10 Vintage Snowmobiles That Defined Winter in Northern Ontario (Did You Ride One?)

Snowmobiling is as vibrant as ever in Northern Ontario, where there are over 10,000 km of trails operated by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs.

And while today’s sleds may come with creature comforts like Bluetooth connectivity, electronic starters and heated seats, there’s something special about the machines that came out of the “golden age” of the sport, the late 1960s to early 1980’s.

From practical to sci-fi, these ten vintage snowmobiles show how the sport won hearts.

Did you learn to ride on—or dream of owning—any of these iconic snowmobiles?

1. 1970 Moto-Ski Grand Prix

The smile on John Lennon’s face says it all, doesn’t it?

The Beatle was snapped on what appears to be a 1970 Moto-Ski Grand Prix—known for its flashy gold metal flake finish—on a trip to Canada with Yoko Ono.

The two were visiting the Mississauga farmhouse of Ronnie Hawkins, who said Lennon “constantly wanted to ride the snowmobile,” according to Insauga.com—can you blame him?

2. 1973 Sno-Jet Starjet 338

The Quebec-founded Sno-Jet brand helped make snowmobiling accessible and popular with models like this iconic blue machine with its offset headlight.

It was lightweight and easy-start, making it an “everyman” snowmobile good for casual riding and groomed trails.

3. 1985 Manta 500

The ’85 Manta was built for comfort and safety.

It was cock-pit style with a sprung seat and seatbelt, had a steering wheel instead of handlebars, and throttle and brake foot pedals.

The Star Wars-like machine performed well on trails, but a sighting would have been a thrill, as only around 150 were made.

4. 1971 Ski-Doo Élan

Perhaps the most beloved of Bombardier’s Ski-Doos, the Élan first hit the market in 1971 and continued to be made right up until 1996.

It was affordable and minimalist, but reliable.

It did well in deep snow and could be used for things like ice fishing and reaching remote areas.

Plus, most owners could easily troubleshoot it when needed.

5. 1972 Arctic Cat Panther 440

The snow leopard seat. The purple details. The cursive script on the front. No wonder this fashionable ride was a bestseller.

Looks aside, it was known to run smoothly and was ideal for everyday use.

Plus, it had unique features for the time, like the console-mounted storage compartment.

6. 1972 Skiroule RTX 440

When boxy snowmobiles seemed to be everywhere, the “Green Bullet” set itself apart with its slick, low profile and wedge nose.

Ideal for high-speed trail rides or racing, it exuded luxury right down to the stylized loop handles on the ski tips.

7. 1978 Kawasaki Invader

The Corvette of snowmobiles, Kawasaki’s flagship model, was praised for its performance and appearance.

It was known for being fast, high-quality, and stable, even on rough terrain.

A neat feature was the headlight hidden in the sleek hood. It had to be manually pulled up and locked into position.

8. 1988 Yamaha SnoScoot

A favourite among kids and grown-ups alike, the SnoScoot was a first sled for many a snowmobiler.

With its kick-start option, upright seat and high handlebars, it has been likened to a BMX bike rather than a traditional snowmobile.

Its compact size made it easy to transport, and it was a fun ride for recreational or light trail use.

9. 1972 Alouette Mini-Brute

Were you lucky enough to wake up and find one of these cuties under the Christmas tree?

With a distinctive wedge design and high-gloss red body, the mini member of the Alouette family was surprisingly quick.

Kids could channel their inner pro-racer, whether zipping around the backyard or going on a family outing.

10. 1967 Bolens Diablo Rouge 503

There’s something Zamboni-like to the 1967 Diablo Rouge 503 with its front-heavy, ski-less rectangular design.

Plus, unlike more traditional sleds, this snowmobile was articulated, with a simple open ski seat in the back, which allegedly made taking corners a good time.

More Winter Adventures in Northern Ontario

Looking for more Northern Ontario snow activities? Winter fun includes camping, ice climbing, ice fishing, dog sledding and more!

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