The secret is
finally out: Snowmobiling is one of the most exciting ways to experience America's
snow-lined back-country, in winter. Unlike other snowsports, this one can be quickly
learned and doesn’t require a lot of physical stamina. Two people can comfortable
ride one machine, so children or sightseers can be taken along on many trips. Driving one
of today's light, nimble snowmobiles is a cross between riding a motorcycle, driving a
car, and steering a sled with handlebars, except that you control the speed at all times.
An extensive network of marked and often groomed trails throughout
the United States and Canada means that the average rider can explore hundreds of
thousands of acres of spectacular territory too remote to be easily reached by any other
means. You can snowmobile wherever snow and terrain permit, and there are trails for every
ability, from groomed, level tracks for beginners, rolling terrain for intermediates, to
thrilling steeps and deep powder, the advanced rider's equivalent of wilderness skiing. No
wonder snowmobiling is a popular sport in the snowbelt of North America. The mountainous
western states, Canada, Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Alaska, all offer a variety of
places to enjoy the sport, including ski areas, golf courses and national parks as well as
wilderness areas.
Day trips give you just a taste of the fun to be had but don't
offer nearly enough time to really explore the wilderness and the fun of conquering
hilltops, and carving rooster tails in meadows of fresh powder. Snowmobile tours ranging
in length from a weekend to a week or longer; can change a boring vacation into and
exciting adventure where outfitters take care of all the arrangements giving you time to
relax and enjoy the scene.
Trips can be pampered or rugged; either camping out or stays in a
comfortable inn, hearty campfire cooking or elegant feasts. Rides might run at a relaxed
pace of about l00 miles a day hit ting top speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour, with time
for photography and exploration, or they could be hauls of up to 200 miles a day with
speeds topping 50 miles per hour. Snowmobile tours are definitely the best way to get into
the sport, and prices generally run a reasonable $100 to $200 per person per day,
including lodging, meals, clothing rental, and a guide. Late winter trips have the
advantage of longer daylight and sometimes, warmer temperatures, than those in December
and January.
Although there’s not as great a choice of tour operators for
snowmobiling as for more popular pursuits like bicycling, skiing or sailing, you have to
be careful to check them out before signing up then being surprised by what you get.
Questions to ask before signing up for a snowmobile tour: Questions to ask before signing up for a snowmobile tour:
On long-distance or lodge-to-lodge
trips a support vehicle should accompany the tour. It will carry luggage, parts and
supplies, as well as snowmobilers who decide not to ride for a portion of the trip.
Don’t wait too long to book a trip, especially for holidays
and to popular destinations. Six month advance reservations are suggested for the
following tours.
Alaska - For experience snowmobilers, nothing can
match the frontier adventure of Alaska’s wilderness. Traversing Valdez Glaciers and
ice fields is part of a tour beginning in Anchorage with the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. Limited
to groups of 10 with 2 guides. Nine days in March, $1,845, Senior World Tours, 3701
Buttrick Road. SE, Ada, MI 49301, Phone: 800-676-5803.
California - The Lake Tahoe area is among the world’s
most scenic and beautiful places to visit especially in winter when it’s less
crowded. The terrain can be very rugged but one of the area’s few outfitters has
tours covering 175 miles of the state’s best groomed trails. Day trips and over-
night stops in old mining towns are offered. 2 days, $350, Eagle Ridge Snowmobile
Outfitters, Box 1677, Truckee, CA 96160, phone: 916-747-1902.
