Skis & Runners
About Skis & Runners
The skis are how a snowmobile steers, and the wear bars or carbide runners under them are what bite into snow and ice. When a sled starts to wander, push wide in corners or the bars under the skis have worn thin, this is the group to look at, along with ski mounts, ski skins and studs.
Wear bars are listed by length and style, such as 4 inch and 8 inch bars, and by whether they carry carbide. Carbide gives more bite on hard-packed and icy trails but wears down quickly on bare pavement and gravel, so pick the style to suit where you ride. Match the bar to your ski make, because mounting differs.
Mount kits and ski saddles hold the ski to the spindle and are made for particular makes, with sizes such as a 10 mm kit listed here. Easy steer bars are sold in pairs by make. Studs come in lengths such as 1.075, 1.325 and 1.450 inches and in pack sizes, and support plates back them up. Check the rules for the trails you ride, since some areas restrict studs.
Brands in this category include Woody's, USI, Parts Unlimited, SP1 and Camso. Related work is in Shocks & Suspension, Handlebars & Mirrors and Other Parts. Pick your sled in the Ride Finder at the top of the page.
FAQs on snowmobile skis, carbide runners and wear bars
What do carbide runners do on a snowmobile?
Carbide runners are wear bars with a hard carbide strip that bites into snow and ice and gives the skis more steering grip. The carbide wears with use, particularly when you cross bare pavement or gravel, so inspect it regularly and replace it when it wears thin.
When should wear bars be replaced?
Replace them when the carbide has worn down to the bar body, when the bar is bent, or when the ski starts to wear instead of the bar. Riding on worn bars lowers steering grip and can wear through the bottom of the ski. Check them at the start of each season.
How do I choose the right size wear bar?
Check the length in the listing, such as 4 inch or 8 inch, and confirm that it is made for your ski make and mounting style. Bars are not universal, and a bar of the wrong shape or length will not sit correctly under the ski.
Are ski mount parts the same on every snowmobile?
No. Mount kits and saddles differ by make, and some listings show specific sizes such as a 10 mm kit. Choose one listed for your make and years, and check that it matches how your ski attaches to the spindle.
Can I run studs and carbide anywhere?
Not always. Some trails, parks and riding areas set limits on studs and on carbide, and bare pavement wears them very fast. Check the rules where you ride before you fit them, and follow the maker's instructions for the correct length and pattern.
