At the 2018 Snow Shoot, I had the opportunity to put to the test over 60 snowmobiles in an extraordinary environment. What a chance, right? Then, I have been asked to make a list of my best picks for each one of the 4 major manufacturers. So, I asked myself : “Which snowmobiles would I absolutely want in my dream garage?”
The wonderful surroundings where we worked during the 2018 Snow Shoot
With this in mind, I chose 1 snowmobile for each manufacturer considering the emotions they made me feel during this amazing experience. So, here is my personal listing for my dream garage.
Two 2018 Ski-Doo models
Ski-Doo
Let’s start with my need to own a do-it-all machine, as it is often this type that people want to ride in all possible conditions. So, I chose the new BRP 50/50 hybrid snowmobile : the Renegade Backcountry X of 370,8 cm/146 in.
The Blue color of the Spring Only X model is very flashy
This snowmobile is equipped with standard high-quality components in a perfect finish. The 850 E-TEC engine combined with the REV Gen4 chassis provides flawless riding ergonomy and mostly, an efficient package to eat up kilometers of groomed trails as well as to climb abrupt mountains.
The new cMotion suspension
The Renegade Backcountry X performed extremely well in deep snow thanks to its track of 370,8 cm/146 in. and studs of 5 cm/2 in. We must give credit to the cMotion rear suspension, which offers components and characteristics of the tMotion and the rMotion for the best of both worlds.
Ski-Doo Summit SP of 370,8 cm/146 in. in action
I must say that it was hard to make my BRP choice. Effectively, we spent a wild afternoon in the mountains of West Yellowstone with 2 local snowmobilers. The place was absolutely wonderful and we have been able to put 8 mountain snowmobiles to the test. I had a crush for the Summit SP of 370,8 cm/146 in. because it is easy to swing it sideways and it can bend upward, as seen on the previous photo. So much fun! However, with such a machine, it can be hard to ride many kilometers on trail to reach our destination and this is why I chose a more versatile machine, the Renegade Backcountry X of 370,8 cm/146 in.
The new Polaris Titan is a utility snowmobile with multiple purposes
Polaris Titan
At Polaris’, we can’t miss THE big innovation for 2018, the brand new utility snowmobile Titan. Even if sometimes we are wrongly attracted by novelties, this one is really worth the detour. Personally, I think that this is the best snowmobile of its category thanks to its hauling capabilities (544 kg/1 200 lbs) and its excellent off-trail performance as well as on-trail performance.
The new Polaris Titan offers versatility to work hard, to have fun in deep snow and to ride easily on trail
Offered in 3 different models (SP, XC and Adventure), all these snowmobiles are equipped with the 800 Cleanfire H.O. engine specially redesigned for the Titan. This motorization is efficient for all types of situations you will experience.
Moreover, the famous AXYS chassis has been used as the base for this utility machine with multiple purposes. This chassis is light, rigid and with flawless ergonomy. The tunnel has been slightly modified to make room for the huge track of 50,8 cm/20 in. wide.
The Titan will quickly get you out of trouble with its huge track of 50,8 cm/20 in. wide
The track is available with different heights of studs in accordance with the model, but the most aggressive height is 4,6 cm/1.8 in. With its 50,8 cm/20 in. width and 394 cm/155 in. length, this track provides much grip so that the snowmobile will never tend to get stuck.
Track with articulated section
The track is also articulated, which means that at rear end, one section lifts up in reverse maneuvers. This prevents the rear end of the snowmobile from dropping and thus, provides better flotation on snow. Not all snowmobiles are efficient in such maneuvers!
The excellent Fox QS3 front suspensions are standard feature on the Polaris Titan models
One of the key elements to offer such a versatile snowmobile is without doubt the FOX QS3 front suspensions that work perfectly on this machine. With the extremely simple adjustment of 3 settings, we get adjustments from a very comfortable vehicle with large displacement to a more rigid suspension in more aggressive riding.
Any good utility machine offers a transmission. Thus, Polaris has specially developed a brand new transmission for this model, with 4 speed settings : high, low, neutral and reverse. So, it is possible to use the vehicle to its full potential and with an incredible reliability.
