FAQ

Great question! We recently moved our summer season to join our winter season activities at 1027 Martin Creek Road Olney, MT 59927– in order to be close to our amazing trail system. Most mapping programs don’t like this address so we’ve used a variation that the maps will use. However, we also offer various meeting locations to better serve you: For example near some of the OHV trail heads. Unless specifically told to meet elsewhere, all rentals start and end at the  office on Martin Creek Rd.

On the day of your reservation you pay the balance due on your reservation. During that time you are assessed an additional 3.6% credit card fee. Or, if you pay cash, there is no fee. Plus, take 5% off the balance due! P.S: You will still need to provide a valid card to put on file, in the event of damages. Failure to provide a valid Credit Card will postpone or cancel your reservation. That same day cancellation will be billed to the card used to create the reservation, and will include the 3.6% fee.

If you would like to chat with someone about this fee, feel free to give us a shout prior to booking. Thanks and we’ll see you soon.

While we don’t have an age requirement for being a passenger, we do have a height and ability requirement.

Each person must be able to sit with their back touching the seat, holding the handholds, and feet firmly planted on the floor, according to the manufacturer of our equipment. We estimate this to be about 48″ in the RZR and General. Please know that we cannot accommodate infant car seats or booster seats. This is for your child’s safety as children’s heads and necks are different from adults. If they aren’t the appropriate size then they cannot hold on. This endangers the child and can cause anything from whiplash to brain trauma. We have estimated that in order to ride on a 4-wheeler as a passenger, the guest must be a minimum of 10 years old -AND- be able to demonstrate that their feet touch the floor, with their back touching the seat and can hold the handholds while riding. This is an estimated 55″. While height is part of the requirement it is also of great importance that the passenger demonstrates the ability to hold on. Failure to check these points prior to arrival can cause delays and even non-refundable cancellation of your adventure. Please be sure to check before booking

UPDATED 9/2022: We provide our Staff with paid time off if they test positive for COVID-19. Ensuring they return after they are no longer contagious. We are currently following Montana State guidelines and do not require wearing masks. You may wear a mask if you choose, except during riding, as we don’t want guests to pass out. This concludes the update of 9/2022.

We are currently operating at a quarter of the staff we usually have. This means if something happens, whether a Guide is injured or ill, we may have to cancel a guided trip. Also, it means that we have a slower response time to answering phones, and returning calls and messages. It’s best to call between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 pm; then again between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Otherwise, we are likely with guests gearing them up and sending them off on their adventure.

We return calls in the order we receive them so It is best to call and leave a voicemail message as those calls receive priority over unknown calls. Just call once and leave a message and we’ll get right back to you.

Q) Has your reservation been canceled by us?

Unfortunately, this may happen during this crazy time. We are doing our best to provide safe, memorable, adventures to all of our guests. If we feel we are unable to accommodate this, we will cancel. That means if a machine is damaged we may either change machines or reschedule your reservation. Should you be unable to reschedule we will fully refund your payments.

Lastly, meals are being removed from our offerings for now. We will attempt to take you to a local eatery, however, it is best to plan to bring food. We do have a couple of coolers, so be sure to ask if you can borrow one, at the time of your reservation. We expect they’ll go fast.

The newest problem 2021 has brought is slow shipping and even months of wait for parts. We can no longer repair helmets and goggles for example. So if you damage them, we will charge for full replacement. The same problem is happening with parts for damaged machines. This has caused us to change our Damages Policy:

– Renter must provide a valid credit card on rental date. You may pay cash, however we will capture a photo of license and card for our files in the event of damages. By signing our Rental Agreement you agree that in the event of damages your card will be processed for the full $3000.

**Damage Waiver Protection:**

Due to lack of parts availability –

We are no longer allowing the upgrade to the Premium Damage Waiver Protection.

All Roll-Overs and Tip-Overs will require immediate payment of $2900.00 before leaving our office.

All other incidents and accidents will require an immediate hold of $3000 on a valid credit card until our Certified Technician can evaluate the total damages including Parts, Labor, Loss of Days; Helmets; Goggles; and shipping / freight.

With consideration and respect for the equipment this won’t be an issue.

We thank you for your understanding during this truly unprecedented time.