Canada - One of the best ways to experience the deep snow
country of Ontario is via the Snow Train to the town of Hearst, surrounded by hundreds of
miles of groomed trails. Here you ride a sled through town from lodging to trails and old
logging roads. Tours from the states are offered by Senior World Tours (see above) and
International Snowmobile Tours, Inc. 427 Sycamore, Chesterfield, IN 46017, Phone:
800-378-8687 or 317-378-5074. 6 days, about $675 (no meals or snowmobiles included). Canada - One of the best ways to experience the deep snow
country of Ontario is via the Snow Train to the town of Hearst, surrounded by hundreds of
miles of groomed trails. Here you ride a sled through town from lodging to trails and old
logging roads. Tours from the states are offered by Senior World Tours (see above) and
International Snowmobile Tours, Inc. 427 Sycamore, Chesterfield, IN 46017, Phone:
800-378-8687 or 317-378-5074. 6 days, about $675 (no meals or snowmobiles included). Canada - One of the best ways to experience the deep snow
country of Ontario is via the Snow Train to the town of Hearst, surrounded by hundreds of
miles of groomed trails. Here you ride a sled through town from lodging to trails and old
logging roads. Tours from the states are offered by Senior World Tours (see above) and
International Snowmobile Tours, Inc. 427 Sycamore, Chesterfield, IN 46017, Phone:
800-378-8687 or 317-378-5074. 6 days, about $675 (no meals or snowmobiles included). Canada - One of the best ways to experience the deep snow
country of Ontario is via the Snow Train to the town of Hearst, surrounded by hundreds of
miles of groomed trails. Here you ride a sled through town from lodging to trails and old
logging roads. Tours from the states are offered by Senior World Tours (see above) and
International Snowmobile Tours, Inc. 427 Sycamore, Chesterfield, IN 46017, Phone:
800-378-8687 or 317-378-5074. 6 days, about $675 (no meals or snowmobiles included). Canada - One of the best ways to experience the deep snow
country of Ontario is via the Snow Train to the town of Hearst, surrounded by hundreds of
miles of groomed trails. Here you ride a sled through town from lodging to trails and old
logging roads. Tours from the states are offered by Senior World Tours (see above) and
International Snowmobile Tours, Inc. 427 Sycamore, Chesterfield, IN 46017, Phone:
800-378-8687 or 317-378-5074. 6 days, about $675 (no meals or snowmobiles included). Canada - One of the best ways to experience the deep snow
country of Ontario is via the Snow Train to the town of Hearst, surrounded by hundreds of
miles of groomed trails. Here you ride a sled through town from lodging to trails and old
logging roads. Tours from the states are offered by Senior World Tours (see above) and
International Snowmobile Tours, Inc. 427 Sycamore, Chesterfield, IN 46017, Phone:
800-378-8687 or 317-378-5074. 6 days, about $675 (no meals or snowmobiles included). Canada - One of the best ways to experience the deep snow
country of Ontario is via the Snow Train to the town of Hearst, surrounded by hundreds of
miles of groomed trails. Here you ride a sled through town from lodging to trails and old
logging roads. Tours from the states are offered by Senior World Tours (see above) and
International Snowmobile Tours, Inc. 427 Sycamore, Chesterfield, IN 46017, Phone:
800-378-8687 or 317-378-5074. 6 days, about $675 (no meals or snowmobiles included). One of the best ways to experience the deep snow
country of Ontario is via the Snow Train to the town of Hearst, surrounded by hundreds of
miles of groomed trails. Here you ride a sled through town from lodging to trails and old
logging roads. Tours from the states are offered by Senior World Tours (see above) and
International Snowmobile Tours, Inc. 427 Sycamore, Chesterfield, IN 46017, Phone:
800-378-8687 or 317-378-5074. 6 days, about $675 (no meals or snowmobiles included).
Colorado - Most of the large ski resorts have rentals and
trails for day trips. American Wilderness Experience is one of the few outfitters
in the state offering multi-day tours. Their four-day snowmobile safari based at The Inn
at Steamboat Lake is suited to beginners as well as experienced riders. Offered from
December to March, it costs about $900 all inclusive. Phone: 800-444-0099 or
303-444-2622 or write: American Wilderness Experience, Box 1486, Boulder, CO 80306. Colorado - Most of the large ski resorts have rentals and
trails for day trips. American Wilderness Experience is one of the few outfitters
in the state offering multi-day tours. Their four-day snowmobile safari based at The Inn
at Steamboat Lake is suited to beginners as well as experienced riders. Offered from
December to March, it costs about $900 all inclusive. Phone: 800-444-0099 or
303-444-2622 or write: American Wilderness Experience, Box 1486, Boulder, CO 80306.
