Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular spots in the United States for winter vacations. This beautiful lake sits in a basin surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains. Lake Tahoe also gets some of the best snow, making it an ideal place to do some snowmobiling.
If you are traveling to Lake Tahoe, and want to take a snowmobiling tour, it is a good idea to know which companies offer the best options. In this article, we will take a look at six of the best snowmobile tours in Lake Tahoe.
The six tour companies in this article offer a wide range of tour types that will fit all levels of riders. Some of the tour companies also offer activities other than snowmobiling so you can enjoy a variety of activities while visiting Lake Tahoe.
The 6 Best Snowmobile Tours in Lake Tahoe
1. Lake Tahoe Adventures
“Everything you need and more. Best tour option in Lake Tahoe.”
Lake Tahoe Adventures Details
- Length – 2 Hours
- Guest Reviews – 4.5/5 Stars
- Highlights – Two tour options, 100 new snowmobiles, private tours available.
- Includes – Helmets, shuttle to starting point, hotel shuttles, all your gear.
- Check prices & availability here
Lake Tahoe Adventures has been one of the most popular snowmobile tour companies for more than 20 years. Their experienced guides provide each guest with an amazing experience in the Sierra Nevadas.
You don’t have to be an expert rider, Lake Tahoe Adventures has the perfect tour for families and beginners. Besides their winter snowmobile tours, Lake Tahoe Adventures also offers summertime ATV tours.
Lake Tahoe Adventures uses several well-established snowmobile trails for their adventures. These trails will take you through some of the most beautiful parts of the Sierra Nevada. You’ll enjoy beautiful views, wildlife watching, and adventure.
Tours with Lake Tahoe Adventures are either half or full-day. Their beginner tour is a 3-hour excursion traveling on moderate terrain using groomed trails and roads. The tour for intermediate and expert riders goes longer and utilizes more extreme terrain for a challenging but fun ride.
2. Lake Tahoe Snowmobiling
“Long-standing business that offers nothing but the best snowmobiling tours.”
Lake Tahoe Snowmobiling Details
- Length – 2-4 Hours
- Guest Reviews – 4.8/5 Stars
- Highlights – Small group experiences, private tours available, easy online booking platform
- Includes – Guide, instruction, helmet
- Check prices & availability here
Lake Tahoe Snowmobiling is the oldest snowmobiling tour company in Lake Tahoe. This company has been providing visitors with great snowmobile experiences since 1984. While many of their competitors have branched to offer more than snowmobiling, Lake Tahoe Snowmobiling keeps it simple. They are experts guides and instructors, and make sure that every customer has a great experience.
Lake Tahoe Snowmobiling offers four different tour options. They have two, 2-hour tours, a 3-hour tour and a 4-hour tour. Each tour takes visitors to some of the most picturesque points around Lake Tahoe. The Summit Adventure tour is their most popular tour as it is easy enough for beginners, but does offer enough challenge for experienced riders. This is a perfect tour for families that have riders of all experience levels.
If you need gear, Lake Tahoe Snowmobiling has everything you need. All riders are provided a DOT helmet. However, if you need things like snow pants or coat, goggles, gloves or hat, you can rent these for a small additional rate.
3. Zephyr Cove Snowmobiles
“Tours that offer the best of the forest and some of the best views of Lake Tahoe.”
Zephyr Cove Snowmobiles Details
- Length – 2 Hours
- Guest Reviews – 4/5 Stars
- Highlights – Located at the Zephyr Cove Resort, private tours, clothing rentals
- Includes – Guide, newer snowmobiles, helmet
- Check prices & availability here
If you want to have a great snowmobile tour that gives you the best of the mountains and the beauty of Lake Tahoe, then you will want to reserve a spot with Zephyr Cove Snowmobiles. This snowmobile tour company is known for providing its clients with access to breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe.
Your tour with Zephyr Cove Snowmobiles will start at Zephyr Cove Resort. From here you will head out with your experienced tour guide. Zephyr Cove provides shuttles to and from other resorts if you are not staying at Zephyr Cove.
