Did you know there are seven different types of snowmobiles? A snowmobile is a finely crafted piece of machinery with tailor-made precision. Its ergonomics and performance have to be fine-tuned to place each one in its proper category.

Some of the most popular classes include touring, trail, performance, and utility. Then, you also have your trail sport, mountain, and crossover snowmobiles. With all these varieties and all the brands out there today, it can be hard to know which one will be the best fit for your lifestyle.

Still, if we had to highlight the finest snowmobile brands, we’d lean heavily on Polaris, Yamaha, and Ski-Doo. Each one of these brands knows how to package performance, comfort, and safety.

It wasn’t easy to hone in on our favourite models (because there are so many). But we bit the bullet and made our final picks. Please take a look at the top three brands out there today, alongside a few of their best models.

Polaris

If there’s one brand we like to stick to, whether we’re boating or snowmobiling, it’s Polaris. They’re tried; they’re true, and they stand by their craftsmanship. You really can’t beat their Switchback, but we’re going to take a look at two other models that are a close second:

Polaris 850 Switchback Assault

One of the most solid series is the 850 series.  If you want a snowmobile that will make you feel like you’re flying, then this is the one. It’s also one of the most responsive snowmobiles we’ve gotten our hands on in recent times.

We were hugely impressed by the way it transfers weight and reacts to the rider. It makes the Switchback a pretty safe bet whether you’re sailing over different obstacles, carving across an open field, or sailing atop a frozen lake.

Polaris 600 Indy XC 129

Let’s drop down to something in the 600 series that’s always going to get the job done. What we love most about Polaris is that its clutching is always on the mark. It’s quick to respond to any terrain the driver is facing.

This model’s 600 Cleanfire engine gives it some real power, and the chassis makes it a breeze to move around on. While all this makes the Indy a high-class, sporty machine, it’s also a great fit for more casual riders. Given its superb balance and stability, it provides a good ride for beginners.

Polaris Indy Evo

We saved this little gem for last because it’s a great starter vehicle. If you’re looking for a serious machine to bound through obstacles and sail across lakes, then this isn’t the one. (That’s still the Switchback.) It is, however, the one for newbies.

The Indy Evo is affordable and easy-to-operate, making it a great kids’ snowmobile. It still features Polaris’ Pro-Ride chassis, so it’s going to be smooth sails. And it has a nice little fan-cooled 550 engine.

This is a nice design for teenagers and more compact riders. But, you probably wouldn’t want to saddle your 6’5″ buddy on this one. It’s small, smooth, sleek, and compact.

Yamaha

Yamaha has their hands in a lot of different pots – cars, boats, motorcycles. We think this is because they know their way around an engine. Here are some of our top Yamaha picks:

Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE

This machine will always be the king of the hill, no matter where it stands. And, again, since it’s a Yamaha, there’s going to be something impressive about its engine. We can start thereby pointing out its nearly 200 HP turbocharged engine. That speaks for itself, along with its low-slung chassis.

But, there’s something about the overall look of the Sidewinder. It’s like drinking from a champagne flute instead of a beer stein. It’s sleek and sexy with its black body and silver trim and will always make a statement wherever it pulls up.

Yamaha Viper S-TX

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we also wanted to highlight Yamaha’s Viper series. It’s nowhere near as flashy as the Sidewinder, but it still gets the job done on many levels.

This is a versatile ride that gets great gas mileage, given its 4-stroke triple. It also proves its ability to handle high mileage. This is a smooth ride that was designed for long, sturdy trips. It’s the “steady-as-she-goes” model that may not be flashy but will last a long, long time.

Yamaha SRX 120

Like the Polaris Indy Evo, this is a great, compact little machine for teenagers and other riders who need to be more cautious.

Although there’s a nice, 4-stroke engine here, Yamaha has incorporated many safety features. Notably, its top speed is 8 miles per hour.

Speed control like this is a nice, reassuring way to teach the kiddos how to love the slopes while putting safety and responsibility first. Oh, and tell them never to forget their snowmobile helmets!

Ski-Doo

Ski-Doo has been the brand to beat for years now. But, in 2020, they really upped the ante with their Expedition lineup. They totally went high-end and didn’t skimp on any of the power. Here are some of our favourites from this brand:

Ski-Doo Expedition Xtreme 850 E-TEC

This Expedition has it all. It’s got the power to pull gear like a utility sled. But, it also has the agility to skim down the mountain like a touring machine.

The 850 is packing a beefier version of the REV Gen4 chassis and 850 E-TEC twin. Although it’s a big boy, it’s truly going to be able to handle any task (whether hauling gear or swiftly sailing down the mountain) and take you anywhere you need to go.

Ski-Doo Renegade X-RS 850 E-TEC

Here’s another 850 that checks pretty much every category. This one also has a REV Gen4 chassis. Its engine is a monster, too, with the Rotax850, a big-bore two-stroke engine.

We suspect the reason we had so much fun out on this sled is because of its shock system. It features the brand’s finest, the KYB Pros. The system is also paired with a super responsive adjustment system, the Quick-Adjust Package.

Ski-Doo Summit X 850-TEC 165

More specifically, we targeted the Ski-Doo Summit X 850-TEC 165 with Expert Package. This is a serious ride for a serious sportsman.

The running boards hold less snow on this model, there’s a shorter tunnel, and it has one of the smallest snow flaps we’re ever seen. Nothing is holding this machine back on powder days.

We also liked the new spindle bottom and rubber ski damper that Ski-Doo added to this model. It really helps to stabilize the front end. Of course, the 850 E-TEC engine is going to get you places – and fast.

Just note that the smaller seat may prove to be a little bit firm because this is an expert package. And, although we had to admire its tunnel design, it’s not ideal for all terrains. But, again, when it’s time to ride some powder with expert precision, this is the one.

Ski-Doo Grand Touring Limited 900 ACE

We saved this one for last because the 900 two-passenger series is declining in popularity. But, if you are looking for a luxury ride that can comfortably handle two passengers, this is the one.

Out of all the snowmobiles for sale these days, this is the one that’s going to make you feel like you’re riding on a cloud. We’re talking heated seats for both passengers, a heated boot outlet, and smooth ergonomics to make the ride a real joy for both parties.

It also has a SilentDrive package that buffers some of the vibration and Ski-Doo’s famous rMotion rear suspension. These two elements alone make it a supreme touring machine.

The Best Snowmobile Brands for You

And there you have it! There are so many snowmobile brands out there; we couldn’t cover them all in one article. We didn’t even get to touch on some of Arctic Cat’s best creations.

Still, if you’re looking for the best, it’s easy to see why Polaris, Yamaha, and Ski-Doo are safe bets. Each one of these snowmobile brands has so much to offer alongside impeccable craftsmanship.

There’s no denying the power behind a Polaris and the longevity that comes with a Yamaha. They’re the textbook definition of “tried and true.”

When you’re ready to get your hands on any one of these rides, we hope you’ll stop by and visit our showroom.

Here at Westshore Marine and Leisure, we proudly serve adventure enthusiasts living in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and many other provinces.

With over 85 years of sales and service experience, you’ll quickly see why we’re the fastest-growing Powersport dealer in Manitoba. We’re here to pair our customers with the perfect ride.

Come check out our new inventory of snowmobiles today. You’ll quickly see our prices are right and our staff is here to serve you. We look forward to meeting you!