Colorado - Most of the large ski resorts have rentals and
trails for day trips. American Wilderness Experience is one of the few outfitters
in the state offering multi-day tours. Their four-day snowmobile safari based at The Inn
at Steamboat Lake is suited to beginners as well as experienced riders. Offered from
December to March, it costs about $900 all inclusive. Phone: 800-444-0099 or
303-444-2622 or write: American Wilderness Experience, Box 1486, Boulder, CO 80306.
Colorado - Most of the large ski resorts have rentals and
trails for day trips. American Wilderness Experience is one of the few outfitters
in the state offering multi-day tours. Their four-day snowmobile safari based at The Inn
at Steamboat Lake is suited to beginners as well as experienced riders. Offered from
December to March, it costs about $900 all inclusive. Phone: 800-444-0099 or
303-444-2622 or write: American Wilderness Experience, Box 1486, Boulder, CO 80306.
Colorado - Most of the large ski resorts have rentals and
trails for day trips. American Wilderness Experience is one of the few outfitters
in the state offering multi-day tours. Their four-day snowmobile safari based at The Inn
at Steamboat Lake is suited to beginners as well as experienced riders. Offered from
December to March, it costs about $900 all inclusive. Phone: 800-444-0099 or
303-444-2622 or write: American Wilderness Experience, Box 1486, Boulder, CO 80306.
Colorado - Most of the large ski resorts have rentals and
trails for day trips. American Wilderness Experience is one of the few outfitters
in the state offering multi-day tours. Their four-day snowmobile safari based at The Inn
at Steamboat Lake is suited to beginners as well as experienced riders. Offered from
December to March, it costs about $900 all inclusive. Phone: 800-444-0099 or
303-444-2622 or write: American Wilderness Experience, Box 1486, Boulder, CO 80306.
Colorado - Most of the large ski resorts have rentals and
trails for day trips. American Wilderness Experience is one of the few outfitters
in the state offering multi-day tours. Their four-day snowmobile safari based at The Inn
at Steamboat Lake is suited to beginners as well as experienced riders. Offered from
December to March, it costs about $900 all inclusive. Phone: 800-444-0099 or
303-444-2622 or write: American Wilderness Experience, Box 1486, Boulder, CO 80306.
Most of the large ski resorts have rentals and
trails for day trips. American Wilderness Experience is one of the few outfitters
in the state offering multi-day tours. Their four-day snowmobile safari based at The Inn
at Steamboat Lake is suited to beginners as well as experienced riders. Offered from
December to March, it costs about $900 all inclusive. Phone: 800-444-0099 or
303-444-2622 or write: American Wilderness Experience, Box 1486, Boulder, CO 80306.
UTAH - Home of legendary powder, world class
resorts, and host to the 2002
Winter Olympic games. For variety of winter sports this state ranks with
the best, A 45-minute drive on a super highway from Salt Lake City, there's
so many mountain recreation choices that even business travellers can easily
fit in a day's snow play. The Park City area with it's three major ski
areas, is a classic western ski town offering lodging and dining to fit any
and all budgets.
High Country Snowmobile Tours, the largest in Utah, is
conveniently located
right in town and next to Deer Valley. They offer rentals by the hour as
well as 1/2 and full day tours through mountain top vistas, groomed trails
and lots of meadows for open play. Individuals or groups can customize a
tour to their preferences of locations and duration. Meals are delivered
trailside for lunch tours and dinner tours include dining at deluxe lodges.
