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Small Group Winter Backcountry Tour
Snowmobile Tour from Anchorage
Small Group Winter Backcountry Tour · Call or text 907-917-8687 for times and pricing
About 7 hours
door to door
From $398
per person
2.5 hours
on the trail
November through April
tour season
- 850+ reviewsAcross Google, Tripadvisor, and Viator
About the Snowmobile Tour
There is country ninety minutes outside Anchorage that in February you cannot reach on foot, on wheels, or in any vehicle with a road under it. A snowmobile is how Alaskans get there. For a lot of people out here it isn't recreation - it's the winter equivalent of a pickup truck.
I've never driven a snowmobile. What actually happens?
Most of our guests have never been on one. Some have never seen snow. Here's the whole sequence, because "no experience necessary" is something every operator says and almost none of them show.
- 01
Before Anyone Starts an Engine
Your guide walks the group through the machine: throttle, brake, steering, how to stop, what to do if you get stuck. You practice on flat open ground until you're comfortable. Not until the schedule says to move on - until you're comfortable.
- 02
The First Ten Minutes
Slower than you expect. The pace is set by the least confident rider in the group, who on most days is someone who was nervous in the parking lot and is grinning by the second stop.
- 03
Steering Surprises People
You lean, more like a bicycle than a car. Most people have it inside a few minutes.
- 04
You Can Stop Whenever You Want
Cold hands, nerves, wanting a photo - say so. Your guide rides with the group, not ahead of it.
How Cold Is It Out There, and What Do I Wear?
Riding at speed in winter air is meaningfully colder than standing in it. This is the question the entire industry answers with a gear checklist instead of a number, so here's the number: most riding days sit between 5°F and 25°F, and moving at speed makes it feel colder still, which is exactly why we hand you the outer layers.
We Provide
Insulated outer layers, boots, helmet, and gloves are part of the tour. Tell us your sizes when you book and it is waiting for you at the trailhead.
You Bring
- Wool or synthetic base layers - never cotton and never jeans
- Warm wool socks
- Hand and toe warmers if you run cold
Worth knowing: at least one Anchorage snowmobile operator charging over $300 does not provide warm clothing at all, and mentions it in the fine print. Ask any operator you're considering - including us - to tell you exactly what's in the bag before you book.
Snowmobile or Dog Sledding?
Different days entirely. Dog sledding is slower, older, and about the animals. Snowmobiling is faster, goes considerably farther, and is about the terrain and the machine. Snowmobiling puts you in control; dog sledding puts you in the hands of a team. Plenty of guests do both. If you only have one winter day, tell us who's coming and we'll tell you which one your group will remember.
Before you book
The things we'd rather you knew now than found out at the trailhead.
- Included
- Your guide, round-trip transfer from Anchorage, the machine private to your group - we never combine you with another party - a DOT helmet, and all gear rentals.
- Not Included
- Face coverings, which are $15 and the one rental that isn't complimentary, for hygiene reasons. Food. Gratuity - 10 to 20% is customary for your guide.
- Conditions
- Typical riding temperatures are 0 to 30°F. No dogs. No alcohol or smoking on tour.
- Weight
- 350 lb combined per sled for a driver and passenger.
Who you're riding with
We don't own the machines. Hatcher Pass Tours does, and they've been running this country for years - it's their terrain, their guides on the trail, and their equipment. What we do is the part that's hard from Anchorage: we pick you up, we drive you the ninety minutes out and the ninety minutes back, and we make the day work around the rest of your trip. We'd rather tell you that than let you assume otherwise.
Questions people ask
How much is the tour, how long is it, and when can we go?
$398 per person. About 7 hours door to door, including 2.5 hours on the trail. Available November through April.
Where do we ride?
Willow.
Who can drive or ride, and can two people share a sled?
Drivers must be 21, with a valid driver's license. Passengers must be 14 and older. Two-up riding is available, with a 350 lb combined limit per sled.
How physical is this?
More than the ATV, less than people fear. No experience is necessary for this tour - your guide gets you comfortable on flat ground before you go anywhere, and the group moves at the pace of the least confident rider. You're on the trail for about two and a half hours. Dress like you're going skiing: warm gloves, goggles, snow pants, a jacket. We provide the helmet and the rest of the gear.
Will we see wildlife?
Sometimes, and we won't promise it. There are a lot of moose in this country, along with wolves, coyotes, lynx and eagles. Some days you see something and it makes the trip. Some days you don't. The scenery is the reason to come; wildlife is the bonus.
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How does this fit into my day?
Departures are built around 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. trail starts. Willow is about 90 minutes from Anchorage each way, and you're on the trail for two and a half hours with 30 minutes of check-in and gear before that. Plan on about seven hours door to door.
What should I bring?
Layers - Alaska weather can change three times before lunch. Comfortable walking shoes, a rain jacket, and your camera or phone.
How do I book directly?
Right here on this page, or by calling or texting 907-917-8687. Booking direct puts you in touch with the people who actually run the tour.
Our Promise
Small groups, local guides, and straight answers. We only run a tour when it is safe and genuinely worth your day, and we tell you what to expect before you book - the same promise we make on every tour we run, summer or winter.
