The Northwest is an outdoorsy playground all year round - punctuated by mountain ranges that bisect Washington and Oregon and continue on up into British Columbia. As the seasons change and the inevitable autumn rain kicks off, there's a positive flip side to all the sprinkles - snow in the mountains. And with snow comes a bevy of cold-weather pursuits, including snowmobiling, which is a great way to see another side of the Northwest.

Whether you own your own snowmobile, have some experience and want to rent a vehicle, or want to try out the sport for the first time, local organizations have what you need.

Crystal Mountain
If you don't want to travel far from Joint Base Lewis-McChord or the Tacoma area, Crystal Mountain is the snowy paradise for you. While Crystal Mountain is most known for its skiing in the winter, there are plenty of other winter sports to take up there, too - including snowmobiling. The trails are not technically part of Crystal Mountain, but there's easy access from the ski area to a set of Michigan DNR trails. If you're a beginner or just want to take a tour of the trails, join a one-hour guided tour from mid-December through mid-March for $99. If you want to rent and go off on your own, you can do that, too. For either, call or visit the Park at Water's Edge.

For more information, go to www.crystalmountain.com/activities/snowmobiling.

Washington State Sno-Parks
Throughout Washington state, the Winter Recreation Program sets up Sno-Parks - parking areas near groomed trails. Sno-Parks are for both non-motorized and motorized sports, so if you aim to snowmobile, make sure you head to a motorized one. There are about 80 parks for snowmobiling in the state. Closest to Tacoma and not far off I-90, you'll find several - Manastash, Naches and others. You will need the proper permits and licenses as well as a rental or your own snowmobile. For information on where to rent a snowmobile, call the Washington State Snowmobile Association at 800.784.9772.

If you have your own snowmobile, you'll need to make sure it's properly licensed before you head out. For rules, permits and locations of Sno-Parks in Washington state go to www.parks.wa.gov/138/Snowmobile-Recreation.

Mt. Hood National Forest
Just like Washington, Oregon's mountains are usually snowy and filled with opportunities to enjoy cold-weather sports. There are tons of options to choose from, but one of the most accessible and best is Mt. Hood. One company, Mt. Hood Adventure, offers both guided snowmobile tours as well as snowmobile rentals. Guided tours are either two or four hours on single or double snowmobiles. To reserve a tour or inquire about rentals, call Mt. Hood Adventure at 503.715.2175.

Find more information on their website at www.mthoodadventure.com/winter/snowmobiling.

Whistler B.C.
Whistler is perhaps the most famous Northwest ski resort and played a large role in the 2010 Winter Olympics. It's also a great snowmobiling destination, especially if you're seeking a tour. Whistler offers an array of tour options, from private tours to high adventure. There are also options that allow you to customize what you'll see and experience - from exploring an ancient cedar forest to sunset tours of Blackcomb Mountain to a tour especially for families.

For more information, see their website at www.whistler.com/activities/snowmobiling.