Snowmobiling in Yellowstone

Introduction To Yellowstone Snowmobiling

Yellowstone is closed to private vehicles in the winter.  This means that, in order to see this crazy super volcano in the winter, you must go on a guided tour.  Your options for guided tours are plentiful and include a variety of snow coaches and snowmobile tour companies that leave out of West Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. This is one of those tours that gave me a bit of sticker shock (Two Top Old Faithful Snowmobile tour cost $322 for single rider, $343 for double rider) when I booked it, but ended up being truly worth the price.

Yellowstone is something that everyone should see in their lifetime because it is so bizarre and unique.  In the summer, however, Yellowstone is packed and you will find yourself walking in a line and fighting through a crowd to see the big sites.  Getting to see steaming hot pools, exploding geysers, bubbling mud pots, and a plethora of wildlife with 1/100th the crowds and with the backdrop of snowy mountains was an experience of a lifetime.  The snowmobiling, however, was not for the weak or faint of heart.  You cover 65+ miles a day on these tours and need to be ready to drive fast and to endure a full day in the elements.  If you aren’t up for that and don’t mind admitting that you’re weak, I would consider a snow coach tour.;)

The Tour Company in West Yelowstone:

We went with TwoTop snowmobile tours.  Since I haven’t tried the others, I can’t compare and contrast, but I will point out a few things that I liked about TwoTop.  I picked TwoTop for two reasons.  1. They started as a family run business, although they have since been bought out by a bigger company.  2. They have easy online booking.  Having to call someone to arrange a tour is a huge turn off for me.

Our guide Henry, getting everyone ready to roll from West Yellowstone

Things we loved about snowmobiling in Yellowstone:

Our tour guide, Henry, was excellent. He had tons of knowledge to share about the geology and wildlife in the park.  He also had tons of energy and enthusiasm which was contagious.  And, of course, he instantly recognized and loved Gus as a kindred spirit which is always a sign of good people in my book.

The snowmobiles were easy to use, fast, and had heated handle bars.  Heated handle bars are life on this tour.

We were able to add an extra person and extra equipment with minimal hassle.  We were also 20 minutes late (shocking, I know) and they were chill and accommodating about it.

Photo at the Madison Junction gift shop which was closed for the winter

Tips for a great snowmobiling adventure:

Rent the jumpsuits, boots, mittens, and helmets.  There is no chance you will be too hot, but a good chance you will be too cold without them.

Bring toe warmers and a full face mask.  With the heated handle bars keeping our hands warm, our faces and feet were our weak points.

Keep your eyes open.  There is wildlife all around and we spotted wolves when our guide didn’t see them, resulting in us witnessing one of the coolest wildlife experiences of my lifetime.  Bailey is great at spotting things. I told her to spot a wolf for us.  She set her mind to it and she did!

Do this tour.  It’s truly awesome.

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