Where would you pick, if you had a choice?

[snowracer21]

Currently in Spokane, but two job opportunities are coming up... they both pay the same, and are both the same pay as what I earn now...I'm only looking to change my location.

So, the two choices are, Denver,CO..or Bellingham,WA

Bellingham, I'd mostly ride Baker, and go north to whistler/Pemberton. Mt Hood and other parts of OR if I wanted to change it up..

Denver, obviously the rockies... So... if you had to choose... and you're basing it on snowmobiling all winter...where would you choose?

 

[Mafesto]

I would look ay the companies, their employees (you want to work with winners), your family & friends. As much as we all love snowmobiling, these things are far more important when you consider that you are close to good riding with any of the choices.

 

[Red Mtn]

I have not been to Washington but know that Denver isn't the greatest base for sledding the rockies. Ski traffic into the mountains on weekends is brutal. Most make a 2-3 hr drive to the Snowies instead of fighting I-70 traffic.


If the distance to riding is similar, I think Colorado has the better snow. We are looking at a significant winter storm this weekend. Hopefully it will make riding in June again this year possible.

 

[Drewd]

Denver has gotten a bit expensive to live but I think it is still a bit more affordable to live there than Bellingham especially if you get a place in the suburbs.

If you get up early you can beat most of the ski traffic but most folks do plan for a 2-4 hour drive each way depending on location. I live an hour South of Denver and plan on a 3.5 hour drive each way which has impacted my desire and ability to ride this reason.....just not been very motivated this winter to get out despite the many invites I have received to sled (thank you to all who were willing to take this unskilled rider along with you this winter).

I'm biased but would recommend the Denver area for year round opportunities.

Sledding is not a passion of mine but a means to kill time during the winter months. I live for Colorado summer months that we use to camp/ATV/hike/explore as much as possible. I cannot wait for the snow to clear up so we can ATV and camp again.

If you like to offroad with a Jeep then I can't think of a better area to live.. There are so many areas to explore and I have yet to take a vacation outside of Colorado in 10+ years.

Not sure of the singles scene in Washington, but my single friends and relatives don't seem to care much for Denver women. Many say the young ones are very materialistic and care more about your salary than you as a person. The ones who don't care, i.e. outdoor type gals that I prefer, seem to be die-hard tree hugger types which isn't compatible with my powersport activities and belief system. I'm fortunate in that my wife, a Denver born native that I met while stationed in Alabama, is my perfect mate. She likes the outdoors and unlike most "granolas here who do too" shaves her legs and pits and doesn't wear flip-flop sandals year round.

Good luck in your choice and please tell us where you decide to go and keep us posted about your future experiences.

 

[Super A]

Cost of living???

I may make this decision differently, if one place has a lower cost of living that may free up the money to ride more, or the funds to travel and ride different areas. Property tax, state income tax and the cost of real estate would be my big influences of this choice.

Congrats on having choices

A

 

[DDECKER]

Denver has gotten a bit expensive to live but I think it is still a bit more affordable to live there than Bellingham especially if you get a place in the suburbs.

If you get up early you can beat most of the ski traffic but most folks do plan for a 2-4 hour drive each way depending on location. I live an hour South of Denver and plan on a 3.5 hour drive each way which has impacted my desire and ability to ride this reason.....just not been very motivated this winter to get out despite the many invites I have received to sled (thank you to all who were willing to take this unskilled rider along with you this winter).

I'm biased but would recommend the Denver area for year round opportunities.

Sledding is not a passion of mine but a means to kill time during the winter months. I live for Colorado summer months that we use to camp/ATV/hike/explore as much as possible. I cannot wait for the snow to clear up so we can ATV and camp again.

If you like to offroad with a Jeep then I can't think of a better area to live.. There are so many areas to explore and I have yet to take a vacation outside of Colorado in 10+ years.

Not sure of the singles scene in Washington, but my single friends and relatives don't seem to care much for Denver women. Many say the young ones are very materialistic and care more about your salary than you as a person. The ones who don't care, i.e. outdoor type gals that I prefer, seem to be die-hard tree hugger types which isn't compatible with my powersport activities and belief system. I'm fortunate in that my wife, a Denver born native that I met while stationed in Alabama, is my perfect mate. She likes the outdoors and unlike most "granolas here who do too" shaves her legs and pits and doesn't wear flip-flop sandals year round.

