All snowmobilers seem to have their favorite runs. Other popular runs include the amazingly beautiful journey to the top of Harts Pass, the highest road in Washington state, and to Sweetgrass Butte, accessible in the upper Rendezvous. With advance planning and safety precautions, it's possible to navigate all the way to Diablo Lake. In the southern Methow Valley another challenging run extends over the Sawtooth Ridge into the Lake Chelan basin. Some observers attribute the growing popularity of snowmobiling to new technology that has produced much quieter machines with lower exhaust emissions.
Many newer machines use biodegradable oil and have other environmentally friendly features.
Even the traditional tensions between backcountry skiers and snowmobilers have lessened along with the growth of snowmobile clubs and their codes of responsibility. In fact, a few backcountry skiers say snowmobiles have provided them access to spectacular skiing terrain that would otherwise be nearly impossible to reach. As with any mode of winter backcountry travel, safety is the prime consideration. Responsible and experienced snowmobilers check avalanche information before venturing out. In the Methow Valley, the Methow Valley Snowmobile Association monitors winter weather and snow conditions, and provides updated regular reports on various radio stations and in the Methow Valley News .