Phone: 888-404-7669 or 435-645-7533 or http://www.travel-watch.com/highcountry
Montana and Wyoming - share the Snowmobile Capital
of the World, Yellowstone National Park, East and West entrances. In winter, when up to
twelve feet of snow falls annually, the town of West Yellowstone bustles with the sledding
crowd. The best way to get around town is in a sled. Everyone rents them and dozens of
motels and restaurants cater to these enthusiasts. Just outside of town, 440 miles of
groomed trails are shared with moose, elk and an occasional bison. Old Faithful, and
10,000 other thermals, cast clouds of steam as you ride. These two states offer the
greatest concentration of groomed trails, powder fields and snowmobile activities to be
found anywhere in North American. Some good choices in the area are: The 5 - 6 day
packages (about $800), at Stage Coach Inn, 209 Madison Ave., West Yellowstone, MT
59758, Phone: 800- 842-2882 or 406-646-7381. The 6 - 8 day tours (about $1,280 -
$1,860) from Senior World Tours, 3701 Buttrick Road. SE, Ada, MI 49301, Phone:
800-676-5803. The 3 and 5 day packages offered at the rustic resort at the eastern
entrance to Yellowstone, 50 miles west of Cody WY. The Pahaska Tepee, a national historic
landmark lodge built in 1905 by Buffalo Bill Cody, is surrounded by small guest cabins. Cost:
about $500 - $850, Pahaska Tepee Resort 183-R Yellowstone Highway, Cody, WY 82414, Phone:
800-628-7791 or 307-527-7701. Montana and Wyoming - share the Snowmobile Capital
of the World, Yellowstone National Park, East and West entrances. In winter, when up to
twelve feet of snow falls annually, the town of West Yellowstone bustles with the sledding
crowd. The best way to get around town is in a sled. Everyone rents them and dozens of
motels and restaurants cater to these enthusiasts. Just outside of town, 440 miles of
groomed trails are shared with moose, elk and an occasional bison. Old Faithful, and
10,000 other thermals, cast clouds of steam as you ride. These two states offer the
greatest concentration of groomed trails, powder fields and snowmobile activities to be
found anywhere in North American. Some good choices in the area are: The 5 - 6 day
packages (about $800), at Stage Coach Inn, 209 Madison Ave., West Yellowstone, MT
59758, Phone: 800- 842-2882 or 406-646-7381. The 6 - 8 day tours (about $1,280 -
$1,860) from Senior World Tours, 3701 Buttrick Road. SE, Ada, MI 49301, Phone:
800-676-5803. The 3 and 5 day packages offered at the rustic resort at the eastern
entrance to Yellowstone, 50 miles west of Cody WY. The Pahaska Tepee, a national historic
landmark lodge built in 1905 by Buffalo Bill Cody, is surrounded by small guest cabins. Cost:
about $500 - $850, Pahaska Tepee Resort 183-R Yellowstone Highway, Cody, WY 82414, Phone:
800-628-7791 or 307-527-7701. Montana and Wyoming - share the Snowmobile Capital
of the World, Yellowstone National Park, East and West entrances. In winter, when up to
twelve feet of snow falls annually, the town of West Yellowstone bustles with the sledding
crowd. The best way to get around town is in a sled. Everyone rents them and dozens of
motels and restaurants cater to these enthusiasts. Just outside of town, 440 miles of
groomed trails are shared with moose, elk and an occasional bison. Old Faithful, and
10,000 other thermals, cast clouds of steam as you ride. These two states offer the
greatest concentration of groomed trails, powder fields and snowmobile activities to be
found anywhere in North American. Some good choices in the area are: The 5 - 6 day
packages (about $800), at Stage Coach Inn, 209 Madison Ave., West Yellowstone, MT
59758, Phone: 800- 842-2882 or 406-646-7381. The 6 - 8 day tours (about $1,280 -
$1,860) from Senior World Tours, 3701 Buttrick Road. SE, Ada, MI 49301, Phone:
800-676-5803. The 3 and 5 day packages offered at the rustic resort at the eastern
entrance to Yellowstone, 50 miles west of Cody WY. The Pahaska Tepee, a national historic
landmark lodge built in 1905 by Buffalo Bill Cody, is surrounded by small guest cabins. Cost:
