Arizona

Arizona is in the same category as Alaska: there is no extensive groomed trail system in the state and all snowmobiling is backcountry riding on forest service roads and cross country riding.

So Arizona might be in the same category but it's not in the same league as Alaska. The Grand Canyon state's riding areas are much smaller and more confined, limited to the higher reaches of Arizona's most mountainous regions.

But you can snowmobile in the state and, as you can imagine, there are very few crowds you have to share the snow with.

The mountains where you can snowmobile dissect Arizona from northwest to southeast.

This swath of mountains is about 250 miles or so from one end to the other.

Some of the most popular snowmobiling areas in Arizona include around Mormon Lake, which is south and a little east of Flagstaff, as well as the White Mountains over near Pinetop, Show Low and Lakeside. Still another fairly popular area is Hannigan Meadows, near Alpine.

The season is shorter in Arizona compared to other western states, with the best riding being in January and February.

Good sources of information for snowmobiling in Arizona include the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau and the national forest offices scattered throughout the state.