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I'm a strong advocate of expanding your horizons by riding in new and different areas. A cornucopia of enjoyable riding experiences awaits you every new season, if you're willing to venture to new places. With more than twenty states and ten Canadian provinces open for winter riding, there are enough possibilities to last a lifetime- with memories that'll endure just as long!
One of the best ways to enjoy a trip to a new and faraway place is by participating in an organized snowmobile tour, or a specially-organized ride. If you've never taken advantage of some of the outstanding tour offerings that are available each year, I urge you to consider it in the future. It's a way to visit new areas with ease, enjoy good food and lodging, experience some great riding, and make new friends. Best of all, you can go solo or take along your favorite riding companions, and participate either way.
For locales that are a long way from your home (beyond the distance you might want to drive and pull a trailer), rental machines are often an option as part of a package price. Renting a sled can be costly, but there is an additional advantage. If you're renting a machine and it breaks down, you simply get a new one and continue your vacation- there's no need to chase around trying to find repairs, as you might have to do with your own sled. Since most rentals are current model types, the chances of mechanical trouble are reduced as well.
Part of the fun of the pre-season every year is reviewing the new tour brochures that arrive during the summer and fall, considering which offerings to new places might catch my fancy. Seeing the possibilities conjures up thoughts of turning a track in all sorts of interesting places. If you're a person who loves the thrill of discovering what awaits over the next hill or around the next bend, then you know exactly what I mean.
To try the tour experience yourself, start by browsing the magazines or the American Snowmobiler Sourcebook for advertisements and listings of tour companies and their upcoming offerings. Call or write them to get on their mailing list, visit their websites, and ask for their current brochure. Once you get the information and see what's available, you'll soon find out what amazing experiences await you in all sorts of legendary winter places.
Over the years, I've had the pleasure of going on numerous tours to all sorts of places, including Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, and Ontario (twice). These were through four different tour operators, and they were all enjoyable and worthwhile- but a couple of them were truly extraordinary! The riding was good, the lodging was comfortable, the food was hearty, and my fellow riders were often a delight to be with.
Because tour operators "know" an area and its local guides and hotels, much of the guesswork of going to a new place is removed from the equation, making the entire experience more enjoyable. Professional tours are set up with a good advance planing of route and accommodations, and good operators scout ahead, tending to stick with stops and destinations they know from experience will be up to their standards.
Since everyone's riding style and preferences vary, it's important that you find the tour that's right for you. Tour operators want you to be satisfied, so they don't mind answering your queries to ensure that the tour you choose will be to your liking. Here are some of the key questions to consider as you evaluate the offerings and talk to the tour operators:
- How many days is the overall tour, and how many full days of riding will there be? How long are the daily rides? Is the tour designed for any particular type of rider (age, experience, riding style)? If I want to ride a little faster or slower, is that OK?
- How many riders will there be? Will we split into groups? What is the minimum and maximum number of riders that may comprise the tour? How many are already signed up?
- If the weather doesn't cooperate, how close to the scheduled date might a tour be canceled? What's the policy regarding refunds?
- Who will be leading and guiding the tour, and how much experience do they have? How many others will be assisting them? Will there be a support vehicle to haul luggage and pick up any disabled sleds? If a sled breaks down, is there an extra one available?
- What are the lodging arrangements? If I come alone, is there any additional charge, and will I have my own room, or be expected to double up?
- Am I expected to bring my own snowmobile, or is a rental sled included in the tour price? What kind of rental sleds are available? If I want to upgrade a rental sled, is it possible, and at what additional cost?
- What specific things are, or are not, included in the price? How much of a down payment is required, and when is the rest due? What additional expenses should I expect will be incurred?
- Is this tour one that has been run before? Is it open to riders of all levels of experience, or not?
- If I have to fly to the tour location, what airport is the closest and how do I transfer from the airport to the tour?
Tour operators rely on repeat business, so they strive to offer a positive experience in any way they can. Weather and trail conditions are beyond their control, however, so it makes sense to be flexible and to keep that in mind. By doing your homework ahead of time and asking the right questions, you'll assure yourself of having a satisfying tour experience.
Fortunately, you've got plenty of options. There are numerous tour operators offering a wide assortment of travel opportunities to all sorts of great destinations. Some are short outings of just one to three days, while others can last a week. Some feature leisurely jaunts at a relaxed pace, while others cover major mileage every day. Consider how many days you want to ride, and how many miles you can handle each day, and in total.
If you've never experienced a tour firsthand, you've definitely been missing something. If you think a tour could hardly compare to venturing to new venues on your own, guess again. Tours offer a package price that delivers value, convenience and enjoyment, and maybe even a chance to go somewhere you'd never be able to ride otherwise. And some of the spring tours offer you a great way to extend- or top off- your riding season!
For information on guided tours in the Yukon, contact Bear North Adventures, Box 5486 Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada YOB 1LO • 867/634-2432