FAQ'S
How long is the tour and where do we go?
Our standard guided group tour is about 75+ minutes on wooded trails and the new highly rated Adirondack Rail Trail. We go about 16 miles depending on trail conditions and how fast people are driving. We do not travel on any frozen bodies of water.
For the longer private guided tours, we start on the Adirondack Rail Trail and then a combination of wooded public and private trails, logging roads and fields.
When will snowmobiling season start?
We start shortly after hunting season is over AND when we have enough Natural snow.
Note: We depend on Mother Nature for snow; there are no artificial snowmaking machines in the forest.
Is this ok for beginners?
Yes. Our guides show you how the snowmobile works and go through the safety protocols with everyone. There is a guide in the front for guests who wish to go faster and/or are more comfortable driving. There is also a guide in the back for those who are less comfortable driving and just want to enjoy the scenery. The back guide is also there so no one gets left behind.
How fast do we go?
The guide in the front will go as fast as the people directly behind him are keeping up with him - within reason. Adrenaline junkies will certainly get their fix.
Is there an age limit to ride?
A child must be able to hold on to the driver. So we highly recommend no one younger than 6 years old. Very young children need to be seated in front of the driver and if the child squirms or falls asleep (yes, they really fall asleep) the driver will have to take their hands off the handlebars to hold onto them. You need both hands to drive, one hand on the gas and the other hand on the brake.
Are there weight limits?
All our snowmobiles have a 320lb weight limit (145kg). If you have an adult and a child (who legally cannot drive by themselves) whose combined weight is over the limit we do have "double" snowmobiles that accommodate more than 320lbs - just let us know.
What is the minimum age to drive?
The driver must be 18 years old to drive on their own. We do allow children at least 16 years old to drive a "double" snowmobile with a parent as the passenger. We will require proof of age.
Note: The parent or guardian is ultimately responsible for any damages to the snowmobile the child is driving. It doesn't matter if the child "didn't mean to hit the ............"
Are you open every day? What times are your standard tours?
We are open 7 days a week, as long as we have enough snow to safely ride. Tours start at 9:00am. Reservations are a must.
How many snowmobiles do you take out on the 75+ minute guided tour?
We limit the number of snowmobiles to no more than 10, to make it a more personalized experience. However, if you have a larger group we can certainly accommodate.
What should I wear on the tour?
We only provide DOT approved full face shield helmets. You must dress appropriately for being in the woods, in the winter, in the cold, wet snow for an extended period of time. Waterproof snow/ski pants or bibs and winter boots are absolutely required. You should also have either a scarf, turtle fur, gator or balaclava to cover the gap between the bottom of the helmet and top of your jacket. We suggest you layer up - you can always take a layer off if you're too warm.
Hint: If your "winter" boots are cute and have a heel, they are probably not appropriate for being out in the cold and snow.
Another hint: Mittens are warmer than gloves.
Third hint: Hand and toe warmers can be a game changer.
Do you provide clothing/outerwear for snowmobiling?
We do not provide any apparel, gloves/mittens, boots, etc. We only provide the DOT approved, full face shield helmets. For your own safety, you must come appropriately dressed and be fully prepared to be outside in the winter, in the woods, miles away from being able to warm up. Jeans/sweatpants and sneakers are not appropriate. Waterproof snow/ski pants or bibs and winter boots are required.
Are your helmets sanitized?
We spray all our helmets in-between customers with Lysol.
Hint: You may want to wear a thin beanie or balaclava under the helmet.
Can we use our ski/snowboard helmets?
No. Ski/snowboard helmets are not DOT approved for snowmobiles. Safety first. If you have your own snowmobile/motorcycle helmet (DOT approved) you are welcome to use your own.
Do you have longer tours available?
Yes. We can customize your snowmobile experience. Please call us.
Can we take the snowmobiles out on our own, without a guide?
Yes, as long as everyone in your group are all experienced snowmobilers. There is a 4 hour minimum and there must be at least 2 snowmobiles going together. Unguided rentals are not available on weekends and holiday weeks.
We highly recommend taking a guide. They know the trails, including those not on the maps, and also the current conditions of the trails.
Where do I send my deposit?
After you have called us to set up your tour and we have you written down in the reservation book, please mail your deposit check to Adirondack Snowmobile, 42 Dandelion Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946. Please make sure your phone number and, date and time of your reservation is on the check so we can call you back to confirm.
