Guided Snowmobiling for the First Time in Tahoe with Kia #SorentoFamily

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Okay so, if you’ve been following us for any length of time, then you know we went snowmobiling last winter in Finland. However, Sean had never been snowmobiling before so, when Kia asked us to join them for a Sorento family winter adventure in Tahoe, we were stoked. First time or not, snowmobiling is the jam! If you are snowmobiling for the first time you can get nervous. Here are a few things to know before you head out, my car of choice, my snowmobiling tips and travel tips below.

Snowmobiling for the First Time – Things to Know

In my opinion, the most important thing to know about snowmobiling for the first time is that you can get hurt however, it’s really hard to do if you’re trailing a guide. Snowmobiles are wide and made to withstand impact so you can take bumps. Still, it’s smart to always be on the safe side of a moving vehicle and it does require some skill and physical strength.

1. Be sure you are dressed for the wind chill. Where there’s snow there’s chill and when you’re moving 40mph it’s even more cold. Make sure you plan your gear for expected (and unexpected) temperatures.
2. Use a GoPro to catch all the footage (rather than trying to hold your cell). There are many talents which can be performed on a snowmobile. Holding your cell phone while driving with one hand is not one of them.
3. Get ready to react. I, unfortunately, learned this one on my own. While you may be able to react quickly in a car should a situation arise, don’t expect to be as sharp when reacting on a snowmobile. We don’t have the same muscle memory when we’re operating a snowmobile for the first time. Or even a second or third time for that matter. Make sure you are overly familiar with where the gas and brake are.
4. Wear warm gloves that fit. Another thing I learned the hard way. If your gloves are even a little bit too big, you can slip when trying to clench the brake and end up bumping into something or someone.
5. Be sure to use the restroom before your trip. When you’re up in the mountains like we were in Tahoe, there’s little in the way of restrooms. Make sure you go at the trail base before you head out.
6. Call ahead to ask what the midpoint vista view will look like. I wish we had done this, and now I know which is why I’m sharing it with you. When you’re in the thick of it all, it’s really hard to flesh out photo composition. If you call ahead and ask if there are photos of the view, you can take your time in planning out that epic family photo.