Alaska would be awesome. Anyone know how much sled rentals are for a day up there? When is the best time to go in Alaska?
Goin' sledding for the honeymoon...help!
- Thread starter westrivergirl
- Start date
M
MTdream
Well-known member
yeha, it is fun as your hearing our off season itching for our favorite locales
your a very special person to do this for your hubby, the location is just icing on the cake!!! as BigHoe says, you will NOT go wrong in either location, being a Montanan, and someone who rides in that area a lot, it is INCREDIBLE!!!
I have ridden BC and it is great, have ridden Idaho, and it is great, Montana is home...so I always lean towards home!!!
West is generally more reasonable than Jackson, as Jackson caters to a VERY elite crowd, and West caters to a sledding crowd...it is all what you want...
if you want 4 seasons (5 star resort) then Jackson is the place, if you want privacy, and proximity to like minded people who will look out for you in the hills, and build some possible life long friends, you know where i am guiding you....MONTANA (West Jellystone)
nah I am not biased....
R
Rob1334
ACCOUNT CLOSED
I would put another vote in for West. Was out there last year had the time of my life, already going again next year, hopefully tie in with some fellow SW'ers to this time. Lots of trails, more powder than your gas tank will allow, and nightlife was great. I did see some cabins on the edge of town that would be pretty nice too, I am sure someone in the forum could guide you to those. But ya, def. West Jellystone, you won't regret!
My advice:
1) wait until right before you go.
2) figure out who has the most snow (search SNOTEL on the internet, watch for jumps in the snow depth, that will tell you when the last storm was).
3) figure out a place to stay near the good sh**. Snow conditions are everything out west.
1) wait until right before you go.
2) figure out who has the most snow (search SNOTEL on the internet, watch for jumps in the snow depth, that will tell you when the last storm was).
3) figure out a place to stay near the good sh**. Snow conditions are everything out west.
X
XP Summit
Well-known member
Dude you have to remember this is a honeymoon. I think Guys can pull the last minute chase the snotel across the country trip with a little more ease.
My vote goes to
Brooks Lake Lodge
http://www.brookslake.com/
It is the upscale sister property to Togwotee Mt lodge. They have a spa, did I say SPA!!!
If I was going on a Romatic getaway with my new wife, and it actually involved snow and a 2 stroke engine with track... that would be my pick in a heart beat.
It is a little more on the spendy side but worth it for a bride.
Cheers
Shawn
West Yellowstone is where I started riding with my wife and that was two kids ago.Any type of riding that you want and alot of fun ways to spend a evening.
Cave
Cave
West Yellowstone is where you want to take a Date.....Jackson Hole is where you want to take your Bride. The nightlife, dinning, lodging and ambiance of JH far exceeds anything West has to offer on every aspect
You can snowboard or ski in the morning, snowmobile in the afternoon, take a romantic horse drawn sled ride in the evening. If you need a day off JH has 7 miles of shops and shopping to explore through
Sled rental are more expensive in west, gas is more expensive in west, dinning choices are minimal, lodging isn't anything special in West and sledders are everywhere running there sleds at all hours of the night.
Not knocking West, just stating that West & JH are not in the same league.
OT
You can snowboard or ski in the morning, snowmobile in the afternoon, take a romantic horse drawn sled ride in the evening. If you need a day off JH has 7 miles of shops and shopping to explore through
Sled rental are more expensive in west, gas is more expensive in west, dinning choices are minimal, lodging isn't anything special in West and sledders are everywhere running there sleds at all hours of the night.
Not knocking West, just stating that West & JH are not in the same league.
OT
T
theultrarider
Well-known member
As for coming up here to Alaska, there are not alot of rentals, but check out Alaska Snow Safaris. Chris runs a very class act and is a very avid rider. They can taylor make any kind of package including lodging ect that you would like. Tell him what your skill levels are and what kind of riding you are after and he will set you up. They travel around the area to whereever has the best snow at the time. Becareful though, many people have come up here for a vacation or honeymoon and never leave!!! You would love a trip up here.
yes chris is who I would talk to..he can line you out with every thing you need...www.snowmobile-alaska.com, as for the riding..the sky is the limit..you can look at some pics in a photo album at my cp if you want..there is an alaska pic thread as well...