Good luck in your choice and please tell us where you decide to go and keep us posted about your future experiences.

 

[christopher]

Currently in Spokane, but two job opportunities are coming up... they both pay the same, and are both the same pay as what I earn now...I'm only looking to change my location.

So, the two choices are, Denver,CO..or Bellingham,WA

Bellingham, I'd mostly ride Baker, and go north to whistler/Pemberton. Mt Hood and other parts of OR if I wanted to change it up..

That is some EPIC RIDING terrain up there!!

 

[snowracer21]

thanks all!
I work for the Fed G, so the employment aspect is the same at each locaton, basically same job/same pay etc.

Cascades don't get the light fluffy stuff like the rockies do, but ****, they get a **** ton of snow!

Where I'd live in Bellingham, I'd be able to get to good riding areas in less than an hour. Drives to whistler would be ~3hrs.

WA has no state income tax, which, right there saves quite a bit of $$.. the housing in Denver looks very expensive. But the high altitude snow and alpine riding looks amazing, along with endless blue bird days

 

[slash]

I lived in Denver for almost 20 years AND WOULD NEVER NO WAY IN HELL MOVE BACK.

 

[capulin overdrive]

thanks all!
I work for the Fed G, so the employment aspect is the same at each locaton, basically same job/same pay etc.

Cascades don't get the light fluffy stuff like the rockies do, but ****, they get a **** ton of snow!

Where I'd live in Bellingham, I'd be able to get to good riding areas in less than an hour. Drives to whistler would be ~3hrs.

WA has no state income tax, which, right there saves quite a bit of $$.. the housing in Denver looks very expensive. But the high altitude snow and alpine riding looks amazing, along with endless blue bird days

Reality is that it probably boils down to sunshine, some people go bonkers in WA that are used to sunshine.




If those drive times are legit for B-ham, that would be my pick.


Denver guys like to pretend they still have times like that, but not on any day worth going out.


Shame, but Denver is ride the Snowies, go down to Cottonwood, or deal with the hell that is I-70. Plus 285 to Cottonwood is getting to be a mess.






Best answer is neither, but guess that ain't an option.

 

[snowracer21]

Reality is that it probably boils down to sunshine, some people go bonkers in WA that are used to sunshine.




If those drive times are legit for B-ham, that would be my pick.


Denver guys like to pretend they still have times like that, but not on any day worth going out.


Shame, but Denver is ride the Snowies, go down to Cottonwood, or deal with the hell that is I-70. Plus 285 to Cottonwood is getting to be a mess.






Best answer is neither, but guess that ain't an option.

well, right now, i'm in Spokane...been here for 5+ years..but it's time for a change.. I get bored quickly.

I have a lot of buddies in Bellingham, they say from about October to March, it's pretty crappy in town, but when you go way up the mountain, you can get above the clouds (inversion) and play in all the fresh stuff.

McCall would be nice, but I can't find a job down there... and, no job = no snowmobiling.

you can get from Bellingham to a large riding area on the south side of Baker in about an hour,maybe hour 15... and another riding area north of Baker in about 1 hour flat, maybe less if clear roads.

 

[bigjb]

Baker is sweet and there are a few other places close by that are awsome too but, that is all there is without crossing the border or driving 3 hours or more. Plus Bham is pretty hippy dippy, unless thats your thing. Probably best off right where you're at.

 

[snowracer21]

Baker is sweet and there are a few other places close by that are awsome too but, that is all there is without crossing the border or driving 3 hours or more. Plus Bham is pretty hippy dippy, unless thats your thing. Probably best off right where you're at.

I don;t mind crossing the border at all. Bham is hippy, but I don't really spend much time in the town anyways.

 

[AZ800]

Based strictly on riding, CO blows WA away, even Baker, by a large margin.
Only place WA had it over CO is the lower altitude means you don't have to spend as much to go fast!
I've lived in CO, front range and Vail Valley and wet side WA. I actually love them both. W WA has a lot to offer. Guess if you're riding a lot, the commute to the hill is super important, but I've spent more days riding wet packed snow or getting rained on in WA in 4 seasons than the rest of my life combined.
I'm in the same boat sort of. Possibility of staying here or getting transferred back to CO and I wouldn't be sad if I did, but I'd miss WA.