about $500 - $850, Pahaska Tepee Resort 183-R Yellowstone Highway, Cody, WY 82414, Phone:
800-628-7791 or 307-527-7701. Montana and Wyoming - share the Snowmobile Capital
of the World, Yellowstone National Park, East and West entrances. In winter, when up to
twelve feet of snow falls annually, the town of West Yellowstone bustles with the sledding
crowd. The best way to get around town is in a sled. Everyone rents them and dozens of
motels and restaurants cater to these enthusiasts. Just outside of town, 440 miles of
groomed trails are shared with moose, elk and an occasional bison. Old Faithful, and
10,000 other thermals, cast clouds of steam as you ride. These two states offer the
greatest concentration of groomed trails, powder fields and snowmobile activities to be
found anywhere in North American. Some good choices in the area are: The 5 - 6 day
packages (about $800), at Stage Coach Inn, 209 Madison Ave., West Yellowstone, MT
59758, Phone: 800- 842-2882 or 406-646-7381. The 6 - 8 day tours (about $1,280 -
$1,860) from Senior World Tours, 3701 Buttrick Road. SE, Ada, MI 49301, Phone:
800-676-5803. The 3 and 5 day packages offered at the rustic resort at the eastern
entrance to Yellowstone, 50 miles west of Cody WY. The Pahaska Tepee, a national historic
landmark lodge built in 1905 by Buffalo Bill Cody, is surrounded by small guest cabins. Cost:
about $500 - $850, Pahaska Tepee Resort 183-R Yellowstone Highway, Cody, WY 82414, Phone:
800-628-7791 or 307-527-7701. Montana and Wyoming - share the Snowmobile Capital
of the World, Yellowstone National Park, East and West entrances. In winter, when up to
twelve feet of snow falls annually, the town of West Yellowstone bustles with the sledding
crowd. The best way to get around town is in a sled. Everyone rents them and dozens of
motels and restaurants cater to these enthusiasts. Just outside of town, 440 miles of
groomed trails are shared with moose, elk and an occasional bison. Old Faithful, and
10,000 other thermals, cast clouds of steam as you ride. These two states offer the
greatest concentration of groomed trails, powder fields and snowmobile activities to be
found anywhere in North American. Some good choices in the area are: The 5 - 6 day
packages (about $800), at Stage Coach Inn, 209 Madison Ave., West Yellowstone, MT
59758, Phone: 800- 842-2882 or 406-646-7381. The 6 - 8 day tours (about $1,280 -
$1,860) from Senior World Tours, 3701 Buttrick Road. SE, Ada, MI 49301, Phone:
800-676-5803. The 3 and 5 day packages offered at the rustic resort at the eastern
entrance to Yellowstone, 50 miles west of Cody WY. The Pahaska Tepee, a national historic
landmark lodge built in 1905 by Buffalo Bill Cody, is surrounded by small guest cabins. Cost:
about $500 - $850, Pahaska Tepee Resort 183-R Yellowstone Highway, Cody, WY 82414, Phone:
800-628-7791 or 307-527-7701. Montana and Wyoming - share the Snowmobile Capital
of the World, Yellowstone National Park, East and West entrances. In winter, when up to
twelve feet of snow falls annually, the town of West Yellowstone bustles with the sledding
crowd. The best way to get around town is in a sled. Everyone rents them and dozens of
motels and restaurants cater to these enthusiasts. Just outside of town, 440 miles of
groomed trails are shared with moose, elk and an occasional bison. Old Faithful, and
10,000 other thermals, cast clouds of steam as you ride. These two states offer the
greatest concentration of groomed trails, powder fields and snowmobile activities to be
found anywhere in North American. Some good choices in the area are: The 5 - 6 day
packages (about $800), at Stage Coach Inn, 209 Madison Ave., West Yellowstone, MT
59758, Phone: 800- 842-2882 or 406-646-7381. The 6 - 8 day tours (about $1,280 -
$1,860) from Senior World Tours, 3701 Buttrick Road. SE, Ada, MI 49301, Phone:
800-676-5803. The 3 and 5 day packages offered at the rustic resort at the eastern
entrance to Yellowstone, 50 miles west of Cody WY. The Pahaska Tepee, a national historic
landmark lodge built in 1905 by Buffalo Bill Cody, is surrounded by small guest cabins. Cost:
