Industry Reviews

Snowmobile.com News Archive Year 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Industry News

Snowmobiling is big business and what better way to see where it’s going than to look at what the companies that lead the way are up to?

New York State trying to raid trail fund According to the New York State Snowmobile Association, New York Governor David A. Patterson has proposed in his 2010 Executive Budget to “sweep” $5 million from the snowmobile trail development and maintenance fund into the general fund over the next several years. February 19, 2010

BRP generates more than $700,000 for clubs BRP, in partnership with its Ski-Doo dealer network, has generated $720,000 for snowmobile clubs across North America. February 18, 2010

OFSC investing $2.4 million in grooming fleet The Ontario Federation of Snowmobiling Clubs is making a $2.4 million winter tourism investment by strengthening its provincial grooming fleet. January 04, 2010

Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum announces inductees The Board of Directors of the Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum have announced the 2010 inductees – Keith Vreeland, Clyde Seely, Ray Monsrud, and Jim Dimmerman. December 30, 2009

ISMA urges you to introduce snowmobiling to a friend The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association has announced the second annual Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week, which will be held February 12-22, 2009. November 05, 2009

Ontario snowmobile trails get a $4.4 million boost The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) has 47 new infrastructure projects worth $4.3 million presently underway on Ontario’s snowmobile trails. November 04, 2009

Saskatchewan snowmobile registration fee increased to $70 The Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association (SSA) has announced that the snowmobile registration fee will be increased to $70. November 02, 2009

Ontario trail permits now available online The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs has launched online permit sales at www.OFSC.on.ca. October 27, 2009

Illinois trails get boost from state officials Illinois snowmobile trails will benefit from $200,000 in grants from state officials. October 21, 2009

Yellowstone cuts snowmobile usage by more than half A newly approved winter use plan will restrict snowmobile numbers in Yellowstone National Park by more than half. October 16, 2009

Hillclimb legend Rick Ward killed The snowmobile world is coming to grips with the death of Rick Ward, perhaps the greatest hillclimber in history. September 03, 2009

ISMA has positive outlook upcoming season The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association is expecting good things for the upcoming snowmobile season. August 18, 2009

More than 500 trail projects in Canada receive funding Work is set to begin across Canada on hundreds of outdoor trails, which will help to create jobs and enhance the country’s national trail system. August 13, 2009

Snowmobilers give award to Canadian prime minister Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper received the President’s Award from the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) for delivering on his commitment to expand Canada’s network of national trails. June 16, 2009

Maine raises snowmobile registration fee Maine snowmobilers will have to pony up an additional $5 a year to use the state's snowmobile trails. June 05, 2009

Maine ATV and sled clubs team up with LifeFlight Maine ATV and snowmobile clubs are trying to ensure injured riders have access to emergency medical attention on the trails. May 22, 2009

Snowmobile.com launches Classifieds section In Snowmobile.com’s ongoing quest to provide you with everything you need to satisfy your hunger for all things snowmobile, we have recently introduced our new Classifieds section. April 02, 2009

Polaris announces workforce reduction Polaris Industries Inc. has announced a reduction in its workforce to respond to weakening retail demand in a difficult 2009 economic outlook. January 23, 2009

Canadian Avalanche Centre wants riders to stay safe A series of recent avalanche fatalities in British Columbia has underlined the need to communicate an important message rescue gear is not enough. January 23, 2009

Arctic Cat eliminates 100 jobs Arctic Cat Inc. has announced a workforce reduction in order to align the company's cost structure with current industry-wide market conditions. January 23, 2009

Students aim to build cleaner snowmobiles When the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge is celebrating a decade devoted to developing greener, quieter snow machines. January 22, 2009

Snowmobile fees on the rise in Michigan Michigan snowmobilers could see an increase in fees in order to avoid a $1 million deficit in the state’s snowmobiling budget. December 23, 2008

ISHOF to host induction ceremony in February The International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) will host its 20th annual Induction Weekend from Feb. 27 to 28 in Grand Rapids, Minn. December 18, 2008

Enforcer snowmobiles coming in 2009 Premier Recreational Products Corporation is readying its line of Enforcer snowmobiles for the 2009 season. December 16, 2008

