Snowmobiles in Bozeman (West Yellowstone, Lincoln: rent, how much, living in)

[livetoski]

I have been doing a lot of research as we are going to Bozeman next year for a month with the view to moving there permanently, from Australia, the following year.

Our son recently told us that someone that he spoke to, who had been there, said that it was essential to own a snowmobile in winter as, apart from the main streets, there is so much snow that vehicles are almost not viable. They told him that the car park at Wal Mart us full of snowmobiles instead of cars and trucks in winter.

I have never heard of this on this forum, or elsewhere, so think that they might have been kidding. Can a local please clarify this for me.

[happiness is]

Ha! Ha! Ha!

Someone is "pulling your leg". Yes, whoever told your son that was joking.

I'm not sure if it is even legal to run a snowmobile on a street in Bozeman. They are expensive machines that tourists rent to have fun on trails, not something people use as regular transportation here. Maybe he was thinking of the back-country of Alaska!

[happiness is]

Here are a few statistics about snowmobiles...
they are most popular in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Facts and Statistics about Snowmobiling - ISMA (International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association)-Information for snowmobilers: snowmobiling trails and safety; facts and trends

[happiness is]

I'll qualify what I posted earlier about tourists...

I was being a *little* sarcastic, as it seems one of the winter vacation high points for many people who come here as tourists is to go to West Yellowstone and rent a snowmobile.

It is actually a serious winter hobby for many people who live in Montana and like going snowmobiling just as much as skiers like to go skiing.

Hope this helps.

[livetoski]

Thanks again happiness is. You are a wealth of information. I thought that would be the case.

Where we live in winter here, Falls Creek, the village is on the mountain and once the season starts the roads are closed to vehicles and the only method of transport is skiing, walking or the shuttle. The exception to the rule are snowmobiles, but only for business owners for transportation of food and supplies.

Our son was wildly excited at the prospect of living in a real town and having a snowmobile in the driveway. I'll have to disillusion him.

[Threerun]

There is a snowmachine custom shop in Bozeman that can build you the absolute fastest suicide machine possible.

This is one thing I have not tried- I think I'll stick to snowshoes and ice grippers on my boots.

[bongo403]

There are some small recreational/touristy towns where it is common to see snowmobiles in parking lots, but definitely not in a city the size of Bozeman. The general rules are that snowmobiles are not allowed on public streets in most areas of Montana, no matter how much snow (although for the occasional really big snowstorms, law enforcement will often look the other way on side streets or rural areas that haven't been plowed). Pulling one into WalMart in Bozeman would probably get you a ticket, though.

[magoomafoo]

I'm still laughing...Walmart? No it is not like that in Bozeman. Now in Lincoln, Cooke City and West Yellowstone yes. There are usually more snowmobiles than cars parked at various establishments all the time in the winter. You can still drive your Subaru in Bozo in winter, rest assured.

[Geo Roam]

The Bismark ND Wal Mart is full of snowmobiles in the winter. And most of the cars and trucks are left running while they shop.

NORDAK is a cold mother!