Snowmobiles: Ticket to the back-country

THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY around Bear Valley is easily accessible by snowmobile. Greg and Sandy Price (left photo, with son Brandon,3) send riders of all abilities onto the high-country trails. (Amy Alonzo/Union Democrat).

By JOSETTE BELARMINO

The Union Democrat

Most area residents recognize how lucky they are to live in such a beautiful area as the Mother Lode.

From rolling foothills to the Sierra Nevada, there are nearly boundless areas in which they can explore.

Except, perhaps, when winter storms roll in and exploration stops at the 6,000-foot elevation, where we only "discover" what is visible from our cars or a ski lift.

That is where a snowmobile comes in handy.

"It's easier than riding a bike," said Sandy Price, owner of Bear Valley Snowmobile in Bear Valley, about 30 miles east of Arnold on Highway 4. "There is no clutch, just a throttle and brake. I send beginners on the trail ... it's that simple."

A snowmobile is a vehicle propelled by a track at the rear. It has skis in front for steering and is made to run on ice or snow.

Two years ago Angels Camp residents Greg and Sandy Price purchased the 40-year old business, of which they are the fifth owners.

"We got married on a snowmobile!" said Greg, noting that the year-round business offers rentals, sales, service and storage.

"It was already a well-established business ... and it has been a great learning process," said Sandy, who claims neither she or Greg knew much about snowmobiles when they started. "Our first year was a crash course, and we found a great snowmobile technician, Sean Darby, who services the machines along with Greg."

Their business also is the only place in California where one can rent a snowmobile without a guide, and the Prices offer more than 80 miles of trail near Lake Alpine, Spicer Reservoir and the surrounding Bear Valley community.

"A lot of times people come here and are very tense or reluctant to get on the snowmobile," said Sandy of their customers, most of which are from the Bay Area. "But my favorite part is when they come back and are literally glowing!"

Snowmobiling is a great way to explore back-country terrain without the physical exertion it may take to hike, snowshoe or ski. It's also great for the elderly, the handicapped, or people just tired or sore from a day at the downhill ski resort.

Participants must be 18 years old and have a valid driver's license to ride. Those who have small children or don't want to drive can use the "Kid Karrier," which can be towed in the Bear Valley subdivision.

The store also sells all the gear imaginable for a fun day in the snow.

"We carry anything you can think of ... from parts, clothing, to helmets," said Sandy.

Only one foot of snow needs to be on the ground for snowmobiling to be possible, which can make for a nice long season compared to the other snow sports offered in the area.

Currently the company is trying to transition all its machines from two-stroke gasoline engines to four-stroke, which are much quieter, burn less oil, are more environmentally friendly, and get about 35 miles per gallon.

About 30 percent of the machines are now two-stroke, and the Prices plan on having them all four-stoke in the next three to four years.

"Since all the residents that live in the Bear Valley Village need to use snowmobiles to get to their homes, it's nice to have a much quieter machine to cut down on the noise," said Greg, who says he has room for about 300 snowmobiles in his storage area.

Snowmobiles were first patented in the United States by Ray H. Muscott in 1916. Currently, the machines that Bear Valley snowmobiles sell, mostly the Ski-Doo brand, can travel up to 135 miles per hour.

"Everyone has a good time, and a lot of my renters end up coming up with their own private sleds eventually," said Gy Thomson, third-year snowmobile guide for the company.

He's currently breaking in his new machine — a 2008, 800 Summit XP.

"It's 50 pounds lighter than the last model and maneuvers and handles great," Thomson said. "It's a beautiful machine."

Bear Valley Snowmobile also offers guided tours for beginners or adventurers who want an expert's advice about the area.

"You would be surprised how many locals have never come up and done it," said Sandy, who tries to encourage riders by offering area residents half-price rentals from Tuesday through Thursday (non-holidays). "They should really get up here and appreciate what is in their backyard."

Costs of renting can vary depending on the terrain. For the Lake Alpine trail it's $129 for two hours, $199 for four hours and $239 for six hours with a two-machine minimum.

For the Spicer Reservoir trail it's $129 for a maximum of two hours with a two-machine minimum. For the Bear Valley Village area it's $49 for a half-hour and $89 dollars for an hour.

For more information, visit www.bvsnowmobile.com or call 209-753-2323.