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SnoWest, December 1999
Reprinted with permission

Some of the best places you've ever eaten, some of the best places you've ever stayed and some of the best places you've ever snowmobiled you learned about by word of mouth. It's true, isn't it?

We asked our readers to fill out our fourth annual Western Guide to Snowmobiling survey, telling us what they think about several riding areas in the West. We also asked our readers to rank those areas in 10 different categories. . .

When the surveys came in we compiled the results, and from that came up with the Top 15 Trails in the West.

We have a pretty good idea what snowmobilers are looking for when they make the trek West. Receiving the three best scores, in this order, were scenery, availability of off-trail riding and snow quality.

If you're looking for solitude, scenery and great snow, look no farther than Wyoming's Big Horn mountain range. Although it's been one of the West's best secrets, the secret is getting out. And more snowmobilers are finding a whole new world awaiting them.

Perhaps the strength of the Big Horns lies in the vastness of the riding opportunities. Trails, terrain, and deep mountain snow have made the Big Horns one of the fastest growing destination snowmobile meccas in North America.

The range is compact and actually includes two trail systems: Burgess Junction (northern half of Big Hums) and Buffalo/Ten Sleep (southern half. The two systems combine for nearly 300 miles of groomed trails and the Big Horns have nearly another 100 miles of ungroomed trails. Except for an area right in the middle of the Big Horns—the Cloud Peak Wilderness (off limits to snowmobiling) - the trails cover much of the range. And where the trails don't go represents some fine off-trail riding in Wyoming.

Highmark - Scenery

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