WELCOME TO
West Yellowstone's oversnow motor-
powered legacy dates back to the
1940s when local innovators used "snow-
planes," wingless two-person vehicles
that slid on skis that
were pushed along
by a rear-mounted
propeller. Snowplanes
replaced dog sleds
and were soon used
to take visitors into
Yellowstone National
Park. The snowmobile
industry was just in
its infancy when rid-
ers began riding the
Two Top Trail and also
entering Yellowstone
in 1963.
With the construc-
tion of a one-mile
oval track just out-
side of town, leafer
fan and free-air
sleds battled in race
events that includ-
ed the 1978 World
Series. Over time, rac-
ing evolved to cross
country races like the
"101," and later, sanc-
tioned snocross. West
Yellowstone was the
birthplace of snowmobile freestyle when
two high schoolers created the first
ramps and stunts.
Beyond the competitors, West
Yellowstone welcomed snowmobilers
looking for hundreds of miles of groomed
trails, backcountry access and legendary
powder. An annual World Snowmobile
Expo was created to celebrate the end
of another season with a blend of racing
and upcoming snowmobile models and
technologies.
Snowmobiling is still the backbone of
West Yellowstone's winter economy.
WEST
YELLOWSTONE,
MONTANA
West
Yellowstone
WINTER
GUIDE
2014-15
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