Ten Great Snowmobile Destinations for the Hardcore Rider
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Jennifer DiGiovanni is a freelance writer and a partner in a real estate investment firm. She previously worked in the financial services industry and has attainted an MBA from Villanova University. Jennifer enjoys writing about real estate, business, home design and healthy living.
If you’re feeling adventurous this winter and would like to plan a snowmobile vacation, options range from scenic beginner’s trails to more advanced mountain climbs. To find out about trails close to home, check out your home state’s trails using this North American trails map, which also details current weather conditions and snow depth.
A state-by-state listing of snowmobile trails is also available at Gosnowmobiling. But if you’d like try out your sled in a new destination, here are ten of the best snowmobiling locations in the U.S. and Canada. Just make sure you're covered with an affordable snowmobile insurance policy.
West Yellowstone, Montana
With an average annual snowfall of 143 inches, the town of West Yellowstone has been named the top snowmobiling destination by many winter sports and outdoor publications for its abundance of snow, gorgeous views, and range of snowmobiling options for both beginners and advanced riders. The town sits at the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, which provides additional guided tour options.
Togwotee, Wyoming
Situated 50 miles northwest of Jackson, the Togwotee area was named the 2013-2014 top choice in the American Snowmobiler reader poll. The area is known for picturesque trails and breathtaking scenery, and is a perennial favorite of winter motorsports enthusiasts.
Quebec
Snowmobiling is a $1 billion industry in Quebec. The province is made up of 13 regions, all connected by 32,000 kilometers of trails. Two areas of Quebec were named in Snowgoer magazine’s top snowmobiling destinations in the East. The Gaspe Peninsula is known for a variety of terrain, and offers trails running the gamut from sea level to 4,000-foot mountains. And trails in Haute Gatineau, in Western Quebec, snake through forest, lake, and mountain terrain.
Maine
Aroostook County, the northernmost county on the East Coast, is particularly well-known for snowmobiling. This location also took one of the top five spots of Snowgoer magazine’s top snowmobile riding destinations in the East. In fact, Maine alone offers 14,500 miles of interconnected trails.
Michigan's Upper Peninsula
This area is one of the most popular areas and was rated one of the top five U.S. snowmobiling destinations by Live Outdoors. Lake-effect snow provides deep powder and a long season for what’s known as the “up north” trails.
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Minnesota
Snowmobiling is a way of life in Minnesota, which boasts the largest number of registered sleds in the U.S., over 250,000. The state also offers over 21,000 miles of trails, including the Paul Bunyan State Trail, which offers beginner to advanced courses. For trip planning advice, check out sledder.net, which offers travel and tourism tips for snowmobilers visiting Minnesota.
Northern Wisconsin
While you’re visiting Wisconsin’s great trails, be sure to stop by the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain. Pass through Eagle River, named one of the America’s Best Online Top Ten Snowmobiling Areas in the U.S., and stop to see the ice castle, built each year by hundreds of volunteers.
Colorado
For an ultimate snowmobiling adventure, try the Colorado High Adventure tour. The Rocky Mountains provide steep, challenging terrain for advanced riders. Additionally, Discovery News named the resort town of Breckenridge in its best snowmobiling and snowboarding lists, and noted the town’s affordable lodging as a positive feature.
Alaska
In the spring, extend your snowmobiling season by journeying further north to Alaska. Discovery recommends Alaska snowmobile tours for those who want to escape into the beauty of nature, “off the beaten path.” Tour around glaciers and mountains with Valdez Adventures.
Old Forge and Tug Hill in New York
Back in the East, New York offers two contrasting types of terrain at Tug Hill and Old Forge. On the western side of the state, near Lake Ontario, the Tug Hill area is flat, with nearly 2,000 square miles of forested land and heavy snowfall due to lake-effect snow.
In the central Adirondack region, Old Forge caters to snowmobilers with groomed trails, mountain scenery and winter carnival celebrations to welcome tourists.
No matter where you decide to travel, make sure you're covered with an affordable snowmobile insurance policy.