For immediate release – A compact snow vehicle first built in Sweden in the 1950s is being manufactured again — this time in North Idaho.
Sno Trac, a small engineering company based here in downtown Bonners Ferry, has revived the iconic Aktiv Snow Trac, a lightweight tracked vehicle originally designed by Swedish inventor Lars Larsson to reach his remote winter cabin. Once used by miners, ranchers, Arctic researchers, and remote service crews, the Snow Trac became known for its simplicity, durability, and ability to go where larger machines could not.
After nearly five years of reverse engineering the original Swedish machine, Sno Trac unveiled its first fully American-made prototype in 2021. The modern version retains the compact, human-scale philosophy of the original, but has been redesigned in both form and function: slightly taller, more rugged, and built around a modern powertrain and control system.
The modern Sno Trac replaces the original Volkswagen engine and mechanical variator belt steering system with a 50-horsepower Kubota turbo diesel engine, hydrostatic drive, and single-joystick control system. Steering, braking, and throttle are managed through one intuitive interface. The result is a machine that is easier to operate, easier to service, and compliant with modern emissions standards. The vehicle remains compact and lightweight, small enough to tow behind a standard pickup and service without specialized factory tools.
Rather than competing with large industrial snowcats, Sno Trac focuses on the niche the original machine once filled: practical, human-scale transportation for snow-bound terrain. The company operates as a small-batch manufacturer, with each machine designed, fabricated, and assembled here in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The latest Sno Trac revision is now in production, with output expected to be approximately three times larger than earlier production rounds. The operation supports skilled mechanical and fabrication jobs locally and serves customers across the United States, including Alaska.
Typical customers include backcountry property owners, ranchers, utility companies, mining operations, remote service crews, and outdoor enthusiasts who need dependable winter access without heavy equipment.
What began as a vision to revive an iconic machine has become a rare example of mechanical heritage carried forward through careful redesign — not a reinvention, but a modern continuation of a proven idea.
For more information you can visit them on their website at Sno Trac | Modern Snowcat Inspired by a Classic Icon.