I am really fond of outdoor activities. Getting out in the sunshine with the fresh breeze hitting my face just feels different. I especially enjoy extreme activities. I find the challenge thrilling and exciting though my heart seems to be always pounding and my hands shaking from nervousness.
A few months back, I had the privilege of enjoying a ton of extreme water activities on a family holiday. From swimming deep in the ocean to jumping down deep waterfalls, it’s still all a fresh memory and something I find myself always looking back to.
One activity that has always interested me is snowmobiling. Before I get myself into the whole popular activity, I like to make sure I first know everything there is to know.
If you’re curious about how much a snowmobile weighs and everything in between, I’ve created a guide below that includes all the information I gathered about snowmobile weight, plus some additional factors you might not have considered.
How Much Does a Snowmobile Weigh?
When people go shopping for new snowmobiles to take them on their adventures, a lot of factors go into consideration. The price, brand, and ability all matter, yes, but there is another very important factor to always keep in mind – the snowmobile’s weight.
Different snowmobiles in the market have varying weights. A lot of different factors also affect a snowmobile’s final weight. But generally, a snowmobile weighs around 500 pounds.
This average weight can go higher or can go lower, factoring in other things.
Snowmobile Weight Chart
To give you an overview of how much snowmobiles can weigh and how they can vary, we have five popular snowmobile models (Polaris Snowmobile, Arctic Cat Snowmobile, Ski-Doo Snowmobile, and Yamaha Snowmobile) listed below along with their weights and fuel capacity:
| Model | Dry Weight | Fuel Capacity |
| Polaris 600 PRO RMK 155 | 414 lbs | 11.5 gal. |
| Arctic Cat ZR 9000 Thundercat | 603 lbs | 9.9 gal. |
| Ski-Doo Freeride 850 E-TEC 165 | 461 lbs | 9.5 gal. |
| Polaris Rush 600 Rush Pro-S | 432 lbs | 12 gal. |
| Yamaha Apex LE | 600 lbs | 9.2 gal. |
Does Snowmobile Weight Matter?
Some might not think so but snowmobile weight matters greatly.
The weight of a snowmobile has direct effects on how you ride, control, and maneuver it through snowmobile tracks and through different terrains.
For what purposes you use your snowmobile also matters. If you’re planning on using it for going up and down mountains, you would need something that’s lighter so it’s easy to control and maneuver around obstacles.
If a snowmobile’s purpose is to work, i.e. carry and tow stuff to places vehicles can’t otherwise reach, then you would need something that’s heavier and has more power.
Generally, heavier snowmobiles are more powerful and are designed for heavy duty use compared to much lighter units.
Who will ride the snowmobile can also have some effects on what the weight of your snowmobile should be. If the rider is on the smaller and lighter side, they might have trouble controlling and maneuvering a heavy unit
In the same way, someone with more experience and expertise can have no trouble using a heavier snowmobile as a beginner might encounter on a snowmobile with the same weight.
Dry Weight vs. Wet Weight
When shopping for snowmobiles, you might notice manufacturers and users using two terms to talk about weight: dry weight and wet weight. So what are they and how are they different?
Dry weight
A snowmobile’s dry weight is its weight before fuel, oil, and other fluids are added. This is generally what’s listed when manufacturers list a snowmobile’s weight.
Wet weight
Wet weight would be a unit’s weight with all fluids it needs to operate accounted for. Fuel, oil, and other fluids added into the snowmobile can easily add about 60 pounds – more or less – to the dry weight!
As you operate the snowmobile, its wet weight constantly fluctuates because you use up the fluids to operate it.
The Weight of Snowmobile Parts: What Influences the Weight of Snowmobiles?
As we’ve mentioned above, there are tons of other factors that can affect how much a snowmobile weighs:
Material
Different snowmobiles are made from different materials. The body and the materials used to construct one would largely influence a snowmobile’s weight.
A snowmobile made mostly with fiberglass would weigh significantly less than one made mostly with a metal body. At the same time, the latter would be more durable than the former, especially if you’re quite adventurous in the tracks you go to.
The right material for you would depend largely on personal preference and purpose.
Engine
The engine is the heaviest part of a snowmobile and largely influences its final dry weight. Typically speaking, the engine could range from 60 to 140 pounds.
