Last year Lynx entered the North American market with its Boondocker models. This year the new Shredder line replaces the Boondocker line and comes in two trims—RE and DS.

Both trims offer a turbo package which in turn offers more options with track lengths. Without the turbo package the RE comes with a 146x15x2.5-inch PowderMax track (Lynx calls it the 3700). With the turbo you can get a 154x15x3-inch PowderMax3 (Lynx calls it the 3900).

Not all riders need a 100 mph snowmobile that turns every stretch of trail into a cross-country race. Even the smallest of the full-size Indy sleds are capable of traveling at speeds over 60 mph, which is certainly adequate for most trails. However, we get it that many snowmobilers enjoy the rush they find with a snowmobile capable of pounding the moguls, carving the corners and accelerating at arm-yanking Gs.

So let’s break down the options. On the top end, you have the VR1 Boost—a 200 horsepower snowmobile that will go from 0-100 mph in about the time it takes you to count to 10. On the bottom end you have the Indy Sport—a 550cc fan-cooled snowmobile that will last forever and stretches a tank of gas farther than anything on the market.

As more trail riders plan winter vacations to places where there’s deeper snow and more options for off-trail riding, they are also starting to appreciate longer tracks and are willing to sacrifice a little trail performance to gain the flexibility of wandering off trail.

Ski-Doo engineers have studied this change in riding styles and have integrated it into the design of their snowmobiles and variety of the model trims. Just as qualities of mountain sleds would blend into the crossover segment, the qualities of trail sleds are also blending into the crossover segment.