What to Wear Snowmobiling in Colorado: The Complete Gear Guide

For snowmobiling in Colorado, wear insulated, moisture-wicking base layers, a warm mid-layer, and a waterproof/windproof outer layer, plus waterproof gloves and eye protection. Grand Adventures includes a free DOT-approved helmet with every guided tour and self-guided rental. If you don’t own snow gear, we also offer snowsuit and snow boot rentals, plus goggles, gloves, and face coverings for sale on-site. Whether you’re booking a guided tour along the Continental Divide or heading out on a self-guided rental near Grand Lake or Winter Park, the right gear is the difference between a trip you’ll want to repeat and one where all you can think about is your frozen toes. Here’s exactly what to wear and why.

Why Layering Matters More Than Any Single Piece of Gear

Colorado’s high country can swing 20+ degrees between the trailhead and the top of the Continental Divide, especially once you’re above 11,000 feet. The best defense isn’t one heavy coat — it’s a three-layer system that traps heat, moves sweat away from your skin, and blocks wind and snow.

1. Base Layer (Next to Skin)

Your base layer needs to be warm and moisture-wicking — its job is to trap heat while pulling sweat away from your body, not just keep you warm. Cotton is the enemy here — once it gets damp from sweat, it stays wet and pulls heat away from your body.

– Look for merino wool, polyester, fleece, or other synthetic thermal fabrics
– Top and bottom (long sleeve top, long underwear bottoms)
– Moisture-wicking socks — wool or synthetic blends, never cotton

2. Mid Layer (Insulation)

This is your warmth layer — think fleece or a light insulated jacket. On warmer days you may only need a light fleece; on colder days, add a heavier layer or a puffy vest.

– Fleece pullover or jacket
– Insulated vest (great for regulating core temperature without overheating your arms)

3. Outer Layer (Required, Warm and Waterproof)

This is the layer that actually stops wind, snow, and moisture from reaching everything underneath — it needs to be both warm and fully waterproof, not just water-resistant. A ski or snowboard jacket and snow pants work well if you don’t own snowmobile-specific gear, as long as they meet both of those requirements.

– Waterproof, windproof jacket
– Waterproof snow pants or bibs (bibs help keep snow out and stay put better while you’re riding)

What Grand Adventures Provides vs. What to Bring

One of the most common questions we get from first-time riders is whether they need to buy a bunch of specialized gear before their trip. You don’t.

Included free with every trip:
– A DOT-approved helmet

If you’d rather wear your own, personal helmets are welcome as long as they’re DOT-approved. Ski and snowboard helmets are not permitted on our tours or rentals since they aren’t DOT-rated for motorized use.

Don’t own snow gear? We’ve got you covered on-site:
– Rent: Snowsuits and snow boots are available to rent if you don’t have your own waterproof outerwear or winter boots
– Buy: Goggles, gloves, and face coverings (balaclavas/buffs) are available for purchase on-site if you forget yours or don’t own a pair

You should bring:
– Warm layers
– Waterproof insulated layers, unless you’re renting a snowsuit
– Waterproof gloves — snowmobile-specific or ski gloves both work, just make sure they’re insulated and waterproof
– Goggles — required for eye protection on all tours and rentals; sunglasses are not permitted
– A neck gaiter, scarf, or face mask for wind protection on colder days
– Waterproof winter boots, unless you’re renting a pair from us
– Sunscreen — the sun reflecting off snow at elevation is stronger than most people expect

This applies whether you’re joining one of our guided tours out of Winter Park or Fraser, or heading out on a self-guided rental from Winter Park or Grand Lake. And if you forget or don’t own something, don’t stress — goggles, gloves, and face coverings are available to purchase, and snowsuits and boots are available to rent right at our locations.

A Few Gear Mistakes to Avoid

– Cotton anything. Jeans, cotton hoodies, and cotton socks soak up sweat and snow and stay cold and wet all day.
– Gloves without waterproofing. Gloves are required to be waterproof — your hands are gripping cold handlebars for hours, and this is the single most common spot people get cold.
– Skipping eye protection. Sunglasses aren’t allowed — goggles are required, and skipping them isn’t an option. Between wind, cold, and snow spray, riding without goggles is genuinely unsafe.
– Underestimating the elevation. Grand County trails climb toward the Continental Divide near 12,000 feet, where it’s noticeably colder and windier than the trailhead. Dress for the top of the mountain, not the parking lot.

Required Packing Checklist

Moisture-wicking base layer (top and bottom)
Warm socks (wool or synthetic, not cotton)
Mid-layer fleece or insulated jacket
Waterproof, windproof outer jacket and pants/bibs (or rent a snowsuit from us)
Waterproof insulated gloves (or buy a pair on-site)
Goggles — required, no sunglasses (or buy a pair on-site)
Neck gaiter or face mask (or buy one on-site)
Waterproof winter boots (or rent a pair from us)
Sunscreen

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to buy a snowmobile suit before my trip?
A: No. A ski or snowboard jacket and snow pants work fine as long as they’re waterproof and windproof. If you don’t own winter outerwear at all, Grand Adventures offers snowsuit and snow boot rentals on-site, so there’s no need to buy anything special before your trip.

Q: What if I forget my gloves or goggles?
A: No problem — goggles, gloves, and face coverings like balaclavas and buffs are all available to purchase at our locations.

Q: Can I wear sunglasses instead of goggles?
A: No. Goggles are required for all guided tours and self-guided rentals — sunglasses aren’t permitted. Goggles seal against wind, cold, and blowing snow in a way sunglasses can’t. If you don’t have a pair, goggles are available to purchase at our locations.

Q: Does Grand Adventures provide helmets?
A: Yes, a DOT-approved helmet is included free with every guided tour and self-guided rental. Guided tours provide open-face helmets, while self-guided rentals let you choose between an open-face or moto-style helmet. You’re also welcome to bring your own helmet as long as it’s DOT-approved.

Q: Can I wear my ski or snowboard helmet while snowmobiling?
A: No. Ski and snowboard helmets aren’t DOT-approved for motorized use and aren’t permitted on our tours or rentals. We provide a DOT-approved helmet free of charge, so this isn’t something you need to plan around.

Q: What if I don’t own snow gear at all?
A: Layer with what you have — synthetic athletic wear as a base layer, a warm fleece or jacket as a mid-layer, and the warmest waterproof outer shell you can find. Avoid cotton at all costs.

Q: What temperature should I expect in Winter Park and Grand Lake?
A: Trail temperatures typically range from the teens to the 30s°F depending on the month and time of day, with wind chill making it feel colder at speed and higher elevation.

Ready to hit the trails? Book a guided tour or self-guided rental at one of our Winter Park, Fraser, or Grand Lake locations.