We do deliver and pick up too. If you request delivery within 10 miles of our office, there is no charge. If you wish to ride outside of that area we charge $100 per direction, per machine, to within 20 miles of that location. Everywhere else is based on mileage to the delivery location.

Absolutely. First, we make sure you have a general idea of where you are currently at. Second, we equip you with a local map (your choice, digital or paper). Also, our RZR’s are fitted with a GPS tracker that we can locate the machine with. Google Maps allows you to download maps so if you are not in service range- you can still find your way. (Don’t worry, we have wi-fi available so you can get the maps downloaded)

We have emergency beacons on all of our off-road equipment, in the event you have an actual emergency, you simply use the beacon and EMS will be notified. All machines are tracked via satellite for location. Help will be sent to that location immediately.

Lastly, if you are worried you do have the option of hiring a Guide, but not usually the same day- so be sure to book ahead.

While we do our best to help make sure your ride is unique, safe, and memorable, we simply can’t tell you every little spot we love. There’s not enough time in the day, not even to stop at all the stops on one route! That’s why we say your ride is unique- today’s will be different from tomorrow’s. We can pretty much guarantee it. We are located at the convergence of 3 forest systems, which have a history of their own; plus the little timber townships of Olney, and Radnor, not to mention the trails, like “Fort Steele”. If you ever want a good read, look up the Fort Steele Trail (1890’s). See? We’ve already taken up a fair amount of time just trying to tell you one small thing. Like many places, Olney has a rich history, lots of gems, a million spots only the locals know and so much more. Why “Get the Guide”? Because you have no idea how much you’re missing out on without one: From hard-to-find trails to gorgeous waterfalls and old cabins… and so much more.

Our neighbors have an incredible Vacation Home available. You can check them out here: Martin Falls Lodge

Also, they are building Geo-desic domes and cabins for the summer. Enjoy a discount at this property if you book with us too! Simply request the PromoCode at the time of booking. Plus, there is open maintained and primitive camping sites all around us. Too there are some amazing and cute cabins on the lakes around here. Some are found on VRBO and Airbnb, while others are exclusively rented to our guests. You can go camping pretty much anywhere on the Stillwater Forest, but make sure you get your recreation permit! (you can do that on the DNRC website). There’s also the Mt Marston Lookout you can rent- but hurry, it books fast!

You can stay at a Lodge if you prefer: there’s Beaver Lake Bike Retreat and Dog Creek Lodge and Nordic Center nearby, or one of the many fine hotels in Whitefish, just a hop, skip ‘n jump up the road.

We get asked this question the most- and we super appreciate it. We don’t want you to freeze, we want you to embrace winter! To that end, it is extremely important that you wear the right clothing.

You need a warm, waterproof jacket, warm waterproof pants (snowpants) and warm waterproof gloves. Not mittens, not cotton exterior.
You’ll want to wear a Balaclava or Neck Gator but no scarves are allowed. Close-ended neck warmers only.
Most importantly- wear warm, thickly insulated and waterproof – boots that go well over the ankle. Not ‘duckboots’ not shoes, not hiking boots. You will get frostbite. Please see your email for a photo of proper footwear. Failure to wear the right footwear actually causes same day cancellation and is billed as such. We cannot stress enough the safety factor of wearing the right boots. We do not carry boots, there is no way to rent them to you. Sportsman Ski House in Whitefish and Kalispell rent Snowboard boots, which are sufficient for riding with us.
Lastly, wear layers. We encourage 3: Underlayer of thermal type clothing, your sweater and pants over that. Then your jacket and snowpants make up the final layer.

We appreciate your understanding of our safety concerns for you. 🙂

Weather in Montana can dramatically change within minutes, then change again.
We Require that you wear long sleeves, long pants and no open-toed shoes.
Layers are a great way to dress for this activity – There are many nearby lakes and streams. You may find yourself wishing you could take a dip, so pack the lighter clothing or wear beneath the outer layer.

Just like with the RZR’s- we suggest wearing light layers. However, that’s where the similarity ends. We do not allow wearing shorts or tank tops alone- when riding. You don’t have the same cover of protection and if you’re on the trails, you will definitely come up against stray branches. We don’t want to see you get scratched. While it sounds like it would be no big deal, and it probably will be- there is a risk of infection, besides just being dang old irritating.

Long sleeves, long pants, closed-toe shoes- but we prefer at least hiking-style boots.