BRP cuts 980 jobs Bombardier Recreational Products, which includes Ski-Doo, has eliminated 550 white-collar jobs and given temporary lay-off notices to 430 blue-collar employees. December 09, 2008

Sault Ste. Marie opens streets to snowmobiles Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. has rolled out the white carpet for snowmobiles this year as automobiles will now share city streets with snowmobiles. December 04, 2008

ISMA releases 'Make it Snow' snow dance video If you’re looking for a snowmobile-related laugh, the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) might have just the thing for you. November 18, 2008

Yellowstone remains open to snowmobiles According to the National Park Service, both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks will be open to snowmobiles this winter. November 18, 2008

Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week announced Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week has been scheduled for Feb. 14-22, 2009. October 29, 2008

Yellowstone snowmobile plan tossed out Snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park just got a lot more complicated thanks to the actions of a federal judge in Washington, D.C. September 16, 2008

Polaris sleds on the big screen Polaris snowmobiles have gone Hollywood. Slednecks, the extreme snowmobile video company, appear on Polaris sleds in the new action movie, “Babylon A.D.” starring Vin Diesel September 03, 2008

Arctic Cat hires new president and COO Arctic Cat Inc. of Thief River Falls, Minn. has named Claude J. Jordan as president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. August 25, 2008

Donations help save New Hampshire snowmobile trail A large section of New Hampshire forest, including an important snowmobile trail, will remain open thanks to efforts from snowmobilers, anglers, preservation groups and a generous anonymous donor. August 11, 2008

OFSC steps up to help keep trail open What could have been a terrible blow to the upcoming snowmobile season in Parry Sound, Ont. looks to have been averted. August 11, 2008

Polaris names new CEO Polaris Industries Inc. of Medina, Minn. has named Scott W. Wine chief executive officer, effective September 1, 2008. Wine will succeed outgoing CEO Thomas C. Tiller, who will continue to serve as a member of the company’s board of directors. August 05, 2008

Challenges Abound For Snowmobile Executives Arctic Cat and Polaris both expect to grow this year, in part due to burgeoning international markets. July 03, 2008

CCSO Excellence Awards The Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations has announced the winners of its annual Excellence Awards. June 02, 2008

Illinois trails receive funding Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevic announced $949,800 in grants for multi-purpose recreational trail projects that will create or improve Illinois trails. Nearly half ($448,000) of the grant money will directly affect snowmobile trails in Illinois. May 28, 2008

OEMs reveal Sneak Peek sched All four of the major snowmobile manufacturers—Ski-Doo, Polaris, Arctic Cat and Yamaha—are offering riders the opportunity to see all the hot new 2009 models together in one place. March 11, 2008

Students compete in Clean Snowmobile Challenge Engineering students from across the United States and Canada are set compete in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Clean Snowmobile Challenge. February 15, 2008

National Snowmobiling Environment Month in Canada February is National Snowmobiling Environment Month in Canada and the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) is asking everybody to be responsible while out on the trails. February 13, 2008

Polaris CEO stepping down Polaris Industries Inc. of Medina, Minn. is looking for a new chief executive officer. January 16, 2008

Pat Whiteway: 1944-2007 The snowmobiling community in western Canada suffered a loss on Christmas day with the passing of Pat Whiteway. He was 63. January 08, 2008

Polaris sled approved for Yellowstone Polaris’ 2008 FS IQ Touring snowmobile has been certified by the US Department of the Interior as having Best Available Technology (BAT), which means it is approved for use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. January 08, 2008

OFSC issues Red Alert After an early start to the season, snowmobilers in Ontario may have to wait a little while before hitting the trails again. January 08, 2008

Bassett's Blog: Attracting new riders Scrolling over the official International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association’s (ISMA) website leaves me a bit confused. There’s no big dispute with the data found there. It just seems to me that if the Big Four snowmobile makers—Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha—are on the same statistical page as ISMA, then the promotion of our sport should be a little different? December 14, 2007

Polaris giving back Polaris Industries Inc. of Medina, Minn. is giving something back to the sport of snowmobiling. December 06, 2007

