The Hus-Ski snowmobile was produced by a Montreal manufacturer who later sold out to Bolens of Wisconsin, a division of Food Machinery Corporation. Production of the sleds was moved from Montreal to Port Washington, Wisconsin, to complement their winter manufacturing schedule of lawn tractors for summer sales.

The Hus-Ski was produced in the early sixties in Montreal, with consolidation at the Bolens Wisconsin factory in the late sixties. The model pictured was called the Diablo Rouge.

The sled was unique in that the driver rode behind on a sleigh-type second half, pulled ahead by two tracks on the front portion. Models used various JLO engines and reached speeds of around 20 miles per hour or more. The original cost of the sled was under $1000.

The Hus-Ski functioned by having the driver ride while steering the machine by the handlebars that turned the direction of its double track on front. Early riders say those handlebars could put a great deal of pressure on the driver’s legs when the machine crossed a ditch-like formation. They experienced the same problem going over rough trails or ice. Often the trailer would come unhooked from the engine, stranding the driver as the motor continued along on its own.

1969 was the last year of production for the Diablo rouge model. Articles at the time claimed that despite its strange appearance the Hus-Ski offered a very smooth ride.

Read another snowmobile article