We provide helmets and goggles.

Actually, we might say: Yes. Depending on the time of day you plan to be going out on the water.

Whether you’re on a Paddleboard, in a Kayak, or even if you’re up off the water on one of the boats- it’s chilly in the early morning. Wear light layers. Be prepared to strip down to your shorts or bathing suit, as the afternoons are hotter than hot out on the water with no shade. Bring your favorite sunscreen or use ours.

You can also ask for an umbrella. We usually have a couple on hand. They are lightweight and collapsible, which offers the perfect amount of shade when you need a break from the sun.

A lot actually. For starters the Pontoon Deck boat is a flat deck boat that really is more like a floating dock, with rails and a motor. We do have a swim ladder but you need to request it if you’re using it for swimming. The purpose of the bare minimum on this boat is to allow for multiple uses. Some prefer to take their family out fishing and swimming. The arrangement of using collapsible chairs is perfect for long periods on the water while allowing the kids plenty of floor space for stretching out and moving around, while at the same time giving the folks who are fishing ample room to have the edges for casting and moving about. The downside to this style boat is that it does not have a bimini. We do, however, have a large shade umbrella that we send out with it.

The Pontoon boat is more what people are used to seeing. With wrap-around seating, limited floor space, has extra storage, bigger motor, and bimini, style Pontoon boat. While it does have two seats for fishing behind the driver, the space for moving about while anchored is limited and there are no collapsing or moving items to create space once anchored.

We have folks who take both styles out and like them equally well for what they intend to use them for.

All boats come with life-jackets (PFD’s)

Instead of ‘at par’ we offer a discount of 5%. Canadian exchange rates fluctuate pretty dramatically sometimes and can be time-consuming to keep up with unless you go with a weekly plan-then you need to make sure you do the exchange back at just right the time. So instead: We offer a discount.

Our friends in Canada, literal and figurative, have done a fair amount of participating in our business and we appreciate their support. In everything from our races to our rentals, they’ve been proud supporters of Action Rentals and many of the businesses in the Olney and Whitefish areas. We would like to support them too- and the best way we can think of, without trying to incorporate the exchange rate every week is to offer a flat-rate discount.

We are so glad you asked this!

After you’ve decided what you want to rent, you need to consider how you want to ride:

With a Public Guide

No additional cost. Our public guides leave at 2 designated times: 9 am and 1 pm.

Public guided trips simply mean that your ride maybe with other individuals. Our guides are very good at determining the travel needs of a group and will adjust the route and timing to accommodate all travelers. This does not mean an in-line, 10 mph scenic tour. If you need a different ride style or don’t want to be with a group, consider a Private Guide.

With a Private Guide

Additional fees apply (Half day $100; Full day $175; gratuity is not included) Private guides have a little flexibility with leave times, you can discuss this with staff at the reservation desk. Private guide rates are per group, not per individual, so if you have 4 of you going out- that’s still the rate, and still your guide only.

No Guide

Unguided rentals are available, but be aware we may require a damage deposit if you are riding outside of our trail system. Damage deposits are based on equipment rented and vary in pricing.

We want the process to be as fast as possible while still spending some quality time with you before you head out. It is super helpful if you pre-fill all of your Rental Documents (See below) and purchase your State recreational Use Permit  (See below) before you arrive. You might want to check out the Tutorial below before heading to the State website though. If you pre-filled the documents per your emailed confirmation instructions, this process takes less than 5 minutes. We scan your Driver’s License and you sign the documents on a tablet. Then move on to Gearing Up. If you didn’t pre-fill your documents, see “Visual Tutorial for DNRC Recreational Use Permit” below for assistance.

Expect this process to take up to 30 minutes depending on how many are in your group and how many others are in the office who haven’t pre-filled their paperwork. You will need to provide your Driver’s License and form of payment. This process could, potentially, start using up your ride time as the machine may be rented later in the day and must be back at a particular time.

The next step is to Gear Up: Get fitted with your helmet and goggles. Grab water bottles, radio, etc., and head out to your machine. Depending on the season, this is about a 5-minute process. Winter takes longer though as you put on a lot more gear.

The final step, before your ride begins, is to do your check out and your safety walk-through. This is about a 5-minute process unless you would like some additional riding practice before you head out.