FAQs

What conditions are necessary to operate the snow grooming machines?: Eight to ten inches of snow is necessary to prevent damage to the track systems, and twelve inches of snow is necessary to prevent damage to equipment implements, per manufacturer recommendations.

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Snow Groomer

1. When are the trail barricades installed and removed for the grooming season?: Barricades are installed on December 15th each year per a written agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. Barricades cannot be installed before December 15th. Barricades are installed at the Bunco Rd. parking area, Fernan Saddle, Fourth of July Pass parking area and Hayden Creek. Barricades are removed when grooming operations have ended for the season, which is determined by snow depth at the trailheads and must be no later than April 15th per the agreement.

2. What conditions are necessary to operate the snow grooming machines?: Eight to ten inches of snow is necessary to prevent damage to the track systems, and twelve inches of snow is necessary to prevent damage to equipment implements, per manufacturer recommendations.

3. How is the Snow Groomer program funded?

The Snow Groomer program is funded with a percentage of state snowmobile registration and department salaries are paid by the County using other funding.

4. Where can I park and unload my snowmobile?

- Bunco Road

- 4th of July Pass - Interstate 90

- LOWER Fernan Hill parking area, directly across from the Fernan Gun Range.

5. Who plows Bunco Parking Lot and 4th of July Parking Lot?: The Forest Service owned parking lot at Bunco is plowed by Lakes Highway District as time and resources allow. The parking lot at 4th of July is owned and plowed by Idaho Transportation Department as time and resources allow. LOWER Fernan Hill parking area, directly across from the Fernan Gun Range, is intermittently plowed as time and resources allow.

6. What services does the County Snow Groomer Department provide?: The Snow Groomer department provides groomed snowmobile trails, located in Kootenai County and parts of Shoshone County, in the Coeur d’Alene National Forest. The Snow groomer program does not provide towing and recovery services, road maintenance, plowing, trash removal, or restroom maintenance at facilities owned by the Forest Service.

7. Who determines which Snowmobile trails will be groomed?: The Kootenai County Snow Grooming Department does not select or decide which trails are groomed. Trail grooming routes are selected by the citizen Snowmobile Advisory Board with input from the Forest Service, Kootenai County Sheriff Office, Idaho State Parks and Recreation, the Coeur d’Alene Snowmobile Club.

8. Where can I register my snowmobile?

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation

Kootenai County Vehicle Licensing - Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls

9. Who do I contact?

Kootenai County Snowgroomer Department: (208) 446-1289

- Trail Maps

- Trail Grooming Operations

- Program Administration

Kootenai County Sherriff Office: (208) 446-1300

- State and Local Rules and Laws

- Enforcement

- Reporting Accidents