FAQs

Who determines which Snowmobile trails will be groomed?: The Snowgrooming program gathers input from the Forest Service, Kootenai County Sheriff Office, Kootenai County Snowmobile Advisory Board, Idaho State Parks and Recreation, the Coeur d’Alene Snowmobile Club, and other factors, to develop the Annual Travel Plan, which must be approved by the Forest Service.

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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 snowgrooming 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 Snowgroomer program funded?: The Snowgroomer program is funded with a percentage of state snowmobile registration. The program is not supported by Kootenai County tax dollars.

- 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 Snowgroomer Department provide?: The Snowgroomer department provides groomed snowmobile trails, located in Kootenai County and parts of Shoshone County, in the Coeur d’Alene National Forest. The Snowgroomer 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 Snowgrooming program gathers input from the Forest Service, Kootenai County Sheriff Office, Kootenai County Snowmobile Advisory Board, Idaho State Parks and Recreation, the Coeur d’Alene Snowmobile Club, and other factors, to develop the Annual Travel Plan, which must be approved by the Forest Service.

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