Oooh, a romantic horse drawn sled ride...JH it is.
Just kiddin guys. I do have to agree that it might be best to sit and wait to see what the snow is like at the time. How hard is it to find lodging on a last minute basis at West and JH?
A horse drawn sled ride would be pretty awesome though.
I dont think you can go wrong with either place..JH is a party town and expensive!!! I usually hit Jackson 4 or 5 times a year, winter for the World Championship Hill Climbs and summer just for fun. West is a fun place to party but little more laid back and a lot less expensive for eats and drinks, but the sledding is great and its close to Island Park (ride from West to IP on sleds) which has ALOT of snow to play in for days and days!
I have to disagree with this statement: "there is a reason West is always the top or second of the charts for Western destinations for sledders..the variety of terrain, the consistent snow, and the availability...all make it the Sledders paradise..."
The reason it's at the top is because of all the midwest riders that go there for their first time due to the sleds they have (short tracks) to get the taste of the west. They buy a lot of magazines and send in their votes etc which most western guys don't because they know where the good stuff is. Remember, in every magazine other then Snowest, Michigan rates pretty high as well. I have been to both places and when I read that stuff I simply laugh! One time to West is enough most the time everyone goes to bigger and better places after that.
As for the topic, westrivergirl you just need to pick a place that has some variety in terms of sledding and other activites for you both to enjoy.
The reason it's at the top is because of all the midwest riders that go there for their first time due to the sleds they have (short tracks) to get the taste of the west. They buy a lot of magazines and send in their votes etc which most western guys don't because they know where the good stuff is. Remember, in every magazine other then Snowest, Michigan rates pretty high as well. I have been to both places and when I read that stuff I simply laugh! One time to West is enough most the time everyone goes to bigger and better places after that.
As for the topic, westrivergirl you just need to pick a place that has some variety in terms of sledding and other activites for you both to enjoy.
P
PowderGirl
Well-known member
Congratulations and great way to spend your honeymoon! My husband and I made a vacation to Revelstoke or wedding and honeymoon as well. We flew to the top of Boulder Mnt. in a chopper, had a short and sweet ceremony in formal attire and then a small reception with a couple dozen friends back at the Glacierhouse Lodge and we snowmobiled right from the lodge all week. It was trulely something to never forget! Here are pics: Our Wedding. We had another ceremony that spring back home for the family and other friends and played a video of the ceremony.
So I would reccomend Revelstoke and stay at one of the nicer hotels in town or at the Glacierhouse if you would like to be able to ride from your lodge/cabin. Whistler is another place to think about too - I've heard it has great riding and would have many more accomodations. I've checked into travel packages for there and is very enticing and I think you can fly into the area. Maybe even do the Whistler Helisledder tour where they provide the sleds too.
I think Cook City would be a fun destination for a laid back, inexpensive honey moon - it's beautiful, it's secluded, you ride right from there (in fact, while there, you never have to step foot into your vehicle to do anything), food is good enough and you are surrounded by your own crowd (a bunch of sledheads).
JH would be nice, is a beautiful place, has a great restaurants, shopping, accomodations, spas and such.
McCall, Idaho has several nice hotels, several great restaurants and is also a nice, small town atmosphere. You could also rent a very nice to very quaint cabin with everything you'd want while here and even find a place you can ride from. The network of trails cators to every level of rider too. You could fly into Boise and drive or private air to McCall and rent selds too. We did our first anniversary at the Bearlodge just a few miles outside of McCall - their cabins are very nice and cozy with in-room jacuzi tubs and their lodge was nice and provided great snacks and wine. It is also on the trail to one of our favorite riding areas! You would just need to travel to town for nice dinners out, shopping, spas and such. (And check to see if they are still open.)
