In Alaska snow machines are not toys. They are a necessity. Getting to grocery etc with a couple feet of snow on the ground is not something that even a 4 wheeler can do. I don’t know what we would have done without our snowmobile the last blizzard we had. Even police had to rely on them and I am in Indiana
My favorite thing about the Yukon is the humor of harshness and the warmth of the fire LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOXhjf5JYVY
He was most likely out trail riding.
The Palins live in Wasilla with all the paved, plowed roads needed to get around.
It's not like they live in the Alaska bush.