Polaris: Think Outside

Polaris began its journey back in 1954 with a passion for adventure, leading to the creation of its very first off-roading vehicle—the early snowmobile—in 1955. Named after the North Star, Polaris symbolizes its roots and the rugged spirit of its original headquarters in northern Minnesota.

In fact, the very first Polaris® snowmobile was put to the ultimate test when Edgar Hetteen and three of his friends embarked on an epic 1,200-mile adventure through the Alaskan wilderness. Their successful journey paved the way for mass production, and by 1956, the first Polaris snowmobiles were ready for riders everywhere.

Edgar Hetteen

Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Polaris continued to innovate, designing snowmobiles that consistently dominated snow-racing competitions. In 1965, Polaris introduced the Mustang snowmobile, affectionately known as the "family model" for its accessibility and versatility.

Mustang snowmobile

A major milestone came in 1976 with the release of the TX-L 340, the very first Polaris® snowmobile featuring a liquid-cooled engine. The innovation continued, and after acquiring the John Deere snowmobile line, Polaris reached a remarkable achievement in 1989 when the Polaris® Indy® 500 was named "snowmobile of the decade" by SNOWMOBILE magazine.

Polaris® Indy® 500

By 1990, Polaris had expanded significantly, opening several new production facilities. The following year marked another exciting chapter with the launch of their very first personal watercraft, the Polaris® SL650, further extending the Polaris spirit of adventure onto the water.

Polaris reached yet another incredible milestone by achieving a record-breaking $1 billion in sales in 1995. Shortly thereafter, Polaris entered the motorcycle market, and in 1997, racing legend and IndyCar champion Al Unser, Jr. famously took the first Victory motorcycle—the V92C—on a memorable ride through the Mall of America in Minneapolis. By 1998, this iconic motorcycle was officially in full production, marking the beginning of a new era for Polaris enthusiasts everywhere.

V92C

Throughout the 2000s, Polaris continued its tradition of innovation by releasing numerous exciting models across snowmobiles, watercraft, and motorcycles. Notably, the 2002 Predator 500 sports quad and the groundbreaking 2007 RANGER RZR® side-by-side vehicle set new standards in off-roading adventures.

2007 RANGER RZR®

As Polaris continues to grow and evolve, there's always something new and thrilling just around the corner.