A snowmachine is a gas-powered motor vehicle that has a rubber track in the rear and two skis’ in the front.  The track usually has lugs, which are like paddles from a paddleboat used to move the machine through powdery snow but they aren’t as long as a paddleboat’s paddles. The lugs are usually .075 to 2 inches long. Lugs are located all along the track.

    The skis are attached to a handle bar located where the driver sits.  The snowmachine has a throttle, which is the lever like a gas pedal located on the right side of the handle bar; it is operated with a thumb. Snowmachines have a brake, which is also like a break handle on a bike but it is located on the left side of the handle bar and your left hand operates it.

    The engine is located in front of a windshield that blocks the wind from the driver and under a hood in the front, above the skis.  Different engines have 1-3 cylinders depending on the brand.

    Carl J. Eliason invented the snowmachine in 1927 with the engine in the back looking like heavy pieces of junk metal.  Today, snowmachines are more stylish and are lighter in weight. Snowmachines, formerly cruising at 50 miles per hour, now travel at 70 while the racing machines reach 120 MPH or faster.