2019 Snow Shoot: Vincent’s Top Picks

The stunning Montana landscapes served as a backdrop for the 2019 Snow Shoot. This event allows the media to meet the four major snowmobile manufacturers, talk about their new products and try the models for the following year. As a result, SledMagazine.com collaborators had the opportunity to test more than fifty 2019 snowmobiles! With all of these tests, here are my top 2019 snowmobiles:

Ski-Doo Summit SP 600R E-TEC 146”

The people who know me know that I love off-trail snowmobiling and I must confess that I fell in love with the all-new Ski-Doo Summit SP 600R E-TEC 146". This new mountain snowmobile combines the recent REV GEN4 chassis and, above all, the new 2-stroke 600cc engine. The latter has been developed using the technologies of the 850 E-TEC as well as many others. In the end, this engine offers an efficient and sharp response with every acceleration. The manufacturer talks of a 30% improvement of the response in relation to its previous 600cc. Let me tell you that we can feel it and the acceleration is mind-blowing!

With the use of the REV GEN4 chassis, the driver’s ergonomics are at the forefront. Then add the rear T-Motion suspension, and 146" track with 2.5” lugs and you get an impressive balance as well as a lot of grips to play within phenomenal amounts of snow.

 
My facial expression says a lot about the pleasure that I had driving the Ski-Doo Summit SP 600R E-TEC in the Montana mountains!

The Summit SP 600R E-TEC offers a compact size, light steering and is a featherweight. All these aspects bring disconcerting ease to swing from one side to the other, perform tight turns and especially to be at ease very quickly. I would even go as far as saying that it is most probably the mountain snowmobile that offers the most accessible approach to drive to work one’s way up and become a new “pro-rider!”

As for Arctic Cat…

I had a lot of difficulties choosing my favorite one at Arctic Cat because two models “caught my eye.” So, I said to myself why not share my thoughts on both these models. I will let YOU decide which of the two is your favorite…

All smiles were posing with the new 2019 Arctic Cat Norseman X 8000.

Norseman X 8000

First, I loved the new Norseman X 8000, which offers all the versatility already well known. However, you now have access to the 800cc CETC2 engine released last year. The latter provides premium performance and adds that certain something that was missing in some situations with Norseman ES 6000 version.

Despite its primary utilitarian purpose, the Norseman X 8000 offers very interesting on-trail performance… Off-track, it shines even more!

With the Norseman X 8000, you get not only a more powerful engine, but also the 2.25” x 153" long track and the new sprocket ratio. In other words, it allows you to have much more traction than the 1.6-inch spikes base model. Although it might seem disproportionate, this track does not affect the on-trail driving and provides the same driving pleasure. However, there is a massive gain in the off-trail driving where the spikes make a huge difference.

I surprised myself by pushing the Norseman X 8000 in a lot of snow and noticing that its off-trail capabilities are excellent! Another interesting fact, the manufacturer has released new controls that are more ergonomic, with more settings for the heated handles’ intensity and especially a button for the electric starter directly on the handlebar. This is not revolutionary in the snowmobile world, but compared to old controls, there is a notable improvement.

What a pleasure to float on the snow with the M8000 Mountain Cat Alpha One.

M8000 Mountain Cat Alpha One

The all-new M8000 Mountain Cat Alpha One revolutionizes the mountain snowmobile niche with its new rear suspension. This suspension stands out due to its unique design with a single central beam, but even more thanks to the use of aluminum extrusion, magnesium parts, and other high-quality components. In the end, we get a super-light mount, improved rigidity and above all, unmatched driving experience in deep snow.

The Mountain Cat Alpha One allows us to thread our way through trees easily.

Although this new rear suspension brings great benefits, we kind of need to learn how to drive again since the track offers a lot of (too much at the start) ease to swing from one side to the other and to make 180° turns in a flash. In the beginning, we have the impression that it is too easy and the snowmobile seems to slip out from between the legs. After an adaptation period, keeping it under control becomes second nature, and we can notice an important advantage with the new rear Alpha One suspension.

The new rear suspension’s design makes it easier to carve into the powder snow.

