Colorado vs. Utah riding (Fort Collins vs. Logan)

[djp622]

I will be getting out of the military and have the oppurtunity to either stay in Utah (Logan) area or move to Fort Collins. I was wondering if there was anyone out there who has ridden out of both areas? I know the Snowies and Cache Valley both show up on Snowest's top 15. Wondering if Im downgrading a bit too much if I relocate. Proximity, the people, the culture, and the riding all play a factor. Im 23 and from Wisconsin and will be finishing up college at either Utah State or Colorado State. Any imput is appreciated!!! Thanks!

 

[OuraySledder]

If you are 23 and from Wisconsin, I would think Utah would be a bit of culture shock. Many UT residents wear that funny underwear and do not drink. Pretty odd bunch, coming from the midwest myself, I found Colorado to be a more comfortable fit. You should shoot for Mesa State in Gunnison, that puts you in the heart of the big mtns. I think the best riding is in SoCo, but I am biased.

 

[djp622]

Ive heard SoCo was the best spot around. Ive been in Utah for almost 4 years and your absolutely right. It was a culture shock and most of my buddies are former coworkers. The ridin is amazin out here tho. I always get cought up in snotel data and average snowfall...and havent talked to anyome whose ridden out of FC.I just love the sound of fort collins culture amd wanna know if ill still have comparable riding nearby. Ill def. take a look at Mesa state.

 

[snengineer]

If its between those two locations...Logan hands down. We are not aliens, we dont bite, and with the travel time being anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes from walking out of class to unloading your sled it cant be beat. Once school is over you might find other locations more fitting, but if its Colorado make sure you sport your state flag shirt everywhere you go and get one of those "Not Native" bumper stickers so people dont get the wrong idea.

 

[djp622]

I have nothing against Utahns. There super nice people but from my experience there super family oriented and im a single 23 year old. Im not knowledgeable on the USU atmosphere but the school is beautiful and ive done most, if not all, of my riding up near tonys and franklin basin. Wondering if its worth the social aspect to drop a little bit on ridin quality. As far as academics go it looks like there both outstanding schools.

 

[Laundryboy]

If you are 23 and from Wisconsin, I would think Utah would be a bit of culture shock. Many UT residents wear that funny underwear and do not drink. Pretty odd bunch, coming from the midwest myself, I found Colorado to be a more comfortable fit. You should shoot for Mesa State in Gunnison, that puts you in the heart of the big mtns. I think the best riding is in SoCo, but I am biased.

Wow, seeking to offend many? But do stay away from Utah, it's too crowded, you'll be much happier elsewhere.

 

[shelbwyo]

If you are 23 and from Wisconsin, I would think Utah would be a bit of culture shock. Many UT residents wear that funny underwear and do not drink. Pretty odd bunch, coming from the midwest myself, I found Colorado to be a more comfortable fit. You should shoot for Mesa State in Gunnison, that puts you in the heart of the big mtns. I think the best riding is in SoCo, but I am biased.

Don't think he knows what hes talking about anyways. Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction. Western State Colorado University is located in Gunnison.

http://www.western.edu/
http://www.coloradomesa.edu/

Just to get ya squared away

But I could never tell you to go to csu, cuz GO POKES!

 

[SSWIM]

Fort Collins is getting way crowded. The traffic is nuts. Grand junction is where CMU is, not Gunnison, of course that has already been established. Good luck with your choice.

Sam

 

[minet]

Utah you might have some issues with girls unless you dont want to bang any ,, then you would be fine.. there is a culture difference .

but logan . does have a ton of great riding close.
i have ridden grand mesa area to , just past grand junction

both come with differences
my opinion is you investigate the culture some and make an informed decision based on your own experience

 

[OuraySledder]

Wow, seeking to offend many? But do stay away from Utah, it's too crowded, you'll be much happier elsewhere.

Not really... just one SMALL group... and I always try to avoid Utah, BTDT. I do like Moab a time or two each year but not for sledding obviously.

From FC you will have to do some more driving but I seriously doubt the sledding is any better near Logan than it is in the snowies or up around
Steamboat. I do not know that for sure though because I do not frequent Utah.

 

[slash]

Pick the area that caters to the edu. that you want the rest will follow

 

[05900]

Logan 3/2 beer Fort Co 8 breweries get serious it's college.

 

[OuraySledder]

Logan 3/2 beer Fort Co 8 breweries get serious it's college.

...and legal weed, it is college right?

 

[05900]

Forget college that's a growing industry $$$$$$

 

[djp622]

Haha Ill be getting my education paid for by the government. I have to keep the academics a priority but the occasional beer is always something to look forward too . However, the available riding in the area is more important to me than partying. Riding is less of a distraction and more of an outlet....whereas partying tends to be my biggest distraction. Thats why I strongly considered USU but I'm concerned that I will be in a place that won't have as openly friendly riders available. What do you guys think will be the place to go to have more "fellow students" that ride...and the shool fosters that snowmobiling culture that Im looking for. Western colorado state is making a statement the more I do my research. The University of wyoming is in laramie right by he snowies. Anyone have experience in either of those communities.

