Need Advice, never been to colorado

[MidwestBoondocker]

Me and a few buddies are thinking about coming up after new years. We have always rode in Wyoming but things aren't looking to good over there. So were looking for advice. We don't know the area very well.


Were is the best snow currently?
Whats a good lodge in the area?
How big is the riding area?
We have one rookie in the group so we don't want to be in the most extreme area, but still want a challenge.
Thanks for the help guys its greatly appreciated.

 

[Qreiff]

Grand Lake

Snow, at this point, isn't great anywhere in the state. Southern Colorado has the best snow but is probably not an area I recommend with a rookie in the group.

Being your first time, I'd recommend Grand Lake. Snow permitting, you can ride in and out of town. Multiple lodges and restaurants to choose from and a variety of riding terrain to suite your wants and needs. Groomed trails (granted they can get beat up) will take you to many areas that will challenge you.

Being in Colorado, be sure your group is Avalanche saavy, educated and equipped. Manyof the play areas (Little Chicken, Super Chicken to name a couple) are very avy prone. Have your gear, know how to use it and enjoy your stay in CO. We love the tourist dollars! We don't enjoy when tourists leave in a box.

Regardless of anywhere you go, avalanche danger will follow you everywhere in Colorado so be aware.

Not to sound like a downer. Not my intention.

Steamboat Springs (Rabbit Ears riding area) is another great place where amenities abound and the riding terrain will make you smile.
It all comes with an asterisk. Mother Nature needs to continue to snow and everywhere should be pretty good.

 

[MidwestBoondocker]

Qreiff, thanks for all of the info. We will be sure to check it out.

 

[Pro-8250]

Snow, at this point, isn't great anywhere in the state. Southern Colorado has the best snow but is probably not an area I recommend with a rookie in the group.

Being your first time, I'd recommend Grand Lake. Snow permitting, you can ride in and out of town. Multiple lodges and restaurants to choose from and a variety of riding terrain to suite your wants and needs. Groomed trails (granted they can get beat up) will take you to many areas that will challenge you.

Being in Colorado, be sure your group is Avalanche saavy, educated and equipped. Manyof the play areas (Little Chicken, Super Chicken to name a couple) are very avy prone. Have your gear, know how to use it and enjoy your stay in CO. We love the tourist dollars! We don't enjoy when tourists leave in a box.

Regardless of anywhere you go, avalanche danger will follow you everywhere in Colorado so be aware.

Not to sound like a downer. Not my intention.

Steamboat Springs (Rabbit Ears riding area) is another great place where amenities abound and the riding terrain will make you smile.
It all comes with an asterisk. Mother Nature needs to continue to snow and everywhere should be pretty good.

One of the best replies to a question I have ever read. Thank you Qreiff!
Our only trip to Colorado was Hahns Peak about 30 minutes north of Steamboat. It was in April and it was one of the best trips we had ever been on.
http://hahnspeakroadhouse.com/

 

[Kieper]

Try The Grand Mesa

The Grand Mesa has received 89 inches of snow so far this season, nearly the most of anywhere in the rockies. The riding area is 1000 square miles...Great riding for a group of mixed ability, and only 1 major area with avalanche danger. 300 frozen lakes means tons of easy powder riding for the less experienced guys too. Thunder Mountain Lodge has quality sleds for rent, gas, cabins, espresso, and food...Thanks

 

[CO Powder]

I still think the truth is, there isn't enough snow for much off trail riding anywhere in the state yet. Some of us have done it, there are some honey holes if you know where to look. In general though, telling the out of state folks we have had 89 inches on the Mesa or 102 at Wolf Creek is pretty misleading. The fact about the snow depth is that the base is about one third of what you guys are advertising.


I know everybody is excited and wants to ride. I just think the guys driving ~20 hrs to ride should know that we are not at ideal riding conditions yet. It is going to take a couple more storms to cover up all the boulders, stumps and logs. Ride at your own risk is the order of the day men.


Being able to go up the mountain in 30 minutes to ride out some known honey holes and post up pics portraits it as ready, and I am guilty of eye candy photos for sure. I personally would not drive 20 hours to ride what is on the ground now because I know it is fixing to be a LOT better soon enough.

 

[chicagosledder]

So the big question is, do you think by the end of the Dec. you guys will have enough snow to safely ride off trail. We are leaving the 28th to ride for a week.

 

[CO Powder]

So the big question is, do you think by the end of the Dec. you guys will have enough snow to safely ride off trail. We are leaving the 28th to ride for a week.

For me, I think we need at least two more major storms dumping ~2 feet or more each before it is game on. Will we get it? Hard to say. Normally I do not plan to even start riding until x-mas and the GOOD riding typically starts in Feb and runs through May. Dec and Jan are almost always hit and miss this far south.

 

[joetroop30]

Me and a few buddies are thinking about coming up after new years. We have always rode in Wyoming but things aren't looking to good over there. So were looking for advice. We don't know the area very well.


Were is the best snow currently?-Wolf Creek is in the top 5 in snowfall for North America so far this year. They have 116" for the year and they don't embellish their snow report like some of the other resorts. They're supposed to get another storm starting on Thursday night. Check opensnow.com or wolfcreekski.com to get updates on how much snow they've gotten.

Whats a good lodge in the area?-If you're going to ride Wolf Creek I would stay in South Fork. It's easier access to the riding areas and if they get a ton of snow, the east side of Wolf Creek Pass rarely closes, where as the west side gets closed fairly often during and after big storms. I can't name a specific place because I am close enough that I just drive back and forth from my house.

