N. Idaho company revives legendary snow vehicle
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 5 days, 13 hours AGO
A Sno Trac serves as a base for riders enjoying a winter day in the mountains, demonstrating the vehicle’s use for recreation and winter access.
Photo courtesy SNO TRAC
A Sno Trac navigates a wooded ridge in deep snow, demonstrating the vehicle’s lightweight design and maneuverability in backcountry terrain.
BONNERS FERRY — A North Idaho manufacturing team has brought a legendary snow vehicle back into production.
Based in Bonners Ferry, Sno Trac recently announced the re-engineering and revival of the iconic 1950s Aktiv Snow Trac — transforming a historic Swedish design into a modern tracked vehicle built for today’s mountain and winter work, company officials said in a press release.
The company operates as a small-batch manufacturer, with each machine designed, fabricated, and assembled in Bonners Ferry. The latest Sno Trac revision is now in production, with production roughly triple earlier production rounds.
Sno Trac officials said the company supports skilled mechanical and fabrication jobs in Boundary County as it serves customers across the United States.
Originally designed by Swedish inventor Lars Larsson to reach his remote winter cabin, the Aktiv Snow Trac became known for its simplicity, reliability, and ease of repair. It was widely used by miners, researchers, and Arctic expeditions throughout the mid-20th century.
After nearly five years of reverse engineering the original Swedish machine, Sno Trac unveiled its first fully American-made prototype in 2021. The result was a vehicle that stayed true to the original concept but evolved in form: slightly taller, more rugged, and powered by a 50-horsepower Kubota turbo diesel engine. Rather than competing with large industrial snowcats, the focus was on producing a compact, practical tracked vehicle for operators who need mobility in snow-bound terrain without the scale or cost of heavy equipment, company officials said.
The modern Sno Trac replaces the Kubota engine replaces the original Volkswagen engine and mechanical variator belt steering system, adding a hydrostatic drive, and single-joystick control system. Designed to be compact and lightweight, Sno Trac officials said the vehicle can be towed behind a standard pickup and serviced without specialized factory tools.
Today, Sno Trac is used by backcountry property owners, ranchers, utility companies, mining operations, remote service crews, and outdoor enthusiasts who rely on dependable winter access for both work and recreation.
A Sno Trac navigates a wooded ridge in deep snow, demonstrating the vehicle’s lightweight design and maneuverability in backcountry terrain.