More than 27,000 people descended on the tiny town of Valcourt, Quebec, last February to help Bombardier Recreation Products celebrate its 50th anniversary.
The first Ski-Doo was manufactured in Valcourt in 1959 and 50 years later BRP has vaulted to the top in snowmobile sales, becoming No. 1 in terms of the number of units sold worldwide.
"Our 50th anniversary event turned out extremely well," Steve Cowing, BRP media relations manager, said. "The hospitality and atmosphere of this region are legendary."
BRP timed its 50th anniversary festivities to coincide with the Grand Prix de Valcourt, one of the biggest snowmobile racing events in North America. Not only could visitors participate in the 50th anniversary event and watch lots of racing, they could also tour the J. Armand Bombardier Museum which chronicles the history of Ski-Doo snowmobiles from the beginning to today.
"Attendance was definitely up for the weekend's events and you could feel the extra intensity and see the various people who run and influence BRP and Ski-Doo throughout the event," Cowing said. "There were a lot of displays that those in attendance seemed to enjoy. And the museum (Musee J.-Armand Bombardier) opened a new exhibit highlighting the evolution of snowmobiles from 1959 to today, which is excellent. You couldn't have asked for a better weekend to celebrate Ski-Doo's 50th."