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Winter is Like Summer for Snowmobilers

Posted on: Wednesday, 16 January 2008, 15:00 CST

BOISE, Idaho -- You never hear snowmobilers complaining about cabin fever. When other people are stuck in winter doldrums, snowmobilers are cruising Idaho's expansive networks of groomed trails, playing in powder or boondocking (off-trail riding) in the backcountry.

Idaho snowmobilers have 5,600 miles of trails and 29 grooming programs throughout the state, according to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

The groomed trails access millions of acres of open lands managed by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, state of Idaho and private landowners.

It's a winter playground that lures thousands outdoors on the coldest days to enjoy one of the most popular snow sports.

Read on for some places to check out in Idaho.

GARDEN VALLEY/LOWMAN

This is one of the closest snowmobiling areas to the Treasure Valley.

You can go from the Valley to the trailhead in about an hour, and there are 135 miles of groomed trails and links to the trail system maintained by the Smiths Ferry grooming program. In addition to groomed trails, there are off-trail play areas and links to other trail networks.

Getting there: Take Idaho 55 north to Banks and the Banks to Lowman Highway to Garden Valley or Crouch. It's about 50 miles from Boise. Continue up the highway to Lowman.

SMITHS FERRY

This is another nearby start for your snowmobiling adventure.

Smiths Ferry's snowmobiling headquarters is the Wellington Snow Park, which is jumping off point for about 400 miles of trails, 250 of which are groomed, with access to McCall, Cascade, Ola and other areas.

The Winter Wonderland Trail travels from Smiths Ferry past the towns of Cascade and Donnelly and over 7,900-foot summits before reaching McCall.

Wellington Snow Park features a lodge-like warming hut with a big fireplace, which is a social gathering place for before and after your ride.

Getting there: Take Idaho 55 and go 60 miles north to Smiths Ferry. Look for the park's entrance sign on the left side.

IDAHO CITY

If you're on the east side of the Treasure Valley, this snowmobile area is just minutes away and has 260 miles of groomed trails and several parking areas along Idaho 21. The terrain is a mix of gentle, forested slopes with steeper, open play areas near summits of nearby mountains that rise up to 8,200 feet.

Idaho City has fuel, food, lodging and whatever else you need.

You can also jump on the Highway to Heaven Trail, which starts off 8th St. near Boise and goes through Idaho City, through Lowman and eventually reaches Stanley.

Getting there: Take Idaho 21 to Idaho City. Parking lots are at Mores Creek Summit, near Idaho City, and at Whoop-em Up parking area past Idaho City.

CASCADE/DONNELLY

These two communities are jumping off points for nearby trail systems.

They are good, central locations that provide access to local trails and link to other areas.

Donnelly also features Tamarack resort, which has a large snowmobile garage at its summit and offers guided tours for people who don't own sleds.

Getting there: Take Idaho 55 about 77 miles to Cascade and about 87 to Donnelly.

MCCALL

This is one of the most popular snowmobiling areas in Idaho, thanks to a large network of groomed trails and hundreds of miles of mountainous backcountry.

There are several developed parking lots to access areas. Snowmobiles are the easiest way to visit backcountry destinations where the roads aren't plowed for cars. You can get to Burgdorf, Warren and Secesh, where you can take a soak in a hot spring, get a meal, or a stay at a bed and breakfast.

Getting there: Take Idaho 55 about 100 miles to McCall.

FAIRFIELD

This area offers a good combination of groomed trails and open play areas. The rolling hills surrounding Fairfield are a snowmobiler's playground, and with much of it open sagebrush country, you can go almost anywhere when there's adequate snow coverage. There's also good access to high-elevation areas in the nearby Soldier Mountains. There are several plowed parking lots and warming huts in the area.

Getting there: Take Interstate 84 east and go north on U.S. 20. It's about 105 miles from Boise.

STANLEY

This is some of the most scenic snowmobile terrain in Idaho. There are 165 miles of groomed trails that take you to towering peaks, lush forests and vast meadows. You can also base at Stanley and have food, lodging, fuel and all that scenery right out your front door. Trails from Stanley also connect with Lowman area trails, which is a short ride away.

Getting there: Take Idaho 55 to the Banks to Lowman Highway and continue past Lowman to Stanley. Check the itd.idaho.gov/ for road information. Idaho 21 past Lowman is often closed in winter. It's about 127 miles from Boise.

PINE/FEATHERVILLE

More than 380 miles of marked, groomed trails offer snowmobilers a variety of terrain ranging up to 10,000 feet in the Trinity Mountains. A network of groomed trails is north of U.S. 20 near Anderson Ranch Reservoir. Popular paths include Trinity Lakes, Pfifer Creek, James Creek, Wagon Town Loop, Burnt Creek and Idaho City.

You can find lodging, food, gas and RV facilities in the Pine/Featherville areas.

Getting there: Take I-84 to Mountain Home, U.S. 20 to Pine/Featherville Road. Pine is about 86 miles from Boise.

ROAD TRIP: ISLAND PARK

Just west of Yellowstone National Park are the world famous loop snowmobile trails of Island Park, which attract snowmobilers from all over the U.S. There are more than 400 miles of groomed trails on private and public land, including trails that connect with the West Yellowstone trail system. Popular stops include Big Springs, which is the headwaters of the Henrys Fork of the Snake River and Mesa Falls, which are spectacular in winter.

Getting there: Take Interstates 84 and 86 east to Idaho Falls and U.S. 20 to Island Park. It's about 358 miles.

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NO SLED? NO PROBLEM.

You can still go snowmobiling by renting a snowmobile or joining a guided tour.

Here are some place to check out:

Boise: Outdoor Adventures Inc, snowmobile rentals, (208) 386-9846 or log onto www.boiseoutdoor.com

Stanley: Williams Motor Sports and Rentals, snowmobile rentals, guided and unguided trips, call (208) 774-2229.

McCall: Cheap Thrills Rentals, snowmobile rentals, (208) 634-7472 or (800) 831-1025, or www.cheapthrillsrentals.com.

Donnelly: Tamarack Resort, guided snowmobile tours, call (208) 325-1006 or www.tamarackidaho.com.

Garden Valley: Idaho X-Sports has snowmobile rentals, call (208) 462-2555 or log onto www.idahoxsports.com.

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REGISTRATION

Snowmobilers pay for the vast grooming program when they register their snowmobiles. Annual registration costs $32.50, and you designate which snowmobile grooming area receives a portion of your money.

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation sends 85 percent of the registration fee to that county and keeps 15 percent of the registration fee for administrative costs.

You can register your snowmobile at most snowmobile dealers or Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation offices.

For more explanation of the registration program or where to register, log onto parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/recreation/permits/snowmobiling.aspx

Source: The Idaho Statesman, Boise

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