We’ve all been snow wheeling in our rigs; it’s a lot of fun when the powder is deep. In many states, they close our trails to snowmobile access only. So whatcha gonna do? 
May we recommend snowmobiling? Whether you call it snowmachining, sledding, or Ski-dooing, get on that machine and ride.
We don’t have our own sleds, so we arranged a tour with Teton Valley Adventures out of Driggs, Idaho. They are right there on Main Street and have everything you need. We opted for the non-Yellowstone Park option so the sleds we could drive would have a little more power.
Our tour had three families – a couple from the East coast who rode double; a family of four from Utah who also doubled, and then us. We each had our own sled. I haven’t been on a snowmobile for 15+ years, although we frequently rode between Island Park, Idaho, and West Yellowstone, Montana. Rich’s only experience on a sled was in the parking lot at Squaw Valley when he was 12. We are rookies, but that didn’t keep us from completely enjoying the experience.
We toured out to the parking area south of Mesa Falls by van, and while our guide, Jeff Kunz, got the sleds unloaded, we made sure we were geared up. Teton Valley Adventures provides everything you need. Snowsuit, gloves, helmets, boots – the only thing they don’t offer is lunch. So if you show up, like we did, with no gear of your own – trust that they’ve got you covered.
We rode the 6.5 miles up to Lower Mesa Falls, took a few pics, then made our way to Upper Mesa Falls. 
Mesa Falls is beautiful all year long, but in the snow, it was incredible. The Falls are part of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, easily accessible along the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway in the summertime. In the winter, you’ll need a sled or some skis.
From there, we rode north, crossing Highway 20 near Harriman State Park; we followed the trail a little farther to our lunch spot at Ponds Lodge. Dating back to 1923, the original lodge was built by Tud Kent; Charles Pond bought him out in 1925 for $1300, and the entire property was revamped. In 1935, the entire structure was claimed by fire. The lodge was rebuilt the next year and is the same structure that exists today. Ponds Lodge was owned and operated by the Pond family until 1969. Lunch was delicious and hearty. The chicken pot pie was a favorite at our table.
Back on the snowmachines, we crossed back over Hwy 20 and headed toward Big Springs. One of the headwaters of the Snake River, Big Springs, gushes forth 120 million gallons of pure water a day at a constant 52 degrees year round. The Spring is home to many trout and ducks that look to the visitors for a snack. Most throw bread crumbs, but our guide had a secret. To get the fish’s attention, he threw spicy Cheetos; it appeared to be a favorite. Big Spring is also home to the Johnny Sack Cabin and waterwheel. Johnny, who stood 4’11” tall, hand-built the cabin and the furniture over many years. He and his brother arrived in the area in 1909, when he leased the land from the Forest Service for $4.15/year. Johnny never married; he claimed a woman would just put rugs on his hand-hewn floors and drapes on his picture windows. The cabin is open for visits during the summer months.
The last stop on the tour was Warm River, just north of our parking area. Warm River is a popular camping area in the summer, located at the bend where the spring comes out of the mountain; it is picturesque in the winter but too cold for me to want to camp.
All of these places are just on a single tour offered by Teton Valley Adventures; we rode 70 miles on a beautiful bluebird day.
If you’re looking for the Yellowstone Tour, book through TVA; with few exceptions, all trips into Yellowstone National Park during the winter must be guided. The machines used in the park must meet the BAT (Best Available Technology) designation, which requires less than 15 hydrocarbons and 90 carbon monoxide g/kW-hr.
The average non-BAT emits 150 hydrocarbons and 400 CO.
Fun in the snow is available in many formats; we recommend the snowmobile. Even a guided tour gets the wind on your face and the feel of horsepower.
