As I promised, below are some great snowmobile adventure ideas for Central to Southern Idaho and West Yellowstone, Montana. 

Mc Call, Idaho

Bear Creek Lodge just outside Mc Call is a perfect base for a snowmobile weekend.  Not only are the accomodations inviting, offering cabins and lodge rooms with riding right from your door, but one of the areas largest parking lots is right across the street if you choose to bring your own sleds.   A popular ride is a full day trip to the crystal clear hot pools of Burgdorf Hotsprings and the ghost town of Warren.  Burgdorf is not your typical hot springs..it is rustic and accessible only by snowmobile in the winter.  Enjoy the 6×6 ft. 113 degree spring box pool or the 50×85 ft. main pool, usually around 100 degrees.   Caretakers onsite will rent towels and suits if you need and there is fuel and food available as well as cabins for rent.  Continuing on, you can visit the historic gold mining  town of Warren.   Enjoy dinner and drinks and cozying up to the big wood stove at The Winter’s Inn before heading back to Bear Creek Lodge for the night.   Sounds like an extremely enjoyable day with perfect powder and gorgeous mountain scenery.

Cascade, Idaho

The Ashley Inn offers guests first class accomodations with a fireplace in every room, bountiful breakfast each morning and a heated indoor pool and whirlpool.  What a fantastic place to base your snowmobile adventure to Wellington Snow Park, just 18 miles south of Cascade.  The snowpark offers 400 miles of trails, including 250 that are groomed including  The Winter Wonderland Trail offering scenic views at over 7,900 feet.  Cozy up to the huge fireplace usually roaring in the parks warming hut  at  the end of your ride or enjoy a delicious meal at the Cougar Mountain Lodge located just across the steet.  Snowmobilers have access to the towns of Cascade, Mc Call, Ola, Stanley, Warm Lake and Garden Valley from this trail system.

Island Park, Idaho

Famous for the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River and it’s world class fly fishing, Island Park in the winter is magical.  Just west of Yellowstone National Park are the world famous loop snowmobile trails of the Island Park area. Over 400+ miles of groomed trails on private and public land through the Targhee National Forest. Forested trails connect with the West Yellowstone trail system to provide access to mountains more than 8,000-feet high. Renowned Two Top Mountain is here with select hillclimbing and powder bowls. Popular stops include Big Springs, which is the headwaters of the Henrys Fork of the Snake River and Mesa Falls, on the southern end of Island Park.  Places like the Angler’s Lodge offer “Bed & Sled” packages during the winter months to entice snowmobile enthusiasts to stay and play awhile.  After a day exploring Idaho’s perfect  powder, relax with dinner at Island Parks finest restaurant followed by a soak in the  community hot tub or your own private jacuzzi.

West Yellowstone, MT

The 21st annual Snowmobile Expo is being held in West Yellowstone, Montana  the 11-13th of March, 2011.  EXPO is recognized worldwide as the “Largest Snowmobile Event in the West.”  Arctic Cat, Polaris, Skidoo and Yamaha will unveil their new 2012 snowmobile lines for the first time to the public at the same location. This year combines annual favorite racing events with competitions including ATV racing, freestyle aerials, and a Toughman Enduro Race.

Contact Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at TMI Tours for rates, packages and information on attending this wild event at West Yellowstone or on any of our great snowmobile destinations in the Pacific Northwest.   TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene at 1-800-975-777 or info@tmitours.com

TMI Tours is excited to announce new adventure packages to Glacier National Park for the summer of 2011.   Modeled after the Great Lodges of Glacier Tours, these adventure packages are for guests that want to spend more time hiking and exploring Glacier National Park.

Iceberg Lake

The first night will begin at Glacier Park Lodge with a welcome BBQ and narrative around the campfire with a Blackfeet Tribal member.  The following morning, guests will board the vintage Red Buses for a tour of Glacier’s East Side before a guided hike to spectacular Iceberg Lake and overnight at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.  The next morning, guests board the Red Buses and sightsee on the way  to the Many Glacier Hotel.  A guided hike to Grinnell Glacier will take you along the shores of several mountain lakes and a chance to stand on an actual glacier in the heart of the Park.  Day 4 is dedicated to the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road on the Red Buses,  a hike along the Highline Trail  and the next two nights at Lake Mc Donald Lodge & Cabins on  Glacier’s West Side.  Your last day in the Park will include a 2-hour Fly Fishing lesson and 1/2 day Whitewater trip as well as a farewell dinner.

