Every snowmobiler is looking for that competitive edge that gets you farther and higher up the mountain than your buddies. Yet too often we have to commit early in the spring to pay a premium price for next season’s snowmobile. But for the 2022 model season, Ski-Doo has offered an in-season mountain sled with enough premium features that allows you to wait until the fall to make such an expensive commitment.
The 2022 Ski-Doo Summit Edge bridges the wide gap between the Summit X and the Summit SP. It features leading-edge technology like standard SHOT starting, the shorter tunnel and snow flap, and other performance features usually reserved for a “spring only” model. But to evaluate the Edge, you need to put it in perspective with the other Summit models.
Ski-Doo actually makes seven different Summit Packages (not counting variations in track lengths). The basic four are the Summit Expert, Summit X, Summit Edge and Summit SP. All four feature the Rotax 850 E-Tec engine. The Expert and X are also available in a turbo package. The SP is also available with the 600R E-Tec engine.
The editors of SnoWest got the opportunity to ride the 2022 Summit Edge, along with the Summit X and Summit SP. This allowed us to break down the differences between basic/common components and premium components and put a straight edge on what makes each model unique.
For sake of comparison, we are only focusing on the naturally-aspirated 850 E-Tec models since the two turbo models and the 600 offer uniquely different performance characteristics.
Ski-Doo has made two significant changes in the design and technology of the snowmobile that greatly enhanced the Summit’s standing as one of the best mountain sleds ever built. Both are standard on the Edge but not on the SP.
First, the introduction of SHOT is cutting edge technology that allows you to start your snowmobile throughout the day with a push of a button. By using energy stored in a lightweight ultra-capacitor to turn the magnet, SHOT basically offers electric start without the added weight of a starter or battery. This may not seem like much to those who have never used it … but once you start pushing a button rather than pulling a rope, you realize how much energy you spend each day during start-and-stops.
Second, the shorter tunnel that originated on the Expert and then migrated to the X has now found its way to the Edge. This tunnel allows you to ride in deeper snow without dragging or binding. It also allows the RER to function better in off-trail riding since the snow flap doesn’t get folded back under the track.
So what doesn’t the Edge offer that we find on the Expert and X? Well, for starters the running boards are different. The Expert and X feature profile running boards with a front-to-back extruded grid style designed to allow the snow to pass through freely. The Edge features deep-snow running boards with large windows. Although there are places for snow to collect, you can easily kick the snow clear from the boards—not necessarily a noticeable inconvenience.
The Edge suspension package (shocks) is more in line with the SP. You have good HPG shocks on the RAS 3 front and tMotion rear suspensions. The Expert and X feature performance shocks with the best package found on the Expert. For riding on the packed trails leading to the deep snow, the better shocks do edge out standard shocks. But not so much that it affects the sled’s ability to navigate through the powder.
The bottom line is the difference in performance for the average snowmobiler is thinner than a razor’s edge in untracked snow. So if you’re on the edge of your seat wondering whether the Summit Edge will take you to the edge of those snow-filled mountain ridges, the answer is yes. By all means, live on the edge and take a closer look at the 2022 Summit Edge.