The manufacturer wanted to create the ultimate mountain machine, and it did not hesitate only to incorporate the best components. Consequently, with the M8000 Mountain Cat Alpha One, you have the wonderful Ascender platform, the fabulous CTEC2 800cc engine, Fox QS3 suspensions, a 3" Power Claw track specially developed for the new geometry of the rear suspension and many others. You now have everything you need to become “the king of the Mountain!”

Polaris 850 Switchback Assault 144"

My choice for Polaris is the Polaris 850 Switchback Assault 144". To be honest, I most certainly cannot leave this wonderful machine out because it is s a perfect 50/50 compromise between on-trail and off-trail. Also, this hybrid even performs above average in each of these niches. The manufacturer has been able to create a versatile and fun to drive a snowmobile, regardless of the conditions. Fair play!  

The Polaris 850 Switchback Assault 144" in action.

I have made you wait long enough now before talking about the all-new 2-stoke Patriot 850cc engine. It has been developed first and foremost to provide reliability, increased reactivity of the accelerator and, of course, to deliver more power over the entire range of engine speeds. It can even be read between the lines that it is the most powerful 2-stroke engine in the industry…, which still needs to be confirmed. What I can tell you though is that the acceleration response is indeed excellent, the accelerations are very brisk, and the recoveries are robust. It produces an even more exciting sound and provides that “little extra” we hoped for in certain off-trail situations.

The AXYS chassis provides a lot of rigidity and an unmatched general balance for facing all situations. The Polaris 850 Switchback Assault offers a perfect driving position, which allows us to switch between sitting and standing easily. The semi-coupled IGX 144 rear suspension gives confidence on-trail and the necessary flexibility when driving off-trail. It is a machine that swallows the bumps easily and also a lot of powder thanks to its adjustable Walker Evans suspensions… In short, you have everything you need to spend hours playing in the snow.  

Timbersled ARO

I now open a parenthesis on the Timbersled motocross conversion sets. Oh yes, Polaris owns this company and has invested time and money to push the development to another level. Therefore, the kits allow you to completely transform an off-road motorcycle into a machine that can take on the powder.

The Timbersleds are true engineering marvels and provide a sensational feeling to drive them — a feeling of invincibility in the snow and through the trees.

The ARO 120 and 137 Timbersled sets have been a revelation for me as well as for multiple SledMagazine.com drivers. This system offers a driving experience that is just impossible to explain. You need to try it to understand all the driving pleasure and joy that is felt. There is a learning period, but after about twenty minutes, you feel confident, and off-trail driving through the trees is just incredible! I am already looking forward to having a new opportunity to test the Timbersled.

Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE

The manufacturer is bringing back the mythical SRX model that has conquered many hearts and still makes many snowmobilers very happy. So, when Yamaha decided to use this name, it did not do things half-measured and studied every aspect to create THE ultimate trail machine.

At first glance, you see the color recall with the SRXs from almost two decades ago.

It is obvious that to offer stunning performance, Yamaha has chosen to integrate its insane turbo engine that spews 200 hp and great torque. The manufacturer has also added the all-new FOX iQS (Intelligent Quick Switch) suspensions that allows you to change the settings of the compression of the shock absorbers in less than a second and best of all, while in motion! So, by using a switch on the handlebar, you can adjust the front and rear suspensions to 3 separate levels without having to stop. The operating process is simple, and the adjustments allow you to adapt perfectly to the conditions as well as to your driving.

It is easy to “let go” with the Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE and to perform controlled skids in turns.

The Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE brings a new lower ground clearance to grip even more to the trail and gives a more intense feeling of speed. Also, the track changes over to 1-inch spikes to increase top speed. Incidentally, the thin spikes offer the pleasure of letting the rear end drift in turns… What a crazy sensation to feel the 200 hp waltz in the snowmobile! 

Closing Remarks

Only one week in Montana to try all new snowmobiles is undoubtedly not enough… Nevertheless, I hope I have succeeded in effectively sharing my impressions with you. Once more, the manufacturers are offering us an array of snowmobiles for all tastes. Now all that is left is for you to choose one of them!

I want to thank the team members who were at the Snow Shoot for making this experience an unforgettable adventure. And a special thank you to Denis Lavoie, SledMagazine.com President, for his trust and all the work accomplished.