The Museum of Ingenuity is about much more than the machine J. Armand Bombardier is most famous for — the snowmobile. Built in Bombardier’s hometown of Valcourt, Quebec, in 1971, the museum celebrates ingenuity and creativity. On your visit, you can also take a 3.5 hour tour of the Bombardier recreation products manufacturing plant.
What’s in the Museum of Ingenuity?
The Museum of Ingenuity highlights the legacy of inventor, J. Armand Bombardier.
His story begins as a teenager, when he managed to get an old Ford engine running and mounted on a sleigh. He even managed to drive the contraption on the town’s main streets!
After that, Bombardier’s dream was to invent a machine for one rider that would float over the snow.
Who invented the snowmobile?
Credited with inventing the snowmobile, Bombardier was one of various inventors who registered patents on snow machine related innovations. In fact, Carl Eliason, built a snow machine in 1924 that he patented as a motor toboggan. It was the forerunner of the snowmobiles we ride today.
However, Bombardier was the first to move from hand built machines to an assembly line production for his Ski-Doo snowmobile in 1959.
In fact, the first production sled rolled off the Quebec assembly line in 1959. A mere 54 years from that first sled, the three millionth Ski-Doo, a 2014 Ski-Doo Summit X E-TEC 800R, was built in Valcourt. Today, these are just a few of the originals in the museum.
In the Collection
The Museum of Ingenuity has around 6500 artifacts in its collection. This includes:
- 175 models of machines
- 44 engines
- 124 personal items that belonged to J. Armand Bombardier
- 5000+ other objects
- 200,000+ photos
- 11,185 technical drawings
- 5500 videos
- 1600+ advertisements
- About 1 km of linear documents
The most signficant part of the collection consists of various snowmobiles and their contribution to the development of Ski-Doo. In addition to snow machines, you’ll also find spec sheets for most of the models on display.
More of Bombardier’s Inventions in the Museum
J. Armand's first major invention was the sprocket wheel/track system in 1935.
With this develoment, his little garage expanded and he added a production plant that saw the development of many different types of tracked machines.
Bombardier’s machines started with his initial multi-passenger snowmobiles, known where I lived as a kid as bombardiers. During the war years, he developed snow machines for the military, including the Kaki, an armored tracked vehicle.
Post-war, his biggest increase in sales came from the C18 snowmobile that carried up to 25 school children.
In the 1950s, Bombardier manufactured and sold a BT (Bombardier truck) and Muskeg tractor. He also built various tracked machines for forestry.
Beyond the Snow Machines
J. Armand died in 1964, but the legacy of his innovations and patents continued to keep the company growing. The main part branched out into manufacturing trains and planes.
BRP, the leisure product line of machines, diversified to provide rides for all seasons including: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft, Can-Am off-road vehicles, Can-Am Spyder 3-wheel vehicles, karts and light and ultra light aircrafts.
Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits
My favorite exhibit was the machine driven by Jean-Luc Bombardier on the Plaisted Polar Expedition. Having driven lots of miles off trails with my own Ski-Doo, I’m amazed that the team ever got through those 800 miles on 1968 models!
However, they were successful at driving four snowmobiles 800 miles across the frozen Arctic Ocean. Indeed they reached the geographic North Pole in 43 days. A United States Air Force weather reconnaissance plane verified their position at the North Pole the next day, April 20, 1968.
What adaptations do you think they may have made to the Ski-Doo snowmobiles and snowmobile riding gear?
The snowmobiles were modified to add an additional gas tank (check it out on the photo of Jean-Luc’s sled) and the seat was shortened for storage. Iron rods were added to the track to reinforce it for better traction.
Since they were crossing frozen water at the end of the winter season, a styrofoam flotation system was added. This helped them cross the thin ice.
Snowmobile gear of the time wasn’t at all like we wear today! So, they had specially designed parkas and pants made with goose down and wolf fur. The suits were based on the traditional clothing of the Inuit who live in the Arctic. They also had caribou leather mitts.
Linda’s Road Trip Tips
David and I visited the Museum of Ingenuity on a trip hosted by Tourism Quebec. We started in Valcourt, visiting the museum and watching the Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt. The race is held annually, so do plan your visit to Valcourt to take it in if you enjoy speed and competition.
After the race, we drove further east out of the Eastern Townships region to Gaspesie for a snowmobile trip. We snowmobiled 1000 miles in five days (four nights) with everything we needed strapped to the snowmobiles (including my laptop computer so I could teach via videoconference in the evenings!).
If you ever get the chance to go snowmobiling in Quebec, I highly recommend it! The scenery is supurb and they have miles of groomed trails.
Who Should Visit the Museum of Ingenuity: J. Armand Bombardier?
The museum is a great opportunity for adults and children alike to explore the history of winter travel in Canada’s snowiest regions. Snowmobilers, even if they don’t ride Ski-Doo, will also enjoy the visit.
Of course, the Museum of Ingenuity also has information on the later transportation products produced by Bombardier. So those interested in planes and trains will find it interesting.
As well as seeing the museum, visitors can also get tickets (advance only) for a 3.5 tour of the Bombardier manufacturing plant.
How Do You Visit the Museum of Ingenuity in Valcourt, QC?
Visit in person at 1001 Avenue J.-A.-Bombardier, Valcourt, QC
Visit the museum on the Web to check opening days, pricing, and to buy advance tickets.
Watch a short YouTube video introduction to the museum.
Plan your trip with Google maps.
Discover More Snowmobile Museums
- Snowmobiles to Paul Bunyan: Wisconsin Museum
The Vilas Historical Museum curates the history and artifacts of Vilas County, including the original first Eliason snowmobile. The collection also includes everything from dolls to lumberjack tools. - Thrilling Speeds on Snowmobiles: WI Museum
Eagle River, WI, is snowmobile central, whether you’re hitting the snowmobile trails or racetrack. This snowmobile museum has a great display of sleds and tons of information about every aspect of the industry. - Surprising Story of Polaris Snowmobiles: MN Museum
The Polaris Experience Center is a must-see for snowmobile enthusiasts. From the Midnight Blue Express to the Polaris Thrill Team, it’s a fascinating museum. - Ski-Doo Snowmobiles Jaw-Dropping History: QC Museum
Valcourt, Quebec’s Museum of Ingenuity celebrates the innovations of J. Armand Bombardier and the company that was his legacy. See his original shop, tracked vehicles, and snowmobiles. - Notable Snowmobile Museum in Michigan’s UP
The Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum is in the small Michigan town of Naubinway. It’s collection has many unique machines with lots of information provided. - Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum: St. Germain, WI
The Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum is in St. Germain, Wisconsin. Displays include winning race sleds, vintage snowmobiles, gear, & memorabilia.
Reference(s)
Aksomitis, L. (2003). Amazing Stories: Snowmobile Adventures. Winnipeg, MB: Altitude Publishing.
Snowmobile Hall of Fame. (2023). Joseph Armand Bombardier. https://www.snowmobilehalloffame.com/joseph-armand-bombardier/
Acknowledgements
We visited the Museum of Ingenuity on a trip hosted by Quebec Tourism. Our experiences were amazing!
guide2museums.com 