Obviously you have to walk before you can run. In our case, it took
American Snowmobiler 10 years to get its magazine legs and move on from its newsprint format (started in 1986) to the more professional look of a bound magazine.
That’s what you see below, the first color magazine issue of
AmSnow, and it marked our 10th anniversary. Boy, were we proud!
We were especially proud to be AMERICAN snowmobilers, and still are. But over time that iconic logo has changed to emphasize the SNOWMOBILER part of our name. The reasoning is simple. On newsstands you want potential readers to know quickly what the magazine is about, which is snowmobiling.
Beyond the logo, you’ll see that our first issue of the 1995-’96 season was focused on telling readers about the newest sleds “Over 100 Sleds Previewed,” and that we tested 4 “HOT” sleds, Cat’s ZRT 600, Ski-Doo’s MXZ 583, Yamaha’s Vmax 600 XT and the Polaris Indy Storm 800. That’s the MXZ 583 jumping on the cover.
Inside?
- A dyno test shows our 1995 Cat 800 ZRT producing 151.1 horses
- Our test of Polaris’ Indy Storm 800 pumped up its styling, smooth ride and a tach and speedo that were “totally fog proof.” List price was $8,099.
- Race results show Brad Pake winning the Grand 500 on an Arctic Cat, while Jeremy Fyle and Kirk Hibbert were second and third, also on Cats. The race was rerouted onto Lake Mille Lacs due to a dirth of snow on trails. Imagine, low snow even in 1994!
- In our test of the Yamaha Vmax 600 XT we praised its smooth powertrain, light precise steering and outstanding ride. Then Editor Jerry Bassett was so sold on it, he said “If we could only have one sled this coming winter, it would be this one.”
- We compiled 10 years of Rumors that the magazine had printed, with a lot of emphasis on reports that Honda may be entering the snowmobile market. One was in 1987 and the last, a 1994 entry, noting Honda says it can meet federal emission standards and wondering if a 4-stroke engine is coming soon!
- A December 1987 rumor predicts Yamaha’s SnoScoot will be the hot new, “in” sled for the next few seasons. It was!
- Later in 1987 we predicted Polaris would join Bombardier in the personal watercraft business. We said Honda had similar plans too.
- By spring of 1988 we were thinking a liquid-cooled V-4 with fuel injection could be in the works.
Tests, facts, and sure, even a few rumors once in a while help make this gig exciting, along with riding new snowmobiles all winter. Thanks for joining us on the ride for the past 25 years.
Tests, facts, and sure, even a few rumors once in a while help make this gig exciting, along with riding new snowmobiles all winter. Thanks for joining us on the ride for the past 25 years.