 

[Goinboardin]

Haha Ill be getting my education paid for by the government. I have to keep the academics a priority but the occasional beer is always something to look forward too . However, the available riding in the area is more important to me than partying. Riding is less of a distraction and more of an outlet....whereas partying tends to be my biggest distraction. Thats why I strongly considered USU but I'm concerned that I will be in a place that won't have as openly friendly riders available. What do you guys think will be the place to go to have more "fellow students" that ride...and the shool fosters that snowmobiling culture that Im looking for. Western colorado state is making a statement the more I do my research. The University of wyoming is in laramie right by he snowies. Anyone have experience in either of those communities.

Yeah, I did my undergrad at Western, then moved to Laramie for grad school. Both are great places. For undergrad, unless you're doing engineering, I vote Western. Might be fewer riders than UW but: the riding is better (less windy, more snow, more varied terrain) and the school itself is smaller with a much better faculty to student ratio. At UW your intro and intermediate class sizes are on the order of hundreds, whereas at Western my intro classes were never over 50 students, usually closer to 25 and we were not taught by teaching assistants, only professors. Upper division courses at Western were between 4-10 students, at UW it seems the upper division courses are acceptably small too. UW isn't a bad choice by any means, I just had an awesome time living in Gunnison and feel it is a better school than many give it credit for. The riding is only about a 45 minute drive for both schools, with plenty of other options within 2 hours.

I was visiting some buddies in Crested Butte last winter, and ran into a crew of Western riders. So there are guys going to the school that sled, and a seemingly growing number of guys that just sled instead of doing ski access.

Here's a few photos I've taken in the area around Gunnison. The 360 view was taken June 15th, 2011... The summers around there are great too, if you're into mtn biking or hiking/camping or rafting. People pay thousands just to visit on a family trip...just saying

 

[djp622]

Yeah, I did my undergrad at Western, then moved to Laramie for grad school. Both are great places. For undergrad, unless you're doing engineering, I vote Western. Might be fewer riders than UW but: the riding is better (less windy, more snow, more varied terrain) and the school itself is smaller with a much better faculty to student ratio. At UW your intro and intermediate class sizes are on the order of hundreds, whereas at Western my intro classes were never over 50 students, usually closer to 25 and we were not taught by teaching assistants, only professors. Upper division courses at Western were between 4-10 students, at UW it seems the upper division courses are acceptably small too. UW isn't a bad choice by any means, I just had an awesome time living in Gunnison and feel it is a better school than many give it credit for. The riding is only about a 45 minute drive for both schools, with plenty of other options within 2 hours.

I was visiting some buddies in Crested Butte last winter, and ran into a crew of Western riders. So there are guys going to the school that sled, and a seemingly growing number of guys that just sled instead of doing ski access.

Here's a few photos I've taken in the area around Gunnison. The 360 view was taken June 15th, 2011... The summers around there are great too, if you're into mtn biking or hiking/camping or rafting. People pay thousands just to visit on a family trip...just saying

What an awesome reply. Thats exactly what I was lookin for. Thanks for the pics and your time. It has def. Altered my perspective on which shools to look into. Gettin closer to getting of the military and im gunna have some huge decisions to make!!

 

[Pro-8250]

$.02

I will be getting out of the military and have the oppurtunity to either stay in Utah (Logan) area or move to Fort Collins. I was wondering if there was anyone out there who has ridden out of both areas? I know the Snowies and Cache Valley both show up on Snowest's top 15. Wondering if Im downgrading a bit too much if I relocate. Proximity, the people, the culture, and the riding all play a factor. Im 23 and from Wisconsin and will be finishing up college at either Utah State or Colorado State. Any imput is appreciated!!! Thanks!

First of all. I want thank you for serving our country!
You did mention the Fort Collins area.
From one flat lander to another. I love the Hahn's Peak area just north of Steam Boat Springs.

 

[tkuss]

Fort Collins is a great town, however you do need to drive a ways to get to the riding.

From the time you leave your driveway till when you actually are out on your sled riding, you looking at 2-3 hours for most of the popular nearby locations... Ie snowy range, buff pass, rabbit ears etc...

 

[JamesGump]

Front range in colorado sucks period regardless of where you're at it is 2 hours to ride on the weekends. Logan is probably one of the best college towns for sledders you can find (other than BYUIdaho in Rexburg). Some of the best snow in the nation, Tony's usually has one of the highest snow totals in utah. Don't have to drive more than 10 min from campus to unload for right hand fork or prov. canyon, and its there is actually a pretty good social scene in logan.