There are two tours available from Zephyr Cove snowmobiles. The Lake View tour is perfect for beginners and those that just want a more scenic adventure. This 2-hour tour is the perfect length for families and kids. The Ultimate Experience snowmobile tour gives you more time on the snowmobile, and is recommended for intermediate to experienced riders.
4. Coldstream Adventures
“Skip the crowds and enjoy a small group tour outside of Lake Tahoe.”
Coldstream Adventures Details
- Length – 2 Hours
- Guest Reviews – 4.9/5 Stars
- Highlights – Lower rates, small private tours, shorter tours available
- Includes – Guide, double passenger snowmobiles, helmet
- Check prices & availability here
If you are one of the many people that want to enjoy the adventures of winter in Lake Tahoe, but would rather skip the crowds, then Coldstream Adventures is your pick. This smaller snowmobile guide company operates outside of Lake Tahoe in Truckee, CA. They utilize trails and roads in Coldstream Canyon, which is away from the crowds of Tahoe.
Coldstream Adventures has a unique offering in their mid length tour. Instead of two hours, this tour is 1 hour and 20 minutes which is ideal for beginners or families with younger children. They are also one of the few tour companies in Lake Tahoe that offer private tours for small groups. Their private tours can be booked for as few as four people.
Coldstream Adventures also has some of the lower tour rates in the Lake Tahoe area. If you want to enjoy a snowmobile tour, but do not want to spend a ton of money, you will be happy with Coldstream. They even offer a midweek pricing discount, for visitors that skip the weekend and take a tour during the week.
5. Tahoe Family Adventures
“Semi-private tours that are fun for the whole family!”
Tahoe Family Adventures Details
- Length – 1.5 Hours
- Guest Reviews – 4.5/5 Stars
- Highlights – 1.5 hour tours, kid-friendly, customized tours
- Includes – Helmet, snow toys, hot chocolate, guide, instruction
- Check prices & availability here
Tahoe Family Adventures is more than just a snowmobile tour company. It offers a variety of rental products throughout the year. However, their snowmobile tours are some of the most popular in the North Lake Tahoe area, and fill up quickly during peak winter dates.
Snowmobile tours with Tahoe Family Adventures are private and semi-private tours. Their experienced guides customize your tour to fit your skill level, and the sites you want to see. You will wander through the trees, across meadows and to vistas offering views of the Sierra Nevadas and the lake.
If you are touring with younger children (5 years old and up), your tour guide will make sure to pack snow toys and stop in the perfect location where adults can enjoy the views and the kids can safely play in the snow. Warm up on your ride with complimentary hot cocoa.
6. Tahoe Snowmobiles
“Rent a snowmobile and headout on groomed trails around the ski village and Lake Tahoe golf course.”
Tahoe Snowmobiles Details
- Length – 30 Minutes
- Guest Reviews – 4.6/5 Stars
- Highlights – Located near the ski village area, easy flat terrain, 30-minute rentals.
- Includes – Helmet and basic snowmobile operation instructions
- Check prices & availability here
For the visitor to Lake Tahoe that wants to fit in an activity when they are not on the slopes Tahoe Snowmobiles offers the perfect solution. Located at the base of South Tahoe ski area, Tahoe Snowmobiles rents visitors snowmobiles to be used on two different groomed trail systems. This format is ideal if you do not want to commit a full day to snowmobiling, or if you want to try your hand at operating a snowmobile before a longer tour adventure.
Tahoe Snowmobiles provides new snowmobiles, DOT helmets, and access to trails at Stateline and Lake Tahoe Golf Course. Each rental is 30-minutes, which is plenty of time to enjoy the groomed trails at these locations. Rates for rentals are reasonable and there are discounts for mid-week rentals.
When you are done snowmobiling, Tahoe Snowmobiles also offers snow tubing which is another popular activity, especially for your kids.
FAQs About the Best Snowmobile Tours in Lake Tahoe
Now that you know a bit about six of the best snowmobile tour companies in Lake Tahoe, you probably have questions about what to expect when you visit. In this section, we offer you some answers to some frequently asked questions about snowmobiling in Lake Tahoe.
