Grooming and Trail Information
Grooming Update - 1/19/25
Notice: We have had trouble with people with 4-wheel drive vehicles breaching our berms and tearing up our trails. The Forest Service has put up “Closed to Wheeled Motorized Vehicles” signs next to the new berm. If you see or hear about anyone abusing our trails or safety equipment, please let us know at admin@bitterrootrr.org.
Skalkaho Trail
We have groomed the Skalakho trail 5 or 6 time this year and the trail is in pretty good condition at this time. We got about 2" new snow yesterday at the parking lot, 4" at the Falls and 6-8", maybe 10" up top.
There is a logging project on the east side of the pass so we are not grooming beyond Sand Basin. Once the logging project is completed, we will groom to the east gate and close the gate. Lost Horse Trail
Lost Horse has been groomed twice so far. There were big washboards from the bottom to the cabin both times. A small berm has been started at the bottom but we need more snow to build it up. The snow is thin down low and there is about 5ft at the cabin.
Skalkaho-Rye Trail
Skalkaho Rye was groomed twice partway and we had a nice base going on the Skalkaho side until a jeep or small suv tore it up. There were 4 inches of new snow since we groomed the 1st time. The trail is groomed to almost Martin creek. Snowmobile traffic has not been past mosquito meadows yet. There is untracked powder headed to mine road.
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Updated Grooming Schedule
Our grooming scheduled is listed below. The schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions and equipment issues.
Schedule - Skalkaho: Tuesday & Friday - Lost Horse: Wednesday - Skalkaho Rye: Thursday Tracking Feature: We are using Garmin's InReach tracking to track where our groomer has been. Click this URL https://share.garmin.com/CJ75S for a map of our trails and then click on the blue dots to see when the groomer was last at a given point. Grooming DonationsWe hope you’re enjoying the trails!
If so, we ask that you consider making a donation to the Bitterroot Ridge Runners (BRR) Snowmobile Club. BRR is responsible for maintaining BRR trails for all your winter activities. To make a donation, scan the QR code below with your phone and follow the prompts. Your contributions are appreciated. 
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BRR Trails
The Bitterroot Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club (BRR) is located in southwestern Montana in the Bitterroot Valley nestled between the Bitterroot Mountains on the west and the Sapphire Mountains on the east. Our club is responsible for maintaining and grooming 82 miles of trails that are used for a host of winter activities such as snowmobiling, snow-biking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, fat tire biking, hiking, sledding, etc. Listed below are maps of the three trails that the BRR club grooms; Skalkaho Trail, Skalkaho-Rye Trail and Lost Horse Trail.
We have partnered with Trail Treker to provide our maps electronically on your Smartphone. The GPS-enabled map is loaded into the Trail Treker app (one-time $2 purchase) and you will get all three maps free of charge with your paid membership to the BRR. Normally each map is $2, so you are getting a $6 value! By using Trail Treker, you can always see exactly where you are on the map (without cell phone coverage); the entire map is cached on your phone and there is no need for phone or data service while on the trail. You can also record your ride paths, distances, speeds, and points of interest while on the trail.
If you want to check out the maps now, just click on the maps below to download the PDF files.
We have partnered with Trail Treker to provide our maps electronically on your Smartphone. The GPS-enabled map is loaded into the Trail Treker app (one-time $2 purchase) and you will get all three maps free of charge with your paid membership to the BRR. Normally each map is $2, so you are getting a $6 value! By using Trail Treker, you can always see exactly where you are on the map (without cell phone coverage); the entire map is cached on your phone and there is no need for phone or data service while on the trail. You can also record your ride paths, distances, speeds, and points of interest while on the trail.
If you want to check out the maps now, just click on the maps below to download the PDF files.
Sapphire Mountains
Skalkaho Trail - 30 miles
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Skalkaho-Rye Trail - 38 miles
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Bitterroot Mountains
Montana Trail Pass Information
Snowmobiles operating on public land must be registered and display decals placed in a conspicuous space on the left side of the cowling. Registration is different for Montana residents and nonresidents. Montana FWP maintains a complete site with all the rules and regulations (click here).
Residents Registration
Montana residents must register their snowmobiles at the County Treasurer's office in the county where the owner resides. This is a one-time registration and valid until the current owner sells the snowmobile.
Resident Trail Pass
Residents must purchase a Resident Trail Pass to legally ride on any of the 4,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Montana. Trail Passes are valid for two seasons and are $20. Trail Passes apply to all “mechanized equipment” including snowmobiles, motorized snow bikes, and fat tire pedal bikes. Anyone using groomed snowmobile trails for recreation is asked to please contribute and purchase the Trail Pass. The revenues go directly to grooming the trails, purchasing groomers, etc.
Exceptions
Nonresidents
Nonresidents must purchase a Nonresident Winter Trail Pass to legally ride on any of the 4,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Montana. Trail passes are valid for one season and are $35 per machine. Trail Passes apply to all dog sleds and “mechanized equipment” including snowmobiles, motorized snow bikes, and fat tire pedal bikes.
Where to Purchase a Permit or Trail PassTrail Passes are available seasonally from October to April.
Residents Registration
Montana residents must register their snowmobiles at the County Treasurer's office in the county where the owner resides. This is a one-time registration and valid until the current owner sells the snowmobile.
Resident Trail Pass
Residents must purchase a Resident Trail Pass to legally ride on any of the 4,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Montana. Trail Passes are valid for two seasons and are $20. Trail Passes apply to all “mechanized equipment” including snowmobiles, motorized snow bikes, and fat tire pedal bikes. Anyone using groomed snowmobile trails for recreation is asked to please contribute and purchase the Trail Pass. The revenues go directly to grooming the trails, purchasing groomers, etc.
Exceptions
- a person renting a snowmobile registered pursuant to 61-3-321(11)(c), but the person shall carry proof of rental if operating the snowmobile in a snowmobile area that otherwise requires a trail pass pursuant to subsection (1)
- a person participating in a sanctioned dog sled race
- motorized equipment exempt from registration in Montana pursuant to 61-3-321(14)
Nonresidents
Nonresidents must purchase a Nonresident Winter Trail Pass to legally ride on any of the 4,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Montana. Trail passes are valid for one season and are $35 per machine. Trail Passes apply to all dog sleds and “mechanized equipment” including snowmobiles, motorized snow bikes, and fat tire pedal bikes.
Where to Purchase a Permit or Trail PassTrail Passes are available seasonally from October to April.
- Apply Online - You may purchase your Resident Trail Pass or Nonresident Snowmobile Permit through the Online Licensing System.
- Vendor List - You can also purchase a Nonresident Temporary Use Permit or a Resident Trail Pass at any of the vendors in Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming.
Photo Gallery
2022 Photos
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