More powerful engines would weigh more than those with a lower capacity. Four-stroke engines would also typically weigh more than 2-stroke engines.
Tracks
A snowmobile track also adds significant weight to its overall dry weight. Tracks would generally weigh anywhere between 30-60 pounds. Its weight would depend on the certain type, length, size, width, and material used.
Skis
A snowmobile skis’ weight would depend on the material used for that specific component. Skis can either be made from plastic or metal. Obviously, metal skis would be heavier than plastic ones.
Skis can weigh anywhere between 5-12 pounds.
How Construction Type Affects Weight
Snowmobiles come in a variety of types to choose from (7, to be exact), according to use and need:
Mountain
Mountain snowmobiles are used to climb the mountains. They’re made to tackle the slopes and turns of mountains, therefore control is a top priority for mountain riders. These are very lightweight and in fact one of the lightest snowmobiles.
Trail
Trail snowmobiles are beginner-friendly and are entry-level units. They’re easier to handle than other professional types and are lightweight as well.
Sport
Sport snowmobiles have more advanced parts and can handle more advanced trails, a huge step up from its trail snowmobile counterpart. These also weigh more.
Touring
Touring snowmobiles are designed for slow rides along terrains so the rider can enjoy sightseeing. These are often made with an extra backseat so another person can be brought along. They can also have bigger engines for longer rides. For these reasons, they can be weighty.
Utility
Utility snowmobiles have work in mind, instead of fun and leisure. These are capable of carrying stuff and towing trailers. These snowmobiles weigh very heavy.
Crossover
Crossover snowmobiles are capable of traveling through deep snow and have a better suspension system. This makes them a heavy snowmobile construction type as well.
Performance
Performance snowmobiles offer improved performance whether you snowmobile for sport or just like going fast and aggressive. As these are built to go fast, they’re also generally lighter in weight.
Heavier vs. Lighter Snowmobile: Which is Better?
The answer to which of the two – heavier or lighter snowmobiles – is better for you lies on personal preference, needs, and experience.
Ask yourself for what purpose you would be using the snowmobile and if you’re a snowmobile beginner or an established expert.
Both weight options have their own advantages, disadvantages, and purpose. Simply ask yourself what would work better for your needs and snowmobiling experience.
How to Tow Snowmobile
If a snowmobile breaks down in the middle of your route, you can only resort to towing it. So how is this done?
- Remove the drive belt. Never tow a snowmobile without doing so as this can be very damaging to the engine and unit itself.
- Make sure the brake works and the track turns freely.
- With a tow bar or a tow rope, attach the disabled snowmobile through its front bumper to the rear bumper of the towing vehicle.
- With a rigid tow bar, you can control the disabled snowmobile even without a rider on it. But if you don’t have a tow bar and you would need to use a tow strap instead, a rider would have to be on the disabled snowmobile to control and press the brake when necessary.
- You can also attach flags or reflectors on the sides of the unit to snowmobile safely.
- Tow at very low speeds. Going at a regular speed might be dangerous, especially for the rider on the towed snowmobile.
How to Tow with a Snowmobile
You have to remember, not all snowmobiles are created equal, so not all snowmobiles can tow another. Make sure to read a snowmobile’s towing capacity before towing a snowmobile.
The best type to tow another snowmobile are utility snowmobiles. If one isn’t readily available, make sure that the biggest snowmobile does the towing.
Conclusion
Snowmobiling is a great adventurous winter sport. And one doesn’t have to be aggressive in nature to enjoy this. You can even simply go sightseeing while driving one!
For many who are in the market for new snowmobiles, they consider things like the brand, capability, and price. What some people fail to consider is the weight.
In fact, snowmobile weight is actually a very important matter to consider! It can have drastic effects on how you ride, control, and maneuver through different terrains.
So how much does a snowmobile weigh?
Generally speaking, a snowmobile weighs around 500 lbs. But keep in mind this is only an average weight. Exact weights would vary depending on a lot of different factors:
- Constructions materials
- Engine
- Tracks
- Skis
Fuel capacity also greatly influences a unit’s overall weight.
And that has been our guide on everything related to snowmobile weight. Let us know if you have further questions by using our contact form.
