The Michigan Tech Advanced Snowmobile Enterprise team returned to Eagle River, Wisconsin, with a new machine, a growing roster, and a compressed timeline. They left with a first-place overall finish.
Competing at the Advanced Snowmobile Competition, held at the World Championship Derby Complex in Eagle River, the team faced eight collegiate programs from across the United States and Canada. The annual event challenges students to redesign and refine production snowmobiles to reduce emissions and noise—without sacrificing performance or rider experience.
This year marked a turning point for the competition itself. After SAE International stepped away from organizing the event following last year’s competition, a newly formed Advanced Snowmobile organization assumed leadership to continue the long-standing collegiate tradition.
Michigan Tech rose to the occasion.
A New Platform. A Shorter Timeline.
One of the team’s biggest challenges this year wasn’t just engineering—it was time.
With the competition moved nearly a month earlier than in previous years, the team had roughly five months to redesign, modify, and test an entirely new platform: a 2025 Polaris Switchback XC 850.
The transition was significant. Their previous chassis—a Yamaha Viper—had aged out of eligibility. Shifting from a four-stroke to a two-stroke snowmobile introduced new calibration strategies, new integration challenges, and a steep learning curve.
At the same time, facility closures limited shop access during critical build phases. Then, just five weeks before the competition, the team added 12 new members—bringing the total to 31 students.
That meant finishing the build while onboarding nearly half the team.
Long nights followed. Stressful weeks. Accelerated learning.
But the team pressed forward.
Engineering a 60% Emissions Reduction
The results speak for themselves.
Through a custom-designed, in-house-built muffler featuring an embedded catalytic converter and custom engine calibration performed on the team’s dyno in the Advanced Technology Development Complex (ATDC), the team achieved a 60% reduction in measurable emissions compared to a stock comparable snowmobile.
That performance earned the Advanced Snowmobile Enterprise first place in Emissions, awarded to the team with the largest relative decrease from baseline production levels.
The team also captured first place in Technical Design Paper, a professional engineering report submitted prior to the competition outlining design decisions, testing data, and validation methods.
Winning in the Business Arena
In a breakthrough moment, the team also earned first place in the Business/Sales Presentation category.
Historically known for being highly technical, the team elevated its communication strategy this year—successfully articulating target market, pricing structure, consumer value, and how their innovations translate beyond the test bench.
The win reflects growth not only as engineers, but as professionals prepared to communicate ideas to industry.
First Overall
When final scores were tallied, Michigan Tech’s Advanced Snowmobile Enterprise placed first overall, successfully defending last year’s title.
For team president Carter Vake, the victory represents more than a trophy.
“This win means a lot to the team and I, along with alumni of the enterprise,” said Vake. “We had a lot working against us this year, with a lot of unforeseen challenges. This win shows the members—especially the new members—that with enough time and dedication, the sky is the limit and anything can be achieved. It’s not going to be easy, and it’s not supposed to be easy.”
The competition tested more than mechanical systems. It tested resilience, leadership, and trust.
Vake sees this season as a launching point.
“I am very excited to see where the team goes from here and what they come up with next. I am especially excited to see our hybrid snowmobile operational. The hybrid team is passionate, and I can’t wait to see what they do.”
Beyond the technical achievements, the experience reflects something uniquely Michigan Tech.
“Enterprise has been an amazing experience and something that is uniquely Tech. Not only would I not have the hands-on, leadership, and engineering experience that I have gained if Enterprise didn’t exist, but I wouldn’t have some of my closest friends. If I were talking with someone new to Michigan Tech, I would tell them to get involved as soon as possible—whether that be in a club or an Enterprise; it opens up a world of possibilities.”
Cleaner. Quieter. More efficient.
And built by students who proved that even under pressure, innovation doesn’t stall.
It accelerates.
