For snowmobile lovers, speed isn't just a thing; it's a total thrill. You got that throttle punch, the turbo wail, and the snow just flying by – it's like the perfect power trip. Now, those snowmobiles are super quick, like, proper top-notch bits of kit that can zoom over 100 mph on the snow. With cool turbo engines and light frames, winter is now race season. Here are the five fastest snowmobiles— each one built to chase the horizon and feed your need for speed.
Top 5 Fastest Snowmobiles
| Model |
Engine |
Horsepower |
Track |
Dry Weight |
Top Speed |
Key Features |
Base Price (USD) |
| Yamaha SRViper L-TX GT |
1,049 cc 4-stroke liquid-cooled 3-cyl Genesis |
125 hp |
15 × 137 × 1.25″ Camoplast RipSaw |
~480 lb (217 kg) |
~93 mph (150 km/h) |
Smooth throttle, reliable engine, balanced handling |
~$16,299 |
| Arctic Cat ZR 9000 Thundercat |
998 cc 4-stroke 3-cyl Turbo |
~200 hp |
16 × 137–151″ (Ripsaw II) |
~603 lb (273 kg) |
~116 mph (186 km/h) |
Adapt CVT, ATAC suspension, EPS steering |
~$22,099 |
| Polaris Patriot Boost Switchback Assault |
2-stroke turbocharged 2-cyl, 840 cc |
~180 hp |
15 × 146 × 1.35″ Cobra |
~531 lb (241 kg) |
~118 mph (190 km/h) |
Patriot Boost turbo, IGX 146 suspension, AXYS chassis |
~$17,099 |
| Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE EPS |
998 cc 4-stroke inline-4 Turbo |
200 hp |
21 × 154 × 3.0″ |
~582 lb (264 kg) |
~120 mph (193 km/h) |
Fox shocks, EPS steering, Genesis Turbo engine |
~$21,499 |
| Ski-Doo MXZ 850 E-TEC Turbo R |
Rotax 850 cc 2-stroke Turbo R |
180 hp |
15×137×1.5″ or 146×1.6″ (race-oriented) |
~522 lb (237 kg) |
~128 mph (205 km/h) |
Smart-Shox, Gen5 chassis, pDrive clutch |
~$22,249 |

Yamaha SRViper LTX
The Yamaha SRViper L-TX GT runs on a 1049cc Genesis engine that gives you about 135 horsepower. It’s known for being reliable and giving you smooth, easy-to-control power. People like this three-cylinder engine because the throttle responds fast and it lasts a long time - perfect if you want something dependable for trail riding instead of something super aggressive with a turbo.
The SRViper's clutch system (YVXC) and Yamaha's tuning make sure the power goes where it needs to, giving you quick acceleration. Even though it doesn’t have a turbo, this snowmobile is light and balanced, so it can still hit speeds of up to 110 mph on smooth trails. Not bad for a machine without a turbo!
When it comes to handling, the SRViper L-TX GT does great. The front and rear suspensions make for a steady, secure ride, even when things get bumpy. Plus, with electric start, a heated seat, and a cool-looking body, you'll be comfy and in control on the trail.
Yamaha teaming up with Arctic Cat means it's built well and parts are easy to find. Yamaha's tuning gives the SRViper its own special feel. It starts at around $16,299, which is a reasonable deal for the amount of speed, comfort, and dependability you get if you're into long trail rides but don't want the trouble of a turbo engine.
- Engine: 1,049 cc 4-stroke liquid-cooled 3-cylinder Genesis
- Horsepower: 125 hp
- Track: 15 × 137 × 1.25″ Camoplast RipSaw
- Dry Weight: ~480 lb (217 kg)
- Top Speed: ~93mph (150 km/h)
- Base Price: ~$16,299

Arctic Cat ZR 9000 Thundercat
At the top of Arctic Cat’s performance lineup, the ZR 9000 Thundercat stands as one of the fastest production snowmobiles on the market. Its heart is the 9000-series C-TEC4 turbocharged engine, a 998cc 4-stroke, three-cylinder powerhouse that produces around 200 horsepower. This setup delivers relentless acceleration and top-end speed, while maintaining refined throttle response and smooth power delivery across all conditions.
The Thundercat’s ADAPT CVT system automatically maintains optimal belt tension without any rider input, ensuring efficient power transfer, reduced wear, and longer belt life. Combined with electronic power steering (EPS), riders experience light, precise control even at high speeds.
Independent front suspension and SLIDE-ACTION rear suspension give the Thundercat exceptional ride quality, absorbing trail bumps while maintaining traction and balance through corners. The machine’s aggressive chassis geometry and weight distribution further enhance stability and control — crucial when reaching speeds of up to 116 miles per hour, as documented by riders during real-world runs on Long Lake, Maine.
Despite its muscle, the Thundercat also focuses on comfort and customization. Multiple configurations and performance add-ons allow riders to tailor the sled to their style. With its premium build quality, advanced suspension, and turbocharged might, the ZR 9000 Thundercat remains a true benchmark for high-performance snowmobiles.
- Engine: 998 cc 4-stroke 3-cyl Turbo
- Horsepower: ~200 hp
- Top Speed: ~116 mph (186 km/h)
- Track: (e.g.) Arctic Cat Ripsaw II – typically 16×137–151″
- Dry Weight: ~ 603 lbs (273 kg)
- Key Feature: Adapt CVT, ATAC suspension for stability at speed
- Base Price: ~$22,099 (Thundercat model)

