History of Snowmobiling in Minnesota

Early snowmobiles were modified Ford Model Ts with the undercarriage replaced with tracks and skis. They were popular for rural mail delivery for a time.

Another preeminent snowmobile manufacturers shares in the history of the snowmobile. The Arctic Cat brand name is among the most widely recognized and respected names in the snowmobile industry.

Some Artic Cat snowmobile history timelines include:

• 1955: Pete Peterson commissions a 'gas-powered sled' from Hetteen Hoist and Derrick.
• 1958: Snowmobiles become the primary business of Hetteen Hoist and Derrick, later renamed Polaris Industries.
• 1960: Hetteen sells controlling interest in Polaris Industries.
• 1961: Hetteen moveed operations to Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and founded Polar Manufacturing Company.
• 1962: Polar Manufacturing is renamed Arctic Enterprises, Inc.; Arctic Cat 100, the first front-engined sport sled, is introduced.

Development of the snowmobile led to a revolution in how Minnesotans view winter. Minnesota now has tens of thousands of residents riding thousands of miles of marked and groomed trails and loving snowmobiling in Minnesota.

Communities all over the state benefit from the history of snowmobiling by sponsoring extreme snowmobiling events and races.

The snowmobile has had a positive impact on the Minnesota tourism industry, farming, and ranching, and search-and-rescue efforts. In times of blizzards and snow emergencies we often rely on snowmobiles to transport residents to needed services or destinations.

Snowmobiling has contributed millions of dollars to countless small businesses throughout Minnesota. Of the hundreds of manufacturers that entered the snowmobile business, only four remain., Two of those are major employers in northern Minnesota: Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls and Polaris in Roseau.

The History of Snowmobiling in Minnesota is
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