MN Native, 1st trip west, Spokane, WA Area, Need HELP!

[cjos12]

We have a group of MN natives looking to head out west for the first time, experienced sledders and do most of our sledding in the UP of Michigan so it isn't mountain riding, that's for sure.

What we're looking for is a great trail system area with the ability to do some deep snow riding and messing around. I've done a little bit of research on the Priest Lake area and have heard from others that the area around Coeur D' Alene and down I-80 to Wallace are great as well.

So with that, any suggestions you have would be great, looks to be 2 or 3 of us heading out that direction so any and all information on the following would be greatly appreciated:

1.) Top location- where and why?

2.) Lodging- we would like to stay at a place we can drive sleds right from if possible so we don't have to mess with renting a trailer, etc. BUT, if it's best to do the rental to save money we can do that as well. We don't need 5 star acccomidations, just seperate beds and a kitchenete would be a plus.

3.) Rentals- we would need to rent sleds, best prices, sleds, etc.

Any help for some midwest boys would be greatly appreciated, thank you for your time guys, really pumped up at the chance to ride in the mountains!

 

[xrated]

Your gonna get a guy on here by the name of preistlakermk, and this is what he will say. And he's right

Stay at Cavys.
http://www.cavanaughbayresort.com/

Looks like they rent sleds from 150-300 a day with 500 deposit.

I hear there is great off trail if you head one direction and great trail riding in the other. One is east and one is west.

Your searching is done, call them and book the week now.

 

[xrated]

I fyou go around CDA and Wallace, or anywhere in ID beware of the locals, they are short, hairy beyond belief and generally just not right in the head

 

[Top]

I fyou go around CDA and Wallace, or anywhere in ID beware of the locals, they are short, hairy beyond belief and generally just not right in the head

I don't care who you are, that there is FUNNY!!!!!!!!

 

[Spiced Wafer]

if your looking for the one stop shop...then x is correct stay at one of the resorts around priest lake...cavvy's is a nice place...good trail system with the ablility to play off trail....when i said nice, i meant nice to us sledders,.,,it isn't a 5 star place...very beautiful...right on the lake!

if you want to stay around cda, then you will be using a trailer...there is no getting around that...we don't have a drive on/ drive off place in the cda area...priest is about 1.5-2 hours north of cda....

good luck and have fun!

 

[xrated]

if your looking for the one stop shop...then x is correct stay at one of the resorts around priest lake...cavvy's is a nice place...good trail system with the ablility to play off trail....when i said nice, i meant nice to us sledders,.,,it isn't a 5 star place...very beautiful...right on the lake!

if you want to stay around cda, then you will be using a trailer...there is no getting around that...we don't have a drive on/ drive off place in the cda area...priest is about 1.5-2 hours north of cda....

good luck and have fun!

and one of the hairy locals chimes in.....course a local who makes a mean muff pot elk sausage.

 

[cjos12]

All we need is a bed to sleep in at night and that place looks more than adequate and the price is right as well. How far of a drive from Spokane up there, 2 hours on a clear day?

So Cav's is on the East sided of the lake, lake safe to run from the resort to say Outlet, Luby or Kalispell Bay?

How about places to eat, any recommendations there, maybe that muff pot elk sausage you speak of.

 

[xrated]

All we need is a bed to sleep in at night and that place looks more than adequate and the price is right as well. How far of a drive from Spokane up there, 2 hours on a clear day?

So Cav's is on the East sided of the lake, lake safe to run from the resort to say Outlet, Luby or Kalispell Bay?

How about places to eat, any recommendations there, maybe that muff pot elk sausage you speak of.

Not sure on the distance but it is close. The lake is open year round if I recall correct from pictures.

If I were you I'd book now, I rode out in north ID this year and I can't wait to go back next year!

Where in MN are you located?

 

[cjos12]

I live just west of the Twin Cities Metro Area. You're from Plainview, my dad grew up in Lake City and went to school in Wabasha so I know that area very well. Great sledding if you get snow!

