Sleding in Yellowstone National Park

[philsummers21]

Ok lived in wyoming for 27years now and have never been through the park on a sled. Decided this year i better do it while i still can. So Couple Questions:
1) Do you have to have a guide?
2) Can you bring your own sled or do you have to rent. If bringing your own what are the requirements. (4stroke, stock, DB lvl)
3) Where is a good place to rent sleds, stay in West Yellowstone or get guided tour if you have to have a guide.

 

[Blu Du]

yes
no
i think there is only a hand full of oufits in west yellowstone that can guide in the park
pm goldenwest on here he can set you up

 

[philsummers21]

You sure on the no for bringing your own sled. Just did a little research and found that yes you have to have a guide like you said but you can take your own sled it just has to have a intact and working exhaust that is no louder then 72 db(believe that was the number)

So now just need a good place to stay there in West Yellowstone.

 

[Wade]

You sure on the no for bringing your own sled. Just did a little research and found that yes you have to have a guide like you said but you can take your own sled it just has to have a intact and working exhaust that is no louder then 72 db(believe that was the number)

So now just need a good place to stay there in West Yellowstone.

I'm pretty sure you can only use a BAT sled (Best Available Technology). Even a Apex 4 stroke isn't allowed in the park. I believe there is a exemption for park employs that live in the park.

 

[philsummers21]

Have to call and ask whatever guide i find to make sure i guess. I do ride a Nytro.

 

[Blu Du]

trust me you will be renting and it will be 250-300 aday and it will be a cluster fawk. you will have some jackoff for a guide that won't go over 20mph and stop at the dumbest things to look at and pass up all the good stuff to watch. you will have retards running into the back of you all day and you will be with people that have never seen a snowflake and may even have slant eyes or can't speak english. is it worth it probally.

 

[bluebear]

The park in the winter is a must see IMO. Luckily I got to see it before they put all the restrictions in place.

 

[Rob1334]

trust me you will be renting and it will be 250-300 aday and it will be a cluster fawk. you will have some jackoff for a guide that won't go over 20mph and stop at the dumbest things to look at and pass up all the good stuff to watch. you will have retards running into the back of you all day and you will be with people that have never seen a snowflake and may even have slant eyes or can't speak english. is it worth it probally.

That is about the most accurate description of a park ride yet. Rep for you.

 

[philsummers21]

trust me you will be renting and it will be 250-300 aday and it will be a cluster fawk. you will have some jackoff for a guide that won't go over 20mph and stop at the dumbest things to look at and pass up all the good stuff to watch. you will have retards running into the back of you all day and you will be with people that have never seen a snowflake and may even have slant eyes or can't speak english. is it worth it probally.

As far as renting most i see are $120 a day. Unless you upgrade to the 800 Mountain sled which is pointless on a trail ride anyway. And for riding with retards i plan on having a tour with ONLY people i know and i WILL be talking to the guides before hand and speaking to them on what we want to see and what not. We have all been through the park in summer quite a few times just never in the winter. People that get crappy tours don't do there homework.

 

[keeton]

Heres my oppinion. Ditch the sled idea, i went with my family last year to west yellowstone in the winter. we went through in an old VW vehicle of some sort that was used in WWII. I was bummed we weren't taking sledsat first. but when I saw the line of 20+ people all on the same trail sleds all in the same gear in a huge line i was very greatful i was not part of that. You have to stay on the trail go under 25 and freeze your a*$ off because you cant actually ride. our bus thing had 7 people in it and was very cool. You get to know your guide and you get a better explination of everything in the park. She even through in some extra views for us. They even have huge ford vans and explorers for a compfy warm ride, but that VW thing was way cool. The park is an awesome place and im sure it would be cool however you toured it, but id recomend not taking a sled i you wat to get the best experience. I hope this helps.

 

[Wade]

Uck, stuck in a van? No thanks. I used to do the park, back when you can ride without a guide, and with your own sled. It was one of the best things I ever did. Did 5 trips, that is.

Guided trips do suck a little. But, they aren't that bad. Back 12 years ago, the guides would rush, you'd do 60 all the way from South Entrance to the loop, hurry hurry hurry. I thought the speed limit in the park was 45, not 25.

