Snowmobiling Near Denver

Denver Snowmobiling: Where to ride

Those living on the front range of Colorado near Denver have direct access to both the central mountains and northern mountains for riding. Determining where to snowmobile comes down to what you’re looking for. Some locations are more remote and offer very little in the way of amenities such as fuel, restaurants and lodging while others are located just outside of town.

Where should I snowmobile if I’m a beginner or intermediate rider?

Vail Pass Recreation Area is your best bet if you’re new to the sport. Offering 66,000 acres of snowmobile terrain, Vail Pass is considered one of the best riding locations in the state. The terrain is a mix of hard packed, sometimes-groomed road and open powder fields. The towns of Red Cliff, Copper Mountain and Vail are nearby if you need lodging or food. There are typically large groups of riders out recreating if you find yourself needing help. The avalanche danger is slightly less than other areas but make no mistake, you need to bring a map and know where you are going. Vail Pass sees a lot of traffic on the weekends and there is a daily parking fee of $10 at the summit. Vail Pass Recreation Area is located off of I-70 at mile marker 190 – just 90 minutes from Denver in good traffic.

Where can I snowmobile near Denver that is unique but also offers lodging and restaurants?

Two great options:

Southwest of Denver: Take highway 285 out of Denver and head for Chaffee County. Home of our Buena Vista outpost, great restaurants, lodging, and one of the best breweries in the state – Eddyline. From Buena Vista, you will have easy access to Cottonwood Pass which offers wide open powder fields, no crowds, and breathtaking views of the collegiate peaks. This area is still considered a secret among Colorado riders but it is gaining in popularity. 

West of Denver: Take I-70 West from Denver and exit 171 towards Minturn. Go through Minturn and over Battle Mountain to the town of Red Cliff. Park your truck and trailer at Mango’s Mountain Grill or pick up some rentals from our Red Cliff outpost. Leave out of Red Cliff on Shrine Pass Road and explore thousands of acres in the Vail Pass Recreation area. Have a meal at Mango’s and stay the night at the Green Bridge Inn for more fun the next day.

Where should I snowmobile near Denver if I’m an advanced rider or looking for something more remote?

Located off of Highway 40, you will find Rabbit Ears Pass. Rabbit Ears is about an hour drive north out of Silverthorne, Colorado. Take Highway 9 from Silverthorne to Kremmling and then head west on highway 40. Rabbit Ears is a popular riding destination for Summit County and Steamboat locals and visitors. The advantage is that there are very few tourists which means you’ll be riding next to those who really know the terrain. Rabbit Ears Pass offers no amenities so be sure to pack enough fuel and food for the trip and always carry proper avalanche safety equipment and maps of the area. This is a true Colorado backcountry experience.

Guided and Unguided Snowmobile and Timbersled Rentals from RMAR

Timbersled Snow Bike Rentals

Our Timbersled Snow Bike rentals are ideal for intermediate riders of dirt bikes and can handle any terrain and any condition. Our adult Timbersled Snow Bikes are built using a KTM 450 SXF Body and we also offer the Timbersled ST Ripper for kids who want to ride. Learn more about Timbersled Snow Bike Rentals

Snowmobile Rentals

We offer a variety of Trail Sleds for backcountry touring and High-performance Powder Sleds for big mountain riding from Polaris Industries including the Polaris Pro RMK850 Patriot. Each machine is professionally maintained by our Polaris certified mechanics. Learn more about Snowmobile Rentals