Idaho BLM land Snowcat use question

Pardon me if it's been covered before on the forum (did some looking but didn't see anything specifically on BLM, more on USFS land).

I just picked up a 3700C LMC in order to help Blizzard Mtn run by the local Lions Club, outside of Arco to have grooming (hopefully they'll be able to ski more of the year now). Most of it is on private land the club has a lease on, but there's a few places where the BLM land goes into where one would be grooming. The BLM in the area has been historically really deferential, but I wanted to ask what the default over the snow vehicle regulation was for non wilderness BLM land. I couldn't really find it through their information either. Thanks so much for the help glad to be around after learning a lot while picking up the snowcat look forward to learning even more now that I've got one!

in Idaho, there are areas designated for over snow vehicles, covers all of idaho, not to be confused OHV, USFS has these maps, the areas are very generous in size, best to stop in the local USFS office grab a map and chat with the local ranger, IMHO, bigger the snow cat, comes the risk of the local ranger having issues, I have all the maps for all the states, that show the areas for over snow vehicles, best to always be a friend and helpful to the local authorities, also the snow mobile sticker is required and there is no other sticker available for over snow vehicles. be a good guy and lead by example, remember, the snow cat owners are not represented in any official capacity and or represented at any decision making body that would affect our use. so, I believe we as a group needs to be aware of what how people see us when out on the snow, it only takes one unhappy person to end everything for us.

Thanks! I found the lost river map but of course it cuts out just above the area I'm looking for, although the area I"m looking for is BLM so I don't know if the USFS map would help. The area I'm looking for is just north of Craters on BLM land and while I could find it on the craters map labeled BLM it didn't say what restrictions or not were on it.


Ordered the sticker and will post the paper in the window when I get it on the snow tomorrow! Thanks for the help and advice on that side of things. Agreed we're all in this together.

One other thing you need to look into, is some areas are restricted for big game wintering. You might need to check with the Idaho Fish and Game. I have some areas near me that do not have any BLM or USFS restrictions for snowcat use, however the F&G has areas where motorized travel is restricted to protect the wildlife in their wintering areas.

Since you are so close to Sun Valley, why don't you bring your cat to the Serenade in March?

GMoose, thanks for the note on F and G I'll look into it! There's only a small area that is BLM, and fortunately MOST of the area we'd be grooming isn't on it.

I'd love to, however it's not really a unit that travels well. (took us most of the day putting the tiller and blade on) which puts it at 14-15 feet wide whereas we transported it long distance with just the tracks on at 12.5'. However I guess it's possible in the future if we got permission or asked people in the area to see if there'd be a place in the Lost River valley to do a cat get together down the road.

Having said all that it worked great and was a blast to groom the hill, and good thing too because without the packing of the snow there's no way they'd have a shot at opening next weekend, while it's not 100% it looks like they will be able to.

call the Idaho falls blm office. (208-524-7500) they will be able to help

idahosnow said:

call the Idaho falls blm office. (208-524-7500) they will be able to help

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Thanks I called them and they were very helpful. For anyone's information in the future, as long as there is no restriction on a map, or any temporary signs on the property Snowcats are allowed according to them anywhere cross country over the snow that snowmobiles are. Which is great news to me, allows us to groom the BLM area and even maybe do some cat skiing!!!!! (and who knows down the road maybe a lost river Cat Clowder)

iceberg210 said:

Thanks I called them and they were very helpful. For anyone's information in the future, as long as there is no restriction on a map, or any temporary signs on the property Snowcats are allowed according to them anywhere cross country over the snow that snowmobiles are. Which is great news to me, allows us to groom the BLM area and even maybe do some cat skiing!!!!! (and who knows down the road maybe a lost river Cat Clowder)

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Thanks for the information.

One caution to keep in mind. Some snowmobile people do not like snowcats, in fact I have to be careful what I do here, ironically, the individual who runs the local snowmobile trail groomer does not think I should be allowed on the trails. I have heard they are trying to get a width restriction, that coming from a 10 or 12 foot wide groomer, my cat is only 8 ft wide. One thing I am doing, especially since I can go any day of the week now, is that I know what days he grooms which trails, so I just don't go there on those days, and he has no idea I am there. I don't need a groomed trail, but they groom all of my access points back into the mountains, I am kind of trapped. I also am friends with some of the snowmobilers and have also joined in one of their events with my Timbersled snowbike, good PR. I also have snowmobile registration stickers on all of my units (3 now) that I take out, plus I put a park and ski permit on my truck. Someday, after I get my 542 cab forward done, I would like to set up a vintage snowcat day with the snowmobile club where people could go for a short ride in one of my cats up by their lodge. Also, I try to stay out of their way, watch corners close so we don't have a head on, always wave (using all fingers), stop and shoot the breeze. Additionally, we have a lot of cross country skiers where I go, so I always stay out of their way and offer rides. 99.9% of the people I come across love the old snowcat, but it only takes one rotten apple to spoil the whole thing.

One other thing, I will be passing my Blizzard Mtn on my way to the Sun Valley Serenade, if you are around I should stop by and say hi, could even off load the Frandee and Tucker and go for a ride.

well said G mOOse, need to be a friend to all