In the world of snowmobiles, both in Quebec and abroad, Michel Garneau is considered one of the best experts in the field. I asked him to give me his list of favorites among the 2024 models.
Many people already know him through the magazine Motoneige Québec, of which he is editor-in-chief. His judgment is excellent. Here are Michel Garneau’s impressions of models from four companies.
LYNX
He initially decided on the Rave RE 850 E-TEC. According to him, it rides smoothly and is versatile with recalibrated suspensions. Its engine is powerful and efficient. When driving dynamically, even on bumps if you want, it remains stable and reacts very well. The braking level is strong and offers excellent feedback.In second place he chose the XTerrain RE 850 E-TEC. This snowmobile has a powerful and efficient engine. It ensures dynamic driving conditions while remaining very stable. Its grippy track ensures plenty of traction off-road. He described it as a real assault tank for sporty off-piste off-piste driving.In third place we find the XTerrain Brutal 850 E-TEC, in our opinion a real Expedition XTreme on steroids. The traction is second to none and the weight transfer is incredible and a lot of fun off-road. The engine is powerful and efficient. 
In the world of snowmobiling, Michel Garneau is considered a leading expert by everyone involved in the industry. Photo provided by Michel Garneau
SKI DOO
His first choice is the Backcountry X 850 E-TEC, which offers new stability and impressive precision when riding on trails. It’s a versatile trail and off-trail snowmobile with impressive performance in both areas. Its engine is powerful and efficient. Comfortable for hiking and at the same time relaxed for sporty driving.Second, he chose the MXZ X-RS 850 E-TEC Turbo R with Competition Package. For him, this engine is absolutely incredible, with plenty of power and impeccable response. It is equipped with a new, very powerful brake with excellent feedback. The suspension is comfortable on the trail while performing incredibly well over bumps. Its sophistication and excellent finish make it a benchmark.The third model is the Renegade X 900 ACE Turbo. He loved the incredible ride and unparalleled comfort on the trail. The engine is remarkably smooth, impressive, very powerful and efficient across the entire power range. The finish and level of sophistication on this snowmobile are remarkable. POLARIS
The first model that stood out for him at Polaris was the 650 Indy XCR 128. He describes this snowmobile as being incredibly fun. In its own way, it rewards the driver who interacts with his snowmobile. Its driving precision makes it a kind of kart on winding roads. The engine is smooth and responsive and surprisingly powerful for an average displacement. The brake is gentle and powerful and the snowmobile remains stable during dynamic driving.His second choice is the Patriot Boost Indy VR1 137. The engine is powerful, smooth, refined and responds immediately to your commands. It is an excellent snowmobile for long tours as it is very comfortable. Here too, the brake is smooth and always powerful.The 850 Switchback Assault is his third choice. The engine is efficient and delivers smooth, linear power. He says driving is a lot of fun because you really become one with the driver. The weight transfer when accelerating is incredible, but it’s also a lot of fun and practical off-road. The braking system is state of the art. Arctic cat
According to experts, the ZR 600 129 ATC model is the new king in terms of driving precision and cornering stability at industry level. His sporty driving style inspires and rewards the driver who puts in good effort. Thanks to the Catalyst chassis, a big success at Arctic Cat, this snowmobile is lightweight and easy to handle with its low center of gravity.The Riot 9000 ARAC EPS is his second choice. It has incredible smoothness and remarkable performance. It develops violent acceleration with a weight transfer that makes the ski float above the piste, a feeling that is both gentle and exhilarating for the expert. It also conveys a feeling of casualness that makes hiking more pleasant.His third choice was the Riot 600 ATAC. According to him, this snowmobile offers incredible driving precision for this niche and offers impressive stability despite its narrow front. The open cabin makes moving around easier, a big advantage when driving off-road. The centralization of masses, the feeling of lightness and its low center of gravity make this snowmobile one of the most maneuverable and pleasant to control.
