New to Colorado! Need some help

[AKdragon700]

Hey so Ive been living in Alaska my whole life and have always wanted to get down here and do some rocky mountain riding. Well now that i'm going to school in Boulder, CO I finally have a reason to get my sled shipped down but I have no idea where people go riding. I have my f-250 pickup so getting my sled around or pulling a trailer would be no problem for me. I really wanna get my sled shipped down either later this year or next year for sure but i need to get the low down on riding? Wheres the best back country at? Whats closest to Boulder? Where do u park trailer/truck? When does the good riding start/end? Does everyone usually bring Beacons? Any suggestions or help would be great. Thank You! and Anytime anyone wants to come to AK and do some riding just hit me up and ill make it happen.

 

[AlphaMale]

There is lots of good riding within a few hours of Boulder, Vail pass is close if you beat skier traffic. There is also numerous place with good backcountry riding in and around summit county. Rabbit Ears pass is a little further but worth the drive. Depending on what type of sled you have is really going to determine what type of riding you will be doing. If you have a trail sled go to Grand Lake. Without a mountain sled you will pretty much be stuck to trail riding.(crossovers work somewhat but you will be getting stuck a lot) A beacon probe and shovel is a must, you should also take an avy 1 class if you are entering the backcountry. I like to start riding once there is a good base built up since rocks and tree stumps seem to always pop up at the worst times. You can normally ride well into april if you like to ride spring snow. If you want to know the best spots to ride join a snowmobile club or keep looking around here and you will figure it out pretty quick. I never ride alone so just make sure you take a friend. If you need someone to ride with just put up a post and I'm sure someone will respond everyone around here are pretty good people.

 

[AndrettiDog]

AlphaMale has some really good advice. First, don't ride alone out here. The weather changes fast and it's easy to get lost. A beacon is a must even if you don't hill climb. You might have to save someone else or you might end up in a place you don't expect.

Vail Pass is good, but you have to get up there early. Lots of riders and marked trails, so you could probably find some riding partners.

Join a club. There are 33 clubs in Colorado. They have group rides and lots of people looking for riding partners.

I'm the president of the Holy Cross Powder Hounds, a club in Eagle County. We ride Vail Pass, Red & White and several other areas. This coming Friday we have our kick-off party in Eagle. Chris Burandt will be there to meet and greet and show off his most recent video. You are welcome to come down and party with us a meet several riders of all ages. We'd love to have you in the club, or you can come as a guest. Hotel is relatively cheap in Eagle ($80).

HERE is the link to our kick-off party thread.

 

[AndrettiDog]

AlphaMale has some really good advice. First, don't ride alone out here. The weather changes fast and it's easy to get lost. A beacon is a must even if you don't hill climb. You might have to save someone else or you might end up in a place you don't expect.

Vail Pass is good, but you have to get up there early. Lots of riders and marked trails, so you could probably find some riding partners.

Join a club. There are 33 clubs in Colorado. They have group rides and lots of people looking for riding partners.

I'm the president of the Holy Cross Powder Hounds, a club in Eagle County. We ride Vail Pass, Red & White and several other areas. This coming Friday we have our kick-off party in Eagle. Chris Burandt will be there to meet and greet and show off his most recent video. You are welcome to come down and party with us a meet several riders of all ages. We'd love to have you in the club, or you can come as a guest. Hotel is relatively cheap in Eagle ($80).

HERE is the link to our kick-off party thread.