A snow thrower comprising: an impeller operatively connected to a first drive shaft; a first drive train extending between said first drive shaft and a crankshaft operatively connected to a power supply for selectively driving said first drive shaft at a first rotational speed in response to rotation of said crankshaft, characterised in that said first drive train including a first drive pulley, a first driven pulley, and a first belt extending between said first drive pulley and said first driven pulley, said first drive pulley attached to said crankshaft via a one-way bearing and said first driven pulley attached to said first drive shaft, wherein said first belt provides continuous connection between the first drive pulley and the first driven pulley; and a second drive train extending between said first drive shaft and said crankshaft, wherein said second drive train selectively drives said first drive shaft at a second rotational speed; an operator control mechanism operatively connected to said second drive train for selective engagement of only said second drive train, said operator control mechanism actuatable between a first operative position and a second operative position, wherein actuation of said operator control mechanism to said first operative position causes disengagement of said second drive train and said first drive train drives said first drive shaft at said first rotational speed, and actuation of said operator control mechanism to said second operative position causes engagement of said second drive train to drive said first drive shaft at said second rotational speed. an impeller operatively connected to a first drive shaft; a first drive train extending between said first drive shaft and a crankshaft operatively connected to a power supply for selectively driving said first drive shaft at a first rotational speed in response to rotation of said crankshaft, characterised in that said first drive train including a first drive pulley, a first driven pulley, and a first belt extending between said first drive pulley and said first driven pulley, said first drive pulley attached to said crankshaft via a one-way bearing and said first driven pulley attached to said first drive shaft, wherein said first belt provides continuous connection between the first drive pulley and the first driven pulley; and a second drive train extending between said first drive shaft and said crankshaft, wherein said second drive train selectively drives said first drive shaft at a second rotational speed; an operator control mechanism operatively connected to said second drive train for selective engagement of only said second drive train, said operator control mechanism actuatable between a first operative position and a second operative position, wherein actuation of said operator control mechanism to said first operative position causes disengagement of said second drive train and said first drive train drives said first drive shaft at said first rotational speed, and actuation of said operator control mechanism to said second operative position causes engagement of said second drive train to drive said first drive shaft at said second rotational speed.