Do you cancel tours because of the weather?
Yes. We will cancel if there isn't enough snow to safely ride, it's too warm or extremely cold, or we just received a lot of new snow (like a blizzard - and you probably won't be able to get here anyway).
Also, even if we don't cancel the tours, if it's very cold we may not allow children to go. Children's outerwear, for the most part, is just not as warm as an adults. Children get cold faster. Adults have the option of being cold, children don't get to make the decision of being outside in extreme cold. Safety first, especially for those with no choice.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you have sent us a deposit, just give us a call as soon as you realize you can't go and we rip up your check. As long as you are not a "no call no show", we do not cash the deposit checks. Even if it's that morning!!
For our guests that made reservations but did not have time to mail a deposit check, PLEASE PLEASE call us as soon as you know you won't be able to make it. If you don't call to cancel, we may have to tell another group who wants to go that we are fully booked.
Note: If for some reason we decide it's not safe to ride due to trail or weather conditions, we call you as soon as we make that determination, at least by the night before, so you can make other plans for the day.
Do you accept credit cards?
No, we do not accept credit cards or any form of electronic payment such as Venmo, Zelle or PayPal. We only take cash or check.
Do we need reservations and how do we make a reservation?
We only take a limited number of snowmobiles/people out on our tours so reservations are required. We only accept reservations by phone, so you must call us at 518-523-4360.
Note: During busy weekends or if we are in the middle of getting a tour out, there is a good chance you will get the answering machine. Please speak slowly and clearly so we can call you back. PLEASE, repeat your phone number slowly.
How early do I have to make a reservation?
We start accepting reservations for the season mid-November. Tours on weekends and holiday weeks can fill up weeks in advance. It is recommended to make a reservation as soon as possible. Remember, you can always cancel, and since we do not take credit cards you are not being charged a deposit.
What else is there to do?
Lake Placid and the surrounding area has multiple activities for all types of people and families. Please call the Lake Placid Visitor's Bureau (518-523-2445) for things to do, activities, etc. Please be aware that a lot of these activities require reservations and they fill up quickly. So, plan accordingly and don't wait to make the reservation. You can also check out the Visitors Bureau's website at lakeplacid.com.
How long is the tour and where do we go?
Our standard guided group tour is about 75+ minutes on wooded trails and the new highly rated Adirondack Rail Trail. We go about 16 miles depending on trail conditions and how fast people are driving. We do not travel on any frozen bodies of water.
For the longer private guided tours, we start on the Adirondack Rail Trail and then a combination of wooded public and private trails, logging roads and fields.
When will snowmobiling season start?
We start shortly after hunting season is over AND when we have enough Natural snow.
Note: We depend on Mother Nature for snow; there are no artificial snowmaking machines in the forest.
Is this ok for beginners?
Yes. Our guides show you how the snowmobile works and go through the safety protocols with everyone. There is a guide in the front for guests who wish to go faster and/or are more comfortable driving. There is also a guide in the back for those who are less comfortable driving and just want to enjoy the scenery. The back guide is also there so no one gets left behind.
How fast do we go?
The guide in the front will go as fast as the people directly behind him are keeping up with him - within reason. Adrenaline junkies will certainly get their fix.
Is there an age limit to ride?
A child must be able to hold on to the driver. So we highly recommend no one younger than 6 years old. Very young children need to be seated in front of the driver and if the child squirms or falls asleep (yes, they really fall asleep) the driver will have to take their hands off the handlebars to hold onto them. You need both hands to drive, one hand on the gas and the other hand on the brake.
Are there weight limits?
All our snowmobiles have a 320lb weight limit (145kg). If you have an adult and a child (who legally cannot drive by themselves) whose combined weight is over the limit we do have "double" snowmobiles that accommodate more than 320lbs - just let us know.
What is the minimum age to drive?
The driver must be 18 years old to drive on their own. We do allow children at least 16 years old to drive a "double" snowmobile with a parent as the passenger. We will require proof of age.
Note: The parent or guardian is ultimately responsible for any damages to the snowmobile the child is driving. It doesn't matter if the child "didn't mean to hit the ............"
Are you open every day? What times are your standard tours?
We are open 7 days a week, as long as we have enough snow to safely ride. Tours start at 9:00am. Reservations are a must.
How many snowmobiles do you take out on the 75+ minute guided tour?
