How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Snowmobile?

Renting a snowmobile can cost anywhere from $200-500 for a full day and from $50-110 per hour. This is a wide range that depends on what company and the area you rent from. 

Hi, I’m Chaz, and I’m a lifelong lover of snowmobiling. I’ve been on many different machines and have been riding for nearly three decades. I have experience renting them in a few locations across North America. 

In this post, I’ll show you some of the factors that influence how much renting a snowmobile can cost and how much you can expect to pay based on these. 

Read on before you rent!

Snowmobile Rental Costs

The average cost of renting a snowmobile can vary depending on where you rent, who you rent from, and the type of machine you want to ride. Let’s break this down so you can have a general idea of the cheaper and most expensive ends of this range. 

You can expect to pay about $200 for a full-day rental or $50 per hour on the cheap side. Most rental locations or companies will allow you to choose between these two types of rentals.

In my experience, this lower rate can be found at destinations that are a bit off the beaten path or in smaller towns. If you go with a local, Mom & Pop style rental location over a corporate company, you can typically save some money. 

Renting a fairly generic machine and not a high-performance option can also help you keep the cost down. 

You can expect to pay $500 for a full day and $110 or more per hour on the high end. This rate reflects the cost of when you want a top-of-the-line snowmobile or when you are renting from a trendy location in a tourist town or resort. 

Prices can change quite a bit depending on location and company. You can expect to find other options between this range and might even be able to find something cheaper if you have a coupon or local connection. 

Higher prices are usually seen in popular winter sports destinations, such as ski towns and regions well known for having quality snow and plenty of trails or backcountry access. 

If you can get away from the crowds and visit a smaller town, you can expect to find cheaper rentals. 

Renting: Pros and Cons

If you are new to the sport of snowmobiling, you might be wondering why you would rent over buying your own machine. Let’s examine that further. 

Pros to Renting

Renting is going to be cheaper in the short term than purchasing a machine. If you just want to go out and ride a few times a year, this can save you money because you’ll only be paying a few hundred dollars on rental costs each season. 

You also don’t have to worry about maintenance and upkeep when you rent. This takes a lot of worries away and cuts down on your long-term costs as well. A rental sled still might experience maintenance issues when you ride it, but you won’t be personally stuck with the bill. 

Renting can also make traveling to different snowmobile destinations more approachable. Instead of bringing the sleds you own – which can involve driving a trailer for long distances, you can fly to your destination and then rent. 

Cons to Renting

If you rent more than a few times a year, the costs will add up quickly. This could eventually surpass a used snowmobile cost, especially if you rent for full days or get higher-performance options. 

You are also limited by the duration and location of a rental. This can cut down on your freedom to explore a specific area or go out on the trails when conditions are just right. Rentals always have a time limit, and typically you have to stay in a particular area when you ride. 

Another con to renting is that you won’t always have options to ride your choice machine. While this probably won’t be an issue for the average rider, more experienced snowmobilers might have a preference for what type of engine or brand of sled they want. 

What’s Included With a Snowmobile Rental?

Rental fees will include more than just the use of a snowmobile. There also might be additional fees associated with ‘extras’ that will increase the rate. Before you agree to rent, check with the company about the following. 

Trail Fees – Usually, this is included, but sometimes a company will add trail fees to the rental cost. 

Gas –  The gas cost is sometimes included in the rental fee, and sometimes it isn’t. If you have a full-day rental, you might use up more than a single tank of gas. Ask about fuel costs before renting. 

Insurance – You should always ride with some form of insurance, whether provided by the company or through your provider. This is another cost that may or may not be included in a basic rental. 

Extras – There can be extra fees included in the final cost. Taxes can be expected. If you want to use a helmet, coat, or any other piece of equipment, you can expect to pay extra for that. 

FAQs

Here are some quick answers to a few common questions about snowmobile rentals. 

How much does snowmobiling cost?

Renting a snowmobile will cost you $200-500 for a full day or around $50-110 per hour. Check out the factors in the sections above to learn more about this price range. 

How much does it cost to rent a snowmobile in Colorado?

Colorado can be an expensive place to rent a snowmobile, so you can expect prices on the upper end of the range mentioned above. If you rent from a ski resort town, the average cost is $350-450 for a full-day 8-hour rental.  

How much is it to rent a snowmobile in Old Forge? 

Old Forge, New York, is a popular snowmobiling location in the Northeast. Renting here is a little cheaper than in the Western US. A rental costs around $250 per day here. 

The Final Bill

Renting a snowmobile can be a great way to try out the sport for the first time or allow you to go riding when you are in a new location. The costs of renting can add up quickly, especially if you go out for multiple days at a time, so keep that in mind when planning a trip. 

Have you ever rented a snowmobile? How much did you pay? Let us know in the comments below!       

About Chaz Wyland
I’m a snowmobile fanatic. I live for riding and am out on the trails or backcountry as often as possible during the winter months. I was born and raised in the Rocky Mountains and have snowmobiled in dozens of North American locations. When the snow is falling, you’ll find me on a sled.

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