Rocky Mountain Riding

[renegade18]

Me and a couple guys are thinking of coming out from NH next winter to do some deep powder riding. I was wondering where you guys thought was the best place to go, how much 5 days would be, and what time of year is best to come out? I know Canada is going to be more expensive now that our dollar is worth **** but I would be curious about here as well.

We are thinking about Towgotee (spelled that wrong) so what is everyone's thoughts on riding here?

Thanks

 

[scott t]

Togwotee is awesome. Huge area and Togwotee lodge has package deals

 

[chriswelters]

Anywhere near Grand Junction CO?

 

[Boston Racing]

Thundermountainlodge.net <~~Exactly what your looking for.

You can PM cannonman on here, he owns the place.

 

[chriswelters]

Where are the good spots to ride by cedar edge

 

[knifedge]

Togwotee would be great for you guys

--ONSITE--

food and lodging
rental sleds
fuel
groomed trails to lounge on
powder to ride in (Jan-Feb- early Mar)
guides
guided tours
guy to take your picture while on the guided tour
more than enough terrain for you guys to get stuck in(I mean explore)

--Always a good time--

--Enjoy the 4400 mile drive to get here and back to NH. Or you could fly into Jackson and
rent sleds at the lodge that are already set up for mtn riding. Just bring your debit card.

 

[AndrettiDog]

You'll probably get better info in the Colorado/Wyoming forums.

 

[tbeaton]

Me and a couple guys are thinking of coming out from NH next winter to do some deep powder riding. I was wondering where you guys thought was the best place to go, how much 5 days would be, and what time of year is best to come out? I know Canada is going to be more expensive now that our dollar is worth **** but I would be curious about here as well.

We are thinking about Towgotee (spelled that wrong) so what is everyone's thoughts on riding here?

Thanks

bunch of us are thinking the same thing. i was told come out late march??

 

[goforbroke]

Deep powder days happen from November till end of feb. march also, but you might hit a warm spell and no powder. Snowpack isn't consistently good till feb. so I would pick a non holiday week end of jan. to end of feb. for best chance of a great ride. With that said, my best rides this year was November and end of march. Snow just didn't fall much jan and feb. this year. If I were coming for a week I'd hit two spots, unless the idea was vacation with some riding.

 

[knifedge]

March starts to get warmer. To ride dry powder, you generally need to ride right after the snowfall. 2-3 days later and it is set up. You guys from back east would not care though. The riding is so different out here that you would have a good time anyway. We live here so were just more picky. Jan-Feb- early Mar is best for reliable powder, usually. Late March you probably get good deals because snow is melting, but still fun hero snow.

 

[renegade18]

We will be flying and I know there is going to be an issue flying and then getting to where we want to go. We are going to have to rent a car to get to the spot we are staying and riding.

 

[rmk727]

Tog has a shuttle to get you, free I believe

 

[BigBang]

Check Snow

I am a Wyoming boy, and I have rode Togwotee quite a bit. Togwotee Lodge is a great facility that is extremely rider friendly. They have rooms and cabins to rent as well as sleds and most anything you might need. I have also stayed at Turpin Meadows, and would recommend them if you are looking for someplace a little less busy. Turpin has less amenities than Togwotee Lodge, but it is close to Togwotee Lodge, and I believe it was cheaper. It also has a pretty awesome view. I have a cabin in the Snowy Range and that is where I ride the most by far. The Snowies are a great place to ride with good riding for everyone. I would recommend Albany Lodge if you want to go to the Snowies. They have a nice place with rooms, sled rentals, fuel and food. If you want a little lower key place check out The Place. It is on the other side of the mountain. They have cabins, fuel and food. With all this said the best advice I can give you is to figure out where the snow is before you come out. I know that it is hard to plan a huge trip on short notice; however you don't want to show up and not have any snow. This winter was one of the worst ones I have seen in Wyoming for a long time. I felt pretty bad for the guys that came out last year and had to ride in marginal snow. There are several wonderful riding areas throughout the Rockies, and I would recommend finding the spot that has been getting snow before you come out.

 

[BackCountryBob]

Fly into Denver (DEN) taxi/limo to EXTREME RENTALS in Lakewood--www.ExtremeRentalsInc.com they have AC M-800s with 4 place trailer (n/c) and a Toyota crew cab 4x4 package.

You take I-70 to Vail and get a feel for 9-11,000' powder riding, then drive about 3.5 hrs to the Grand Mesa, 9-10,000'. There are 3 ride in/out lodges there--Grand Mesa Loge, Thunder Mtn Lodge and Alexander Lake Lodge. Cedar Edge is about 1/2 hr drive from the GM. OR you could try Grand Lake for a day then on to Rabbit Ears Pass (near Steamboat Springs). Go to www.snowmobilecolo.com for trail maps.

Altitude sickness is the real deal and taking it easy the first couple of days, limiting alcohol, and drinking lots of water will make your trip more enjoyable.

Best time for dry powder is anytime in February.

Avy pep is recommended

BCB

 

[knifedge]

--These guys are going to need a guide for them to get there monies worth. Someone who can teach them a few pointers and show them where to go. Without a guide, it will mostly be trail riding and getting stuck alot just off the trail.

--Alot of good places to visit, but I think Togwottee has a money back guarentee
for low/no snow conditions.

 

[ryan_625]

We went to Togwotee last season, it was an awesome time! Loved everything but the 17 hour drive!!

 

[renegade18]

Ya the drive would be 35 plus hours for us and that is one way. Put it this way I drove out to Utah once and it was 42 hours out and 38 back. We will be flying for sure.

Thanks for all the info it really helps. Keep it coming because I do read all of it.

 

[dotter]

West Yellowstone

You should also consider west, big area, rentals, fly into Boseman. Island park is close, both very good places!!

 

[FCR112]

Take a snowmobile specific avy class if you guys haven't before coming out. Knowledge is power

Plan on using beacons probes and shovels in backpacks. Think about avy packs. You're in one of the most dangerous demographics, better than some newbs from the midwest, but still at a very high risk for avy exposure.
Then get into the state forums and get hooked up with some local types once you narrow it down. Lot's of good places listed on here. Don't forget Utah and Idaho, they can also be fricken awesome depending on where the storms track before the time you come out.

I would suggest you do NOT rent sleds in the Denver Area (or anywhere else) and drive up into the MTNs by yourself and try different areas without an experienced local, that's a bad idea if you have never rode in the Rockies. High Risk!

Have fun! DO the trip!!! Please do not underestimate the danger involved out here in areas you have never ridden before.