 

[bigbull]

No lake crossings on this lake unless its at the far North end. Cavanughs has more than adequate food at decent prices. You will want to be riding the East side of the lake for actual "riding". Unless you are checking out restaurants or bars elsewhere. They have trail maps there or you can order them before you get there. Book soon, they fill up the prime cabins soon.
BB

 

[cjos12]

The North and West side suck or what, looks to be a ton of trails on the West and North side but probably a lot more traffic.

 

[xrated]

I live just west of the Twin Cities Metro Area. You're from Plainview, my dad grew up in Lake City and went to school in Wabasha so I know that area very well. Great sledding if you get snow!

I keep telling these guys we have hills River bluffs should count.

I assume you guys want to fly into Spoko? If so you should check out tickets now. Whitaker here on the 4m just got a oneway from Spok to the cities for 129.

 

[xrated]

The North and West side suck or what, looks to be a ton of trails on the West and North side but probably a lot more traffic.

trust me you won't be wanting trails when you get there.

BB knows his stuff, he took my flatland ace into the hills.

Also if you haven't all ready make sure and take one of Mike Duffys Avalance classes. Best 45 bucks I ever spent for sledding.

Here is his schedule for MN
Class Date of Class Location Link
Four Hour Avalanche Awareness, Avoidance and Rescue December 2, 2009 6:00pm Bemidji, MN Class Details
Four Hour Avalanche Awareness, Avoidance and Rescue December 3, 2009 6:00pm Hutchinson, MN Class Details
Four Hour Avalanche Awareness, Avoidance and Rescue December 4, 2009 6:00pm White Bear Lake Class Details
Four Hour Avalanche Awareness, Avoidance and Rescue December 15, 2009 6:00pm Hope, MN Class Details
Four Hour Avalanche Awareness, Avoidance and Rescue December 18, 2009 (All day) Baxter, MN Class Details

 

[cjos12]

Speaking of that, I think I can help you guys out a ton!

We can get out to Spokane on Southwest from MPLS for under $250 if you travel on specific dates. You can check it out here:

http://www.southwest.com/landing/fourthqrtr.html

When looking at other options like flying into Bozeman, MT you're looking at $450 or more for the same time period.

 

[xpdfcwut]

I fyou go around CDA and Wallace, or anywhere in ID beware of the locals, they are short, hairy beyond belief and generally just not right in the head

Were not all that hairy, but the rest i won't argue.

 

[cjos12]

"Four Hour Avalanche Awareness, Avoidance and Rescue December 3, 2009 6:00pm Hutchinson, MN Class Details "

Do you have a link to where I can signup for this?

Flatlanders we are, but it might take me longer than a day to want to go up the side of a mountain! I think the best thing to do is not follow the hairy locals who say they want to show us a good time sledding.

 

[xrated]

here is the info
Squeaky's Grill and Bar
1150 Hwy 7W Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-587-2352


Details:
Cost $45
Sign up: Call Alvin at Fun Sports of Hutchinson 320-587-9505
or email: funsport@hutchtel.net

avalanche1.com is his site.

 

[xrated]

"Four Hour Avalanche Awareness, Avoidance and Rescue December 3, 2009 6:00pm Hutchinson, MN Class Details "

Do you have a link to where I can signup for this?

Flatlanders we are, but it might take me longer than a day to want to go up the side of a mountain! I think the best thing to do is not follow the hairy locals who say they want to show us a good time sledding.

Trust me you will want to go up the hill until you see it....then you will still want to but you won't want to. Then you finally will and it will be a huge rush. Then you realize you have to come down and that's even scarier, and a bigger rush then going up.

This is the first hill they took me to play on. and sight of my first stuck.

 

[cjos12]

Thanks, hopefully you get some snow to cover those bluffs!

 

[cjos12]

Now that's riding!