The History of Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is a thrilling winter sport beloved by millions of people across the world. While today snowmobiling is used for mostly recreational needs - exploration, adventure and fun - its origins are deeply rooted in practicality, serving as a vital mode of transportation across snow-covered landscapes. In this article, we'll learn about the evolution of the snowmobile, from rudimentary designs to the high-tech vehicle we know today!
Origins of Snowmobiling (1900-1940s)
The snowmobile dates back to the early 1900s, when the need for a motorised vehicle to traverse snowy and icy terrain cropped up in both the United States of America and Canada. The 1880s to 1890s was a time of enormous innovation in transportation, with multiple designs for cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Many inventors had ideas to adapt these vehicles to be used in the snow. One of the first ever patented snowmobiles was the American Motor Sleigh, produced in Boston in 1905. This sleigh-like design, featuring an engine and runners, was an innovative concept but ultimately proved to be short-lived.
The real birthplace of the snowmobile is widely recognised as the New Hampshire city of Ossipee in the United States. It was there that in 1908, Virgil D. White, a Ford dealer, invented a snowmobile attachment for the Ford Model T. He copyrighted the term 'snowmobile', and thus the winter vehicle was born.
Throughout the 1920s, the snowmobile prototypes began to evolve. While Virgil D. White's snowmobile worked well for the relatively dry snow conditions in the US Midwest, it was not suitable for the wet and humid snow conditions found in southern areas. In Quebec, Canada, Joseph-Armand Bombardier began creating large, tracked snow vehicles. After tinkering with existing designs for many years, he eventually invented the country's first snowmobile in 1922. He used a caterpillar track system suitable for all types of snow conditions. These multi-passenger machines were designed to transport people through deep snow in rural areas.
During World War II in the 1940s, the snowmobile design was actually used for military purposes. Some of the original inventors, including Bombardier, sold snowmobiles to Canadian and British militaries to transport troops during the war. This put a temporary halt on consumer snowmobile production until after the conflict ended.
Invention of the Modern Snowmobile (1950-1960s)
Postwar years saw an enormous evolution in the design and function of the snowmobile. Up until this point, snowmobiles were seen as strictly practical for transportation. During the 50s and 60s, personal snowmobiles began gaining popularity and the snowmobile design we know today - light and fast - began to emerge.
In 1959, Joseph-Armand Bombardier launched the Ski-Doo snowmobile, which was the first lightweight and single-passenger design. The Ski-Doo was a major hit with the general public, as it was easier to manoeuvre than previous machines. This design sparked many innovations in competitors of the sector, including manufacturers like Polaris and Arctic Cat. By the end of the 1960s, over 200,000 snowmobiles were in use across North America. Snowmobiles began to shift from a utility tool to a recreational sport.
Meanwhile, in the Arctic regions on the other side of the world, snowmobiles were also gaining popularity among hunters, trappers, and reindeer herders as a mode of transportation. While the Arctic's environment always demanded efficient transport across snow and ice, it had previously relied on modes such as dog sleds and skis. In the 1950s and 1960s, they finally started to adopt the snowmobile vehicle, drastically reducing travel times across the tundra. Indigenous groups, such as the Sámi in Scandinavia, also began integrating snowmobiles into their daily lives, replacing some of their traditional methods for herding reindeer, hunting, and reaching remote settlements.
Snowmobiling for Recreational Use (1970s)
Throughout the 1970s, snowmobile designs underwent many technological advances, making them safer and easier to ride. Developments included moulded rubber tracks, carbine steel constructions for stronger and harder vehicles, improved suspension systems, liquid cooling technology for quieter driving, and more powerful engines. Snowmobiling gained widespread traction across North America, and competitions and events like snowmobile racing started to emerge. Their popularity continued, but the novelty of the snowmobile wore off. By the 1980s, snowmobiles were a solid fixture of winter life in these northern climates.
Snowmobiling Today (2000s and Beyond)
In the 2000s, the impact of snowmobiles on the environment began to raise concerns. As environmental agencies started to issue restrictions on emission levels, new snowmobile designs were influenced once again. Throughout the 2000s, companies began modernising snowmobiles, reducing the engine size and therefore lessening the amount of carbon monoxide emissions being produced. In 2022, Montreal's Taiga Motors released the Taiga TS1, the world's first commercially available electric snowmobile. Nowadays, more electric snowmobiles are emerging due to their low impact on the environment, an increasing concern for consumers.
Modern snowmobiles used today are highly technologically advanced, with advanced suspension systems, turbocharged engines, and eco-friendly designs. They are still predominantly used for recreational purposes, particularly in the tourism industry. Every year, millions of visitors hit the trails in snow-covered regions such as Scandinavia and the Rockies, allowing them to explore remote areas otherwise unreachable. Snowmobiles are still essential in transportation for some off-grid communities, used as workhorse machines and search-and-rescue vehicles. They are also used for extreme competitive sports and events across the globe, such as the Iron Dog, the world’s longest snowmobile race.
Best Activities in Modern Snowmobiling
Now you understand the history of this iconic winter vehicle, perhaps you want to try the exhilarating sport for yourself! As mentioned, recreational snowmobiling is a popular activity in various locations with typical snowy environments. With a certified guide, you can experience these sub-arctic climates and beautiful snow-covered landscapes on a snowmobiling tour! Drive your own vehicle through the remote wilderness and imagine how people once navigated these rugged landscapes in days gone by. Here is a list of some of the best modern snowmobiling activities in various destinations worldwide.
Snowmobile Tour near Kiruna, Sweden
Kiruna is the northernmost city in Sweden, situated in Lapland right within the Arctic Circle. On this snowmobile tour near Kiruna, you'll discover its beautiful snow-covered wilderness off the beaten track!
Northern Lights Snowmobile Trip in Svalbard
Snowmobiling under the Northern Lights is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure you can experience in Nordic countries. Svalbard is one of the most scenic destinations in the world, located halfway between the north of Norway and the North Pole, in the Arctic Ocean. With Northern Lights snowmobiling in Svalbard, you can drive the vehicle beneath the magical natural phenomenon.
Snowmobile Tour on Langjokull Glacier in Gullfoss
Langjökull Glacier is the second-largest glacier in Iceland, a mesmerising natural wonder which offers breathtaking views of Iceland's Arctic landscapes. This unique snowmobile tour on Langjokull Glacier in Gullfoss allows you to experience the vast glacier up close.
Snowmobile Safari in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi, the capital city of Finnish Lapland, is one of the best places in the world to go snowmobiling! The wilderness area surrounding the city is home to boreal forests, towering mountains and frozen lakes. You can explore this magnificent winter wonderland on a snowmobile safari in Rovaniemi.
Snowmobile Ride in the Laurentides
Heading over to Canada, this snowmobile ride in the Laurentides provides an incredible adventure through the wide open spaces of Quebec, between Montreal and Mont-Tremblant. On this tour, you'll reach untouched areas while surrounded by mystical snow-covered terrain.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings as a practical snow vehicle to its current commercial snowmobiling tours, the history of snowmobiling is a testament to human creativity and our enduring love for the outdoors. Snowmobiling offers a unique way to embrace the beauty of winter in many snow-covered destinations across the globe.
So the next time you’re on a snowmobile, remember—you’re riding a piece of history that’s over a century in the making!