Today's snowmobiles are sophisticated machines capable of incredible performance. But the journey from early snow vehicles to modern sleds is a fascinating story of innovation and adventure.
Early Snow Machines
Humans have long sought ways to travel over snow:
- 1908: First patent for a motor toboggan
- 1920s: Various inventors experiment with snow vehicles
- 1935: Carl Eliason patents the "Motor Toboggan"
- 1937: Joseph-Armand Bombardier develops the B7 snowmobile
The Bombardier Revolution
Bombardier's innovations changed everything:
- Sprocket-wheel and rubber track system
- Initially built large snow vehicles for transport
- 1959: Introduced the Ski-Doo personal snowmobile
- Made winter recreation accessible to everyone
1960s: Birth of an Industry
The 60s saw explosive growth:
- Multiple manufacturers entered the market
- Polaris, Arctic Cat, Yamaha joined Ski-Doo
- Snowmobile clubs formed across snow country
- Trail systems began developing
1970s: The Boom Years
Snowmobiling reached peak popularity:
- Over 100 manufacturers building sleds
- 500,000+ units sold annually
- Technology improved rapidly
- Racing became popular
1980s-90s: Consolidation and Advancement
The industry matured:
- Market consolidated to major manufacturers
- Technology leapfrogged: liquid cooling, long tracks
- Environmental regulations improved emissions
- Mountain riding grew as its own discipline
Modern Era
Today's snowmobiles feature:
- Fuel injection and four-stroke options
- Advanced suspension systems
- Turbocharging for altitude performance
- Electric start and heated accessories
- GPS and electronic displays
Snowmobiling in Colorado
Colorado's snowmobile history:
- Early adoption in mining communities
- Forest Service trail development
- Continental Divide riding became iconic
- Today: 3,000+ miles of groomed trails
The Future
What's coming next:
- Electric snowmobiles in development
- Continued emissions improvements
- Advanced safety features
- Growing interest in backcountry access
Experience It Yourself
From those early motor toboggans to today's powerful mountain machines, snowmobiling has come a long way. Come experience the modern version on the Continental Divide with us.