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Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Steamboat Sled Skiing Rentals

Rent a brand-new Polaris trail sled with a ski and snowboard rack, and ride your gear to the snow.

From$386.90/ day + tax

Check Availability → Call (970) 439-1707
  • 5-star rated on Google
  • Avalanche gear included
  • Trailhead delivery available
Rider on a rented Polaris snowmobile with a snowboard strapped to the back, ready to head out from the Steamboat trailhead

Sled Ski Rental Details

Colorado Sled Rentals rents a brand-new Polaris trail sled with a ski and snowboard rack from its Steamboat Springs shop, for 1 to 5 days from $386.90 per day plus tax. Rentals are unguided, stay on groomed trails, and need a tow vehicle, a CSR trailer or trailhead delivery.

Sled & rack
Polaris S4 Voyageur 146 (groomed trails only) • ski or snowboard rack $53, installed before you arrive
Price
1 day $386.90 • 2 days $757.90 • 3 days $1,128.90 • 4 days $1,499.90 • 5 days $1,870.90 (+ tax)
Pickup & return
2151 Downhill Drive, Steamboat Springs • 8 AM–4 PM • evening-before pickup $42.40
Getting to the snow
Not ride-from-shop: tow it, rent a 2, 3 or 4-place CSR trailer, or add $106 delivery to the Columbine Trailhead
Avalanche safety
Sled skiing is unguided backcountry travel. Know avalanche terrain, check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecast, and know how to use your beacon, shovel and probe.
Who can rent
18+ to rent • drivers 16+ with a license or permit • experienced riders who can tow, load and handle basic fixes
Season
December 15 – April 15, weather permitting

How Sled Skiing Works

1
Book your sled & rackPick your dates and add the ski rack, delivery or an airbag pack at checkout.
2
Pick up or meet your sledQuick safety review at our Steamboat shop, then tow it or have it delivered.
3
Ride, ski, repeatRide groomed trails to your stop, ski, and ride back. Return by 4 PM, full of 91 octane.

Sled Skiing on Buffalo Pass

Buffalo Pass, about 15 minutes from downtown Steamboat, is the area's best-known sled skiing zone, with tree skiing in old-growth aspens and glades above a network of snow roads.

Getting There

Most riders start at the Dry Lake Trailhead. Our delivery goes to Columbine in North Routt, so tow your sled to Dry Lake.

Permit & Rules

Every person needs a free Winter Backcountry Permit, picked up at the Dry Lake Trailhead. Snowmobiles stay on designated routes. Questions: Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, (970) 870-2299.

The Terrain

Sled skiers ride a roughly 55-mile network of maintained snow roads and ski back down, from mid-December into spring. onX's Buffalo Pass guide maps 22 zones with avalanche-terrain ratings.

Share the Snow Roads

Steamboat Powdercats runs a permitted snowcat operation here and maintains much of the road system, so expect snowcats on the roads. It's all uncontrolled backcountry: check the CAIC forecast and make your own avalanche call.

Included with every sled ski rental

  • Helmet, safety review & video
  • Avalanche beacon, shovel, probe & radio
  • Backcountry backpack
  • Full tank of gas
  • $1,000 damage cap
  • Local trail maps & tips

Good to know

  • Add-ons: ski & board rack $53, trailhead delivery $106, boots or monosuit $42.40. Ortovox airbag pack $79.50 a day.
  • Bring: your skis or board, boots, goggles, and warm, waterproof layers.
  • Return: by 4 PM, full of 91 octane, or fuel is charged. Late returns are charged.
  • Cancel 10+ days out: full refund. Inside 10 days: full credit, or a full refund with Cancellation Insurance.
  • No snow, no charge: full refund if conditions keep us from operating.

Steamboat Sled Skiing FAQ

How much does sled skiing cost in Steamboat Springs?
A sled ski rental from Colorado Sled Rentals starts at $386.90 per day plus tax for a brand-new Polaris S4 Voyageur 146, with multi-day prices up to $1,870.90 for 5 days. The ski and snowboard rack is a $53 add-on, and tax is added at checkout.
What snowmobile do you rent for sled skiing?
Colorado Sled Rentals rents the Polaris S4 Voyageur 146 for sled skiing. It's a groomed-trail sled, so it must stay on groomed trails, and a rack for skis or a snowboard can be added at checkout.
Where can you go sled skiing near Steamboat Springs?
Buffalo Pass, about 15 minutes from downtown Steamboat, is the most popular sled skiing area, with tree skiing above a roughly 55-mile network of snow roads that start at the Dry Lake Trailhead. Colorado Sled Rentals' sled ski rental is a groomed-trail sled, so ride designated routes and ski from there.
Do you need a permit to sled ski on Buffalo Pass?
Yes. Each person needs a free Winter Backcountry Permit for the Dry Lake/Buffalo Pass area, picked up at the Dry Lake Trailhead. Contact the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District at (970) 870-2299 for current rules.
Do I need a trailer to rent a sled ski snowmobile?
Not if you add delivery. The Steamboat shop is not ride-from, so you can tow with your own vehicle, rent a 2, 3 or 4-place CSR trailer, or add sled delivery to the Columbine Trailhead for $106. For Buffalo Pass, plan to tow to the Dry Lake Trailhead.
Do I need avalanche training to go sled skiing?
Sled ski rentals are unguided, so you're responsible for your own route and avalanche safety. Colorado Sled Rentals includes an avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and radio, and rents Ortovox airbag packs, but you should have avalanche training and check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecast before every trip.
Can I ride the sled ski snowmobile off trail?
No. The Polaris S4 Voyageur is a trail sled, and every renter agrees at checkout to keep it on groomed trails. For deep-powder riding, book a private guided backcountry trip or a mountain performance rental instead.

Other Ways to Ride

Steamboat RentalsEntry-level to mountain performance sleds, 1 to 5 days, from $360.40 per day + tax.See Steamboat → Private Guided BackcountryNo experience or trailer needed. Half or full day, from $439.90 per person + tax.See guided tours → Compare All OptionsGuided or on your own, Steamboat or Kremmling, side by side.Compare options →

Snow report & webcams • CAIC avalanche forecast • Things to do in Steamboat