Tamarack (just down the road from McCall) has many very nice chalets and cottages for rent and you can ski right from all of them. Their restaurant is very good, the spa is great and you may still be able to ride the ski lift to the top of the mountain and ride right from there on a rentel sled. If that is not going on - then you can easily rent sleds elsewhere and trailer to just up the road for some great riding around the resort. There are also several sweet lodges I could reccomend for you to stay in (would be best to have a few others come with you.) Dont let Tamarack's finacial woes scare you (they are in a typical brand new ski resort phase of reorganization (just like many other well known ski resorts have endured in the past). I really enjoy spending time there - you get all the nice acomodations in a great atmosphere and no crowds. Downfall there is you are half hour from shopping and other touristy stuff that McCall offers.
Hope that gives you some ideas!
So I would reccomend Revelstoke and stay at one of the nicer hotels in town or at the Glacierhouse if you would like to be able to ride from your lodge/cabin. Whistler is another place to think about too - I've heard it has great riding and would have many more accomodations. I've checked into travel packages for there and is very enticing and I think you can fly into the area. Maybe even do the Whistler Helisledder tour where they provide the sleds too.
I think Cook City would be a fun destination for a laid back, inexpensive honey moon - it's beautiful, it's secluded, you ride right from there (in fact, while there, you never have to step foot into your vehicle to do anything), food is good enough and you are surrounded by your own crowd (a bunch of sledheads).
JH would be nice, is a beautiful place, has a great restaurants, shopping, accomodations, spas and such.
McCall, Idaho has several nice hotels, several great restaurants and is also a nice, small town atmosphere. You could also rent a very nice to very quaint cabin with everything you'd want while here and even find a place you can ride from. The network of trails cators to every level of rider too. You could fly into Boise and drive or private air to McCall and rent selds too. We did our first anniversary at the Bearlodge just a few miles outside of McCall - their cabins are very nice and cozy with in-room jacuzi tubs and their lodge was nice and provided great snacks and wine. It is also on the trail to one of our favorite riding areas! You would just need to travel to town for nice dinners out, shopping, spas and such. (And check to see if they are still open.)
Tamarack (just down the road from McCall) has many very nice chalets and cottages for rent and you can ski right from all of them. Their restaurant is very good, the spa is great and you may still be able to ride the ski lift to the top of the mountain and ride right from there on a rentel sled. If that is not going on - then you can easily rent sleds elsewhere and trailer to just up the road for some great riding around the resort. There are also several sweet lodges I could reccomend for you to stay in (would be best to have a few others come with you.) Dont let Tamarack's finacial woes scare you (they are in a typical brand new ski resort phase of reorganization (just like many other well known ski resorts have endured in the past). I really enjoy spending time there - you get all the nice acomodations in a great atmosphere and no crowds. Downfall there is you are half hour from shopping and other touristy stuff that McCall offers.
Hope that gives you some ideas!
Last edited:
Wow Sarah!!!!! Awesome Pics!!!!! I would SO love to have a wedding like that!!!! Very pretty!!! And you def give some great ideas on a honeymoon location!
S
Swing2827
Member
I would agree with XP Summit, Brooks Lake Lodge would def be the place to go for a new bride. Especially with the spa. Its on the Togwotee Pass so you will get all the benefits of riding out of togwotee. Ask for Joe as your guide if you stay at Brooks. Hes awsome and knows the area like the back of his hand. If brooks is a little more than you want to spend i would def recommend togwotee mtn lodge.
