Reporter:brandiniron
Trail Conditions: Fair
Snow Cover: 15″- 175″
Date of Report: January 22, 2024
Area Report:
| BPA/Railroad | 01/22/24 | |
| Big Sky | 01/20/24 | |
| Cougar Creek | 01/18/24 | |
| Horse Butte | 01/22/24 | |
| Lionhead | 01/22/24 | |
| Madison Arm Trail | 01/22/24 | |
| Little Snowy | 01/22/24 | |
| Power Line West of Town | 01/22/24 | |
| South Plateau Trail – Whiskey Trail – Black Bear Cut Off | 01/21/24 | Be Aware of the Park Boundary! Snowmobiles must not cross into the Park! |
| South Plateau to Jct. 23 – Whiskey Trail | 01/20/24 | Be Aware of the Park Boundary! Snowmobiles must not cross into the Park! |
| Two Top Loop Trail via South Fork | 01/21/24 | |
| Two Top Loop Trail via Mosquito | 01/22/24 | |
| Junction 8 | 01/22/24 |
Snowmobile Information:
Montana Resident
Resident Trail Pass $20.00/2 years
Montana registered snowmobiles, snow bikes (converted motorcycles). Required to ride on groomed snowmobile trails.
Non-Resident
Non-Resident Snowmobile & Trail Temporary Use Pass $35.00/1 year
Non-resident snowmobiles & snow bikes (converted motorcycles). Required to ride on groomed snowmobile trails.
Snowmobiling Information
THE HEART OF SNOWMOBILING – West Yellowstone is undoubtedly a snowmobiler’s paradise. With more than 140 inches of snow annually, and 400 miles of trails connecting Montana and Idaho, through some of the most breathtaking scenery anywhere, it continues to top the list of favorite sledding destinations. The trail system begins right in town, where snowmobilers share city streets with motorists, and onto trails in the Custer-Gallatin, Beaverhead and Targhee National forests. Groomed trails provide access to off-trail powder meadows and more advanced back country riding.
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Local businesses provide snowmobile and clothing rentals on a daily or multi-day basis. Snowmobile rentals range from two-up easy riding and trail models to high-powered sleds adapted for mountain and back country riding. Additional equipment, including avalanche beacons and shovels for back country riding can also be rented. National Forest guide service is also available for snowmobilers new to the area, who want to learn more about the trail system or for back country riding.
After day of riding through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country, creating memories while taking in our natural, scenic wonders, wind down with friends and family at one of our local establishments for great food and local hospitality. Lay your head on some of the most comfortable pillows from any of our lodging partners.
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Make it a family vacation by planning your trip around one of our exciting winter events like Kids’N’Snow, the Rodeo Run Sled Dog Races, Nordic ski events, ice fishing or Skijoring. Families can also take in a movie at the Yellowstone Giant Screen Theatre, and visit the new River Otter Exhibit at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.
TOP TRAILS:
The Madison Arm Loop – located north and west of town, is 20 miles in length. The trail is well maintained and usually provides great wildlife viewing opportunities.
Horse Butte Loop – Another good trail for beginners, the 20-mile trail travels the shores of Hebgen Lake.
The South Plateau Trail – Runs along the boundary of Yellowstone. You can ride this trail out and back, or link it up with one of the other trails to make a great loop ride. It provides great views of the area’s mountains, following creeks and rivers away from the crowds.
Two Top Trail – The most famous trail is a popular choice for its variety of terrain and 2,000-foot elevation gain. The trail is groomed, and powder fields abound. On clear days, the surrounding mountain ranges come into view, including the Teton’s, Centennial Mountains, Lionhead, and Yellowstone National Park. Constant driven winds create ghostly ice patterns plastered on the trees at the top of this mountain creating the famous “snow ghosts.”
More experienced riders can access extra off-trail riding from the Two Top or Lionhead Trail. Lionhead follows the Continental Divide, the trail climbs through switchbacks to over 10,000 feet There are numerous bowls with drop offs and overhanging cliffs.
The Big Sky Trail – Provides some of the best backcountry snowmobiling in Montana. This challenging 110-mile trail begins just north of West Yellowstone. While the first portion is groomed, the trail quickly turns into an un-groomed powder experience. This area has open bowls, deep fields of snow, and outstanding hill climbing opportunities.
For more information about snowmobiling, trail reports and other winter adventures, visit
DestinationYellowstone.com.
DID You KNOW?
Keeping those trails in pristine condition is a work of a small group of dedicated and skilled operators and mechanics. At night, while most of us are sleeping, the West Yellowstone Trail Groomers are out on the trails preparing them for the next day’s riders.
The trail grooming program was the first of its kind in the U.S. It was created by a public private partnership between the West Yellowstone Chamber Trail Grooming Committee and U.S. Forest Service.
There are three Piston Bullies and one Caterpillar Tractor equipped with blades, drags and tillers, that run seven nights a week starting December 1 (weather permitting).
The Missoula Snowgoers Snowmobile club was formed in the late 1970’s by snowmobile enthusiasts who recognized the need to have a unified voice for people who enjoy the sport of snowmobiling. The association exists to promote, protect and represent the sport of snowmobiling in a positive, responsible and safe manner.
Valley offers some of the most pristine snowmobile riding in Montana with elevations from 2,956 feet in Kalispell to just over 7,000 feet in the surrounding mountains. Boarding Glacier National Park you will witness some of the most spectacular beauty man has ever laid eyes on. This area offers over 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails to get away from it all. Whether you are looking for deep powder snow, hill climbing, or just good boondocking, you will find it all here. Kalispell offers it all. The biggest small town in Montana you will find all services and fun a person would want. Columbia Falls, Swan Valley and Whitefish are neighboring towns to provide you closer stays to the trails you want to ride. Lakes, wildlife and great views of Glacier National Park are just a few experiences you, your family and friends shouldn`t miss. This area also includes Big Mountain Ski and Summer Resort, cross-country ski trails, ice fishing and much, much more. Come spend your next winter vacation in the Flathead Valley making memories you will have for a lifetime.
The Flathead Valley, located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains is every outdoorsman’s dream. Located only a short distance away from Glacier National Park, the Flathead offers over 200 miles of groomed snowmobiling trails with pristine views.
Visit the Willmar Lakes Area of Minnesota and ride more than 200 miles of groomed trails. The well- marked trail system allows you to roam the countryside through scenic woods, rolling hills and prairies, and beautiful lake country.
Lake Kabetogama is the “Gateway to scenic Voyageurs National Park”. Hundreds of miles of groomed marked trails through pine-filled northwoods forests and snow-covered lakes of Minnesota await you for a snowmobiling experience unequaled anywhere.
he Ely area is northern Minnesota’s premier snowmobile hub with numerous on-trail facilities, accommodations for both large and small groups, and with plenty of food, entertainment and service centers. The Taconite Trail is the main thoroughfare in and out of Ely in the winter. Stretching 170 miles between Ely and Grand Rapids to the southwest, many spur routes will take you just about anywhere you want to go. The Tomahawk Trail, heading to the east, has 86 miles of varied terrain which the avid snowmobiler can use to connect up with hundreds of miles more of groomed trails.
