Coming from a long tradition of innovation, Ski-Doo also invests important efforts in research and development in the mountain snowmobile segment since over 10 years. Each year, some aspects in this segment are improved, which produces vehicles that please a large number of fans. For 2016, the manufacturer from Valcourt extends the track with 3 in. / 7,6 cm studs to the models equipped with tracks of 154 and 163 in. / 391,2 and 414 cm, along with the 174 in. / 442 cm edition already known. Still the only manufacturer of standard snowmobiles with track of 174 in. / 442 cm, Ski-Doo has been so successful that other manufacturers quickly followed this production of machines with track of 3 in. / 7,6 cm studs. Also, most of the Summit models are equipped with the RAS 2 front suspension that improves the vehicle performance on trail as well as in powder snow.véhicule en sentier tout comme dans la poudreuse.
Summit X with T3 package
The Summit X is probably the most wanted Summit model, offering year after year a successful look with high-performance package. Only offered with the powerful 800R E-TEC engine, the X models are now only offered with PowderMax track of 3 in. / 7,6 cm studs and this, in the 154, 163 and 174 editions. During our tests, we quickly saw the efficiency of this type of track in ascents. The Summit X is the Ski-Doo flagship snowmobile in regards of extreme powder snow and the success of this model is also due to the Rotax engine with direct fuel injection. The 800R E-TEC engine equips most of the mountain models and it pleases a large number of mountain snowmobilers by its power and accelerations that are essential in deep snow.
Of course, the maneuverability of the vehicle is obviously improved by the lateral bending of the tMotion at rear and by the technology of the FlexEdge track. The combination of both reduces the effort to initiate a roll and thus, improves the maneuverability of the vehicle in powder snow. However, we must be more careful on trails, mostly with longer track editions that become less stable in some curves. One of the aspects that impressed me again this year and that identify clearly the tMotion among other suspensions in this market segment, is its comfort on uneven terrains. We agree that this is not the first goal of this vehicle, but after a long day of off-trail adventure, we often ride on uneven trails. The snowmobiles equipped with the tMotion, including the Summit X, are by far the most comfortable for the passenger in these conditions, which is quite appreciated when we get tired after a long day.
Summit Sport
The Summit Sport category includes two snowmobiles that are meant to be Ski-Doo entry-level mountain machines. These two Summit offer many previous technologies such as the XP chassis and the Rotax 600 Carb engines on the version of 146 in. / 370,8 cm and the 800R PowerT.E.K. engine on the version of 154 in. / 391,2 cm. This way, Ski-Doo can offer a competitive quality/price ratio more affordable for beginners. However, these two snowmobiles are equipped with the tMotion rear suspension in order to improve the handiness in deep snow. Even if it has a clear positive effect on the XP chassis, we must be aware that it will never be the same handiness than the XM chassis. But for the 800R PowerT.E.K., we can save over 3 000 $ compared to the SP with 800R E-TEC engine.
Summit Burton
The Summit Burton, as we expect it, is much more a package than a new snowmobile. Effectively, this is essentially a Summit SP with the PowderMax 2,5 track of 154 in. / 391,2 cm and the 800R E-TEC engine. Relating snowmobiling to snowboarding, Ski-Doo probably wants to attract fans of extreme sports in the West who practice their favorite sport in backcountry. Along with the specific graphics that clearly identify the Burton model, the standard equipment of this snowmobile includes the LinQ snowboard attachment system and a flat dual seat so that the pilot may transport a snowboarder. Besides looking for a snowmobile with a different eye-catching look, I do not think we are going to see many of these models in the north-eastern part of the continent this winter.
Summit SP and SP with T3 package
Many important improvements have been brought to the SP models, such as the new RAS 2 front suspension, the new Pilot DS 3 skis and the tMotion rear suspension. As the Summit X are Spring Exclusive models, most of buyers will choose the Summit SP that is in fact the basic Summit. It is a snowmobile similar to the X models, except for the look and shocks. This year, buyers can also take advantage of the T3 package in the SP models equipped with the Rotax 800R E-TEC engine and this, in editions of 154, 163 and 174 in. / 391,2, 414 and 442 cm. The Summit SP models offer the optional 600 H.O. E-TEC engine in the versions of 146 and 154 in. / 370,8 and 391,2 cm. The 800R E-TEC is still offered in the 146, 154 and 163 editions. All lengths of PowderMax tracks on the Summit SP are combined with a width of 16 in. / 40,6 cm and studs of 2,5 in. / 6,4 cm. Let’s be honest here, the performance of the Summit SP models is very similar to the performance of the X models and both are high-performance and manageable snowmobiles.
Freeride
Each manufacturer now presents its own extreme mountain snowmobile and this is what the Freeride is to Ski-Doo lineup. These snowmobiles benefit from more robust components in the chassis, the suspensions and the track in order to meet the more extreme snowmobilers’ expectations. But unlike its competitors, the Freeride is built to face all kinds of uneven terrains without being as tough for its pilot. The combination of the XM chassis with the RAS 2 and tMotion suspensions provides incredible comfort to the pilot in this type of vehicle. Offered in editions of 137, 146 and 154 in. / 348, 370,8 and 391,2 cm, this snowmobile impressed us with its versatility in powder snow and on harder surfaces as well as on trails.
We like
- The E-TEC technology
- The handiness of the Summit X and SP
- The versatility of the Freeride
We would like
- A more powerful engine to propel the track of 174x16x3 in. / 442×40,6×7,6cm
- Standard adjustable riser for handlebar
- Summit Sport models equipped with XM chassis
