j armand bombardier museum

Since the beginning of the sport of snowmobiling, nearly six million snowmobiles have been sold throughout the world. It is only fitting that the J. Armand Bombardier Museum, which houses the history of snowmobiling, is built on a site in Valcourt, Quebec, where one of the world's first and most successful snowmobile manufacturers began. Divided into exhibition areas, both display unique aspects of snowmobiling history as well as the common. There is nothing else like it in the world. While it may be an exaggeration, for snowmobilers at least, the J. Armand Bombardier Museum is the "Louvre" of the sport, housing unique snowmobile treasures that date to the earliest days.

Built on the site of the former J. Armand Bombardier Museum, the new facility is actually two museums in one and is doubled in size from 10,000 square to more than 20,000 square feet. One segment of the museum houses an enlarged tribute to Mr. Bombardier, a leader in developing winter-time transportation and the founder of Ski-Doo snowmobiles. This exhibit features a history of Bombardier and includes his original workshop.

As you enter the J. Armand Bombardier Exhibition, you will see a faithful reproduction of J. Armand's first attempt at a snowmobile, a motorized toboggan that was developed with the help of his brother Leopold. This vehicle evolved into air-cars powered by rear-mounted engines sprouting huge wooden propellers. It wasn't until the mid-1930s that Mr. Bombardier developed the sprocket wheel/track suspension. You'll see early designs of this patented system. Other portions of the exhibit include wartime vehicles developed by Bombardier for the war departments of Canada and the United States. Most interesting, however, will be the "modern" exhibit which shows the development of the original Ski-Doo. You can even see the remaining "lightest-footed" Ski-Doo, a custom built Olympique made of aluminum components and presented to Mr. Bombardier's wife. This unique vehicle is one of the "priceless" pieces of snowmobile history on display.

Such items as one of J. Armand's handmade snowmobile engines, which he developed when he felt he couldn't purchase what he needed for motive power, have historic value only. You will see such items on display as getting a chance at "hands-on" displays that demonstrate how suspension parts were developed and worked.

The other segment of the museum is the International Snowmobile Exhibition and is a tribute to all of those innovative and daring people who have helped create and form the sport and its history over the years. Like the Bombardier exhibit, the international exhibit is divided into themes, ranging from "a great little machine" to "the machine of champions."

As with many of the exhibits, there is no monetary amount that can adequately value what is housed in the museum. Such pieces - except for a Harley-Davidson snowmobile, which was donated - were purchased by the museum and have been partially or totally restored by the museum staff. France Bissonnette, Director of the museum, said that prices for the snowmobiles ranged from $25 to $3,000. She quickly adds that those prices do not count transporting the vehicles from as far away as Scandinavia nor does it include the many hours of labor involved in restoring the vehicles.

More than 30 snow machines are currently on display. Others slated for display are currently undergoing rehabilitation. Many of the units on display in the international exhibition were rounded up by a volunteer staff of researchers and snowmobile veterans. While many of the sleds that needed refurbishing were returned to as close to "as new" condition as possible, others were left in a "worldly" condition to demonstrate the rigors that snow machines must face.

"Big Al," which was purchased in Saskatchewan, is an example of a "like new" machine. According to the museum's curator, the Allouette drag sled with an automotive engine was in "impossible condition" before it went on display. Now it sits on display looking better than new with its gleaming chrome exhaust stacks and brightly polished bodywork.

The museum staff decided that it would seek out snowmobiles that exemplified technical and innovative achievements in the sport. You can see the first sled to have a handlebar fairing. No, it's not the Yamaha Phazer. It's a 1974 Allouette Super Brute. John Deer's line of low slung, lightweight Trailfire and Sportfire models fashioned a new way of thinking about snow travel. The Outboard Marine Corporation's line of sleds featured two-up seating and reverse gear.

To show the importance of snowmobiling across the world's snowbelt, the museum staff located an Okelbo with rubber-jointed front suspension and a FinnCat. These Scandinavian snowmobiles emphasize the fact that snowmobiling is a world-wide sport with international impact.

"The snowmobile is a great invention," states France Bissonnette, "it has changed life and the economic balance of things in the world's snow country."

The exhibits are high quality with tableaux backdrops, feature informative plaques to explain the history of vehicles displayed and have a general "visitor friendly" ambiance. If you need assistance or have questions about exhibits, helpful staff are on hand.

The museum is open from 10AM to 5PM Tuesday through Sunday from September to June. From June 24 to Labor Day weekend the museum is open from 10AM to 5PM daily.

For more information, you can call the museum directly at (514) 532-2258.