Despite growing up in the Midwest and spending many recreation days in Wisconsin and Minnesota, I had never ridden a snowmobile until I moved to Utah. The first time my family came to visit me, I took them out to Stillman Ranch in Oakley for a guided tour. I was too chicken to drive, so I rode on the sled with the guide. (This was pre-COVID and is not frequently offered as an option anymore.) Three years later, snowmobiling is one of my favorite winter activities!
Whether you’re a seasoned snowmobiler or a first-timer, there are plenty of options for snowmobile tours and rentals in the Heber Valley. If it’s your first time out, a guided tour is a great way to get to know the machines and the safety protocols before setting out on your own. Once you’re comfortable, plenty of shops offer rentals with proximity to local trails. Most outfitters also offer gear rental so you can stay comfortable on even the coldest winter days!
Adventourage, Daniels Summit Lodge, North Forty Escapes, Park City Peaks, Summit Meadows, Wasatch Excursions, and Weller Backcountry Adventures are some of the Wasatch Back’s go-to places for snowmobiling adventures. Each one offers unique experiences for both locals and those visiting “Utah’s Greatest Snow on Earth.”
One of the newest adventure companies on the scene in Heber Valley is Adventourage. Based at the Homestead Resort, Adventourage crafts customized private tours in the Uinta Mountains. Private guided tours start at $499 for a half day, with additional options for full day or overnight trips that include a stay in their four-season ‘glamping’ village at Strawberry. They offer a variety of the newest snow machines in order to ensure the best experience for all abilities.
For an immersive snowmobile experience, Daniels Summit Lodge is the premier snowmobiling destination in the Uinta National Forest. They groom more than 200 miles of trails right out the backdoor of their full-service lodge. They offer guided two-hour tours or two, four, and eight-hour rentals if you prefer to explore on your own. You don’t have to be a guest of the lodge to join a tour, but the indoor pool, hot tub, and day spa are awfully tempting after a day on the trails. They also have groomed cross-country ski trails, so it’s pretty easy to make a whole weekend of your visit.
Set on the expansive Stillman Ranch in Oakley, North Forty Escapes offers four guided snowmobile tours every day in the winter. Tours take you up through dense aspen forests to open bowls where you can test your speed skills under the watchful eye of experienced guides. This is a great place for first-time snowmobilers and personally one of my favorite properties for outdoor adventure in the Uintas. They also have sled dogs on the property, so you can book a combo tour of snowmobiling and dog-sledding. Guided two-hour snowmobile tours start at $189.
Fans of the Yellowstone television series just might recognize some of the scenery as they speed through Thousand Peaks Ranch. Several scenes from the popular series were filmed at the ranch located at the head of Weber Canyon in Oakley. With access to over 20,000 acres of some of the best snow in the Uintas — a snowmobile tour of Thousand Peaks Ranch with Park City Peaks is definitely worth it! Options include: two, three, and four-hour guided tours.
Deer Valley’s snowmobile operator, Summit Meadows Adventures, offers daily tours at Garff Ranches in Brown’s Canyon. Two-hour tours start at $229 and are offered four times per day throughout the winter season. Enjoy expansive views across the Jordanelle Reservoir back towards Deer Valley and the Wasatch Mountains. With ample open terrain, this is the perfect tour for beginners who want to test out their new skills in the wide open fields.
Operating out of the golf shop at Wasatch Mountain State Park, Wasatch Excursions offers two-hour guided tours three times each day, as well as riding clinics and unguided rentals. Tours start at $239 and are great for both beginners and experienced riders. Explore the backcountry trails of the state park, see the hidden homes of Brighton Estates that are only accessible by snowmobile, and spend time zooming across a frozen lake. On a clear day, the views of Heber Valley are outstanding.
Most folks know Weller Recreation as a one-stop-shop for Northern Utah motorsports. But did you know that this Kamas motorsports dealer also offers snowmobile rentals and tours? With easy access to the Mirror Lake Highway their snowmobile adventures seem like a no-brainer. The scenic trail tour starts at $250 for a two-hour guided tour, while the backcountry tour gives you four hours on the sleds. When you’re ready to hit the trails on your own, they have rentals with a variety of horsepower for all riders.
Snowmobiling in Heber Valley typically starts in mid-December and will continue through late March, weather-permitting. For the most part, your ski clothes are perfectly suitable to wear snowmobiling, although you may want an extra layer as you won’t have quite the same workout as skiing. Most outfitters rent snowmobile suits, gloves and boots if you don’t have the proper gear. Remember: the warmer you are, the more fun you will have, so don’t skimp on your layers. I know I’m not alone in my excitement to get out and explore the beauty of our mountains while snowmobiling!
Get out this winter and explore the backcountry in safety with a professionally guided snowmobile excursion.
Adventourage
adventourage.com | 435-315-2234
Daniels Summit Lodge
danielssummit.com | 435-649-1341
North Forty Escapes
northfortyescapes.com | 435-631-4011
Park City Peaks
powderutah.com | 888-304-7669
Summit Meadows
deervalley.com | 888-896-7669
Wasatch Excursions
wasatchexcursions.com | 435-729-9595
Weller Backcountry Adventures
wellerbackcountryadventures.com | 435-990-4095
