Rear suspension system for a snowmobile

A snowmobile comprising:

• a chassis;
• at least one ski steerably secured to a front of the chassis;
• and
• a skid frame that includes a first slide rail and a second slide rail extending longitudinally, rear idler wheels, upper idler wheels, and a rear suspension, wherein the rear suspension comprises:
• a flexible, composite member secured at a first end to the first slide rail and the second slide rail and secured at a second end to the chassis to provide a spring force that urges the one or more slide rails downward away from the chassis;
• a pivot member including a first mounting position and a second mounting position, the pivot member being secured to the one or more slide rails and positioned rearward of the composite flexible member;
• a shock, positioned rearward of the composite member, including a first end secured to an upper cross member and a second end secured to the first mounting position of the pivot member;
• a rear shock link secured at a first end to the upper cross member and secured at a second end to the second mounting position of the pivot member;
• and
• a rear cross member connected between the first and second slide rails and pivotally connected to the pivot member, wherein the shock is connected to the pivot member rearward of the rear cross member, and the rear shock link is connected to the pivot member forward of the rear cross member.