We limit the number of snowmobiles to no more than 10, to make it a more personalized experience. However, if you have a larger group we can certainly accommodate.
What should I wear on the tour?
We only provide DOT approved full face shield helmets. You must dress appropriately for being in the woods, in the winter, in the cold, wet snow for an extended period of time. Waterproof snow/ski pants or bibs and winter boots are absolutely required. You should also have either a scarf, turtle fur, gator or balaclava to cover the gap between the bottom of the helmet and top of your jacket. We suggest you layer up - you can always take a layer off if you're too warm.
Hint: If your "winter" boots are cute and have a heel, they are probably not appropriate for being out in the cold and snow.
Another hint: Mittens are warmer than gloves.
Third hint: Hand and toe warmers can be a game changer.
Do you provide clothing/outerwear for snowmobiling?
We do not provide any apparel, gloves/mittens, boots, etc. We only provide the DOT approved, full face shield helmets. For your own safety, you must come appropriately dressed and be fully prepared to be outside in the winter, in the woods, miles away from being able to warm up. Jeans/sweatpants and sneakers are not appropriate. Waterproof snow/ski pants or bibs and winter boots are required.
Are your helmets sanitized?
We spray all our helmets in-between customers with Lysol.
Hint: You may want to wear a thin beanie or balaclava under the helmet.
Can we use our ski/snowboard helmets?
No. Ski/snowboard helmets are not DOT approved for snowmobiles. Safety first. If you have your own snowmobile/motorcycle helmet (DOT approved) you are welcome to use your own.
Do you have longer tours available?
Yes. We can customize your snowmobile experience. Please call us.
Can we take the snowmobiles out on our own, without a guide?
Yes, as long as everyone in your group are all experienced snowmobilers. There is a 4 hour minimum and there must be at least 2 snowmobiles going together. Unguided rentals are not available on weekends and holiday weeks.
We highly recommend taking a guide. They know the trails, including those not on the maps, and also the current conditions of the trails.
Where do I send my deposit?
After you have called us to set up your tour and we have you written down in the reservation book, please mail your deposit check to Adirondack Snowmobile, 42 Dandelion Way, Lake Placid, NY 12946. Please make sure your phone number and, date and time of your reservation is on the check so we can call you back to confirm.
Do you cancel tours because of the weather?
Yes. We will cancel if there isn't enough snow to safely ride, it's too warm or extremely cold, or we just received a lot of new snow (like a blizzard - and you probably won't be able to get here anyway).
Also, even if we don't cancel the tours, if it's very cold we may not allow children to go. Children's outerwear, for the most part, is just not as warm as an adults. Children get cold faster. Adults have the option of being cold, children don't get to make the decision of being outside in extreme cold. Safety first, especially for those with no choice.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you have sent us a deposit, just give us a call as soon as you realize you can't go and we rip up your check. As long as you are not a "no call no show", we do not cash the deposit checks. Even if it's that morning!!
For our guests that made reservations but did not have time to mail a deposit check, PLEASE PLEASE call us as soon as you know you won't be able to make it. If you don't call to cancel, we may have to tell another group who wants to go that we are fully booked.
Note: If for some reason we decide it's not safe to ride due to trail or weather conditions, we call you as soon as we make that determination, at least by the night before, so you can make other plans for the day.
Do you accept credit cards?
No, we do not accept credit cards or any form of electronic payment such as Venmo, Zelle or PayPal. We only take cash or check.
Do we need reservations and how do we make a reservation?
We only take a limited number of snowmobiles/people out on our tours so reservations are required. We only accept reservations by phone, so you must call us at 518-523-4360.
Note: During busy weekends or if we are in the middle of getting a tour out, there is a good chance you will get the answering machine. Please speak slowly and clearly so we can call you back. PLEASE, repeat your phone number slowly.
How early do I have to make a reservation?
We start accepting reservations for the season mid-November. Tours on weekends and holiday weeks can fill up weeks in advance. It is recommended to make a reservation as soon as possible. Remember, you can always cancel, and since we do not take credit cards you are not being charged a deposit.
What else is there to do?
Lake Placid and the surrounding area has multiple activities for all types of people and families. Please call the Lake Placid Visitor's Bureau (518-523-2445) for things to do, activities, etc. Please be aware that a lot of these activities require reservations and they fill up quickly. So, plan accordingly and don't wait to make the reservation. You can also check out the Visitors Bureau's website at lakeplacid.com.
