First Timers looking for help with snowmbile vacation

[missouri mark]

We are 3 first timers looking for information on snowmobiling vacation to Colorado. Due to driving time, Wy and Utah are out of the question. We are planning this for Christmas vacation (2 teachers). I have research - of course all websites make their place sound like nirvana - so seeking unbiased opinions. Grand Lake sounds like what we are looking for, but I called a lady about a cabin with snowmobile rentals and she did tell me Grand Lake had little or no snow last Christmas but that was a rare year. We would hate to place this once in a lifetime vacation and then not have snow, so is it rare for Grand Lake to not have snow?

I understand as beginners, we would need to do a tour first to get familiar with snowmobiles, but we would like to have some freedom to sight see - and I do understand we would need to stay on trails and we are not speed thrill seekers, but rather would enjoy going slow on trials but with great scenery. We are looking for cheap cabin for 4-5 days, also.

If anyone has information that you could share, it would be appreciated. I have no problem exchanging emails if easier. Thanks in advance and greetings from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Mark

 

[joshkoltes]

it all depends on weather, your plan is a little early for most years. allthough freak storms can happen. i dont think most rentals even start till the first of the year, well that also really depends on the weather as well.
just save up and be ready, i cant imagine too many people will book that early so you could probably wait for reservations at least till november and have a better insight on the weather

 

[CANNONMAN]

Give me a call, I have just what you are looking for. Where are you coming from? Thunder Mountain Lodge. 970-856-6240 or thundermountainlodge.net to see what it looks like here. Thanks, Mark

 

[missouri mark]

Ok cannonman, I will definitely contact you in next few days for more info, exchange email addresses, and ask questions. I appreciate your help and any more offered by forum posters. We will be coming from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, which is 60 miles south of St. Louis.
Mark

 

[AZ800]

Give me a call, I have just what you are looking for. Where are you coming from? Thunder Mountain Lodge. 970-856-6240 or thundermountainlodge.net to see what it looks like here. Thanks, Mark

Missouri mark, great to see new people getting into the sport and you're correct in that Grand Lake is probably what you would typically want as new riders. Lots of trails, nice town for food, accomodations, night life, etc. I can tell you though, GL is one of the more sketchy areas for snow cover in early season and there will be a TON of ditch bangers hacking up the trails there.
If you want the real deal, go to Thunder Mtn Lodge, or at the very least go to Grand Mesa even if you don't stay at TML. Even with a low snow year, there will be good trail riding by the holidays and possibly phenomenal snow. Couple years ago, got 5' in about 36 hrs at New Years. We were at TML as we couldn't physically get the lodge we were intending to go to. (Mark remembers it....when Justin got caught in the avy. You gave our kids snocat rides everytime you went out to plow! I had the white M1000 and the snocoach for the kids.)

So bottom line, book a cabin at TML and Mark will ensure you have the trip of a lifetime. He is an awesome person and runs a great lodge/sled rentals. Food is awesome at his place, feels like you're family. Oh and there's the most/best groomed trails in the state right there.

 

[missouri mark]

Thanks AZ800. I will give Mark a call and have tons of questions.

 

[AZ800]

Good, give him a call.
Don't expect a tourist trap place like Grand Lake. If you go up to the Mesa in the winter, there's one thing to do............ride!
No spa, gift shops, restaurants (except the one in the lodge), etc. You get a warm cabin with a hot shower and some awesome riding, period.
Probably one of the best parts of riding in Grand Mesa for newer riders is even though you're going for trail riding, you're gonna have that itch to get off trail and hit some powder. The Mesa is probably one of the best areas in the state to just hit the open meadowss and such, all within a stone's throw of the trail. You don't have to ride anywhere or take some gnarly run to "get to the good stuff." It's right there.

 

[CANNONMAN]

I do remember. That was one lucky kid. He had a beacon but no batteries in it. Lucky find. Just a reminder folks check all your gear. Now is a good time before the snow hits.

Missouri mark, great to see new people getting into the sport and you're correct in that Grand Lake is probably what you would typically want as new riders. Lots of trails, nice town for food, accomodations, night life, etc. I can tell you though, GL is one of the more sketchy areas for snow cover in early season and there will be a TON of ditch bangers hacking up the trails there.
If you want the real deal, go to Thunder Mtn Lodge, or at the very least go to Grand Mesa even if you don't stay at TML. Even with a low snow year, there will be good trail riding by the holidays and possibly phenomenal snow. Couple years ago, got 5' in about 36 hrs at New Years. We were at TML as we couldn't physically get the lodge we were intending to go to. (Mark remembers it....when Justin got caught in the avy. You gave our kids snocat rides everytime you went out to plow! I had the white M1000 and the snocoach for the kids.)

So bottom line, book a cabin at TML and Mark will ensure you have the trip of a lifetime. He is an awesome person and runs a great lodge/sled rentals. Food is awesome at his place, feels like you're family. Oh and there's the most/best groomed trails in the state right there.

 

[donbrown]

We are 3 first timers looking for information on snowmobiling vacation to Colorado. Due to driving time, Wy and Utah are out of the question. We are planning this for Christmas vacation (2 teachers). I have research - of course all websites make their place sound like nirvana - so seeking unbiased opinions. Grand Lake sounds like what we are looking for, but I called a lady about a cabin with snowmobile rentals and she did tell me Grand Lake had little or no snow last Christmas but that was a rare year. We would hate to place this once in a lifetime vacation and then not have snow, so is it rare for Grand Lake to not have snow?

