Private snowmobiling
Overview
For over 20 years, we’ve been North Idaho’s best source for classic snowmobile tours, and for 2025, we’ve opened a new touring territory just west of our former base at Schweitzer. The new operation area in the Priest River Valley is much easier to access and tours go up into the Selkirks. Home to trappers, skiers, and nearly every critter including grizzly and moose, the area – Priest Lake State Forest – is also a state plantation where proceeds from lumber and your tour fee support Idaho K–12 schools.
Our trails are incredible and famous for being runners-up to those in Yellowstone as unique adventure oppurtunities to experience grand, scenic vistas and wildlife. Smooth and packed, they run from 2,700 ft to 6,000 ft. Much is groomed by the state but is quite rarely travelled. Come join us for a special snowmobile ride through this wonderful forest of the Rocky Mountains.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort remains a major destination for those taking a full-day tour. For half-day tours , we will ride the North and Middle Fork of the East River drainages and top out above 6,000 ft under the peak of Mt. Atlasta.
Licensed, professional & fun guides
Private groups only
We stay on trails
Bundle up! See equipment list to stay toasty
Up to 6 participants per guide
Price per guide
The tour price excludes 6 % Idaho state tax; online and direct reservations incur a 6 % booking fee.
Rent (or bring your own)
We don’t rent snowmobiles ourselves, but we offer guided snowmobile tours to anyone that has their own snowmobile or chooses to rent one. For local rentals, we recommend Crown Jewel Rentals (CJ) in Coolin just 7 mi north of our meeting area on Eastriver Road.
By getting your snowmobile rentals from CJ, the sleds are current, all equipment is provided, and CJ will both deliver and pick-up the vehicles afterwards – a very slick system. You can visit CJ first for boots, suits, and helmets, and then when you’re prepared with all of the gear, then you can meet us at our Eastriver Road meeting site.
Equipment list
Please come prepared with the following equipment. If you rent a snowmobile from Crown Jewel Rentals, they will supply you with all necessary outerwear: snowsuit, boots, gloves, helmet, and goggles.
| Item | Category | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| wearables | |||
| wearables | such as a light- or mid-weight fleece | ||
| wearables | or combination of jackets for a warm outer layer | ||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | such as a buff, scarf, or balaclava | ||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables | |||
| wearables |
| Item | Category | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| optional | |||
| optional | drones may only be operated by licensed individuals | ||
| optional | with extra winter gear, for example | ||
| optional | |||
| optional | non-alcoholic only |
Choose options
Frosty fun
Cruise through a winter wonderland of beautiful nature.
Customizable
We are happy to tailor your day to best fit your group.
Add instruction
Add an avalanche safety or Snowmobiling 101 course.
FAQs
No, no prior experience is necessary.
Drivers must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid and current state driver’s license or learner’s permit. In order to carry a passenger, the driver must be at least 25 years old. The total weight limit of both driver and passenger together is 350 lb.
A passenger must be at least 5 years of age, and their feet must be able to touch the running boards.
Please arrive with insulated snow boots, snow pants, snow parka, heavy duty snow gloves/mittens, thermal wool socks, neck gaiter or scarf, long underwear, and warm layers of clothing. In short: good winter outerwear. Hand- and toe-warmers are popular with some riders, too. And don’t forget sunglasses or goggles and a warm winter hat.
Clothing that will lead to a poor experience includes denim or light fabric pants and uninsulated footwear like sneakers or duck boots.
It depends on the individual party as guides will tailor the speed and distance of the tour to the needs of each group. Half-day tours may cover up to 30 mi while full-day tours to Schweitzer may tally 50 mi.
No, our permit from the State of Idaho requires we stay on the forest logging road system or groomed snowmobile trails.
Yes, you can bring your own two-stroke or four-stroke snowmobile or snowbike. Side-by-sides (SxS), ATVs, UTVs, quads, and four-tracked vehicles are not possible.
Schweitzer is going into the snowcat skiing and snowmobiling business themselves. Powder magazine published an article in July 2024 on this topic.
Ken has another strong 10 yr in him and retains a ton of successful experiences as he developed a 78 run operation seeing thousands of guests and has made it into Year 22 without a major negative blemish. His passion for great skiing runs deep, and with the move, he has the freedom to affect the permit zone in ways that weren’t acceptable at their old location.
Yes. We will maintain our Professional membership with National Ski Patrol (Q057) and will stage a trained staff member to watch operations and lend assistance in times of need daily. We’re also always seeking NSP members to augment our support troops. Apply here.
