Snowmobile Choices
Not a lot to choose from and maybe thats a good thing, at least as far as new purchases are concerned. Older model brands are still around. Here's an overview.
The major snowmobile brands for winter sports are Ski-Doo, Polaris, Arctic Cat, and historically Yamaha (though Yamaha largely exited the market but still provides engines for Arctic Cat), all offering performance models for trail, mountain, and utility riding, known for power, handling, and innovation in different terrains.
Older snowmobile brands included big names like Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo, Yamaha, John Deere, Mercury, Sno-Jet, Rupp, Scorpion, Moto-Ski, alongside numerous smaller brands like Boa Ski, Chaparral, Evinrude, Harley-Davidson, Johnson, Skiroule, Sears, Alouette, Ariens, Hus-Ski, and Viking, with hundreds of manufacturers emerging during the “golden age” (1960s-1970s) before consolidation.
Key Brands:
Ski-Doo (BRP): Canadian manufacturer known for cutting-edge tech, powerful engines (like Rotax), and versatile models for deep snow (Summit) and trails (MXZ).
Polaris: A leading American brand with iconic lines like the RMK (mountain) and Indy (trail/crossover), focusing on rider-centric design and innovation.
Arctic Cat: Known for high-performance and durability, offering strong mountain sleds (Alpha One) and trail machines, often using Yamaha engines in newer models.
Yamaha: A Japanese brand celebrated for quality and reliability, though they stopped producing their own snowmobiles, they still partner with Arctic Cat, providing engines.
Popular Models/Series for Winter Sports:
For Deep Snow/Mountain: Polaris RMK, Ski-Doo Summit, Arctic Cat Alpha.
For Trails/Crossover: Polaris Indy, Ski-Doo MXZ, Arctic Cat ZR/Riot.
These brands cater to all levels, from beginners to expert backcountry riders, offering models built for speed, agility, and exploring vast winter landscapes.