What are the main things to think about when riding a snowmobile for the first time?

Dress appropriately for ever-changing weather conditions. If you’re not warm on your first time, you’re not going to have fun. Snowmobiles aren’t as scary as a lot of people think – they are very easy to operate. Just make sure you never get overconfident or ride beyond your ability.

What should you wear?

Warm clothes, proper snow pants, a jacket, gloves, boots and a helmet. If you plan to go backcountry, carry a beacon, shovel and probe. 

Where is your favorite place to snowmobile around Steamboat?

It’s a place we at Steamboat Snowmobile Tours call “the overlook.” On a clear blue-bird day, it boasts 180-degree views spanning over 110 miles. All around the east side of Rabbit Ears Pass is some of the best snowmobiling in the world.

Can you take kids snowmobiling?

Yes, and I highly recommend it! Just keep in mind that younger kids (six years old and under) typically fall asleep on the snowmobile and that can make it difficult to operate the snowmobile.

Do you need to have a certain level of fitness to snowmobile?

No, just keep in mind that when snowmobiling without guides at elevation it is very easy to become winded and out of breath if you have to dig your snowmobile out of deep powder.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done or seen someone do on a snowmobile?

I have watched many people jumping their snowmobiles off 60-plus-feet cliffs and people backflipping their machines.