Back in the day, snowmobiles were just built as utility vehicles to access snowy conditions that other vehicles couldn’t gain access to. Now, over the years with all the technological advancements and new engineering, there are all different types of snowmobiles. Each type of snowmobile is made for a specific reason. It’s up to you to decide what is right for you!
Trail Snowmobile
A trail snowmobile is the perfect beginner sled for someone just starting out. It has a light weight frame so it’s easier to maneuver down the groomed trails. Since it’s light weight, it has no problem accelerating and getting to the speed you would like to go.
These sleds are good for a beginner because…
- They are less expensive than all of the other kinds
- They are not as powerful. They have around a 70hp engine in them. But don’t get me wrong, they can still get up and go.
- A lot easier sled to handle
As far as comfort, the suspension on them isn’t terrible. I would say it’s in between a performance sled and a touring snowmobile. This sled is the perfect type of sled for beginners, youth, and a sled to have around if your buddy comes over to go riding and he doesn’t have one. It’s just the basic sled good for going down trails on.
Sport Trail Snowmobile
If you hop on a trail sled and realize that you need something a bit more aggressive, then get a sport trail snowmobile. These would essentially be like a step up from a trail snowmobile. They are a lot more sporty features and designs on them. The suspension is a lot better in these sleds than in regular trail sleds, so going off trail into potential rough terrain doesn’t pose as much of a problem.
The engine puts out a bit more horsepower than trail sleds. It can get up to around 80hp. The frame is still lightweight, which is great for beginners and easier to handle. There is a very little difference between a trail snowmobile and a sport trail snowmobile. The main differences is horsepower, the sporty look, and the suspension.
Mountain Snowmobile
The mountain snowmobile is exactly what it sounds. It’s made for climbing mountains in high elevation terrain. These sleds have a really long track, which poses no problem ripping through deep snow the higher up the mountain you get. I do have to say, it’s pretty hard to get these things stuck.
Along with the long track, it has a high horsepower engine in it. The high horsepower engines are good for spinning the crap out of the long track and performing very well in super cold and high altitude conditions. The frame on these are very similar to those on the trail snowmobile, lightweight. All of these combinations of things make for a peak performance sled sure to take you barreling up the side of a mountain.
Sure, these are made for very snowy conditions and mountain climbing, but lets not say they can’t go on a groomed trail or two. They will just handle a lot different on a groomed trail then in the heavier, high altitude conditions.
Touring Snowmobile
Touring snowmobiles are the most luxurious out of all of the different types of snowmobiles. These are long distance sleds. They are focused on comfort and long travel times. These sleds are more than likely going to be a “two-up,’ meaning that it’s going to have two seats for two riders.
They are going to have a wide body and be heavy with a long track so you are more stable to the ground. They will have a good size engine in them to haul around two people with all of the cargo that you will have. There is also a suspension in them that is smooth as glass.
Since you will be riding for so long, you will need all of the bells and whistles that come with touring snowmobiles. These include…
- Navigation System
- Communication System
- Heated Seats
- Heated Handlebars
- Backrests
- Large Windshield
- Hand Guards
- Reverse
- Electric Start
- Side Mounted Mirrors
If you want the most comfortable snowmobile out there and just want to ride and explore, this is your sled.
Performance Snowmobile
The performance snowmobiles are for the adrenaline junkies and more experienced riders. These sleds are built for speed and competitions. If you don’t mind flying down a frozen lake going well over 100mph, then this is the sled for you. The horsepower that these sleds can put out can get up to as much as 185hp! If you combine the 185hp along with the super lightweight body these things have, it makes for a great takeoff.
Now, if you have a sled that puts out that much horsepower and goes that fast, you need a good suspension in it to help the rider be able to handle the sled and put it wherever it needs to be. It will turn and stop on a dime, like it should. But, just because it has a great suspension, doesn’t mean that these things were made for comfort. Probably the least comfortable sled out there. These were made for going fast and handling great, not for comfort.
Crossover Snowmobile
The crossover snowmobile. The best of both worlds. The crossover snowmobile gets its name from being able to ride on the trail with ease but also going off trail into the more rugged terrain. This sled offers such versatility between mountain sleds and trail sleds.
Like a mountain sled, it has a long track, allowing it to get through very tough terrain. But also, a great suspension put into it, making trail riding with it awesome. The longer track on it with bigger paddles just eat up the fresh, powdery snow.
Some say there are two types of snowmobile riders in this world. On trail riders and off trail riders. Well why not be both?
Utility Snowmobile
The utility snowmobile is the work horse. All work and no play. This wide-bodied, heavy machine is built to get you and whatever you’re hauling from Point A to Point B and that’s it. The reason why it’s wider is because it’s generally hauling a lot more weight, so they need the wide body to help maneuver the sled around and have a better center of gravity.
This snowmobile also has the most engine power out of all of them. The reason being is because the sled itself is a lot heavier, and you are usually towing something behind it. It needs all of that engine power to get through tough terrain while hauling people and equipment. These generally come standard with electric start and reverse.
Examples of using a utility sled would be very snowy conditions, hauling an ice-shanty, towing a toboggan, and even pulling your buddies stuck sled out.
