First Time Snowmobile Ride at Arrowhead Mountain Lodge

I choose adventures that will challenge me mentally and physically to learn new skills and things about myself. By constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zones, I have become more confident, strong and fearless.

When I heard that Polaris Adventures offered snowmobile trips and tours, I knew I had to sign up. Exploring on a snowmobile is really a special experience; you can access places you can’t otherwise on foot or by car. I had been on a snowmobile before, but only on a track. I really wanted to learn more about the sport and gain new skills to take it to the next level.

Arrowhead Mountain Adventures caters to riders of all levels, especially those who want to learn new skills and explore the backcountry. I immediately knew this was the place to be.

Arrowhead Mountain Lodge is located outside of Cimarron, Colorado, in the San Juan Mountain Range. The lodge has its own snowmobile rental and tour shop and acres of tracks and backcountry property to ride on. They host riders of all levels, including high-profile athletes, that come back every year to practice and help others gain new skills and confidence on the sleds. Some even call it their second home. And it’s easy to see why: this place fosters a community that seems like family and they take care of their own.

Everyone there was so welcoming and it was easy to bond with the other riders and staff over stories, advice and delicious food. Before I knew it, lunch was over and it was time to gear up and ride. Even though I was a beginner, I felt like I was part of the group. Everyone was so passionate about the sport and fostering a helpful and uplifting community that I almost forgot how new I was.

It was definitely frustrating in the beginning, though. I kept getting stuck in the deep snow. And I’m a tiny person, so it seemed impossible to get it out without help! I felt so bad asking for help to get it out and by what seemed to be my hundredth try I was definitely feeling sore! But, I was there to learn and I knew that with practice and determination I would get it right eventually. I also learned quickly to stop apologizing and start laughing at myself while I was learning and making mistakes. We all start somewhere, right? Besides, the snow is soft and falling isn’t as bad as it seems.

Just after a few hours of attempting to stay on the snowmobile and not get stuck, I was actually riding! I felt like I was gliding on the snow. The snowmobile seemed lighter and I felt more confident going faster, being more aggressive, making turns and going up and down hills. It was amazing and I actually got to enjoy being a part of the group as we continued the ride. Being able to keep up and enjoy the views along the way really added to the experience.

We spent the rest of the day exploring the area, stopping along the way to check out some viewpoints and take photos. Soon, it was time to head to the lodge and we were rewarded with a beautiful sunset on the way back.

The lodge has a restaurant with lots of options and a large area to sit and mingle with other riders. It was so much fun to relive some of the hilarious moments from the day, get tips for my next rides and plan future adventures. After dinner I went to my room and enjoyed the spa tub. It helped ease the sore muscles!

This trip really helped boost my confidence and left me with yet another fun hobby. I cannot wait to go back next season and really take things to the next level. There is so much to learn in the sport and so many people to be inspired by and gain knowledge from. I also am excited to see the people I met next year.

One thing about adventure sports that really stands out is the community and the one here was nothing but uplifting, fun, knowledgeable, hilarious and inviting. If you want to learn new skills and get into the backcountry, I definitely recommend Arrowhead Mountain Adventures! Maybe I’ll even see you there!