Mastering the machine

For thrill-seekers who play on pavement, winter can pretty much grind things to a halt with the plummeting mercury and questionable traction issues that come with the season.

In fact, the winter weather changes things so much for some athletes that their No. 1 and 2 winter sports accessories are sports DVDs and storage hooks.

That doesn’t have to be the case, according to the Selkirk Powder Company at Sandpoint’s Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

Selkirk’s snowmobiling experts have come up with an introduction to the basics of snowmobiling that’ll have beginners up and running in mere hours and avoid that first off-putting lesson on your buddy’s uncle’s spare machine.

While the powder company is best known for its back-country skiing and snowboarding opportunities, its snowmobiling tours are aimed at getting out that un-tapped adventure seeker in us all – even if it is just for one day.

“We provide all the equipment and safety necessary in order to participate for a first-timer,” said Ken Barrett, chief guide at Selkirk. “We give the new riders the chance to gauge their own adeptness in the woods and have a good idea of where to go, so their first time is an enjoyable one.”

Over the past five years, a bevy of local and international visitors have enlisted the services of Selkirk’s team of snowmobile guides to cover Schweitzer’s abundant trail network, from the greenest of newbies to the most seasoned veteran.

“I would say about 95 percent of our clients are first-timers, though,” Barrett said.

Tours begin with a ride on the Great Escape chairlift to the mountain summit, where guests are briefed on the safe and proper function of the Arctic Cat four-stroke snowmobiles, which the company uses because of ease of use, comfort and quiet operation, Barrett said. Selkirk also offers optional gear rental, including boots and snowmobile suits.

Once up to speed on how to handle their machine, individuals and groups have miles of groomed trails ahead of them on their two-hour-plus tour.

“Some people come in a little timid, and they’re not very comfortable and pretty much just crawl at first,” Barrett said of some of his newbie clients. “By the time they come back, though, they’re grinning from ear to ear!”

The trails and groomed roads that cover a great deal of Schweitzer Mountain teach riders the basics of snowmobiling. To a newcomer, Barrett said this knowledge is absolutely essential when considering getting into snowmobiling.

“It gives them a chance to understand and have the experience they need to understand all the gear and skills they’ll need,” said the five-year veteran guide. “When they go into a dealer to look at a new sled or to start getting into the sport, they’ll have hands-on time with what they’re looking at, and they’ll know the importance of warm boots or a balaclava (hat) and all the other accoutrements that go along with it.”

Selkirk Powder Company offers two snowmobile tours per day throughout the winter. The company recommends making reservations 72 hours in advance, especially when a full winter gear kit is required, but can accommodate as little as 24 hours notice, Barrett said.

Passengers as young as 5 can ride, but drivers must have a valid driver’s license or permit to operate a machine.