The new quick-attach Lock & Ride system is very convenient
Last important feature, Polaris introduces the quick-attach system with the Titan models. The Lock & Ride system on the tunnel lets us attach lots of equipments and accessories.
The Polaris Titan Adventure model offers plenty of standard equipments
I hesitated a long time between the XC model and the Adventure model. Finally, even if personally I think that the XC model is much more attractive, the numerous options that are standard features on the Adventure model, like the passenger seat, the windshield and the wider skis for better flotation, made me choose this edition full of standard features.
Arctic Cat had prepared quite a display area
Arctic Cat ZR 8000 RR 129
My Arctic Cat choice has been rather easy to make. I wanted to pick the most maneuverable, efficient and exhilarating snowmobile to pilot on trail. The new ZR 8000 RR 129 has met my requirements and it is my 2018 Arctic Cat favorite.
The new 2-stroke C-Tec2 engine of 800cc has been improved and we easily feel the difference
Arctic Cat has redesigned its C-Tec2 engine of 800cc this year, so it now offers more power and torque at low and mid throttle. It is not really more powerful at high RPM, but the improvement at low and mid throttle is impressive. We can easily feel it behind the handlebar, mostly when we exit a curve and during pickups.
The Arctic Cat machines seem literally to stick to the trail
The other aspect that made me choose this snowmobile is its overall agility on trail. All Motoneiges.ca pilots were unanimous, this is the machine that sticks the most to the trail at all times. Skis are aggressive, suspensions work hard and information received by the pilot on the handlebar are ideal. The steering and handiness of the Arctic Cat ZR 8000 RR are, in my opinion, the bests of the industry today. (I am most certainly not the only one to believe this!)
The Arctic Cat ZR 8000 RR 129 is a snowmobile made to eat up bumps with the standard FOX QS3 and QS3 suspensions
If the machine reacts so well to the surface of the trail, it is mostly due to the FOX QS3 and QS3 R suspensions. They are efficient and easy to adjust in 3 settings to face all trail conditions.
Source : Yamaha site
Yamaha SnoScoot
The last snowmobile in my dream garage and not the least, the return of the Yamaha SnoScoot. This snowmobile meant for children aged 8 to 12 has been quite a revelation for me at the Snow Shoot. Even if it seems like it is made exclusively for children, we quickly see that this snowmobile is also designed for the older children in you!
Do not be fooled by the toy-like looks of the new Yamaha SnoScoot
The SnoScoot is equipped with a 4-stroke engine of 200cc (delivering about 9 HP), with a track of 236,2 cm X 25,4 cm / 93 in. X 10 in., and with heated grips and it can reach a top speed of about 50 km/h (30 mph). We can quickly conclude that this machine represents another part of the market that is not fulfilled actually, the category between snowmobiles made for children and snowmobiles made for adults.
Lots of fun racing with this small snowmobile on the mini-circuit. Arctic Cat offers the same model, the ZR 200
The reason why this is my favorite 2018 Yamaha snowmobile is simple; this is a machine perfect to initiate novice snowmobilers, exhilarating to pilot and yet affordable. But mostly because we were many teammates to try it in a festive and relaxed atmosphere.
A mini-circuit had been set up and everybody rode a few tours with friends. Every pilot came back with a large smile on his face, even if we could not ride extremely fast. As soon as you hold the handlebar of the SnoScoot, the fun factor is instant.
We were even able to lift the front end with “all ” this power!
Then, we went playing among trees to explore and to try to push harder in bumps to make skis lift. Mission accomplished, with photo to prove it.
Afterwards, we went in a field to do slalom and it has been surprising to see how easy it was to swing the machine sideways with skis lifted up. What a great party!
Team 2018 Snow Shoot
Conclusion
So, I had the chance to test all these snowmobiles in a scenery and environment that were more than perfect. I have been able to determine which machines gave me emotions so that I could share them with you.
For 2018, the manufacturers offer once again wonderful snowmobiles. Which one will you pick?
I am very grateful to all team members present at the 2018 Snow Shoot for making this experience a memorable adventure. Special thanks to Denis Lavoie, President of SledMagazine.com, for his trust and all the good work.