The town of Coolin couldn’t be much cooler. It’s a very small lakeside town that’s pretty chill
in the winter. Most winter visitors are either bc shredders or sledders, so it makes for a
wonderful place to stay. It’s about 7 mi from the staging area and has all facilities to support
you. Powder magazine published an article in July
2024 on this topic.
Coolin on Google
Maps
As we’ll have two cats operating, we don’t see conflicts between the day group and scheduling for unguided groups that want to do custom arrangements.
We are approximately 135 mi / 3½ hr away from Big Red Cats. Other destinations:
- Silver Mountain: 110 mi / 2½ hr
- 49° North: 67 mi / 1½ hr
- Brundage: 345 mi / 6½ hr
- Soldier Mountain: 620 mi / 10 hr
- Coolin: 7 mi
- Priest River: 12 mi
- Schweitzer: 55 mi
- Spokane Int’la Airport: 77 mi
No, we do not offer equipment rental.
No, you must come prepared with your own backpack, avalanche transceiver (beacon), shovel, and probe. We highly recommend that you travel with replacement parts specific to your bindings, boots, and other equipment.
Yes. AIARE Rescue, Level 1, and Level 2 can be incorporated into your ski tour days. This is subject to scheduling before October 1 annually.
Yes. We’ve been fortunate to have semi- to good connectivity. We still suggest you download maps for offline use.
We recommend travel insurance policies with cancel-for-any-reason-coverage for peace of mind and reducing your exposure should you want to cancel due to conditions not being to your liking. We’ve selected a policy to consider.
Booking policies
Payment
All reservations must be paid in full at the time of booking.
Promotions & discounts
Any promotion or discount must be redeemed only by calling reservations directly. No promotion and/or discount will be applied after the reservation has been made and full payment has been received.
Cancellations & reservation changes
Cancellations
Any cancellation made within 21 days of the scheduled tour date are 100 % non-refundable – no exceptions for any reason, not even airline delays, road closures, family emergencies, personal injury, etc. We encourage all guests to consider purchasing travel insurance with enhanced coverage (one with a cancel for any reason rider) through an outside provider such as InsureMyTrip.
Reservation changes
You may request date changes to your tour date outside of 21 days of your booking. Changes to your reservation are subject to availability and may incur an administrative fee of $100 per person.
Tour cancellations due to mechanical issues or unsafe conditions
Selkirk Powder Company has no control over Mother Nature. We tour in sun, snow, rain, wind, or any combination of interesting weather. It is, after all, an alpine environment. Be prepared, and dress accordingly. SPC reserves the right to cancel a tour for mechanical, weather, safety, personal or any other circumstance. You will be issued a full or partial credit valid for 1 year from the original tour date. No refunds will be issued. If your tour is cancelled multiple times, your credit still expires after 1 year – no extensions will be applied.
SPC reserves the right at any time, and at its sole discretion, to modify any policies set out above, with or without notice other than publishing such modifications on our website. It is your responsibility to review policies on our website for updates and/or changes. Your reservation and/or use of our services following any such policy modification constitutes your acceptance of any modified policy.
To ensure you get the dates and size of group you want, we encourage you to book as soon as your dates are established. Some of our guests make their reservations up to a year in advance, so don’t wait too long to contact us.
Payment in full is due at the time of booking.
If you prefer, tips can be added at the time of booking. The typical tipping amount in the industry is 10–20 % of the total tour cost: the same as you would extend for service in a restaurant or similar setting. At Selkirk Powder, tips are pooled and shared among guides, snowcat drivers (for snowcat trips), and your reservations agent.
You may request date changes to your tour date outside of 21 days of your booking. Changes to your reservation are subject to availability and may incur an administrative fee of $100 per person. We recommend trip insurance policies with cancel for any reason for peace of mind and reducing your exposure should you want to cancel due to conditions not being to your liking.
Reviews
- Glenna & Chuck W.January 20, 2023Rated 5 out of 5 starsFor the Winter “Time of Your Life”…
Wow! What an AMAZING experience we had last Sunday (01.15.23) snowmobiling on Schweitzer Mountain! Our guide, Sage, was professional, flexible, knowledgeable and down right FUN! The machines were beautiful, new and so easy to operate. Our afternoon two hour trip took us by stunning vistas, with a terrific mountain valley photo shoot stop. All the Selkirk Powder Staff were so helpful, friendly, and pleasantly professional. We can’t wait to come back! My 74 year old husband was riding for the FIRST TIME…and now he’s HOOKED!
Selkirk PowderJanuary 20, 2023Thank you Glenna, We'll share this with Sage! Looking forward to seeing you and Chuck again. And again!!