These packages are offered from mid-July through the first week of September and are limited to 24 people per group.  Fully escorted and inclusive of hiking  guides, most meals, accomodations in the Park and transportation via convertible, vintage Red Buses, they are the best possible way to enjoy Glacier National Park.

Contact Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at TMI Tours of Coeur dAlene and reserve your adventure vacation package today to experience the best of Glacier National Park 2011.  1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

Cruising the beautiful lakes of California, Arizona and Nevada aboard your own personal houseboat is a unique vacation choice.  Modern houseboat rentals are luxurious, offering comforts only dreamed about a few year ago.  Todays houseboats offer private accomodations, fully equipt kitchens and living areas, and sun-decks with BBQ,  wet bar and water slide.  

Below are a few of our favorite locations for you to enjoy the fun and adventure of a houseboat vacation.  With a wide variety of modern houseboats to choose from at each location, your biggest decision will be  where to start first.

Lake Oroville is Northern California’s largest state reservoir. Lake Oroville is the cornerstone of Lake Oroville State Recreation Area and is conveniently located on the Feather River, about 75 miles north of Sacramento, in the chaparral oak-pine belt of northern mother lode country.  Lake Oroville Marina has endless opportunities to enjoy the uncrowded atmosphere. Soak up the sun while reading a book on your California houseboat rental and cool off by sliding down the waterslide into the lake. The calm waters are ideal for swimming, waterskiing or snorkeling. Cruise the waters or park along shore to enjoy some great lakeside hiking or camping.

Don Pedro Lake – a recreational gem in the Sierra Nevada foothills of the Stanislaus National Forest, near the communities of Moccasin and La Grange, and bordering the northwestern corner of Yosemite National Park. Here you’ll find nearly 160 miles of shoreline, excellent fishing and seemingly endless opportunity for water sports and fun.  Don Pedro Lake is actually the 5th largest man-made lake in California with over 2.3 million acre feet of water. Surrounded by rolling hills and oak trees, this beautiful reservoir is situated in a canyon carved out by the Tuolumne river. Several tributaries drain directly into Don Pedro Lake allowing the water levels to remain high and the comfortably warm summer water temperatures.

Trinity Lake is  one of Northern California’s favorite houseboating playgrounds. Here you’ve got miles of tree-lined shores to explore and countless secluded coves perfect for claiming as your own houseboat base camp. Trinity boasts unparalleled water sports opportunity – from world-class trout and bass fishing, to miles of smooth blue water perfect for boating, skiing and boarding. Accommodations range from lakeside cabin rentals, nearby RV parks and campgrounds, and nearly 147 miles of shoreline for camping and anchoring private and rental boats.

Cottonwood Cove Resort and Marina on Lake Mohave is one of the best kept secrets in Nevada. We’re conveniently located on the Colorado river, just a short drive from Laughlin, NV and Bullhead City, AZ. We’re also part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, administered by the National Park Service.  This pristine desert lake is approximately 67 miles long and is backed up by Davis Dam on the Colorado River. Lake Mohave is always full and the sparkling calm waters are legendary. Enjoy spectacular scenery, endless beach opportunities, sheer walls, and fascinating canyons along the way hosting names like Black Canyon, Pyramid Canyon, Painted Canyon and Eldorado Canyon.

Antelope Point is the  newest marina on beautiful Lake Powell, located just 12 miles from Page, Arizona.  Antelope Point  offers both convenience and brand-new upscale services catering to long-time Powell boaters and newcomers alike.  The marina  is anchored in the Lake’s main channel at mile marker 5, just a few minutes boat ride from the Glen  Canyon Dam and nearby Wahweap Marina. Antelope is the closest land-based marina to world-famous Rainbow Bridge National Monument – commemorating 100 years in 2009, and adjacent to popular Antelope and Navajo canyons. Like the other marinas on Lake Powell, Antelope Point is administered by the National Park Service. The Point however is located within the Federal Reservation of the Navajo Nation. You can see the native influence in the unique design and engineering of the marina facility – one of the largest of its type in the world.

