would modify your mud flap to block all that slush and snow you will fill that sled with.

Good luck!

In response to "who is John Galt", I know the answer- He's a general surgeon who works at St Peter's hospital in Helena MT. Both of his brothers own ranches, and refer to John as the one who really didn't make much of himself.

Scandics and Tundras are sold as work machines. The fact they are rare as used should answer your questions. Trappers tend to run them, modify them and repair them until they go behind the shed for spare parts. For trapping my advice is to stay with the utility sleds as described above by Dirt.