About Arctic Cat
It can scale mountains. Turn a hard day’s work into a job well done. And, it can take a Minnesota-based snowmobile company from humble beginnings to one of the most inspiring names in powersports. At Arctic Cat, we live for the unforgettable and strive for the impossible. Because when our passion for building precision-engineered machines meets your passion for exploring the outdoors, there’s nothing beyond reach.
Our History
We were born in the North, raised on snow and gravel, and we cut our teeth helping adventurers test their limits. And we still make our home on the great plains of Minnesota. Arctic Cat was formed by Edgar Hetteen in 1962, and transformed into a leading snowmobile, side-by-side and ATV manufacturer over decades of trail riding, racing and bringing friends and families together. Our community is tight-knit, passionate and proud. And we love being part of it.
Today, the bulk of our manufacturing happens at our facility in Thief River Falls, MN, with trails in our backyard and the mountains just a day’s drive away. Our vehicles explore the world, but they all start with American workers and an American work ethic. Just one more reason we’re proud to stand behind every machine we make.
In 2025, former Arctic Cat executive Brad Darling and an investment group acquired the business. Darling took over as CEO and president, stating his commitment to continuing the brand’s history of producing machines that bring the passion on and off the trail:
The pursuit of the checkered flag is in Arctic Cat’s DNA. It's what we were built on. Like anyone who has ever grabbed the throttle, it's a relentless drive that pushes us forward and sparks our passion. This is the start of a new chapter, one where Arctic Cat returns to the race, but with a powerful understanding — this race is never-ending, and our intent is to lead.
Whether you're on-trail, off-trail, reaching new elevations or pushing limits on the track, we’re ready to support every checkered flag in your future. Arctic Cat is here to Share Our Passion with you for generations to come.
