After last weekends storm on the mesa a friend and I went to thunder mountain lodge for 1 night and 2 days of riding. The room was way over priced at $140! It was advertised as sleeps 4. There was only 1 bed and 1 futon. Fine for $60 or $80 but not $140 for 1 night. Especially since there website says old owner pricing was $120 and to call for new owner pricing. HMM! You would think it would be cheaper since that is the way the website makes it appear. Oh well lets go ride 3 feet of fresh, thats why we are here. After riding till 2pm we went back and had lunch in are cabin. Since the lodge advertises fuel we didnt bring any. when we went to fuel up and go back out for an afternoon ride we were told sorry Mark the owner had the fuel key and he was in Junction till tonight! Great! So I sat in my $140 1 bed cabin and watched the sun go down on one of the best day of the year! Thanks Thunder mountain lodge! Went to Electric mountain lodge earlier in the year and highly recomend this place. Nicer, cheaper, fuel available at any time, and the food is first class thanks to the chef Christie and the riding is just as good if not better! Thanx Ben, Christie and Electric Mountain lodge!!!
Thunder mountain lodge-Not so hot!!
- Thread starter rwebb35
- Start date
S
SSWIM
Well-known member
Wow, that sounds like you unfortunately hit Mark at the wrong time. Pricing?? That is a personal opinion. I do not think $140.00 is out of line at all for a cabin on the Mesa. But that is again, a personal opinion. As far as fuel, did you check and see if it was available at the time you checked in?? No bash, just curious. I know every time we have been to the Lodge Mark was there and ready to accomodate any way possible. One surely can not expect him to be there every hour of every day. With that said, I am sure if Mark had known he had Customers that needed fuel he would have left the key for the tank.
His level of customer service has been exemplary every time we have been there. Case in point. Last Saturday, BIG SNOW day, I took my daughter and Her friend on a little ride. We started from Lands End parking lot and went to Thunder Mtn Lodge. It was snowing very hard and Kenzy did not want to ride back. I talked to Mark and asked if I could leave the Girls at the Lodge and return, myself, to my truck and trailer in order to retrieve them and the sleds. He said no problem. I headed to the Lands End parking lot and got the truck and trailer. It took a while as the Dog Sled races were going on and the parking lot was a "CLUSTER". I headed back to Thunder Mtn. Lodge and had a difficult time getting to the Lodge. My trailer is a tripple axle enclosed. Snow was DEEP on the ROAD. I got to Marks parking lot and loaded up the Girls and sleds and thanked Mark. He offered to let me leave the trailer at His place and I opted to take it down. He told me to hang on and then bladed the road out to the highway for me!!!! He had many customers at the time, but took the time to help me out. If he had not bladed the road I would have had a very difficult time, possibly not even making it back to the main road. THANKS MARK.
I may sound like a "cheerleader" for Thunder Mtn. Lodge. That's just fine by me. Extenuating circumstances sometimes get the best of us all. It is a real dissapointment that you, rwebb35, were not able to ride because of the gas situation. I can relate as I have missed some of those "EPIC" days due to situations beyond my control. I am sure Mark would not have let the situation manifest itself in the manner it did if He had known You needed fuel.
Well, off my little soapbox now.
Sam
His level of customer service has been exemplary every time we have been there. Case in point. Last Saturday, BIG SNOW day, I took my daughter and Her friend on a little ride. We started from Lands End parking lot and went to Thunder Mtn Lodge. It was snowing very hard and Kenzy did not want to ride back. I talked to Mark and asked if I could leave the Girls at the Lodge and return, myself, to my truck and trailer in order to retrieve them and the sleds. He said no problem. I headed to the Lands End parking lot and got the truck and trailer. It took a while as the Dog Sled races were going on and the parking lot was a "CLUSTER". I headed back to Thunder Mtn. Lodge and had a difficult time getting to the Lodge. My trailer is a tripple axle enclosed. Snow was DEEP on the ROAD. I got to Marks parking lot and loaded up the Girls and sleds and thanked Mark. He offered to let me leave the trailer at His place and I opted to take it down. He told me to hang on and then bladed the road out to the highway for me!!!! He had many customers at the time, but took the time to help me out. If he had not bladed the road I would have had a very difficult time, possibly not even making it back to the main road. THANKS MARK.
I may sound like a "cheerleader" for Thunder Mtn. Lodge. That's just fine by me. Extenuating circumstances sometimes get the best of us all. It is a real dissapointment that you, rwebb35, were not able to ride because of the gas situation. I can relate as I have missed some of those "EPIC" days due to situations beyond my control. I am sure Mark would not have let the situation manifest itself in the manner it did if He had known You needed fuel.
Well, off my little soapbox now.
Sam
sorry to hear your experience was less than epic, possibly you could call Mark in person and discuss you feelings. I personally have never seen a lodge owner that goes out of his way to ensure all guests and visitors are completely satisfied like Mark does. As far as, fuel at the lodge is available but you do have to retreive the key and the amounts are on a honor system so locking up the pumps is a no brainer.