Lake Mead offers 550 miles of pristine shoreline, soaring red rock cliffs, countless bays and beaches, and a convenient location within an hour of the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas.  Few places can beat the recreation opportunities that await you on Lake Mead.  Few places on earth match the raw, natural beauty of Lake Mead. Whether your idea of the perfect vacation is getting up at dawn to greet the sunrise with a cup of coffee or a waterski run on glass-like water. Or maybe it’s just relaxing on the top deck of a houseboat with friends and enjoying the glow of the sunset.

TMI Tours of Coeur d”Alene, Idaho  will customize a unique and exciting houseboat vacation for you from anywhere in the world.  For information and arrangements, contact Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.com and let us handle all the details.

If you have attempted to make reservations to stay within Glacier National Park this summer, you know that almost every lodge is sold out for the summer 2010.   Glacier National Park is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary and with a limited number of hotel rooms located within the Park, availability is  a scattered few dates here and there.   It is still possible to enjoy a vacation to Glacier this summer and experience the history and ambiance of the great lodges of Glacier National Park with all inclusive, escorted tours operating throughout the summer 2010. 

These 5 night/6 day tours include overnight stays at the Glacier Park Lodge, The Prince of Wales Hotel, the Many Glacier Hotel  and Lake Mc Donald Lodge.  This tour is fully escorted and all transportation within the park will be aboard the vintage Red Buses.  Highlights include boat cruises of Two Medicine Lake & Swiftcurrent Lake, a Blackfeet Cultural History Tour,  escorted sightseeing hikes, afternoon tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel, a musical evening with singer/songwriter David Walburn,  an authentic western cowboy cookout and well as two other dinners and breakfast each morning.

Space is very limited for June, August and September departure dates.  Call or email Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at TMI Tours  for detailed itineraries and current availability.  Bring your family and explore Glacier National Park during the 100th anniversary this summer, staying at the historic, beautiful lodges within the park. Contact TMI Tours of Coeur dAlene, Idaho at 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com.  We are your Glacier National Park specialists.

Visitors to Glacier National Park that are interested in the surrounding Native American culture can take advantage of an inspirational tour operating with four departure dates from the end of June through mid-August.  This all-inclusive 6 night/7 day tour explores Northern Plains Indian culture during a scenic excursion through the beautiful Rocky Mountains.  You’ll visit Blackfeet, Northern Piegan, Blood and Kootenai-Salish communities in the U.S. and Canada.  Along the way you’ll attend a powwow, visit historical tipi encampments, sun dance sites, pishkuns and the World Heritage Site of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.  The Rocky Mountain landscape shaped the Blackfeet communication about travel, natural resources, creating and moral direction.  You’ll create your own impressions as you walk, river raft and explore the magnificent land that has influenced human culture across time.

Wildlife in Glacier National Park

Participants will gain a full perspective of the historical and cultural foundations of contemporary dynamics and subjects in the Indian County.   You will attend North Amerian Indian Days in July or the Heart Butte powwow in August, gatherings full of colorful dancing and drumming.  These are both authentic tribal celebrations, not tourist events.  You will marvel at the scenery of Glacier National Park, enjoy a Class II-III whitewater raft trip on the beautiful Flathead River and enjoy spectacular sightseeing on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.  A visit to Fort McLeod in Alberta, Canada allows for exploration of the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump provincial museum on the Blackfeet Nation homeland reserves.

This tour includes all ground transportation, site fees, guide services, lodging, meals and group activities.  Call Linda or Rhonda at 1-800-975-7775 or email us at info@tmitours.com for departure dates and availability for this distinctive Native American cultural tour.   TMI Tours is your expert for unique travel experience in the Pacific Northwest.