Widescape's WS250 Stand-Up Snowmobile Promises Light and Affordable Fun in the Snow

Folks, the name Widescape may sound new to you, but this Canadian brand is actually under the rule of a timeless group, none other than Soucy, the one and the same that's been around since 1967 and is currently responsible for some of Canada's, and even the world's, most reliable machines.

Heck, the Soucy Group even has its fingers in the agricultural and military sectors. The latter seems to be one of the reasons why this team showcases countless tracked vehicle designs, and some of that know-how seems to be wrapped up in nothing more than the WS250.

Now, the idea behind the WS250 is a rather simple one: to craft a snowmobile that's ultralight, affordable, and still has a solid chance of throwing those smiles upon our faces, all the while giving us a different kind of riding experience.

To start things off, let's explore the exterior design a little bit. As I mentioned, this is a stand-up snowmobile, and that means that there's no seat whatsoever, much like a stand-up jet ski. This approach to functionality comes with one massive benefit: the possibility of removing nearly the entire rear construction, giving rise to a vehicle that's more than half as light as a traditional snowmobile.

To craft the bodywork and chassis, nothing but good old aluminum is used upon which HDPE plastic panels are set. Widescape mentions that the 250 is light, and at 91 kg (201 lbs), it's less than half the weight of the average snowmobile (200+ kg).

But there's a downside, too. Because there's no seat, not only will you have to rely on your legs to keep going - better start hitting the gym - but the possibility of carrying a passenger goes out the window. Do you have cargo or tools you want to bring along? You'll have to figure something out or explore the range of extras Widescape offers to future WS250 owners. Take a moment to really explore the bodywork, cockpit, and cluster seen in the image gallery.

As for the power behind this thing, Widescape drops in a "custom-built" 242 cc engine working on four strokes and liquid-cooled. Did I mention that a CVT transmission from Canada's CVTech-IBC sits at the center of this bugger? This is yet another reason for such a low weight, and bound to be a whole lot of fun as you smash it around snow at speeds upwards of 40 mph (64 kph). I don't know about that whole 22 Nm (16.2 lb-ft) of torque, though.

All that power is then transmitted into the ground via a 105-inch (274 cm) long track with 12 inches (30 cm) of width and 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) lugs to dig into powder. Lugs of this length or more are also recommended for off-trial and uncharted exploration, so I guess that's why Widescape uses that whole "Awaken your inner explorer" bit.

At the front of the WS250, Widescape drops a rather MTB or dirt bike-like suspension fork that boasts 140 mm (5.5 in) of travel, on the end of which a single 12-inch long ski is used for maneuverability. Speaking of suspension, the rear also sports 100 mm (3.9 in) of bump-dampening travel.

So, what does all this amount to? Well, let's take a moment and picture ourselves in the possession of a WS250. To do that, you'll need $7,500 American and a place to store your WS250 when it's not in use. That could very well be in the bed of your truck; it's small enough, and two adults could lift up with ease.

Now, come Saturday morning, you'll rise to the sight of fresh snow, and after filling up this bugger's gas tank and high-fiving your fellow riders, you all are off into a winter wonderland. Since the sun isn't quite yet over the horizon, you get the idea of catching this daily event from the top of a nearby ridge. Race you there.

As for the mechanics of how this thing should feel under your feet, well, some of us already know the feeling of standing up on a snowmobile. Now, just remove the seat and place your feet a bit closer together, and you're basically looking at a snow-taming scooter. That footboard should also work wonders for making some quick weight shifts for sharp turns. Be sure to check out the video below to see how the WS250s are being ridden.

Let's say that you've found the exact vehicle you want for this winter's fun. While it may be a little late to get one as a Christmas present, you can always head down to the dealership, test one out, and go from there. Suppose you live in any of America's northern states, some of which share a border with Canada. In that case, finding an actual dealership is easier. Do you live in Alaska? There are a couple of shops selling the WS250 there, too. It seems like Widescape is onto something here.