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. Our Colorado snowmobiling guide covers everything you need to know about riding in the state today. Come experience the modern version on the Continental Divide with us.
Engine and machine evolution
Early recreational snowmobiles used two-stroke engines that prioritized power-to-weight ratio over efficiency or emissions. The shift toward four-stroke engines in the 1990s and 2000s addressed environmental concerns and reliability issues, though serious backcountry riders still prefer two-strokes for their lighter weight in deep snow. Modern machines combine four-stroke fuel injection with advanced suspension that handles terrain changes far better than 1980s-era equipment. The machines our guests ride today are descendants of decades of incremental improvement aimed at making the sport accessible to a broader range of riders.