togwotee mountain lodge is it worth the money?

[mnrmkrb]

TML is not the greatest place in the world to stay,however if you like deep snow,a clean and warm bed to sleep in, ok food and below average service, not having to trailer or fuel up with sleds in trailer its a good choice.Those of us that only ride togwotee 1 to 3 times a year that feels a guide is not worth the money have most likely never ridden with a guide. I think that if you way out the price you pay for what you get its still a good option.

 

[MNpowderfiend]

I've done both Snowy and Tog for cheap

Snowy is cheaper. But Tog has been reasonable for us. The part about Tog that I don't care for is the 16 - 17 hour drive from Minneapolis - thus, 1 night in Rapid City on the way back or we die in the ditch. We can do Snowy in 13 hours.

I road 4 days last Feb. in Tog for $550, not including my chain case exploding. We packed 5 penises in a cabin and the Ford crew cab, brought crock pots, grilled on the front porch of the cabin, made sandwiches for the hill, etc. We had 1 cocktail at the bar and did not eat at the restaurant. We are there to ride, so we have 2 or 3 beers and watch a movie and hit the hay.

We generally have had great luck at the Mountain Lodge. Some have not.

Eric

 

[KING900]

Don't stay up top.

Stay down in Dubois at the Stagecoach. They have kitchenettes and the night life in town is a lot better than at Togwotee. You could stay for a month in town what a half a week costs you up top. Now there are some cheaper better lodges along the way, I would rather spend the 15 min driving up to tiehack or the other parking areas and save money.

 

[Sleddingfarmer]

Lava Mtn. Lodge is a real good place to stay its almost to Brooks lake, that way you dont have to drive all the way down to Dubois.

I've only ever eaten at Lava but was very impressed. If it wasnt for not renting sleds Id really consider staying there myself. My only gripe is the few times ive been in/out of there its a bit more of trail ride then im looking for. I can ride all the trails I want back here in NY the rest of the season.

My 3x's out west have all been to Tog tho. Not because its 5 star, but like others have mentioned its got convience mastered..
Coming from NY we fly and dont have the luxury of bring much of our own, outside of gear.

If your driving, bringing your own sled, food, etc.. I woudl really look into Lava and or Turpin. Turpin you could ride right from, Lava I personally would trailer up to Tog, I dont think its more than 15-20 mins??

 

[MNpowderfiend]

It can be a crap shoot to trailer from Dubois or Jackson. Last time we were there and stayed at the lodge, friends we were meeting for the day that were trailering from Jackson got stuck at the bottom of the hill because they closed the road due to the dumping. We finally met up with them at 1pm.

That was a 4 - 5 hour loss of riding time. I probably only ride 50 hours a year, (work, family, etc.). So I'm not shaking the dice after driving 15 - 17 hours to lose 10% of my years riding time for $100 or $200.

Eric

 

[VERTICLE]

Crappy service and expensive. Why are u going back? give it up and go to Cooke! Nicest place with friendly people I have sen in a long time.

 

[firecatguy]

Verticle
we did not find that at all!!!must been a diffrent Togwotee...

 

[togwotee9]

You stay at Togwotee for one reason. That's where the deep $hit is

 

[drinkwyo]

You stay at Togwotee for one reason. That's where the deep $hit is

Yep thats right

 

[firecatguy]

You stay at Togwotee for one reason. That's where the deep $hit is

but i was hoping to get a peticure!!

 

[togwotee9]

but i was hoping to get a peticure!!

I'll cut your toe nails if makes this thread stop

 

[Heypal]

Crappy service and expensive. Why are u going back? give it up and go to Cooke! Nicest place with friendly people I have sen in a long time.

Cooke is a joke. If you are not there within a fews days of a good dump, you might as well ride your sled down the freeway. Our group rode Cooke once and never again. I am sure it is a blast if you can pick up and go on a whim..most of us do not have that luxury.

 

[Snowizard]

Tog was having management problems a couple years ago. A lot of people were complaining, including me. The lodge has been for sale, until last season when it was bought by Aramark Services.

We noticed some improvement last season, and maybe this coming season will be better still.

 

[CuzzinOlaf]

All this talk about all these places has me as confused as Hong Kong hooker in a gay bar. I was first thinking Tog Lodge, then Crooked Creek as of Hay Days and now Lava Mountain Lodge. Can someone give me a good comparison of the riding at the three.

The guy from Crooked Creek was saying there was some awesome areas that were usually untouched less than 10 miles away. Was this a sales pitch or should I consider it.

Everyone is saying the food is great at Lava and you just have to trail ride up to Togwotee for the good stuff. Is it that much better by the Lodge? Is this comparable to Albany in the Snowies up to the Snowy Mountain Lodge?

Anyone?

 

[firecatguy]

Hong Kong hooker in a gay bar hahahahahaha

 

[TheFlyingFynn]

Cooke is a joke. If you are not there within a fews days of a good dump, you might as well ride your sled down the freeway. Our group rode Cooke once and never again. I am sure it is a blast if you can pick up and go on a whim..most of us do not have that luxury.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VERTICLE
Crappy service and expensive. Why are u going back? give it up and go to Cooke! Nicest place with friendly people I have sen in a long time.

True story

 

[skidud]

All this talk about all these places has me as confused as Hong Kong hooker in a gay bar. I was first thinking Tog Lodge, then Crooked Creek as of Hay Days and now Lava Mountain Lodge. Can someone give me a good comparison of the riding at the three.

The guy from Crooked Creek was saying there was some awesome areas that were usually untouched less than 10 miles away. Was this a sales pitch or should I consider it.

Everyone is saying the food is great at Lava and you just have to trail ride up to Togwotee for the good stuff. Is it that much better by the Lodge? Is this comparable to Albany in the Snowies up to the Snowy Mountain Lodge?

Anyone?

Crooked Creek to TML is close to the same ride as Albany to SML. The shortest and fastest is the CD trail. Many places to ride in between, Lava Mountain is about half way to TML from Crooked Creek, The only problem with Lava is 3 mile ride off trail CD that is normally very rough Hope this helps

 

[bohn644]

Tog is the most conveinent Brooks lake the best

These are the rankings:

Easiest to ride from. 1 - Tie tog and Brooks lake 2 - Lava 3 - Crooked creek
Service - 1 - Brooks Lake 2 - Crooked Creek 3 - Lava 4 - Tog
Services - 1 - Tog 2 - Crooked 3 - Brooks 4 - Lava (no snowmobile rental)
Nightlife - 1 Tog 2 - Crooked 3 - Lava 4 - Brooks
Food - 1 - Brooks 2 - everyone else, no one close to Brooks
Prices - 1 - Lava 2 - Crooked 3 - Tog 4 - Brooks

Brooks is the nicest, best riding, best food, but theres no nightlife except at there bar and its expensive. I didn't include Turpin ranch because I haven't stayed there but have heard good things. Its kind of like Brooks lake because alot of people don't know its there. Even after all of Togs bad points it is still pretty hard to beat. There is no place else that offers all there services, plus riding, food etc and you can always find untouched snow anywhere. If your just into riding and don't care about anything else go to Alpine. You won't be disappointed.

 

[drinkwyo]

Alpine

Dont go to Alpine. Their is no night life, no good places to stay, and the snow sucks most of the time. I would stay at Tog. if I was you.

 

[bohn644]

Alpine?

I guess your right no night life, ****ty food, no place to stay, and no snow.
That reminds me of the guy who said " I gave up swearing, smoking, and beer ". God dammit I left my cigarettes in the bar". I'll kidding aside I will be out there aruond the first week of Feb. Maybe we could meet at the new warming hut and you could show us around.