Togwotee vs. West Yellowstone

[jtmisgen]

I posted this same thread in the Montana Riding Areas section but thought I'd post here as well just to get additional points of view. Thanks in advance for responses with useful comparison information.

I'm Looking for input on riding areas. I've been to Togwotee about five times riding and really enjoy the area, mostly for the off trail riding and convenience of staying at Togwotee Mountain Lodge.

This year I am considering making a change and going to West Yellowstone instead. I've never been to West Yellowstone so if anyone has ridden in both areas it would be great to hear your pros and cons of each area and any other useful comparisons/information you have. In particular, it would be good to hear differences in off-trail riding areas, snow conditions, etc.

 

[doodah]

I have ridden both areas and personally like Togwotee. West Yellowstone has some very good riding if you can get back off the beaten path. Everything is very expensive in town but the cool thing is they have everything. They have an awesome Polaris dealership in town to, Brandy and Brad are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. Togwotee is more secluded and personally more fun to ride.

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[jtmisgen]

I have ridden both areas and personally like Togwotee. West Yellowstone has some very good riding if you can get back off the beaten path. Everything is very expensive in town but the cool thing is they have everything. They have an awesome Polaris dealership in town to, Brandy and Brad are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. Togwotee is more secluded and personally more fun to ride.

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Thanks, sounds like my group needs to weigh our priorities.

Conveniences and variety vs. more accessible back country...

Does this about sum up the differences?

 

[Bowtie496]

Some of the good riding is on the Idaho side, so going to West usually means buying Montana and Idaho registrations if you are not from either state.

 

[skidooboy]

we've done both, with guides. West seems it is more "commericalized" and it is harder to get to "fresh". having a variety for eating choices, and stuff to do at night is nice but, I am there to ride fresh powder. there were just too many people in west for my tastes. to me it felt like you raced to get out to beat everyone to the few "good spots". and when they were torn up, you just rode the torn up stuff.

now tog gets busy too but, i have never been dissapointed in what the guides have provided for me day in and day out. having done both, i would choose tog when given the choice of the two. Ski

 

[jtmisgen]

we've done both, with guides. West seems it is more "commericalized" and it is harder to get to "fresh". having a variety for eating choices, and stuff to do at night is nice but, I am there to ride fresh powder. there were just too many people in west for my tastes. to me it felt like you raced to get out to beat everyone to the few "good spots". and when they were torn up, you just rode the torn up stuff.

now tog gets busy too but, i have never been dissapointed in what the guides have provided for me day in and day out. having done both, i would choose tog when given the choice of the two. Ski

Now that's the type of information I was looking for, thanks skidooboyedk!

Also never thought about the cost of both registrations so thanks for that info too. Not to mention having to find room for two registrations on my hood LOL! I think we're leaning towards heading back out to Tog!

 

[Alex C]

We go to Tog 3 or 4 times a year and West at least once they are both great places to ride. The road time to either place is only about 30-45 minutes from southern MN

 

[phatty]

Riding right from west there are a bunch of different options, lionshead for steep avy mountains, two top for tight techy trees, and continental divide trail for touring scenic beauty.
It takes a little more work from west to find play areas, but there is plenty of places to find untracked pow pow.

I found togwotee to be more open with creeks and drainages. Easier to find goods, but again usually the close stuff gets tracked out first.

Many more options for lodging, food, nightlife in west.

I would suggest trying West if you have never been. Do yourself a favor and schedule an extra day to go into the park. Probably get bashed over my choice of words here, but Yellowstone in the winter is truly a magical experience. Sitting on a snowmobile while a 2 ton buffalo walks close enough to fog your goggles with his breathe... yeah its a great time.

 

[Dogmeat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkAvaqiF3lk

Those guys are pretty cool, rode with them last year .... In fact, the trip I made to West last year was literally the best snowmobiling trip in my life to date.

 

[jtmisgen]

Thanks everyone for your input! We've decided to head to Togwotee again because that was the consensus of the group I'm heading out with.

I definitely want to experience West sometime, but this year is not the year.

This will be a great thread for other people to use when making the decision of where will best fit their wants. Thanks again everyone and LET IT SNOW!

 

[snosub]

My family (me, wife, 2 college age daughters) are heading for west yellowstone this new years. One day in the park with private guide to make the southern loop and 2 days in Montana/Idaho. Hope there is good snow by then and blue bird days to take in the scenery.
We have a dinner with our package but what about the other nights, where is a good place to eat. Heard there was a good pizza place there and the place just in Montana (Enos or something like that) was a good steak place.

 

[jtmisgen]

My family (me, wife, 2 college age daughters) are heading for west yellowstone this new years. One day in the park with private guide to make the southern loop and 2 days in Montana/Idaho. Hope there is good snow by then and blue bird days to take in the scenery.
We have a dinner with our package but what about the other nights, where is a good place to eat. Heard there was a good pizza place there and the place just in Montana (Enos or something like that) was a good steak place.

Sounds like an awesome trip, I cannot wait until my family gets old enough to take a trip like this. From what I've heard about places out west to ride West Yellowstone is the best venue for a family trip like this and the hospitality in the area is great so I'm sure any place you go to eat should be good. Have fun!