Snowmobile CVT systems operate under demanding conditions, from extreme temperatures and high loads to aggressive acceleration and continuous clutching. The right belt helps optimize power transfer, manage heat and deliver consistent performance throughout the ride. Discover what to consider when selecting a snowmobile CVT belt and find the right Ultimax Snow solution for your application
Ultimax Snow belts are engineered specifically for snowmobile fitments, combining Gates belt engineering expertise with application-focused design. Designed to withstand demanding operating conditions, Ultimax Snow belts deliver:
Gates Belt Drive solutions are not only revolutionizing the performance of powersports and recreational vehicles but also making urban commuting a cleaner, quieter experience.
What is happening with the Timken belts business, including Ultimax?
As of September 28, 2026, Gates has completed the acquisition the belts business of The Timken Company. The acquisition expands Gates' North American power transmission with additional manufacturing capacity and customer relationships across industrial original equipment manufacturers (OEM), the industrial aftermarket and mobility power sports markets, while also augmenting the company’s talent base.
What does the acquisition mean for Ultimax belts?
It means more belt expertise, resources and opportunity for the future. Ultimax will benefit from becoming part of Gates, a global leader in power transmission technology with extensive experience designing and manufacturing high-performance CVT belts. The goal is to build on the strengths of the existing Ultimax product while leveraging Gates engineering, technology and market expertise to continue advancing belt performance.
Is Ultimax Snow becoming a Gates G-Force belt?
Gates will offer a new product category called Ultimax Snow specifically for snowsports applications to complement its existing G-Force CVT offering. Customers previously purchasing Ultimax AP and Ultimax UA will transition to a G-Force offering and those purchasing Ultimax XS, Ultimax PRO, or Ultimax MAX will transition to Ultimax Snow Powered by Gates.
What is the difference between Ultimax Snow and Gates G-Force?
Both product families are designed to deliver reliable CVT power transmission, but they have different product histories, models and brand identities. Ultimax Snow brings specialized snowmobile belt expertise and a portfolio developed specifically around snowmobile fitments. Gates G-Force is Gates’ established CVT belt portfolio, engineered for powersports applications including ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides and snowmobiles. The combination gives Gates an opportunity to offer customers broader application coverage and greater CVT belt expertise.
What does this mean for snowmobile riders?
More expertise. More innovation. More opportunities. The combination of Ultimax’s snowmobile belt experience and Gates’ global power transmission expertise creates a stronger foundation for developing the next generation of CVT belt solutions. For riders, that means continued focus on what matters most: Power transfer. Durability. Performance. Confidence.