heading west, where and what time of year?

[tbeaton]

bunch of guys want to head west next winter, looking for a place thats easily accessable, has rental sleds, cabins and possibly guide service. not sure where we want to go so suggestions would be great. also, we want to go either before our season starts or after ours is over. that would put us before christmas or essentially this time of year. when is a better time to come out? for us, now is good as we will be in sled shape after ridding all year out east, but when is the snow better?

 

[bdoe22]

late feb-end of march

come after your season for a number of reasons. Most areas get a good portion of their snow in late feb through march. secondly the days get much longer and have more sunshine along with the fresh pow. the typical places to go would be cooke, togwotee, alpine, island park, these all have the full gauntlet of ammenities with guides and lodging. dont short yourself, get a guide and you will have a blast.

 

[tbeaton]

come after your season for a number of reasons. Most areas get a good portion of their snow in late feb through march. secondly the days get much longer and have more sunshine along with the fresh pow. the typical places to go would be cooke, togwotee, alpine, island park, these all have the full gauntlet of ammenities with guides and lodging. dont short yourself, get a guide and you will have a blast.

i figured i guide would be best. do most places rent all different sleds? we have guys that ride cat, poo, doo and i know they will want to be on a sled that they ride during the season.

 

[edavis0202]

Snowy Range is great for beginner snowmobilers. You can stay at multiple places within 30mins if riding or stay at a place that you can rent sleds.

Albany Lodge is great, they rent sleds (new M8's) and the rates are reasonable.

Or stay in Laramie, WY and take a quick 30min drive up the mountain and rent sleds there too.

Make sure you give yourself enough time coming back from riding the trails, if you dont know where you are. it can be confusing and it can get dark fast.

 

[50stang]

i figured i guide would be best. do most places rent all different sleds? we have guys that ride cat, poo, doo and i know they will want to be on a sled that they ride during the season.

Cooke City, MT that was already mentioned is a blast. Very remote, amazing scenery and off-trail riding. Lots of sled rental options available.
Cooke City Sinclair http://cookecitysinclair.com/ has the new M1100 Turbo, Nytro turbo as well as other options and they do rent out cabins also.
Bear Claw Bob has the best rental prices (great guy also) and has some RMKs and M8s. http://www.bearclawsalesandservice.com/
Cooke City Exxon had RMKs and Summits - http://www.cookecityexxon.com/rentals.htm

It looks like this place does guide service - (If not, call Bear Claw Bob and ask him... he'd know who to call) - http://www.flyfishyellowstone.com/snowmobiling.htm

Cooke has lodging options with cabins or Super 8 hotel rooms.

 

[tbeaton]

Snowy Range is great for beginner snowmobilers. You can stay at multiple places within 30mins if riding or stay at a place that you can rent sleds.

Albany Lodge is great, they rent sleds (new M8's) and the rates are reasonable.

Or stay in Laramie, WY and take a quick 30min drive up the mountain and rent sleds there too.

Make sure you give yourself enough time coming back from riding the trails, if you dont know where you are. it can be confusing and it can get dark fast.

i wouldn't say we are begginers, yes we don't get to ride mountains like out west, but we do ride deeper snow and off trail.

 

[edavis0202]

i wouldn't say we are begginers, yes we don't get to ride mountains like out west, but we do ride deeper snow and off trail.

It wasnt intented you were "beginners" like as in never ridden a sled before, but if you dont know where you are going then it really doesnt matter how deep the snow is, if you're lost then your lost.

Snow Range is just an easy place to get to and it well mapped out.

 

[tbeaton]

It wasnt intented you were "beginners" like as in never ridden a sled before, but if you dont know where you are going then it really doesnt matter how deep the snow is, if you're lost then your lost.

Snow Range is just an easy place to get to and it well mapped out.

gotcha.

 

[XP Summit]

I would say your best bet would be Togwotee Lodge mid March. You fly in right to Jackson Hole, WY. The lodge will pick you up at the Airport and drive you 45 minutes up to the hill. You have Cabin's, Bar, Fuel, Rental and just about everything needed. Plus you have guides to get you unstuck and every type of terrain you could dream of. For newbies it works great. I organize a group there every year of about 14 of us. If you book your trip in Nov with a $250 deposit you can generally get on the all inclusive package for about $130 a guy per day for 3 to a cabin. You get lunch, guide, lodging, ride up and down, free social hour, dinner along with a few other things. For you first trip out you can not beat it!

 

[Pownar]

Right now if you can. Oregon and Washington have been getting dumped on lately.

 

[tbeaton]

AZ just got hammered.

 

[schmitt]

I would say your best bet would be Togwotee Lodge mid March. You fly in right to Jackson Hole, WY. The lodge will pick you up at the Airport and drive you 45 minutes up to the hill. You have Cabin's, Bar, Fuel, Rental and just about everything needed. Plus you have guides to get you unstuck and every type of terrain you could dream of. For newbies it works great. I organize a group there every year of about 14 of us. If you book your trip in Nov with a $250 deposit you can generally get on the all inclusive package for about $130 a guy per day for 3 to a cabin. You get lunch, guide, lodging, ride up and down, free social hour, dinner along with a few other things. For you first trip out you can not beat it!

This ^^^^