OEMs offer Canadians rebates In order to keep Canadian customers in Canada, at least two snowmobile manufacturers are offering discounts to those purchasing sleds north of the border. November 28, 2007

Mounties recover 28 stolen snowmobiles Police (RCMP) have recovered a stash of stolen snowmobiles near Sylvan Lake, Alta. November 27, 2007

Bassett's Blog: Scary Times Ahead? Arctic Cat faced with tougher than anticipated times ahead? That’s what you can read into the latest quarterly reports. Sled sales for the quarter were down. ATV sales were down. Overall sales were down. November 16, 2007

Polaris recalls sleds due to fire hazard Polaris Industries Inc., of Medina Minn. has recalled about 28,000 snowmobiles due to a problem with the fuel tank that poses a fire hazard. November 15, 2007

ISMA speaks up on Yellowstone issue A group representing the four snowmobile manufacturers is the latest to speak out on the issue of snowmobile use at Yellowstone National Park. November 15, 2007

Bassett's Blog : Power Steering Coming Soon? Little more than a year ago, both Honda and Yamaha equipped select ATV models with a form of electric power steering. At that time, we suggested that, since the system was simple in design and added to overall touring comfortability, why not add it to snowmobiles? November 15, 2007

Snowmobile.com Q&A - ISMA Snowmobile.com sat down with Ed Klim, president of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), Haslett, Mich October 29, 2007

Safety first with International Snowmobile Safety Week January 13 to 19, 2008 marks International Snowmobile Safety Week—the annual reminder to everyone involved in the sport to have but ride safe. October 26, 2007

Ontario spends to promote Snowmobiling in province The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is getting a financial boost from the provincial government. Ontario minister of finance Greg Sorbara has promised an investment of C$3 million to enhance... October 22, 2007

Yamaha Recalls Some 2007s Due to a steering defect, Yamaha Motor Corp. on has issued a recall of the 2007 PZ50 model snowmobiles in North America. The recall affects about 5,700 sleds, including PZ50W Phazer, PZ50FXW Phazer FX... October 18, 2007

BRP Stops Cross-Border Shoppers At least one snowmobile dealer in the US has been ordered by Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), makers of Ski-Doo, to stop selling to Canadians who cross the border in search of favorably... October 17, 2007

Polaris Reports Strong Quarterly Results Polaris Industries Inc. has reported stronger than expected third-quarter results in 2007, with sales up 11 per cent. Sales for the Medina, MN-based company reached a record high of US$544 million in the third... October 17, 2007

Martin Recommits to Polaris Racing Team Defending WPSA National Pro Open snocross champion Ross Martin will be riding a Polaris for the foreseeable future. Martin’s team, Judnick Motorsports, has signed a three-year contract extension... October 17, 2007

Yamaha Appoints New Motorsports President “I am very excited to take on this new role at Yamaha,” says Arcangeli Jr. “I look forward to working closely with all of the Yamaha team members and our dealer partners to continue growing... October 10, 2007

Snowmobile Facts and Figures 160,318 snowmobiles sold worldwide in 2007, including 79,815 in the United States and 45,477 in Canada. There are 1,840 licensed snowmobilers in the US and 836 in Canada... October 10, 2007

World Snowmobile Headquarters Honoring and preserving snowmobiling’s past All things to most all snowmobilers. That could be motto of the fledgling World Snowmobile Headquarters in Eagle River, WI. Located on 200 feet of prime Highway 45 frontage just north of the... October 10, 2007

Polaris inducts five into Hall of Fame Polaris Industries Inc. has inducted retired, long-time employees Chuck Baxter and Mary Zins into the Polaris Hall of Fame, and has also conferred... October 09, 2007

Yellowstone restricting number of machines in 08-09 Fewer snowmobiles will be allowed access to Yellowstone National Park beginning in 2008-09. The park has released its Winter Use Plans Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) to manage winter... September 28, 2007

Yamaha celebrates 40th anniversary Who would have thought that Yamaha has been a part of snowmobiling for the past four decades? It seems like only yesterday that Yamaha brought... June 21, 2007

Bassett’s Blog : Whassup for 2008? Like everyone else, we’re curious as to the future of the sport. What can we expect to be riding in the near future and can the sled makers stay... January 02, 2007