Choosing Your Snowmobile

Today’s clean, advanced technology snowmobiles are as quiet, reliable and state of the art as automobiles. And like autos, new sleds offer many features and benefits to make your sledding as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Typically, new participants in Ontario should look at a “touring” model in the popular 500 to 600cc range, that comes with electric start, reverse, thumb and hand warmers, high windshield, and mirrors. Touring sleds normally come in one-up or two-up configurations, each respectively designed for carrying a solo rider or a rider plus passenger (Two-up sleds can be used by one or two persons, while two should never ride on a sled only built to handle one).

Regardless of the make or model, all snowmobiles have the same basic characteristics – two skis with suspension up front; a front mounted engine to power a rotating rubber track underneath the seat; a rear suspension system under the seat and within the track; handlebars for steering; and a fuel tank. What’s different from brand to brand and model-to-model is how each of the major components accomplishes its task. So a “performance” or “muscle” sled will usually have more finely-tuned power, stiffer suspension and aggressive features — like sports car — while a touring model will have more middle of the road power, a cushier suspension set up and a more comfortable seat, similar to a family sedan. As with buying a car, shop for the features best suited to your riding expectations, style and experience level that come within your budget range – and check a used sled over carefully before buying.

For more info about what sled is right for you, check out these great Buying Snowmobiles articles.

Contributing partners for this Ontario snowmobiling site about great Ontario snowmobile trails and snowmobile conditions include: Intrepid Snowmobiler, Murphy Insurance, Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, Ontario Tourism, Snow Goer Media, Supertrax Media.

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