Glaciers to Geysers Montana Snowmobile Guide

MONTANA SNOWMOBILE GUIDE

SLED THE BEST OF THE WEST IN MONTANA’S POWDER PARADISE

GLACIERSTOGEYSERS.COM/SNOWMOBILING

SLED THE BEST OF THE WEST IN MONTANA’S POWDER PARADISE Montana is a mecca for sled heads, where big skies and big powder give way to some of the country’s longest and most scenic rides. 4,000 miles of groomed trails crisscross sweeping mountain-meadow playgrounds, deep untouched backcountry, rugged ridgelines, frozen alpine lakes, old mining country and ghost towns, plus logging and Forest Service roads.

The best riding under the big blue sky is found in Western Montana’s Glacier Country and Yellowstone Country Montana, where epic terrain and stunning scenery overflow from the breathtaking national park landscapes that anchor each region. Both areas deliver world-class snowmobiling among premier mountain towns, thriving with a palpable exuberance for hardcore snow play.

Locals wave and say hello, lodging and amenities are warm and friendly, and the food and drinks are top-notch. After a day on the sled, pull up a barstool for a finely crafted beer or a whiskey made from glacial waters—countless breweries and distilleries dot the region.

The beauty of snowmobile season in Montana is that it’s long. It can begin in early November and last until April.

Plow through fresh fluffy powder at the start, hit the hardpack when the season is well underway, and sled the soft stuff in your T-shirt come spring.

Crush the adrenaline rush of a ride through crisp alpine air, watch wildlife, power past Montana’s famous “snow ghosts” and explore each region’s captivating basecamp towns. Sled Glaciers to Geysers in Western Montana’s Glacier Country and Yellowstone Country Montana.

Snowmobiling in Western Montana. © NOAH COUSER COVER PHOTO: Snowmobiling near Cooke City. © DAN ARMSTRONG © 2019 Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission and Yellowstone Country Montana. Distributed with Accommodation Tax Funds. Any reproduction or reprint of this guide or any portion thereof, without the written permission of Glacier Country Tourism and Yellowstone Country Montana is strictly prohibited. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. However, due to the passage of time and the anomalies inherent in the publishing process we cannot be responsible for errors or incorrect information. Please contact the individual establishments to confirm information. Printed in the USA on recycled paper for free distribution.

WESTERN MONTANA’S GLACIER COUNTRY A powder paradise for sled heads.

Western Montana offers unrivaled and authentic outdoor recreation experiences among some of Montana’s most charming small towns. Power through winter in Western Montana, with miles of steep climbs and flat trails, and acres of breathtaking backcountry. Glacier Country’s gorgeous and expansive winter terrain offers an unforgettable sledding experience for both beginners and experts, and while snowmobiling is prohibited inside Glacier National Park boundaries, the beauty and wonder of the park can be viewed for miles beyond.

1 CUT BANK/BROWNING Test your mettle in Montana’s rugged and remote Marias Pass Trail Complex, straddling the Continental Divide in the Lewis & Clark and Flathead national forests south of Glacier National Park. Riding ranges from intermediate to expert on 45 miles of groomed trails and 35 miles of ungroomed trails. Favorite trails include Two Medicine, Skyland and Pike Creek.

2 FLATHEAD VALLEY – WHITEFISH, KALISPELL,

COLUMBIA FALLS, BIGFORK, SWAN VALLEY

Western Montana’s recreation wonderland is a premier winter destination bordering Glacier National Park. Flathead Valley boasts 200+ miles of groomed trails and nearly 2,000 miles of Forest Service roads with phenomenal hill climbing and powder play areas, wildlife viewing and ridge-top views of the park and the Canadian Rockies. Don’t miss Stillwater, Canyon Creek and Desert Mountain Areas, and Swan Lake and Skyland trails.

3 HAUGAN Haugan combines extensive riding options with a family atmosphere, catering to all ability levels. Easy-to-intermediate trails and loop tours begin right off the interstate. Find friendly hospitality in Haugan, De Borgia and Saltese, with designated trails, wide-open meadows and scenic views. Explore Ford Hill/Old Mullan Pass, Packer Creek/Randolph Creek, Milwaukee/Dominion, Big Creek, Deer Creek/Up Up and Taft Summit.

YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY MONTANA Home to some of the world’s best sledding.

Power through pure powder in some of the most prized winter terrain on the globe. West Yellowstone has been called the snowmobiling capital of the world. Cooke City boasts an epically long season and transforms into “snowmobile central” each winter, and a ride through Yellowstone National Park offers a rare and privileged glimpse into one of the most otherworldly winter landscapes imaginable.