Don't be hating on non English speakers, they bring money and jobs.

 

[snojunkee]

good tour

we went on the park tour 2 years ago. it was a good experience. as far as the riding goes,, you came to see the park and wildlife, not highmark old faithful. the guide was relieved to see at least 4 of us in the group had our own gear and not rented stuff (they rent helmets, gloves, boots, and all the rest of the gear) as far as the sleds go, you have to rent unless you have a sled with b.a.t. technology. we rented the arctic cat 2 up 660 4 stroke, it was governed at 35 m.p.h. heated seats, hand grip warmers, and all. we stopped quite often to look at scenery and wild life, or to let the buffalo pass. our tour guide was a local with a ton of info and stories. we decided not to take the coach tour for fear of being stuck inside a stink box full of gaseous tourists. they were probably relieved to get out and breathe the fresh air at the sulfur pits. we took the grand canyon tour instead of the old faithful loop. it was longer in distance and better scenery. after the tour our guide told us of places to explore and boondock outside the park , as we brought our own sleds.. all in all, it was a good experience. just remember you're going on a sight seeing trip, not riding... they have other sleds to rent for outside the park, but they only let the b.a.t. sleds inside the park.

 

[Goldenwest]

Ok lived in wyoming for 27years now and have never been through the park on a sled. Decided this year i better do it while i still can. So Couple Questions:
1) Do you have to have a guide?
2) Can you bring your own sled or do you have to rent. If bringing your own what are the requirements. (4stroke, stock, DB lvl)
3) Where is a good place to rent sleds, stay in West Yellowstone or get guided tour if you have to have a guide.

Here's the scoop. You have to have a guide, 10 people max per group. You can bring your own sled if, 1. BAT only. 2. Has to be approved by park service. 3. Have to show and have proof of which company you are going in with. 4. Have to have proof of insurance, registration. 5. nothing older than 03. 6. Have to have throttle block installed. 7. If #s are lowered from 720 per day to 360 [160 through west gate per day] NO COMPANY WILL TAKE PRIVATE OWNERS OR PRIVATE TOURS, PERIOD! So there you have it folks.........

 

[philsummers21]

TY goldenwest. we are going to bring our own sleds to ride outside of the park and rent some to ride in the park might try to take my nytro to save me $100 but am planning on renting... Thanks for all the info everyone has posted.

 

[Lake Cle Elum]

That is about the most accurate description of a park ride yet. Rep for you.

Yep, adding Rep too.......Glad I brought my own and did the Park 5 different winters while it "unregulated".......

 

[Wade]

Just remember, the real reason sledders need to support snowmobiling in Yellowstone, isn't for their riding in the park. It is so people that have never been on a sled, can see that sledding isn't a bad sport. We win some support, from those people. I've heard them say, "what was the big deal about sleds".

 

[DaveRT]

Been there, done that, and will do it again. We had a great tour of the park in winter. New polaris 4 strokes. We did 130 miles between 8 AM and 5 PM. All at 55 MPH. Had a wonderful guide, he went way out of his way to show us all the wildlife, waterfalls,gysers and hot springs, mud pits, history. I learned a lot. He would stop and start talking (teaching) at every stop, let us take pictures and than hold it to the handle bar to the next stop. His name is Dave. I can't wait to go back to West Yellowstone and spend my money.

 

[Goldenwest]

TY goldenwest. we are going to bring our own sleds to ride outside of the park and rent some to ride in the park might try to take my nytro to save me $100 but am planning on renting... Thanks for all the info everyone has posted.

I have worked with Backcountry Adventures for 8 years and they do a great job from what my customers say. The owner is Jerry Johnson and his staff is great. There phone # is 800-924-7669. I would ask for Jerry personally, and let him know where you heard about him...............

 

[WyoBoy1000]

been through the park 20+ times in the summer, but not being able to leave the trail and maintain a slow speed, I would be running into the back of people from falling asleep. But more power to those that want to go and keep it open. I hope they keep the trails smooth unlike they used to.