Polaris Patriot Boost Switchback Assault
The Switchback Assault, rocking the Patriot Boost 850 engine, throws down up to 180 hp with its built-in turbo. This 2-stroke, liquid-cooled twin engine gives you that instant go and crazy fast acceleration. Seriously, it's up there as one of the quickest trail sleds Polaris has ever made.
The Patriot Boost system's got this light turbocharger that's made just for snowmobiles. It keeps the power steady no matter how high you go, and there's no lag. Plus, it's matched with the PDrive clutch that makes sure the power goes where it needs to, giving you smooth starts. You can hit around 112 mph when things are perfect.
To manage all that oomph, the Switchback Assault uses the AXYS chassis, making it handle turns better and respond faster. The Walker Evans Velocity shocks and IGX 146 rear suspension soak up bumps and keep you in control, so the ride stays smooth even when you're flying.
This sled's built to do it all – it's just as good on smooth trails as it is tearing it up off-trail. Its tough looks, along with smart design for the rider, makes it comfy and keeps you feeling confident when you're hauling.
- Engine: 2-stroke turbocharged 2-cyl, 840 cc
- Horsepower: ~180 hp
- Track: 15×146×1.35″ Cobra (highway Cobra)
- Dry Weight: ~531 lb (241 kg)
- Top Speed: ~190 km/h (118 mph)
- Base Price: ~$17,099 (MSRP)

Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE EPS
The Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE EPS is Yamaha's fastest snowmobile, known for its speed and fancy design. It's got a 998cc Genesis Turbo 4-stroke engine, a three-cylinder engine that cranks out about 200 horsepower. It's the same engine as the Arctic Cat Thundercat, but tweaked for Yamaha's exact steering.
Its turbocharged engine gives you power right away with almost no delay, because of Yamaha’s boost control that keeps the pressure steady no matter how high you are. This helps the Sidewinder SRX hit a top speed of about 119 mph, making it one of the fastest snowmobiles you can buy.
The SRX's clutch makes sure the power goes where it needs to smoothly, and you can speed up without problems. The power steering makes it easier to control and keeps you from getting too tired, and the SRX suspension with special springs and shocks makes the ride steady, even when you're going super fast.
The snowmobile's track and streamlined shape make it more stable and easier to steer at high speeds. Plus, it has stuff like a push-button start, heated grips, and a digital display, so the Sidewinder SRX LE EPS is crazy fast and still comfy.
- Engine: 998 cc 4-stroke inline-4 Turbo
- Horsepower: 200 hp
- Top Speed: ~120 mph (193 km/h)
- Track: 21×154×3.0″ (typically, in LE trim)
- Dry Weight: ~ 582 lbs (264 kg)
- Special: Fox shocks, electronic steering (EPS)
- Base Price: ~$21,499

Ski-Doo MXZ 850 E-TEC Turbo R
The Ski-Doo MXZ 850 E-TEC Turbo R is a seriously high-tech snowmobile. It's for those who want crazy power and super-sharp control. Its 850cc E-TEC Turbo R engine cranks out 180 horsepower, making it Ski-Doo's strongest 2-stroke ever. This factory-built turbo setup is cool because it gets rid of that annoying lag, so you get instant power and crazy fast acceleration no matter how high up you are.
The E-TEC Turbo R tech keeps tweaking the boost to keep performance at its peak. Plus, the pDrive clutch makes sure the power gets to the track without wasting any, and it saves wear on the belt. People are saying it hits around 118 mph, which puts it up there with the fastest snowmobiles you can get.
The MXZ 850 E-TEC Turbo R uses the REV Gen5 platform, which is light but tough, to give you better handling. The rMotion X rear suspension and RAS X front suspension work together. Also, this setup soaks up bumps and keeps you stable on the trail, so you can take corners like a pro even when you're going fast.
It's also got nice touches that add to the comfort and control, like the Smart-Shox semi-active suspension. This automatically changes how stiff the ride is based on the ground and how you're riding. A smooth-looking body, an easy-to-use 10.25-inch color touchscreen, and top-notch materials make it feel like a high-end ride.
- Engine: Rotax 850 cc 2-stroke Turbo R (in-line twin)
- Horsepower: 180 hp
- Track: (example) 15×137×1.5″ (or 146×1.6″ for longer track) – race-oriented track lugs
- Dry Weight: ~ 522 lbs (237 kg)
- Top Speed: ~205 km/h (128 mph)
- 0–60 mph: < 3.0 s
- Base Price: ~$22,249
Conclusion
These snowmobiles are less about how fast you're going and more about that rush you get when you crank the throttle wide open. Doesn't matter if you're blazing new trails, skimming over frozen lakes, or just chasing the sunset – these machines are all about giving you that raw, snow-fueled adrenaline rush.
With over 10 years of experience working on cars and trucks Item Training Supervisor Richard Reina is known around the office as one of our technical experts & real an "automobile person".
His rate of interest began, in his very own words, "at the age of two when his father educated him the distinction in between a Chevy and a Ford. Since then it's been cars regularly."
As a serious lover of practically all things with a motor Richard can address nearly any kind of inquiry related to car upkeep, fixing, or restoration & is a fact professional in electric motor background.