Snowmobile

Although snowmobiles are sometimes used as rescue vehicles, for trail grooming, or in sports competitions, most snowmobiles function as pleasure vehicles for families and individuals. Snowmobiles achieved great popularity in the 1970s, and used snowmobiles from this era and other eras are still bought and sold.

Just four major manufacturers dominate the market for new snowmobiles in the US today, making snowmobiles for sport, touring, mountain, and trail purposes. Arctic Cat makes over 50 models of snowmobiles, including the Firecat line of high performance snowmobiles. Canadian company BRP makes the popular Ski-Doo line of snowmobiles, among them the world's best selling snowmobile, the MX Z model. Polaris Industries, from Minnesota, also makes a variety of snowmobiles. Its RMK line of snowmobiles are considered by many to be the best all round mountain sleds. Finally, Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA makes and sells snowmobiles for every purpose.

Snowmobiling occasionally comes under fire for two main reasons, both relating to the two-stroke engines most snowmobiles utilize. Two-stroke engines (also sometimes used in mopeds and motor scooters) tend to produce more emissions and noise than four-stroke engines. Manufacturers today are producing snowmobiles with four-stroke engines to reduce both the pollution and noise associated with snowmobiles.