Places to stay to ride in Rabbit ears?

[jake432]

So hoping that there is good snow I am thinking about riding in rabbit ears from jan 2nd to the 8th. My question is, are their any lodges or cabins you can ride from or is it all trailering? Are these lodges in a town with dealerships and festivities (aka bars)? How has the snow been now and the last few years? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Jake

 

[Dogmeat]

There are not lodges with cabins you can ride from on Rabbit Ears / Buffalo pass, at least to my knowledge. You have to trailer in from either Walden, Steamboat Springs, or Kremmling. The night life in Walden or Kremmling is pretty much non-existant, there are like two bars in Kremmling and I'm not sure about Walden. Steam Boat there is an awful lot more for night life.

Since it appears you'd be coming from far away, I'd actually recommend hitting up Hahn's Peak Roadhouse for a few nights and riding the northern part of the Routt nat. forest ... You can ride right out of the lodge there and they have a full bar, guide services, all that jazz. A lot less people up there than RE/Buff and more terrain to ride as well.

I would consider something like this .... Drive in, Stay in Kremmling the first night, ride Re/Buff the next day. Head to Steamboat to partake in night life. Ride RE/Buff from steamboat as many times as you want.

Head north through Walden to Saratoga Wy and hit up the snowies from the west side for a day on the way home ... north to I80, then head back east ... At least do this if you don't hit up hahn's peak.

If i was coming from as far away as minnesota I'd want to ride more than just RE for the time and $$$ the trip would cost me, I'll put it that way.

 

[boatingbent]

Or just go to Togwotee!!!!

 

[Dogmeat]

Here is a map of the area:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5274222.pdf

As you can see, its actually pretty darn small in comparison to a lot of other areas. Its more or less a 6x18mi square of ridable area.

The reason it is "so popular" is mainly because its been one the few places within a 3 hour drive of Denver that has consistently gotten fresh snow the last 10 years. Its a great area, don't get me wrong, but like I said above if I was making a 14+ hour trip out west, Rabbit Ears / Buff is quite honestly one of the last places I'd make a point to ride 4 or 5 days on. I'd much rather make it part of a multi-area trip and get the most bang for my buck.