When and Who Invented the First Snowmobile?

A look at the first snowmobile ever made will give you a newfound appreciation for modern versions. These vehicles have truly come a long way, offering more comfort and power than anyone using earlier iterations would have imagined.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the first snowmobiles and their development throughout the years.

Who Invented the Snowmobile?

A Canadian man by the name of Joseph-Armand Bombardier is widely credited (including in The Canadian Encyclopedia) with inventing the first snowmobile in 1935. It bore little resemblance to the modern snowmobile in that it was essentially a large car sat atop skis and tank-like tracks.

Still, the world’s first snowmobile was a giant leap forward in terms of traversing through snowy conditions.

Joseph-Armand Bombardier brought his snowmobile to the market in 1937. Most of his early customer base consisted of medical workers in rural areas. Other professionals, including couriers and utility service providers, quickly caught on and began adopting the mode of transportation as well.

The first snowmobile’s success paved the way for Bombardier’s eponymous company, which today produces business jets and rail equipment.

Bombardier wasn’t the first to envision the concept of a snowmobile, though. Next, let’s take a look at the predecessors to the world’s first snowmobile.

A Brief History of the Snowmobile

The Lombard Steam Log Hauler was patented in 1901 as the first commercially-produced vehicle to use a continuous track. This helped it glide over the snow and other types of tricky terrain with ease.

The concept would go through several revisions before the first snowmobile was ever made. In 1913, Ford produced a version of their Model T car that ran on tracks and sleds.

This was around the time that Joseph-Armand Bombardier began experimenting with the concept of a snowmobile, first creating a version based on a modified Model T equipped with a propeller.

The concept took another leap forward in 1924 when Earl Eliason created what was known as a “motorized toboggan.”

So while Bombardier’s 1935 release is widely-recognized as being the world’s first snowmobile, know that there were several predecessors paving the way.

Subsequent manufacturers carried the snowmobile concept forward as well. The first Polaris snowmobile introduced in 1956 arguably bore the closest resemblance to modern machines of any vehicle before it.

The first Polaris snowmobile was remarkably heavy, though, weighing roughly 1,000 pounds and traveling just 20 miles per hour – a far cry from the sleek, lightweight, and speedy motor sleds on the market today.

Modern Development of the Snowmobile

In the second half of the 20th Century, the snowmobile’s popularity took off. They developed into single-occupancy vehicles and a widespread community of recreational enthusiasts sprung up throughout the world.

The evolution of snowmobiles continued throughout this period as well. Let’s take a look decade-by-decade.

Snowmobiles in the 1950s

In the 1950s, Allister and George Ingham invented the first single-track snowmobile in Canada. 

Ski-Doo, one of the world’s most iconic snowmobile manufacturers (and a subsidiary of Bombardier Recreational Products), got its start in 1959.

Funnily enough, by the way, the company’s name was actually supposed to be “Ski-Dog” but a typo resulted in the now-ubiquitous branding.

Snowmobiles in the 1960s

The 1960s saw two notable forays into the snowmobile manufacturing industry: Arctic Cat and Yamaha, which remain two of the most popular brands to this day. Arctic Cat was founded by Edgard Hetten, a co-founder of Polaris.

Snowmobiles in the 1970s

In 1970, Polaris introduced a new clutch that made snowmobile racing much more feasible. Arctic Cat also released its Kitty Cat snowmobile, which was the first model intended for use by children.

Technological developments in the 1970s included the Brutanza heat exchanger, which also enhanced the performance of snowmobiles and made the machines more racetrack-ready.

Snowmobiles in the 1980s

By the 1980s, the snowmobile market was largely dominated by Polaris, Yamaha, and Arctic Cat. Enthusiasts recognize the decade for its further enhancements to snowmobile suspensions that made the vehicles more capable of handling rough trails safely.

The big leap came when Polaris released its Polaris Indy TXL, which had independent front suspension and quickly built a reputation for performance.

The Yamaha Phazer was another notable introduction in the 1980s. It was remarkably lightweight for its time, offering an unparalleled level of maneuverability.

Snowmobiles in the 1990s

By the 1990s, snowmobile sales had reached record levels, topping out at 170,325 in 1997 in the United States and 68,742 in Canada that same year.

This decade saw the early iterations of electric snowmobiles but much was yet to come in this regard.

Snowmobiles in the 2000s

In the 2000s, there was a big push towards producing more environmentally-friendly snowmobiles. This drive has continued through to the modern era with manufacturers like Ski-Doo still working to popularize electric snow vehicles.

Another substantial change that emerged in the 2000s was the introduction of four-stroke engine snowmobiles, which offer better fuel economy and are more efficient overall.

Mind you, there still exists a significant debate as to whether four-stroke engine snowmobiles are actually superior to two-stroke models and you’ll find enthusiasts that swear by either type. Many of the most reliable snowmobiles in existence were created during the 2000s

Snowmobiles in the 2010s

In the 2010s, a new class of snow vehicles – snow bikes – really took hold of the market. Snow bikes are part motorcycle, part snowmobile, offering a much slimmer form factor than snowmobiles.

These vehicles are all about delivering a powerful, sporty riding experience – no doubt about it.

Conventional snowmobiles also continued to develop in the 2010s, with a new partnership between Arctic Cat and Yamaha yielding collaborative releases by the two historic brands. Many of the most reliable snowmobile helmets were introduced in the 2010s as well. Check out this article for a list.

Looking to Insure a Snowmobile? Trust Surex

We hope this article has answered your questions concerning who invented the snowmobile and how the vehicles have developed ever since.

As you can tell, we’re as passionate about snowmobiles as you are – but we’re even more passionate about snowmobile insurance! At Surex, we’ll help you find the best deals on insurance for your motor sled throughout Canada. Click here to connect with one of our insurance specialists and start shopping today!