The I70 trek up the hill on any given weekend summer or winter makes I 90 look like a 2 lane road. I'd prolly like Bellongham better than Seattle area as city traffic is worse in Seattle than Denver.
Honestly it's a coin flip if you weigh all the options IMO.

 

[rulonjj]

Living right in Denver sucks but if you can live in Fort Collins or Colorado Springs then Colorado is awesome. Awesome year round fun.

 

[Deep Powder Guy]

Best riding in the lower 48 is in Western Wyoming, Period. Jobs are plentiful if you can afford the cost of living.

DPG

 

[snowracer21]

Based strictly on riding, CO blows WA away, even Baker, by a large margin.
Only place WA had it over CO is the lower altitude means you don't have to spend as much to go fast!
I've lived in CO, front range and Vail Valley and wet side WA. I actually love them both. W WA has a lot to offer. Guess if you're riding a lot, the commute to the hill is super important, but I've spent more days riding wet packed snow or getting rained on in WA in 4 seasons than the rest of my life combined.
I'm in the same boat sort of. Possibility of staying here or getting transferred back to CO and I wouldn't be sad if I did, but I'd miss WA.

The I70 trek up the hill on any given weekend summer or winter makes I 90 look like a 2 lane road. I'd prolly like Bellongham better than Seattle area as city traffic is worse in Seattle than Denver.
Honestly it's a coin flip if you weigh all the options IMO.

What do you mean about I70? Heavy traffic or **** roads?
Yeah, have done a lot of riding at Baker where we park and unload, get soaked on the ride up, and ride in **** light conditions, but epic snow. I do love the PNW though. Cost of living is a bit cheaper in WA (no state income tax is so nice) From bellingham, you can be riding in an hour.. not sure about living outside of Denver, seems like 2-3 hrs?

also, Denver has a **** ton of MX tracks.. I ride MX all summer, so that is a huge plus for me.

Living right in Denver sucks but if you can live in Fort Collins or Colorado Springs then Colorado is awesome. Awesome year round fun.

If I moved, my office would be in Centennial, I'd probably buy a place out in the county,though.

Best riding in the lower 48 is in Western Wyoming, Period. Jobs are plentiful if you can afford the cost of living.

DPG

When you say western, are you talking Jackson Hole? If i lived outside of Denver, how far would the best riding areas be?

 

[Deep Powder Guy]

From Smith Fork, Bedford, Alpine in Star Valley , Indian Creek in the Snake River Basin, Bonderant, JH , Togwotte all are considered Western Wyoming and offer IMO the best backcountry riding on the planet. I don't know any place in Colorado with as much big time terrain.

Rabbit Ears is 2.5 hours from Denver, Vail Pass is approx 1hour from Denver, and to the south around 3 hour plus you have Mancos & Crested Butt. There also lots of little honey holes up and down the range.

DPG

 

[capulin overdrive]

If Denver is appealing, do more homework and get info from guys living there now, and still doing the grind.


Ask in the Colorado section. TGR ski forum has about a zillion Denver people doing the drive, ask over there.




There's tons of great stuff up I-70, traffic can just be a total trainwreck some or most of the time.




Guys that live there and do it, still have a little hope and think they've got a formula to beat the system. Get up a 5am, or take this frontage road, etc. etc.




My 2 cents is, Denver best case times to sled = 2 to 4 hours one way.




If you work a 3 or 4 day week, then that opens up some options to drive a little farther and stay in dump motels for a 3 day weekend.

 

[snowracer21]

If Denver is appealing, do more homework and get info from guys living there now, and still doing the grind.


Ask in the Colorado section. TGR ski forum has about a zillion Denver people doing the drive, ask over there.




There's tons of great stuff up I-70, traffic can just be a total trainwreck some or most of the time.




Guys that live there and do it, still have a little hope and think they've got a formula to beat the system. Get up a 5am, or take this frontage road, etc. etc.




My 2 cents is, Denver best case times to sled = 2 to 4 hours one way.




If you work a 3 or 4 day week, then that opens up some options to drive a little farther and stay in dump motels for a 3 day weekend.

oh wow! I couldn't imagine traffic on a 3 lane hwy being so backed up.. that's crazy. I work 5 day 10 hr shifts. so my only times to ride are weekends.. guess that negates the chances of going up for a quick ride after work.