1 WEST YELLOWSTONE Often hailed one of the top snowmobiling destinations in the world, West Yellowstone is the hot spot to hop on a sled—right on the streets of town— and discover more than 400 miles of groomed trails, some of which lead into Idaho. West Yellowstone itself is a pretty impressive winter destination to hang out in, too. Favorite sled trails in the area include Two Top, Horse Butte, Madison Arm, Big Sky, South Plateau and Lionhead. Or, hook up with professional snowmobile guides for a jaw-dropping tour of Yellowstone National Park’s tranquil winter wonderland.

2 COOKE CITY Find sought-after snowmobiling in Cooke City, with late-season backcountry riding extending into June and sometimes even July. Spring days make for longer daylight hours and more riding. Climb to Daisy Pass at 10,000 feet.

Free ride Henderson Mountain. Explore old mining country, play in deep powder meadows and boondock through the trees. Then, tell your sled story at the local saloon.

3 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Take a guided snowmobile tour with seasoned professionals through the serene landscape of America’s first national park, where steaming geysers and geothermal features are juxtaposed against a winter wonderland of pure white powder, big blue skies and majestic wildlife. This is truly a unique way and time of year to see the park.

to Cranbrook, BC to Cardston, AB Rexford

Yaak

1

Eureka

Martin City Hungry Horse Essex 2

Whitefish Kalispell Kila

Marion

Heron

to Coeur d’Alene, ID

6 Trout Creek

Lakeside Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm

ID

Thompson Falls Hot Springs Haugan De Borgia 7 St. Regis

3

AH

O

Bigfork

Somers

Noxon

Sun

St. Mary

McDonald 2 Columbia West Glacier 4 Falls Coram

Olney

Libby

Swee

Babb

Lake

Apgar

3 to Sandpoint, ID

PARK

Stryker

Troy

2

NATIONAL

Polebridge

Fortine Trego

4

GLACIER

2

CAN ADA to Lethbridge

Sh

East Glacier Park

1 Fla

the

ad

Swan Lake

Cut Bank 5

Browning

Valier

Heart Butte

Dupuyer Conrad

Riv

er

Choteau

Polson

Plains

Charlo

Paradise

Superior

Fairfield

Vaug Augusta

St. Ignatius

Missoula Lolo

Cascade

Ovando

Craig Lincoln

Greenough

Bonner 6 Clinton

9

Fort Sha

7

Seeley 8 Lake

Arlee

Alberton

5

Condon

Ronan

Moiese Dixon

Brady

Bynum

Wolf Creek

Helmville Canyon Creek Marysville

Florence

to Kooskia, ID

Stevensville

Victor

Corvallis

10

SNOWMOBILE CLUBS 1.

Ten Lakes Snowmobile Club, Eureka

2.

Troy Snowmobile Club, Troy

3.

Lincoln County SnoKats, Libby

4.

Hamilton

8

Darby

Sula

6.

Cabinet Ridge Riders, Trout Creek

7.

Montana Nightriders, Haugan

8.

Seeley Lake Driftriders, Seeley Lake

9.

Missoula Snowgoers, Missoula

Montana City

Clancy Deer Lodge

Philipsburg

Jefferson

Basin

City

Tow

Boulder

Georgetown Lake

Anaconda

Butte

Wise River

8

Dewey

Whitehall

Divide Wisdom

to Salmon, ID

Silver Star

Melrose

Jackson

Harrison Pony

Twin Bridges

PIONEER MTNS SCENIC BYWAY

278

Norris

Sheridan

Polaris Alder

278

Nevada City

En

Virginia City

Dillon

Bannack Grant

324 324

10. Bitterroot Ridge Runners, Hamilton 11.

East Helena

Elliston

Garrison

569

Association, Whitefish Summit Snowgoers, Cut Bank

PINTLER SCENIC ROUTE

Conner

Flathead Snowmobile

5.

Helena

Drummond

Dell Lima Monida

Gallatin Valley Snowmobile Association, Bozeman

12. Big Sky Snowriders, Livingston 13. Sweet Grass County Recreation Association, Big Timber

IDAH O

Lakeview

to Idaho Falls, ID

14. West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce, West Yellowstone 15. Upper Yellowstone Snowmobile Club, Cooke City Visit GlaciersToGeysers.com/Snowmobiling for each snowmobile club’s contact information.

to Rex

e, AB

to Kildee

to Swift Current, SK

CANADA

etgrass

nburst

Opheim

Turner Loring

Whitewater

Chinook

helby Galata

IN D

Rudyard

Chester

Havre

Fort

ENLARGED AREA

Box Elder

Belknap

Dodson

Agency

Hinsdale

Saco

Saint Marie

Vandalia

Malta

Nashu

Glasgow

Big Sandy

Fort Peck

Virgelle Loma Zortman

Landusky Fort Benton

Great Falls

ghn

Winifred

aw

Brusett Belt

Ulm Stockett

Raynesford

Roy

Denton Geyser Stanford

Lewistown

Monarch

Sand Springs

Winnett

YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY Grass Mosby Range SNOWMOBILE AREA

