What’s New at Ski-Doo for 2024

Ski-Doo has revealed its full lineup for 2024, highlighted by brand new technologies that look to usher the brand into the future, while also pleasing the traditional snowmobile customer.

We have to start by discussing the new Grand Touring Electric, a battery-driven snowmobile that is the first of its kind from Ski-Doo. For now, this model is reserved for Uncharted Society Experience centres, which means that the general public can not go buy one, yet. For the 2025 model year, Ski-Doo strongly hinted that an electric sled will be available for all to buy, so consider this year a trial run strictly at the rental companies to see how the vehicles hold up.

The recipe Ski-Doo is using is interesting, opting to keep the machine lightweight while sacrificing range and speed. An 8.9 kWh battery is nestled under the hood in place of the engine offering up to 50 km (31 miles) of range. Speed is limited to just 40 kph (25 mph) for the rental sleds while the guides will be able to up the governor to 60 kph (37 mph), no doubt in place to help ensure these snowmobiles meet the range targets. Level 2 charging is standard and can pump the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 90 minutes.

Ski-Doo also made sure to keep its gasoline-powered sleds on the cutting edge with technology, highlighted by a new water injection system on the 2024 MXZ fitted with the 850 E-TEC Turbo R.

The updated power plant makes 180 horsepower, making it the most powerful two-stroke engine in the industry, though along with that power comes loads of heat, a problem Ski-Doo had to solve. Rather than adding a heavy intercooled for the turbo, Ski-Doo opted for a water injection system that pulls a water/methanol mixture from a 1.2L reservoir located just behind the rider and sprays a light mist of that mixture into the turbo intake air, cooling it down. This results in not only better power, but also consistent power that won’t fade after a long day of riding.

Opt for the Competition Package on the MXZ X-RS and you’ll also get new Kashima coated KYB Pro 40 R series shocks, a taller front ride height and a reinforced rMotion rear suspension.

Stepping away from specific models for a moment, Ski-Doo has also been working with its accessories and features across all of its sleds and has come up with the smart new ideas. An adjustable windshield is now available for most models on the REV Gen5 platform along with different height fixed windshields, while a new premium heated seat will look to keep bums warm on long rides. Integrated lights into the optional hand guards is another smart idea, allowing for better visibility of your machine at night. More than that, Ski-Doo will let you change the colour of the lights with the touch of button, allowing a group of riders to signal to others whether or not there are more in the group behind them.

The 10.25-inch touchscreen is an option on many Ski-Doo models across the lineup and now has embedded maps and GPS, while Ski-Doo’s app-based navigation will also now work offline on your phone.

Ski-Doo also spent time this year differentiating its lineup, especially between the MXZ and Renegade, the latter of which has gone nearly 4-stroke only, while the MXZ sticks with its 2-stroke lineup. If you’re looking for raw performance the MZX is clearly the choice for you now with its narrow body, high steering rise, aggressive seat and taller ride height, while the Renegade offers a wider body, stability on the trail, a taller windshield and wide comfort seat that is better suited to those looking to chew up hundreds of miles a day on the trail.

If you’re looking to get into the mountains Ski-Doo has also updated your options, with the Backcountry lineup moving to the new REV Gen5 platform. A true 50/50 on-trail, off-trail snowmobile, the Backcountry is getting plenty of new tech including powerful LED lighting, an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen, reduced NVH, a new rack steering system and a lighter cMotion X rear suspension with more travel.

If that’s not hardcore enough you can move up to the Freeride which has been updated with new spindle geometry, bigger shocks and a 146-inch length with the new 850 E-TEC Turbo R for quick maneuverability.

If the 2024 Ski-Doo lineup is any indication, the future of snowmobiles is bright with new technologies that look to take us further, for longer, with more power, while also preserving our natural environment.