about $500 - $850, Pahaska Tepee Resort 183-R Yellowstone Highway, Cody, WY 82414, Phone:
800-628-7791 or 307-527-7701. Montana and Wyoming - share the Snowmobile Capital
of the World, Yellowstone National Park, East and West entrances. In winter, when up to
twelve feet of snow falls annually, the town of West Yellowstone bustles with the sledding
crowd. The best way to get around town is in a sled. Everyone rents them and dozens of
motels and restaurants cater to these enthusiasts. Just outside of town, 440 miles of
groomed trails are shared with moose, elk and an occasional bison. Old Faithful, and
10,000 other thermals, cast clouds of steam as you ride. These two states offer the
greatest concentration of groomed trails, powder fields and snowmobile activities to be
found anywhere in North American. Some good choices in the area are: The 5 - 6 day
packages (about $800), at Stage Coach Inn, 209 Madison Ave., West Yellowstone, MT
59758, Phone: 800- 842-2882 or 406-646-7381. The 6 - 8 day tours (about $1,280 -
$1,860) from Senior World Tours, 3701 Buttrick Road. SE, Ada, MI 49301, Phone:
800-676-5803. The 3 and 5 day packages offered at the rustic resort at the eastern
entrance to Yellowstone, 50 miles west of Cody WY. The Pahaska Tepee, a national historic
landmark lodge built in 1905 by Buffalo Bill Cody, is surrounded by small guest cabins. Cost:
about $500 - $850, Pahaska Tepee Resort 183-R Yellowstone Highway, Cody, WY 82414, Phone:
800-628-7791 or 307-527-7701. Wyoming - share the Snowmobile Capital
of the World, Yellowstone National Park, East and West entrances. In winter, when up to
twelve feet of snow falls annually, the town of West Yellowstone bustles with the sledding
crowd. The best way to get around town is in a sled. Everyone rents them and dozens of
motels and restaurants cater to these enthusiasts. Just outside of town, 440 miles of
groomed trails are shared with moose, elk and an occasional bison. Old Faithful, and
10,000 other thermals, cast clouds of steam as you ride. These two states offer the
greatest concentration of groomed trails, powder fields and snowmobile activities to be
found anywhere in North American. Some good choices in the area are: The 5 - 6 day
packages (about $800), at Stage Coach Inn, 209 Madison Ave., West Yellowstone, MT
59758, Phone: 800- 842-2882 or 406-646-7381. The 6 - 8 day tours (about $1,280 -
$1,860) from Senior World Tours, 3701 Buttrick Road. SE, Ada, MI 49301, Phone:
800-676-5803. The 3 and 5 day packages offered at the rustic resort at the eastern
entrance to Yellowstone, 50 miles west of Cody WY. The Pahaska Tepee, a national historic
landmark lodge built in 1905 by Buffalo Bill Cody, is surrounded by small guest cabins. Cost:
about $500 - $850, Pahaska Tepee Resort 183-R Yellowstone Highway, Cody, WY 82414, Phone:
800-628-7791 or 307-527-7701.
However, some of the best areas for riding don't have
organized tours. To visit them, contact snowmobile associations. state tourism boards,
local chambers of commerce, and regional and local national park and forest offices for
lists of lodges with rental equipment and areas with extensive snowmobile trails. The International
Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, 271 Woodland Pass, Suite 220, East Lansing, MI
48823, Phone 517-332-1760; offers general information and publishes a trail map directory
to 20 states and 8 Canadian provinces. There are also a number of periodicals and
magazines that cover every aspect from equipment to vacation destinations. Some rental
services send you off with only detailed trail maps, but others can furnish a group guide
for $100 to $150 per dav. Depending on the area and number of outfitters, average
snowmobile rental fees range from $65 to $100 for single riders, from $80 to $125 for
doubles, as sleds that can hold a pair of riders are called. If you have a choice of
machine, opt for more power at higher altitudes, because the engine's performance is
hampered by the thinner air of the mountains. A deposit of $70 to $200 is usually
required.
Comments? Email: Rosemary
Freskos
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