Once again, i think you should contact Mark and he'll try to rectify the situation.
and its snowing again........
Once again, i think you should contact Mark and he'll try to rectify the situation.
and its snowing again........
B
bam530
ACCOUNT CLOSED
I have to say that Mark is very accomidating. He did leave the other day with the key and was very applogetic. You could have gone to Grand Mesa Lodge and gotten fuel like we did. Yes if you don't bunk up together or sleep on futons you may think the room can handle half as many people. Thanks for the great time from the boys in Iowa.
Next year we need Duffy to plan classes there so his wife will let him ride with us longer.
Next year we need Duffy to plan classes there so his wife will let him ride with us longer.
I agree with Sam and Ray on this one. Mark has proven, time and time again, that he is willing to go above and beyond. You can't begin to compare him with the previous owner. You would have been lucky to have her there at all. She had crappy overpriced food and NO fuel ever. 140 bucks to have a cabin in the middle of the Mesa that you can ride from and with great food. Smack in the middle of prime riding season. Not sure what you are comparing it to. But most people would call that a bargin.
Just a suggestion. If you are traveling in the mountains in winter.... carry extra gas.
Just a suggestion. If you are traveling in the mountains in winter.... carry extra gas.
S
stingray719
Well-known member
My last trip up there I stayed at Grand Mesa Lodge and was pleased with price and service. Not throwing gas on the fire
just stating an opinion.
just stating an opinion.
L
live2ride
Moderator: Premium Member
Sorry for your unpleasent time on the Mesa. Mark has gone beyond any expectations for my hubby and I. We have a cabin up past Alexander, and Mark has let us borrow a sled to go and turn on the heat prior to us coming up for the weekend. Last weekend, he even plowed out our truck as he drove by the visitor center on his way back to the lodge. We were at our cabin and never even knew until he told us when we went over for dinner and a couple beers. I would suggest calling him on the phone and trying to take care of your issues.....
We stayed at TML last Thur, Fri, Sat, needed gas everyday, if Mark wasnt there to unlock pump, someone else was. The hot tubs were not warm and he reduced the price of are cabin which was more than fair. All of his staff could not make it up the hill on Sat. but the people that could make it were slammed and having fun helping everyone. Thanks Mark and the entire staff.
Disappointment
Rweb,
I am glad to see folks are not in for a kill based on your honest comments. I am also sorry to hear about your stay. I would hope that the owner zero's in on your comments and insures that they never happen agin. If I were in your shoes and incurred your problems, I too would be raising havoc. You have been kind and considerate in your judgement.
I also share some of your disappointment.
I was hoping to do a 30th wedding anniversary at TML and I may still. The problem was I tried repeatedly to get ahold of someone at TML via numerous emails, and, had to wait nearly two weeks for a response after 3-4 detailed inquires. As inadequate as the reply was I then finally called. A sweet girl on the other end who obviously had her hands full in the kitchen was overwhelmed and I quickly ended the call.
This is despite the fact that I would see ride reports posted by the owner, and I would PM his hits on this website, but I was damed if I could get a response to my inquiries.
Granted the snow was best ever and I can't blame the owner for heading out for rides, but, business is business, on my time, not his. Not sure if he came to run a business or came to ride the snow.
I have heard many great reports about the owner when he is on the snow, enjoying fresh powder with the customers. Good on him, but, I am a customer also, but never came in contact with his kindness and reportedly great demeanor.
Long story short, I am not sure yet if I will spend a 30 year anniversary at TML or somewhere else nearby. I want someone who is ready to cater to my needs if I am paying for his food and drink and accommodations.
Sure hope that makes sense or I have misstated my position.
Great riding, stay safe...
Chaos
Rweb,
I am glad to see folks are not in for a kill based on your honest comments. I am also sorry to hear about your stay. I would hope that the owner zero's in on your comments and insures that they never happen agin. If I were in your shoes and incurred your problems, I too would be raising havoc. You have been kind and considerate in your judgement.
I also share some of your disappointment.
I was hoping to do a 30th wedding anniversary at TML and I may still. The problem was I tried repeatedly to get ahold of someone at TML via numerous emails, and, had to wait nearly two weeks for a response after 3-4 detailed inquires. As inadequate as the reply was I then finally called. A sweet girl on the other end who obviously had her hands full in the kitchen was overwhelmed and I quickly ended the call.
This is despite the fact that I would see ride reports posted by the owner, and I would PM his hits on this website, but I was damed if I could get a response to my inquiries.
Granted the snow was best ever and I can't blame the owner for heading out for rides, but, business is business, on my time, not his. Not sure if he came to run a business or came to ride the snow.
I have heard many great reports about the owner when he is on the snow, enjoying fresh powder with the customers. Good on him, but, I am a customer also, but never came in contact with his kindness and reportedly great demeanor.
