snowmobiling in the Bighorn mountains
The Bighorn Mountains are one of the closest snowmobiling destinations to the upper-midwest that offers true mountain riding. Most of our clients come from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. With over 250” of snow annually, 13,000ft peaks, hundreds of miles of groomed trails, and mountain lodges, the Bighorns have been an iconic snowmobile destination since mountain riding has been a thing.
The Bighorns can be split into four sections. The North side, South side, East side, and West side. The Northeast section is knows as the Sheridan side. The Northwest side is known as the Lovell side. The South east side known as the Buffalo side, and the Southwest side known as the Tensleep side. Traditionally, the North side receives more snow, while the south side receives less traffic. Within the Bighorn Mountains lays the federally owned and protected Bighorn National Forest which oversees the management and regulation of recreation. There is a few portions of private land, but with 1.1 million acres of public land, roughly 5% of the Bighorns are privately owned with some land owners allowing public access during winter months.
The Bighorns are a unique range, being one of the oldest mountain ranges among its sister ranges in the Rocky Mountains. Being one of the oldest ranges means they are heavily eroded compared to mountains like the Teton Range. This creates deep canyons and more rounded peaks. As an isolated range 100 miles to the east of the Absoroka & Beartooth Range, the Bighorns receive very dry snow with low water content, creating some of the driest champagne pow in the world.
We offer Ski-Doo Snowmobile rentals, backcountry tours, scenic trail tours, and backcountry snowmobile clinics in the Bighorns. We have variety of experiences from epic backcountry tours to family friendly scenic trail rides. We started this company just a few years ago as a passion project, just some kids chasing a dream. Without having a true brick and mortar business, we just met clients at gas stations, hotels, or trailheads. It quickly blossomed to teaching clients how to fully maximize mountain riding. Our professional guides will not only take you to some our favorite zones, but they’ll help make you a better rider than when you arrived. In January of 2023, we moved into our first physical location and started renting Ski-Doo snowmobiles.
The First Stop West.
closest range to the upper midwest.
Where to buy
trail passes
Buckhorn Grocery, Ranchester, Wyoming.
Action Motorsports, Gillette, Wyoming.
peak Powersports, Sheridan, Wyoming.
Sheridan powersports, Sheridan, wyoming.
Shiptons Big R, Sheridan, wyoming.
Corner Grocery, Dayton, wyoming.
Bear Lodge Resort, Burgess junction, wyoming.
Elk view inn, Burgess Junction, Wyoming.
Snowmobiling in the Bighorn Mountains
bighorn mountain
trail map
The Bighorns offer up to 350 miles of freshly groomed and scenic trails. These are some of the best maintained trails in the state and is one of the most extensive trail systems in the mountain west.
Featured Areas
The Bighorns have very unique micro-climates that can dump feet of snow in a very small area. Our guides are very knowledgeable when choosing areas with the best snow conditions. Each zone has a special personality that offers fun and exciting natural features to play on. If you would like to try a specific location while you are riding with us, please, let us know!
Red Grade
Steep, Technical, and Scenic
Red Grade is one of our favorites. It's only 10 miles from Sheridan and 5 miles from the town of Big Horn. The lowest elevation of riding that we offer. Unload at 4800ft and ride elevations from 6500ft-7800ft. Sleds run a little better here and the terrain is pretty intimidating for new riders. Steep pulls, tight trees, and open creek drainages compliment the scenery offered by the Cloud Peak Wilderness and overlook of Sheridan County.
Black Mountain
A Tree Riders Paradise
Black mountain is strictly tree riding in the thickest lodgepole pine forest around. This is for experienced riders only as it requires technical lines to get from one area to the next. Very rewarding after picking your way through the trees for half an hour to come up on a wide open meadow with great views of Black Mountain and Steamboat Point.
Granite Pass
Powder Heaven
Granite Pass is definitely the go-to place for when that big storm hits. There's no trails on the western slope of Granite, just unload from the parking lot and go any direction your heart desires. West of the highway you’ll find steep creek drainages, spaced out spruce trees, cliffs, and cornices. East of the highway you’ll discover granite peaks, thick lodgepole pines, and some untouched meadows.
Bald Mountain
For Every Style of Rider
Much like Granite Pass, this area is home to wide open hills, spruce trees, and tons of creek drainages to go up. Devils Hole, Bull Creek, Wall Rock Creek, and Hunt Mountain Road all have tremendous playgrounds. Unfortunately, this area is gets hit hard with traffic, so picking the right drainage to go up can be tricky. That's where a guide comes in handy! This is the best place for early season riding.
Freeze Out
Low Elevation Tree Riding
This area is an absolute blast but is also the most inconsistent and moody area in the Bighorns. It either gets absolutely hammered with snow, or it is as dry as a bone. Nonetheless, there's some unique terrain. The charcoaled forest of Sawmill Flats have some awesome tree riding, but with a unique perspective as the trees have been blackened from a fire. Dry Fork has some fun pulls with spaced out trees. Elevation here ranges from 7000ft-8200ft.
Shell Canyon
Steep. Deep. Scenic.
This area has arguably the steepest and longest pulls the Bighorns have to offer. Hill Climbing is the name of the game here. Elevations range from 6000ft up to 9800ft. Just south of Granite Pass, this area is tricky to navigate with wilderness area and Ski Areas nearby.
Rules and Regulations
Snowmobiles must display a Wyoming snowmobile tag whether you’re riding trails or not.
In order to ride off Forest Service Roads, it must be after November 16th and there must be at least 6” of snow.
Please see a map for restricted areas. (Wilderness, wildlife refuge areas, special use areas.)
No snowmobiling in the Antelope Butte Recreation Area.
No snowmobiling in the designated nordic ski trail areas.
No snowmobiling in the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
where to find 91 non-ethanol fuel
Common cents truck stop, Sheridan, wyoming.
holiday gas station (2) Sheridan, wyoming.
farmers coop, sheridan, wyoming.
bear lodge resort, burgess junction, wyoming.
elk view inn, burgess junction, wyoming.