🏁Quick Facts
- Engine: 499cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke twin (~85 hp)
- Platform: Sno Pro race chassis, tuned for trail use
- Fuel system: Clean-burn EFI
- Weight: ~430 lb dry ultra-light and maneuverable
- Notable traits: Bulletproof reliability, razor-sharp handling, and one of the most forgiving sleds ever made
The Sno Pro 500 flipped expectations. In an era obsessed with 800s and turbos, Arctic Cat built a small-bore sled that was more about fun and flow than brute force.
By pairing the race-bred chassis with a modest, ultra-responsive EFI twin, the Sno Pro 500 gave riders something rare: a sled that handled like a scalpel and could be pinned all day without drama.
It became a cult classic among riders who valued corner speed over straight-line speed and its reputation for toughness made it a favorite for cross-country racers and youth racers alike. Many of these sleds are still running hard today with thousands of miles on original engines.
The 500 Sno Pro proved that you don’t need 150 horsepower to feel alive on snow, you just need balance, precision, and a chassis that begs to be ridden hard.
Still own a Sno Pro 500? Post your favorite trail story
I left Houghton mi heading south in a pack of new 2012 sleds turbos, 800’s and my new sp500 in second place. I knew this was going to be tough. I pinned it for all she had, for miles. it ran 86 mph. the trail was rough enough I had no chance to look behind me but was sure I was holding everyone back. I made it to the first road crossing and stopped to look behind me…….. nobody was there. I waited and waited, finally I turned back to where I just peaked 80 and found the turbo on the side of the trail unwrapping the blown belt from the crank. the old 500 made me proud. love this sled.
I have a 2012 and its been an awesome sled. 8K miles and counting. stopped riding my big HP sleds and really didn’t miss the HP. killer chassis. 88 MPH with one inch if snow on top of glare ice. held it wide open for miles. burned all the paint off the Y-pipe and stinger section going into muffler. BULLETPROOF engine. just gotta keep an eye on the jacksheft bearing behind sencodary. UPGRADING to SKF bearing helps . STELLAR peformance for not alot of $$$$.
We had a 2013, very fun reliable sled.
This ones definitely on my would have, should have bought one list.