Hobson Neihart

Jordan

GLACIER COUNTRY SNOWMOBILE AREA

Utica

Cohagen

SNOWMOBILE CLUB Judith Gap

a White Sulphur Springs

a Winston

Two Dot

Harlowton

Martinsdale

wnsend

Ingomar

Melstone

Roundup Forsyth

Hysham

Ringling

Ros

Bighorn Custer

Logan

Three Forks

Manhattan Belgrade

Gallatin Gateway

11

6

Cameron

Clyde Park

Big Sky

12

Pray Emigrant

7

Silver Gate

Columbus

Nye Roscoe

Park City

2

BEARTOOTH

YELLOWSTONE

to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, WY

Roberts

Red Lodge

Cooke City 15 Tower Junction

Canyon Norris NATIONAL Madison 14 Junction West PARK Lake Yellowstone 3 West Thumb xburg, ID Old Faithful Grant Village

1

Greycliff Reed Point

Fishtail

8

Colstrip

Pompeys Pillar

Absarokee

Gardiner Mammoth Hot Springs

Worden

McLeod

5

Quake Lake

13

4 Livingston

Bozeman

nnis

Big Timber

Wilsall

Joliet

Laurel Rockvale

Bridger

Pryor

Billings

Hardin

Deer

Crow Agency

WA RRI Busby

Saint Xavier

Garryowen Lodge Grass

Fort Smith

B

Wyola

Belfry

Decker

WYOMING to Cody, WY to Lovell, WY

to Sheridan, WY

Closed in Winter

HIGHWAYS Interstate Route *This map shows general snowmobiling recreation and trail Principal Highways areas. For detailed trail use and restrictions—including wintertime motorized access areas—visitOther the Montana Highways Snowmobile Association map page at snowmobilemt.org.

ROUTE MARKERS Interstate

MAP SY

GEAR UP + GO WITH A GUIDE You’ll find snowmobile rentals and gear at friendly outfitters all over Western Montana and Yellowstone Country Montana, and some of the most experienced and knowledgeable snowmobile guides call this powder paradise home. Guided tours are available throughout the region, and offer a seamless riding experience for both beginners and experts.

For information on gear, guides and outfitters, visit glaciermt.com/ snowmobiling and visityellowstonecountry.com/snowmobiling.

SLED SAFELY BE AVALANCHE AWARE. Always check the Montana avalanche report before you head out. You can rent a transceiver with your sled, or take a guided tour from one of many outfitters in the area.

Visit avalanche.org.

West Yellowstone, Montana. Š KEN TAKATA

PLAN YOUR TRIP Visit GlaciersToGeysers.com/Snowmobiling for sample snowmobile trip itineraries.

FOLLOW THE RULES There are two permit requirements for residents of Montana: Snowmobiles must be registered with the state of Montana, and a $20 Snowmobile Trail Pass—valid for two seasons (July 1 through June 30)—must be displayed on all machines.

Out-of-state visitors who plan to ride their snowmobiles in Montana are required to purchase a Nonresident Temporary Use Permit for $35 by calling Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks department headquarters at 406.444.2535 or visiting their website stateparks.mt.gov/recreation/snowmobileProgram.html Snowmobilers riding on plowed streets that are open to snowmobile traffic must have a driver’s license or—if under age—must possess a snowmobile safety certificate and travel with an adult.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Groomed trails are maintained by local snowmobile clubs and chambers of commerce. Check trail specifics before you ride, as some trails are not groomed as frequently as others. snowmobilemt.org/resources/#grooming

BE CONSIDERATE AND SMART Ride on the right and use hand signals.

Match your speed with your experience.

Take a friend or tell someone where you’ll be.

Stay sober and use common sense.

Ice safety: know the rules.

Respect the wildlife.

FIND INFORMATION + RESOURCES Montana Snowmobile Association is your go-to for snowmobiling in Western Montana and Yellowstone Country Montana. Find trail maps, plus links to local snowmobile clubs, outfitter and guide information, as well as news and events, safety and avalanche resources, and more. snowmobilemt.org

MONTANA SNOWMOBILE GUIDE

Go full throttle in Montana.

Sled world-class terrain from Glaciers to Geysers.

GlacierMT.com 800.338.5072

VisitYellowstoneCountry.com 800.736.5276

GLACIERSTOGEYSERS.COM/SNOWMOBILING