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The first attempts at building a vehicle that would move over snow on runners happened 75 years ago. Many dreamed of building a power-driven sled, especially where heavy snowfalls often meant the difference between life and death when attempting to transport an ill person to emergency care. In 1935, a snowmobile was built with skis in front and a sprocket wheel and tracked system in back. It carried 12 people, and family doctors, veterinarians, ambulance and taxi drivers were first in line to purchase one. A modified version found a market in the logging industry.

It was the late 1950s, with the development of smaller gasoline engines, before the one- or two-passenger lightweight chassis snowmobile was marketed - and with it, a new recreational sport was born. Ten years later, there were dozens of manufacturers producing snowmobiles that sold for a few hundred dollars a piece. Today, four manufacturers will produce over 200,000 snowmobiles to be sold annually in the United states, Canada and Europe. With more than 4 million riders, snowmobiling is a major winter recreational activity and a significant factor in increased winter tourism in much of Canada and the snowbelt of the United States.

The history of the snow machine is far from completed. Today's snow machines bears little resemblance to earlier models. By today's standards, many of the machines of the 60's and 70's are considered antiques. There are more than four million snowmobilers in Canada and the United States. Surveys show that over 94.5% of snowmobilers consider it a family activity. The overwhelming majority of snowmobile owners are married and have children. Snowmobiling appeals to people of all ages - from youngsters to senior citizens. Studies reveal that snowmobilers generally ride close to home. On day trips, snowmobilers typically travel 30 to 75 miles to favorite riding areas or on favorite trails. There is a growing interest in touring - spending several nights traveling, shopping, dining and sleeping along the way. However, for overnight trips, distances traveled normally range between 100 and 150 miles per day. Although primarily a recreational activity, snowmobiling also provides many other useful functions. In remote portions of Canada and the U.S., snowmobiles are some citizens' primary source of transportation. Snowmobiles are relied upon by law enforcement units throughout the snowbelt for search and rescue work and emergency missions. They are used also by surveyors, ranchers, public utility employees, environmental and wildlife scientists and countless others. Ski-touring centers across North America utilize snowmobiles for trail grooming and track setting. Snowmobiles are also widely used by cross-country ski race officials, dog sled races, and by ski patrols for rescue purposes.

Snowmobile Manufacturers Bombardier - Ski-Doo

We still proudly bear the name of our founder, Joseph-Armand Bombardier, who, in 1937, made history by introducing the first snowmobile. In 1942 Joseph-Armand Bombardier opens l'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée in Valcourt. The company builds tracked vehicles designed for travelling over snow. 1947, L'Auto-Neige Bombardier sets up a large 1000-unit mass production plant. After the war, the B12 and C18 vehicles ensure the health of the business. 1959 The Ski-Doo® snowmobile is launched. J.-A. Bombardier is the first to mass produce snowmobiles. 1962-63 The Ski-Doo® snowmobile undergoes modifications with a new fiberglass hood and replacement of the Kohler and JLO engines by the Austrian Rotax® engine.

1969 Bombardier's stock is listed on the Montreal and Toronto Stock Exchanges, where two million shares are publicly offered. 1970 The Austrian company Lohnerwerke GmbH and its subsidiary Rotax-Werk, named Bombardier-Rotax GmbH today, are acquired. They build the Rotax® engines. 1971 New Ski-Doo models are launched: Elan Skandic, Valmont and Blizzard.

Moto-SkiTM is acquired.

1973 On August 29, the 1,000,000th Ski-Doo snowmobile is manufactured.

1974 Technology, safety, appearance and comfort of Ski-Doo snowmobiles have improved. Bombardier works closely with snowmobiling clubs to build several trail networks. 1989 Bombardier acquires the Pointe-Claire, Québec, assets and operations of the tracked vehicle division of the American company Universal Go-Tract, and those of Universal Go-Tract of Georgia Ltd in White, Georgia. 1993 September 14, 1993, the 2,000,000th Ski-Doo snowmobile is manufactured in Valcourt. 1998 The Ski-Doo snowmobile celebrates its 40th anniversary. 2000 The Summit 700 Highmark snowmobile is awarded Mountain Muscle Sled of the Year by Snowest Magazine. 2002 In November, Bombardier Recreational Products revolutionizes the snowmobile industry by introducing its Ski-Doo® REV models, snowmobiling's most radical change in 40 years.