Truckee Snowmobiling

Wow!! Truckee Snowmobiling looks like crazy, mad, and insane fun - I hope I can do it at some point in the future!

A snowmobile is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow and ice, built to accommodate a driver and often a passenger(s). Their use is much like a motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle. Most are used in open terrain, or on paths or trails, and can even be driven on ice.

I've never driven a snowmobile, but my daughter Brie, got to ride on one when she had a fall while skiing at Boreal one year. I was at the bottom, watching her and her brother come down the hill, and saw her fall. Someone on the chairlift must have alerted them at the top when they got off, because before I know it, a Boreal Ski Patrol zoomed past on a snowmobile and headed up the hill to her. She got to ride back down the hill with the Ski Patrol on the snowmobile, and was so excited about riding on one, that she totally forgot about falling!

Snowmobile Video

Here is a great snowmobile video - I never knew they could be rode like this!:

Truckee Snowmobiling Tours and Trailheads

Truckee Travel Guide will be covering in detail these snowmobiling categories: (additional info./maps/links etc coming soon!)

1. Truckee Snowmobile Tours:
1. Coldstream Adventures Snowmobile Tours
2. Eagle Ridge Snowmobile Outfitters
3. Lake Tahoe Snowmobile Tours (out of Kings Beach
2. Self-Guided Snowmobile Tours:
1. Full Throttle Snowmobile Rentals
3. Truckee Snowmobile Trailheads:
1. Brockway Summit
2. Cabin Creek Trail
3. Donner Summit
4. Fiberboard Freeway
5. Little Truckee Summit
6. Martis Peak
7. Prosser Hills

Family Friends, Gary and his kids Max & Ellie
Photo Credit: His wife Tiffany

Trucking Snowmobiling Clothing Tips:

• Always wear a helmet and protective eye googles, if your helmet doesn't have a shield! If you are going with a Snowmobile Tour Group, Helmets are provided.

• Layer Clothes, and don't wear cotton - see the Ski Clothing page, for tips on proper winter outdoor clothing

• Wear a durable waterproof outer jacket, and waterproof pants

• Waterproof boots - at least mid-calf level, so that your legs are not exposed

• Waterproof gloves

Alpine Assassins

I ran into this group called "Alpine Assassins" that had some amazing snowmobile videos, amazingly from the Truckee / Lake Tahoe area. Two of their members, Duncan Lee and Ken Evans offer clinics out of Full Throttle Snowmobile Rentals. Here are two great videos of their group in action!:

Snowmobiling Safety Tips:

• If you have never been snowmobiling before, start with a Snowmobile Tour first! You'll ride in a group, with an expert guide, who knows the area.

• Always let someone know where you are going, and when you are expected back.

• Don't go alone!

• Check the weather forecast before you go out

• Take a snowmobile safety course.

• Don't Drink and Drive - Alcohol/Drugs & Snowmobiles don't mix!

• Don't listen to music, while riding - you need to be able to hear what is going on around you.

Essentials to bring with you:

• Bottled Water

• Camera - you will be running into some awesome scenery that you will want to capture, as well as get some shots of your group in action!

• Cell phone

• Emergency Kit

• Map of the area that you are traveling in - even if you are with a tour group, it is always a best practice to have your own map. If you have a GPS, bring it!

• Shovel - in chase you get stuck.

• Snacks - some longer tours provide lunch etc, but it is always a great idea to have some snacks on hand.

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen