SNOWMOBILING FOR BEGINNERS: WHAT MAKES YOUR FIRST RIDE IN VAIL SO MUCH FUN
Snowmobiling for beginners is easier than most people expect. On one of Sage’s guided Vail snowmobile tours, you don’t need experience or lessons, because the guides match the trails to your comfort level.
Most first-timers get comfortable fast. Bring warm layers for the wind chill; you can rent anything else you need. And if you can’t decide between driving and riding along, the Adventure Tour lets you do both.
Kelley Atwell leads group sales and concierge relations at Sage, so she hears from guests before they book and from guides after every tour. Everything quoted below comes from our interview with her about first rides.
Key Takeaways
- You don’t need any experience: guides tailor the trails on Sage’s private ranch to each rider.
- Beginners are surprised by how fast they get comfortable, often within the first few minutes.
- The Adventure Tour is the first-timer pick because you can drive or ride along and switch during the tour.
- Dress for wind chill, not just cold. Sage includes the helmet and rents snowsuits, boots and goggles.
Why Snowmobiling for Beginners Is Easier Than Skiing
Skiing and snowboarding usually start with lessons, and it can take a few days before the mountain feels fun. Snowmobiling skips that part.
- There’s nothing to master first. You get a safety briefing at the base, and then you’re riding.
- Your guide sets the pace on groomed trails picked for the group.
- Nervous? Start on the back. On the Adventure Tour you can ride as a passenger and take the handlebars when you’re ready.
“There’s something about being on the back of a sled where you feel like you’re gliding through this magical floating oasis almost, and it adds an extra element of adrenaline without needing to have prior skill sets.”
Kelley Atwell
What Surprises First-Timers Most
Most beginners expect a steep learning curve. What they find on the ranch is a trail system with a level for everyone, so the ride fits the person instead of the other way around.
“A beginner who’s coming out to our ranch will be really pleasantly surprised to learn that there are all sorts of different levels of difficulty of trails and terrain. And so our guides are really able to cater the trip to the individual’s experience level, comfort level, and what the whole family dynamic needs.”
Kelley Atwell
From Nervous to Fighting Over Who Drives
One of Kelley’s favorite first-timer stories starts with two friends from Denver. They’d skied their whole lives but had never been on a snowmobile, and the idea of driving one made them nervous. At first, both wanted to ride as passengers.
That lasted about five minutes.
“Like five minutes in, they both were wanting to be the drivers because they were having some fun taking control of it.”
Kelley Atwell
They came back giddy and asked about booking a second trip right away. Kelley says beginners are often surprised by how quickly they pick it up, so if you’re nervous about your first time snowmobiling, you’re in good company.
Adventure Tour or Performance Tour: Which Should a Beginner Book?
Sage runs two public tours, and the difference isn’t difficulty. Kelley explains that the Performance tour is not necessarily harder; it’s for people who want the autonomy of driving their own sled the whole time.
| Adventure Tour | Performance Snowmobile Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | First-timers, families, nervous riders, mixed groups | Riders who want full control, adrenaline seekers, past jet ski or snowmobile riders |
| Driving | Drive or ride as a passenger, switch during the tour | Drivers only |
| Ages | Drivers 14+, passengers 5+ (private tours from 3+) | 16+ |
“Families, first timers, more nervous people are going to book that adventure tour. And adrenaline junkies, bachelor parties, people who have ridden jet skis or snowmobiles in the past, they lean toward our performance tours.”
Kelley Atwell
If this is your first ride, book the Adventure Tour. It’s Sage’s most popular tour, and nobody has to commit to driving. Want the trail to yourselves? Private snowmobiling tours put just your group out with a dedicated guide. Riders with experience can look at the Performance Snowmobile Tour.
Never ridden before? That is who the Adventure Tour was built for. Pick a time and we will handle the rest.
What to Wear for Your First Snowmobile Tour
The most common question at Sage, according to Kelley, is “am I going to be cold?” It depends on what you wear. You’re outside and moving, so there’s wind chill on top of the mountain temperature.
“You’re gonna be cold if you don’t wear winter clothes, but if you wear winter clothes and if you need to bring stuff from us, you’re in good hands.”
Kelley Atwell
Pack this:
- Warm layers you can stack
- Snow pants and a winter jacket
- Wool socks and winter boots (not fashion boots)
- Gloves
- Neck and face protection
- Goggles
The helmet comes with your tour. Sage rents snowsuits, boots and goggles, and if something gets left at the hotel, the shop sells gloves, face protection and hand warmers. Sage’s snowmobiling FAQ has the full gear list.
How to Plan Your Snowmobiling Day in Vail
Kelley’s other advice is to plan the tour around the rest of your day. A morning ride gets you back to Vail in time for lunch or an afternoon on the slopes, and she points out that the light on the morning tours is “spectacular.” Midday and early afternoon Adventure Tours sell out first, because most guests like a slow breakfast before they head to the ranch.
A few timing tips from the reservations side:
- Holidays: book one to two months ahead.
- Shoulder season: about two weeks ahead is usually enough, and same-day bookings are still accepted when there’s space.
- Quieter dates: mid-January brings fewer crowds and, typically, more snow.
For more on picking your dates, see our guide to the best season to snowmobile in Colorado. If snowmobiling is one piece of a bigger trip, these things to do in Vail in winter can fill the rest of the week.
Snowmobiling in Vail With Sage
All of Sage’s Vail snowmobile tours run on its own private ranch, about 30 to 40 minutes from Vail and Beaver Creek. From the ridges you can see Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek and the Continental Divide. The trails are private, so the only other riders out there are Sage guests. You can drive out yourself or book a tour with shuttle transportation. Got questions first? Call 970-476-3700 or reach our booking team.
In Kelley’s Words: First-Timer Questions
Why should everyone try snowmobiling at least once?
“Trying snowmobiling while you’re out in Colorado or even if you’re a local, it is an experience in and of itself that provides a unique way to experience the mountain outside of what people traditionally think of when they think of coming out and skiing and snowboarding… Whereas if you’re trying to ski or snowboard, you might have to dedicate days to taking lessons to even pick it up. But this is an activity that you can have no prior experience, dive right in and get to experience the thrills of the mountains.”
Kelley Atwell, Group Sales & Concierge Relations
What surprises you about beginners on their first ride?
“What surprises me and surprises the beginners themselves is how quickly they actually take to it and how quickly they feel more confident being out on the snow regardless of the terrain. So that’s always a really exciting thing, to hear from the guides and hear from the guests themselves how their comfort level and excitement grew throughout the trip.”
Kelley Atwell, Group Sales & Concierge Relations
What do first-timers say at the end of the ride?
“First timers and even returners alike always come back wishing that they were going to be snowmobile guides themselves… especially after they can get hot chocolate at the cliffside overlook and warm up a little bit, everyone is gung ho to book their next trip.”
Kelley Atwell, Group Sales & Concierge Relations
Frequently Asked Questions
Kelley Atwell
Kelley leads group sales and concierge relations at Sage and is in her second winter with the team.