I understand as beginners, we would need to do a tour first to get familiar with snowmobiles, but we would like to have some freedom to sight see - and I do understand we would need to stay on trails and we are not speed thrill seekers, but rather would enjoy going slow on trials but with great scenery. We are looking for cheap cabin for 4-5 days, also.

If anyone has information that you could share, it would be appreciated. I have no problem exchanging emails if easier. Thanks in advance and greetings from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
Mark

Are you driving or flying?

 

[missouri mark]

We are driving, renting a 4 wheel drive. I sent Mark an email and trust he will be s straight shooter with my questions. A couple concerns after viewing TML website - do they have gear? Ski suits, boots, googles, etc? We don't want to buy a bunch of gear that we may never use again. And SAT TV? It's college football bowl season and we are sports fans, plus night time could get boring. I like everything I have read so far about TML and the area. Does anyone know of other cabin rentals in the area that they have had good experiences at that have snowmobile rentals with all the gear and SATV?

This forum and posters have been a great help. I never would have considered the Grand Mesa area if not for Snowest forum. I am really excited about seeing the area as I have only passed thru western Colorado once. All advice is greatly appreciated.

I have also researched Hahn's Peak Roadhouse north of Steamboat Springs if anyone has any info on that area. Just want to consider several options in early stages of planning.

Thanks again to all,
Missouri Mark
GO CARDS!!

 

[CANNONMAN]

Mark, If you would please PM me your phone number. I did get your email, but I will be all day typing tying to answer your questions. I talk much better than I type. LOL I have everything you need, clothes, sat tv, wifi to all cabins, rest, bar, even on xmas. I do have a couple of concerns for you regarding equipment. Send me your number and we will get you all settled.

 

[missouri mark]

Thanks Mark, not sure how to PM so here it is - 573-883-3831. I think you have answered my questions and all sounds good. My travel buddy and myself should be at this number this evening after 5pm Central time as we plan on doing some guitar picking tonight!! I'm real excited and I think you have just what we are looking for.

 

[snowrider 151]

Hanns Peak Roadhouse

If the Roadhouse is located at 60880 County Road 129 Clark Colorado it's elevation is about 8000 ft. There would be a good chance of not enough snow at the Roadhouse for good riding. Might be a great place, This looks like the Old Hanns Peak Store,if that is the case you can ride right out of town. The Mesa or Hanns will be a good choice. Good luck
I have sent you a Private Message.

 

[donbrown]

We are driving, renting a 4 wheel drive. I sent Mark an email and trust he will be s straight shooter with my questions. A couple concerns after viewing TML website - do they have gear? Ski suits, boots, googles, etc? We don't want to buy a bunch of gear that we may never use again. And SAT TV? It's college football bowl season and we are sports fans, plus night time could get boring. I like everything I have read so far about TML and the area. Does anyone know of other cabin rentals in the area that they have had good experiences at that have snowmobile rentals with all the gear and SATV?

This forum and posters have been a great help. I never would have considered the Grand Mesa area if not for Snowest forum. I am really excited about seeing the area as I have only passed thru western Colorado once. All advice is greatly appreciated.

I have also researched Hahn's Peak Roadhouse north of Steamboat Springs if anyone has any info on that area. Just want to consider several options in early stages of planning.

Thanks again to all,
Missouri Mark
GO CARDS!!

I don't know you BUT unless you are athletic you are gonna sleep thru anything after your first day of riding.

St Louis at best is 700 feet above sea level ... spent any time at altitude?

Any off road powered anything experience?

If not tape the games at home, you will sleep thru them.

 

[missouri mark]

Yes I have spent time in mountains and know what you mean. We are spending several days and can't afford to snowmobile everyday. Anyway, Hahn's Peak ROadhouse and THunder Mountain Lodge both have SATV so no danger of missing MIZZOU games!! We would survive w/o, but one luxury that's nice to have available.

 

[donbrown]

Yes I have spent time in mountains and know what you mean. We are spending several days and can't afford to snowmobile everyday. Anyway, Hahn's Peak ROadhouse and THunder Mountain Lodge both have SATV so no danger of missing MIZZOU games!! We would survive w/o, but one luxury that's nice to have available.

You should get a better deal renting a sled for multiple days. All you have to pay for is fuel and oil. A 2 cycle sled will get 10 MPG and a 4 stroke twice the mileage. Expect to ride 50 to 100 miles a day on trail. Eating out on a trail is good to do plus you gotta do a night ride just to say you did a night ride.

Personally I would get sled insurance.

Carry multi layered gloves and you can even buy chemical warmers if you are not used to the cold.

 

[missouri mark]

Good advice and thanks. I'm waiting to hear from Mark at Thunder Mountain Lodge. I think we are ready to committ. I will not hesitate to ask if I have questions. This site has been a wonderful resource.

 

[donbrown]

Good advice and thanks. I'm waiting to hear from Mark at Thunder Mountain Lodge. I think we are ready to committ. I will not hesitate to ask if I have questions. This site has been a wonderful resource.

Watch sled videos and see how the ride positions their body to make the sled change direction.

Body english is very important with sledding.

 

[Matte Murder]

Mark get ready to become addicted to this sport. This is how it started for me a few years back. We went on a snowmobile rental day trip in UTAH when we were out there skiing. Snowmobiling has grabbed me and pretty much consumes the winter now. Have fun and remember there is no rehab for snowmobiling.

 

[Matte Murder]

Btw, if you really want to jump start your riding take a class from Dan Adams or Amber Holt. Make sure you let them know you are brand new so they put you in the right group.