How big is the riding area?-The riding area at the top of the pass is big enough that it will keep you entertained for several days. Look at Google Earth and you can see the Forest Service roads winding through it. It's easy to find your way around and the local club is really good about grooming the trails. Just follow the groomed trails around and when you find something off trail that looks good-dive in. Go on the Colorado Snowmobile Associations website and look at the trail reports/maps. Directions to the riding areas and updated conditions.

We have one rookie in the group so we don't want to be in the most extreme area, but still want a challenge.-There's plenty of riding on trail and in open meadows that is easily accessible by anyone at the top of the pass. There is another riding area-Summitvile that gets groomed and has trail riding for your rookie. I've personally never ridden that area, I always go to the top of Wolf Creek Pass and ride, but I'd give that a look. Riding at the top of the pass is pretty safe and in my opinion you have to kind of go out of your way to put yourself in any avi danger.

Thanks for the help guys its greatly appreciated.

I agree with CO Powder though, it's been a good early season but we still need more snow for good off trail riding. It's still a little scary out there. The storm this weekend should definitely help from what I'm reading. If we get another storm after this one it will be pretty dang good!

 

[chicagosledder]

So the big question is do I reserve a place to stay for Dec 26 thru Jan 02 and hope for snow and take a chance that if there is snow that all the places will be booked or do I hold off. Keep in mind that I am taking my son because he is off school and the next trip could be months or even next year. If you guys say go ahead I was open to suggestions on where to go as well.

 

[MidwestBoondocker]

I agree with CO Powder though, it's been a good early season but we still need more snow for good off trail riding. It's still a little scary out there. The storm this weekend should definitely help from what I'm reading. If we get another storm after this one it will be pretty dang good!

Were is the snow going and how much are they expecting?

 

[joetroop30]

It's looking like the whole state is gonna get hit. According to opensnow.com most mountains should see 10-20" in the next 7-10 days.

Looks like the Wolf Creek area will see heavier snow by Friday afternoon into Saturday. Another storm supposed to come after that on Monday and Tuesday. There's a possibility of a 3rd storm late next week or on the weekend.

If that all happens it would be pretty dang good by the weekend of the 18th-19th.

 

[joetroop30]

Midwestboondocker-Sorry I answered your questions when I quoted your post, but my answers kind of blend in with your questions. Don't know if you missed that.

Chicagosledder-I don't think it would be a wasted trip if you came out during that time, especially if you'd have to wait months before you could make it out again. This early season has been the best one we've had in years in southern Colorado and it looks like it's gonna get better in the next week. I've already been out riding 5 times this year, and have done quite a bit of off trail riding.

I get to go to WI for 2 weeks over X-Mas . I'd much rather be at home riding my sled.

 

[trackvs2wheels]

EVERYBODY keep doing the snow dances...

 

[capulin overdrive]

So the big question is do I reserve a place to stay for Dec 26 thru Jan 02 and hope for snow and take a chance that if there is snow that all the places will be booked or do I hold off. Keep in mind that I am taking my son because he is off school and the next trip could be months or even next year. If you guys say go ahead I was open to suggestions on where to go as well.

Agree with Joe, you might as well come on out. Maybe wait until Sunday or Monday, if you're wanting to book rooms and see what the coming storm does.


That would tell you if you should come down to Wolf Creek, or if somewhere farther north gets hammered and filled in.

 

[MidwestBoondocker]

Midwestboondocker-Sorry I answered your questions when I quoted your post, but my answers kind of blend in with your questions. Don't know if you missed that.

Chicagosledder-I don't think it would be a wasted trip if you came out during that time, especially if you'd have to wait months before you could make it out again. This early season has been the best one we've had in years in southern Colorado and it looks like it's gonna get better in the next week. I've already been out riding 5 times this year, and have done quite a bit of off trail riding.

I get to go to WI for 2 weeks over X-Mas . I'd much rather be at home riding my sled.

No problem. Grateful for all the help so far on this site.

 

[CO Powder]

You have to understand that these storms are not easy to predict when they hit the mountains. Sometimes we get hammered in the south, many times it heads right up I-70 north of us and gets Vail/ Steamboat etc. They have snow in the forecast but it still seems pretty hit or miss and I haven't seen claims of big snow coming for sure.


I just wish I would have taken a pic of what it looks like in the trees I am used to riding later in the season. Places I can usually fly through are completely impassable because the down trees are not covered up and the drainages are not filled in enough to cross.


Can you ride? sure, lots of us have been, I have 180 miles on my new sled. I guess any riding is better than not riding. Choosing where to go will be the biggest trick. By this time next week, we will know which places picked up the snow. Much before that is a total guess.


Confirms my suspicions about this storm... http://www.wunderground.com/US/CO/017.html#SPE

 

[CO Powder]

The update this morning shows the heavier snowfall hanging to the north for the first wave starting tomorrow. Vail/Steamboat areas picking up the most.


The second wave early next week is still up in the air. Heck, they may be wrong on the storm tomorrow still....

 

[MidwestBoondocker]

Ok thanks CO Powder. I guess we will just play the waiting game now

 

[bay]

I would wait out this weekends storm and then book your trip once you see where the snow fell. An additional storm is on deck after the weekend storm that has comparable forecasted storm track.

I am heading to Crested Butte on the 19th for Holiday break and feel confident that it will be a good time regardless. IMO the consistant smaller storms every 3-4 days (4-8 inches) build a better more consistant base and even if the upcoming storms don't fully produce they should still put down some accumulation.

A few years ago (maybe 2010) it snowed 100" up at irwin the week leading up to Xmas and it was straight up scary. Even at the ski area I wore my beacon. That storm materialized at the last moment and just sat and dumped much more then they forecast so they can under forecast as well.

IMO things will only get better between now and end of the month.