I was thinking about turning my passion into a carreer. I have been snowmobiling since the beggining of (my) time. I know the mountains in Montana well. I also know my way around snowmobiles and the industry. I can repair them, tune them, and all my friends call me to help get broke down sleds out of sticky backcountry situations. I would also go as far to say that I could teach someone to ride or ride better as they do with technical riding clinics.
As of now, I do not offer a guide service but am merely testing the waters. I know that my local community will not provide me with these opportunities so I wanted to check SnoWest as many of you come to Montana on Winter Vacation. Would there be enough interest to make a full time seasonal career out of this and still have a day or two for myself? I would need to make myself available all week and that would mean quitting my current job. This being said, would anyone be willing to pre-arrange this service? Obviously client base will come with time, reputation, and word of mouth. Is there anything I could do to kick this off to a great start?
The areas I would like to guide would be in the Little Belt Mountains, Snowy Mountains, Lincoln area, Top of the World/Beartooth Pass/Cooke City and around West Yellowstone and about anywhere in between these areas and my hometown of Lewistown. I would also consider guiding in the Crazies for the right customers and price. My skills on a snowmobile are well honed and I would be able to make recommendations on an area that would fit any skill level.
I am also curious as where to price this kind of service. What are fellow SnoWest members willing to pay for an enhanced experience? I would like to keep prices affordable but if they are too cheap, people won't have faith in me. Same goes for out pricing what people can and will pay. Assuming there are at least 60 days available and up to 120+ in extended seasons with some that would not have bookings, would $100/person/day be reasonable? Or would it be better to go somewheres around $500/day/group? I know that wouldn't make a living without a summer job but with 60 solid booked, 4 client days, I think it would be a good start.
Are any licenses, certifications, or insurance required to guide snowmobile adventures in Montana? I realize that there are a couple classes and certifications that would make a guide more desirable. Guess I'd probably need to figure out how to open it as a business as I'm sure the government wants their share of it. Or can I just start guiding as people show interest?
Please reply if you have done something similar to this OR if you would be interested in booking an adventure assuming the business could succesfully be started. Thank you.
As of now, I do not offer a guide service but am merely testing the waters. I know that my local community will not provide me with these opportunities so I wanted to check SnoWest as many of you come to Montana on Winter Vacation. Would there be enough interest to make a full time seasonal career out of this and still have a day or two for myself? I would need to make myself available all week and that would mean quitting my current job. This being said, would anyone be willing to pre-arrange this service? Obviously client base will come with time, reputation, and word of mouth. Is there anything I could do to kick this off to a great start?
The areas I would like to guide would be in the Little Belt Mountains, Snowy Mountains, Lincoln area, Top of the World/Beartooth Pass/Cooke City and around West Yellowstone and about anywhere in between these areas and my hometown of Lewistown. I would also consider guiding in the Crazies for the right customers and price. My skills on a snowmobile are well honed and I would be able to make recommendations on an area that would fit any skill level.
I am also curious as where to price this kind of service. What are fellow SnoWest members willing to pay for an enhanced experience? I would like to keep prices affordable but if they are too cheap, people won't have faith in me. Same goes for out pricing what people can and will pay. Assuming there are at least 60 days available and up to 120+ in extended seasons with some that would not have bookings, would $100/person/day be reasonable? Or would it be better to go somewheres around $500/day/group? I know that wouldn't make a living without a summer job but with 60 solid booked, 4 client days, I think it would be a good start.
Are any licenses, certifications, or insurance required to guide snowmobile adventures in Montana? I realize that there are a couple classes and certifications that would make a guide more desirable. Guess I'd probably need to figure out how to open it as a business as I'm sure the government wants their share of it. Or can I just start guiding as people show interest?
Please reply if you have done something similar to this OR if you would be interested in booking an adventure assuming the business could succesfully be started. Thank you.
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