Winter Sports: Skiing, Snowmobiling, Sled Dog races

ALPINE SKIING: White Pine Ski Resort offers alpine skiing and snowboarding during the winter season. They are located ten miles east of Pinedale in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The ski area is accessed off of the paved Skyline Drive which is plowed during the winter season. There is plenty of parking at the resort. The White Pine Lodge offers a warm place to rest with a view of the lifts and runs, food services, and restrooms. See www.whitepinewyoming.com or call 307-367-6606 for their schedule and activities. Cabin lodging for large groups is available adjacent to the ski hill (contact White Pine for reservation information.) Additional lodging and food services are available in Pinedale.

CROSS-COUNTRY/NORDIC SKIING: Groomed Nordic cross-country ski trails are available near the White Pine ski area and that vicinity. Cross-country ski trails are also available at the CCC Ponds walking path and at the Pinedale Golf Course, as weather/snow conditions allow. Grooming is done by the Sublette County Recreation Board. Road plowing is done by Sublette County Maintenance.

SNOWMOBILING 

Snowmobiling season typically runs from mid-December until April. The Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail goes right through Pinedale, where complete services from lodging, dining, repairs, and fuel are available. The Wind River Mountains have an extensive trail system with more than 250 miles of groomed and marked trails. The Upper Green River Area is a popular riding area with uncrowded trails and beautiful scenery. Because of the high location on the Continental Divide, sometimes more than 13,000 feet, snow depths range from 5 -10 feet. The Wyoming Range has more than 330 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and thousands of acres of off-trail riding areas. Snowmachine and trailer rentals are available in Pinedale.

Local Snowmobile ClubThe Pinedale Snow Explorers schedule several annual events, including the Membership Meeting in November, the One Lunger Snowmachine Race at the Cora Track in February, a steak-fry get-together with the Dubois Sno-Katers, and a spring Ladies' Ride.

Daily Backcountry Avalanche Hazard Web Site

VisitPinedale.org Pinedale area visitor information

The snowmobiling season runs from early December through mid-April. The lakes generally are frozen by Christmas. January through mid-April is generally considered to be the best time. Temperatures at this time of year usually range from lows near zero to daytime highs in the mid-twenties. Most days are sunny. The terrain is quite variable, ranging from flat to gently rolling sagebrush prairie to very rugged forested mountains. The elevation in Pinedale is 7,175', but many trails are over 10,000'. Snowmobiles and equipment can be rented in town, and the local outfitters offer many different guided trips. Visit the Chamber of Commerce website and Membership Directory and our Business page for local businesses offering these services and lodging information.

The Continental Divide Snowmobile TrailPinedale is a major access point on the Wyoming Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail, a system incorporating private, state, National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands. This unique and extensive trail system provides more than 400 miles of continuous riding from South Pass to Yellowstone National Park. The trails provide access to the towns of Lander, Dubois, and Jackson, as well as to Pinedale, where you can ride your machine directly to lodging and restaurants. The Wyoming Mountain Range also offers spectacular riding and wildlife viewing. Just 20 miles from Big Piney, the trail system includes North Piney Lake and Cottonwood.

CDT- Lander to Pinedale
This portion of the Trail is approximately 102 miles long and passes through a variety of terrain. You'll see high mountains with scenic views and visibilities up to 150 miles at times. Dense forest trails with snow-covered trees take riders from one huge open play area to another with 6-8 feet of snow depth. The longest stretch between fuel stops is from the Lander trailheads to Boulder, Wyoming, a distance of about 90 miles. It is another 12 miles to Pinedale from Boulder along the Hwy 191 right of way. Low snow conditions are possible in this stretch. Snowmobiling is allowed in Pinedale with the restriction that you can cross Pine Street (Hwy 191) but cannot ride down this street. Snowmachines are allowed on the other town streets in the driving lane and must obey the same laws as other motorized vehicles. The snowmachines must driven by a licensed driver wearing a helmet, and the snowmachine must be registered and stickered.) All services, gas, food, lodging, rentals and guides, can be found in Pinedale.

CDT- From Pinedale northFrom Pinedale north to the Upper Green River Trailhead, about 30 miles, the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail runs along the highway right-of-way. This is some of the most scenic country in the West. There are miles of open country with mountains in view everywhere. The snow in the higher elevations can be 6 - 8 feet deep. Services can be found in Pinedale and close to the Upper Green River Trailhead. The Pinedale area includes 185 miles of the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail system. Click here for a closer view of a map showing the Upper Green River trail system. The Green River Guest Ranch/The Place is OPEN on the Continental Divide Trail between Pinedale and Union Pass. Restaurant, cabin rentals and other services for snowmobilers are available!

CDT- Dubois area The Dubois area boasts scenic riding along the 127 miles of of the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail system and thousands of acres of off-trail riding. Snow conditions are good with a snow depth of from 1 - 10 feet, and this area has one of the longest seasons. All services can be found in Dubois, including gas, food, lodging, rentals, and guides.

CDT- Gros Ventre area This area has approximately 70 miles of groomed trail and is located just east of the Tetons. There is easy access to the Togwotee, Dubois and Pinedale areas from Jackson. Parking is located at Lower Slide Lake, about 20 miles from Jackson. Snowmobiling is restricted to the trail in most places because this is a very sensitive wildlife area. Snowmobilers are asked to note and obey restrictions as posted on the trail. This stretch has spectacular views of the Tetons and the possibility of seeing elk, moose, deer, mountain sheep, coyotes and bobcats. The lower end of the trail can experience low snow conditions. At higher elevations it can reach 5 feet.

Wyoming Range Trails

Some of the world's most scenic snowmobiling goes on right here within the Wind River and Wyoming Mountain Ranges. You can leave right from town and explore the area's vast trail network, or trailer your machine to the Horse Creek, Irish Canyon, Green River, Big Piney, Big Sandy or Cottonwood Creek areas for miles of open riding. These groomed trails around the Upper Green River make up one of the most popular systems. This network lets you travel all the way to Jackson and Dubois. You can explore snow-covered meadows, play on the hills along the way, and watch the wildlife! The Wyoming Range also offers over 330 miles of groomed and ungroomed marked trails that connect Alpine to Afton to 15 miles north of LaBarge and Kemmerer. Miles of open powder are also available.