It was 50 years ago that Joseph-Armand Bombardier transformed winter with the introduction of the first Ski-Doo snowmobiles.
To mark this milestone, BRP is kicking off a season-long celebration with limited edition sleds, a sales promotion, contest, commemorative history book and homecoming celebration in Valcourt, Québec.
The two vehicles J-A Bombardier produced in the winter of 1959 were built by hand and given to his friend Maurice Ouimet, a priest and missionary in northern Ontario. They were powered by a four-stroke Kohler engine and featured an endless rubber track, one-piece chassis, continuously variable pulley and wood skis. It was not only the realization of Bombardier's lifelong dream, but the beginning of the sport we know today.
This rich history has been captured in a 152-page hardcover commemorative book, 50 Years of Snowmobile Reinvention. It follows the evolution of Ski-Doo snowmobiles model year-by-model year and can be purchased at Ski-Doo dealers for $24.95.
Limited Edition Snowmobiles
For the ultimate Ski-Doo enthusiast, the 2009 50th Anniversary MX Z and Summit models are a striking mix of the new and the old.
In terms of the new, each vehicle is state-of-the-art with the ultra lightweight Rev-XP platform combined with either the cleanest and most fuel efficient two-stroke in the industry, the Rotax 600 H.O. E-Tec engine (MX Z model) or the Rotax 151 hp 800R PowerT.E.K. engine (Summit model).
They reflect the past with a true Ski-Doo color scheme inspired by the legendary 1966 Olympique model. Other special features of this limited edition include:
- Matte black tunnel
- 50th Anniversary logo embroidered on the seat
- Chrome version of the original Ski-Doo logo on the hood
- Original Ski-Doo logo on the trunk lid (MX Z)
- 3-D Chrome Ski-Doo logo on side panels
- Numbered authenticity plate
Buyers taking delivery of a 50th anniversary sled on or before Dec. 14, 2008, will receive a 50th anniversary leather jacket, the 50th anniversary book and either a free second year engine coverage (for MX Z models) or a two-year bumper-to-bumper warranty (for Summit models).
Homecoming Celebration
The commemoration culminates in a homecoming celebration Feb. 20-22, 2009 in Valcourt, which BRP anticipates will be attended by thousands of Ski-Doo enthusiasts. The weekend will be filled with Ski-Doo history and fun, including tours of the J-A Bombardier Museum and of the Ski-Doo assembly line at the BRP plant, vintage sled shows and rides, as well as a parade of vintage snowmobiles and other special events. This homecoming celebration coincides with the Valcourt Grand Prix, one of the most action-packed racing events of the year with pro snocross, oval, freestyle jumping and ice motorcycle races.
BRP will offer packages that include admission to the races, tours and events. The best sources of information on the homecoming are ski-doo.com.