Long story short, I am not sure yet if I will spend a 30 year anniversary at TML or somewhere else nearby. I want someone who is ready to cater to my needs if I am paying for his food and drink and accommodations.
Sure hope that makes sense or I have misstated my position.
Great riding, stay safe...
Chaos
Wow, First I have heard about any problems with your stay. No one said anything to me, if they had it would have been taken care of immediately. I more than likely did have a key for the fuel in my pocket, but there are also 2 more sets of keys in the lodge that everybody knows about and if I am not there we let everyone fuel up on their honor. As for Electric Mountain being cheaper that is not the case in either lodging, food or fuel GAURANTEED. As for the cabins being overpriced there is only one place less expensive and let's just say the quality of the cabins are considerably more "rustic". If anyone is not aware, there is a surcharge for everything by every supplier to get things up on the mountain. The weekend storm did reduce our staff as most could not get up here to work but with that being said, If you would, give me a call as I have no idea who you are and let's discuss your issues and I will gladly refund your money for the nights stay. 970-856-6240 Thanks, Mark
Chaos, Please check your emails and previous posts from us. I have tried everyway I know to get a hold of you and to date it has not worked. I have PM"D, posted on other threads on here, left my number and temail, that was quite some time ago. If you would like please get in touch with me via email @ thundermountainlodge@yahoo.com or by phone at 970-856-6240. This winter has been very busy here but to say we have not been in touch is not an accurate statement. I will glady try and help you if you will get in touch with me. By the sounds of your post it sounds like I am out riding everyday, nothing could be farther from the truth. I have ridden less this year living here than I did when I came here on vacation. I am trying to turn around the reputation this place had by the previous owners who were very unfriendly to snowmobilers. It is being run as a business, not a hobby and if you would like to get in touch I will do whatever is necessary so you will have a pleasent experience here. Thanks, Mark
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Good Morning Mark,
Hope all is well. My last post may have sounded rough but it is what it is. I don't hold any grudges and I still look forward to making your acquaintance; perhaps even a guided tour...! Not sure how I would know if you rode everyday but if you are, I'm jealous.
We were actually suppose to come up this weekend to ride and stay but we had family come in for a visit, hence no ride. The majority of the posts indicate you are doing a great job and I trust my previous posting did not take away from that fact. It was the communications end of the deal I was frustrated with.
Anyway, I still want to get up your way for at least a ride and some chow, as I have not been to your neck of the woods yet. As things smooth out, it can only get better and I trust these postings are part of the solution.
All good here. I'll buy the first round.
Chaos
Hope all is well. My last post may have sounded rough but it is what it is. I don't hold any grudges and I still look forward to making your acquaintance; perhaps even a guided tour...! Not sure how I would know if you rode everyday but if you are, I'm jealous.
We were actually suppose to come up this weekend to ride and stay but we had family come in for a visit, hence no ride. The majority of the posts indicate you are doing a great job and I trust my previous posting did not take away from that fact. It was the communications end of the deal I was frustrated with.
Anyway, I still want to get up your way for at least a ride and some chow, as I have not been to your neck of the woods yet. As things smooth out, it can only get better and I trust these postings are part of the solution.
All good here. I'll buy the first round.
Chaos
Another reason that you can't compare TML to ANY of the other lodges.
In all the times that I have been to the lodge, Mark has been busy helping his customers. The lodge is located on top of the mesa and a 45 min drive from the nearest town. (Mesa does not count) The area has been pounded by storm after storm this season and somehow he still manages to keep the road and the parking areas open. The kitchen always has plenty of good food and the bar is stocked. He has worked way harder than ANY of the other lodges to make a good reputation for TML. All season long dozens of sledders have stayed at TML and had a great time. Even those who came unprepared. So it is unfair to throw him under the bus just because he was off in Junction getting supplies in your particular time of need.
Pesonally, I would have siphoned 10 gals from my truck and enjoyed the great conditions until Mark returned.
Hey Mark!
THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO! It is nice to know that no matter how bad the weather gets, there is always a warm friendly place to head.
Well said Steamboat!. This thread is starting to sound more and more 'fishy'......and the plug for Electric seems like a bait & switch.
stating the 'owner' was out riding is funny in itself. Mark has yet to get out and explore the mesa due to the overwhelming demand at the lodge.
stating the 'owner' was out riding is funny in itself. Mark has yet to get out and explore the mesa due to the overwhelming demand at the lodge.
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S
SSWIM
Well-known member
stating the 'owner' was out riding all the time, is funny in itself. Mark has yet to get out and explore the mesa due to the overwhelming demand at the lodge.
It is a good thing I am not the owner. I WOULD be riding all the time, UNLIKE Mark.
I think he needs to get out and ride. He deserves it.
KUDOS Mark.
Sam
It is a good thing I am not the owner. I WOULD be riding all the time, UNLIKE Mark.
I think he needs to get out and ride. He deserves it. KUDOS Mark.
Sam
This thread was so freaking unnecessary why don't you just delete it and be done!!!! 
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