Brooks Lake Lodge.
http://www.brookslake.com/
Togwotee Mtn Lodge.
http://www.togwoteelodge.com/
Brooks Lake Lodge.
http://www.brookslake.com/
Togwotee Mtn Lodge.
http://www.togwoteelodge.com/
congrats on the wedding, and hope you have an awesome honeymoon where ever you both choose. lots of good choices given above.
nice thing about West yellowstone and togwotee/jackson area you arent far from either and can day trip or overnight in one or the other. that area lets you ride, wy, mt, and idaho from one location and see the rockies/continental divide, and the grand tetons and teton natl forrest. if the snow or weather is better at one location, get on the sleds and go. tour the region, dont lock yourself or budget into one area. one thing you havent made mention of is the date of the blessed event? some places have better snow than others at certain times of year and that could be played into your scenario. again, congrats to both of you! enjoy your moment to the fullest, and enjoy your life together.
now on to a thread jacking event:
man xp summit you werent kidding about the services and pricing at brooks lake. we are trying to do togwotee again pre xmas week, and trying to do it frugally. doesnt anyone offer just a room, breakfast and dinner for reasonable? we have our own gear, sleds and tools, can fend for ourselves at lunch, dont need fancy night life. we just want to ride and see the local sites. togwotee mountain lodge will probably get our group again, for their bang for the buck. now we need to decide, if the money for rickky bobby transport, and a 6-800 per person flight is worth it v.s driving out on our own.
you will now be returned to your regularly threaded programing. ski
nice thing about West yellowstone and togwotee/jackson area you arent far from either and can day trip or overnight in one or the other. that area lets you ride, wy, mt, and idaho from one location and see the rockies/continental divide, and the grand tetons and teton natl forrest. if the snow or weather is better at one location, get on the sleds and go. tour the region, dont lock yourself or budget into one area. one thing you havent made mention of is the date of the blessed event? some places have better snow than others at certain times of year and that could be played into your scenario. again, congrats to both of you! enjoy your moment to the fullest, and enjoy your life together.
now on to a thread jacking event:
man xp summit you werent kidding about the services and pricing at brooks lake. we are trying to do togwotee again pre xmas week, and trying to do it frugally. doesnt anyone offer just a room, breakfast and dinner for reasonable? we have our own gear, sleds and tools, can fend for ourselves at lunch, dont need fancy night life. we just want to ride and see the local sites. togwotee mountain lodge will probably get our group again, for their bang for the buck. now we need to decide, if the money for rickky bobby transport, and a 6-800 per person flight is worth it v.s driving out on our own.
you will now be returned to your regularly threaded programing. ski
Last edited:
Wedding will be the middle of February, probably leave shortly after the wedding. So late Feb. or early March. Just depends on our work schedules.
M
MTdream
Well-known member
well since that is my quote...
My quote in context suggests that there are the flatlander special rides (read rolling hills, and trails), but that there are a LOT more rides outside the "West" areas...I ride a ton in the Gallatin Nat. Forest (north of West), Jefferson (west of West), and those areas have MORE than enough to satisfy your passion for pow.
And i think I saw that you are looking to move out west...
Next time you are in the West area, shoot me a PM, I will take you places that will more than satisfy ANY sledders dreams of the big steep and deep...
Pic below from this last winter...4 feet of snow...(posted earlier but some dont read through stuff in context
)
So, look me up and we will take you out, and show you why West is a LOT more than most think...I have ridden around here my whole life and still manage to find new sweet spots that others have not touched...
Last edited:
M
MTdream
Well-known member
with that timeframe, you will NOT have an issue finding great snow regardless of any of the locations mentioned...
Have fun, enjoy yourself, and post pics letting us know how things went...
W
Wish
Well-known member
Wow
That is a killer picture!
Congratulations, what a tough delima you have! I think you will love any of these places suggested....I would double check on whether there are any big things going on during the same time. If something like the hillclimbs in Jackson are on the same weekend...you may have a real tough time finding a hotel.
Good luck, hope to see pics next Feb
That is a killer picture!
Congratulations, what a tough delima you have!
I think you will love any of these places suggested....I would double check on whether there are any big things going on during the same time. If something like the hillclimbs in Jackson are on the same weekend...you may have a real tough time finding a hotel. Good luck, hope to see pics next Feb
