I wanna ride the mountains...

Yamidude59

Yamidude59

New member
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
980
Age
36
Location
Jackson Wi
I always wanted to hit up a nice big ol mountain and rent some mountain sleds for a few days, but i don't know where to go, i've read about revelstroke, and a few other places in british columbia, would like to go in the states tho, like the rockies, in colorado or something.... I don't know who to go to for renting a cabin and sleds... plus the money i'd be dishin out. The weather around here is hit or miss, and its getting annoying, 2 feet of snow, and now rain and 40 degrees this weekend, thats crap! i wanna go where the big boys play. always loved ridin deep snow, but never did it with a mountain sled or in the mountains...
 
http://www.togwoteelodge.com/

if you go off season early before xmas (cant do that this year obviously), or late season (after hillclimb week in late march) the rates are very reasonable for what you get.

call ben at the lodge he was trying to fill the place up the first few weeks of jan (after the holiday before jan 20th if i remember right).

the "package" gets you everything.....

breakfast in the am (good homestyle buffet of hot and cold foods)
guide service everyday (45.00 per person per day if you dont stay at the lodge)
10% off at the proshop/gift shop (klim gear distributor)
.10 off per gallon of fuel if you have your own sled
20.00 per day of rental sled (if you need that option)
happy hour with free beer and some well drinks and hot horsduevours
dinner with options for the bar or resturant (great food both places prime rib ect...)
and your lodge room/cabin if you want a cabin.

we have stayed there the last two years, the week before xmas and had a blast. the lodge is at 8500 the riding is from 7-10000. they have everything from chute climbing and cornice drops to wide open meadows and trails. if the sun cooperates you can get views of the tetons too.

you can go to snowest, and ask around there too in the states sections, or general area. with the togwotee (pronounced tog-at-tee) you are right on the continental divide and can sled to yellowstone, if you like, or dubois (pronounced doo-boyce, not doo-bwa) or anywhere in the teton range area by the trails. it is a great area. they offer snocat skiing, dogsledding ect... at the lodge, and snow king ski resort is right in town, 45 minutes from the lodge. if that interests you. ski
 
There is a pretty cool place in Sun Valley Idaho that rents RMK's. As many times as I have been there and snoboarded, I have yet to try out a mtn sled. I am sure I will soon though!
 
Yea, this is gonna be on paper for a while for planning, i'm thinkin early december next winter.

Whats up with this 50 degrees and rain BS? I got 260 miles in the past 4 days, Need more! but it could be while.
 
From all the videos i've seen it looks awesome, is there stuff i should know about going out there? i don't wanna end up digging out more then riding, i get the basic concept of the riding and carving, just never did it on a newer sled. plus the avalanches. Idk if they have guides or something to fill you in on the area...
 
mountain riding

I've ridden out West several times in several different states. All I can say is, once you try it, you will be hooked....be prepared :-)

My first 2 times out West were on short tracks. Because we all had short tracks, we had an awesome time. But then I took the plunge and bought my own mountain sled. Once you ride a mtn sled, you won't go back to a shortie.

As far as recommendations go. I'd highly recommend Island Park, ID. Lots of terrain variety and lots of trails to ride. I would also highly recommend Cooke City, MT. It's a small town, but they have all you need there. And the good riding is very close to town.

Be prepared to pay $175-$200/day for a 700cc+ sled though. The nice thing is, you get to ride a new current model year sled. The bad thing is, you get to ride a sled that may not be setup the way you like and you need to have it back by a certain time at the end of the day.

Some of the other guys have recommended some nice places to go too. If you go to Haydays, they have several resort booths up there that offer some great package deals. Definitely check them out.

Most importantly! Buy or rent an avalanche beacon and KNOW HOW TO USE IT. Every year, several riders get killed in avalanches and many of them could have survived if they would of been wearing a beacon or have paid attention to the avalanche condition reports that were posted.

If you would like any more specific information or advice, feel free to PM me.

Have a fun safe trip!
 
i would go to the rubys its in elko nv... boondockers calls it there fav place to ride... they rent sleds here and i live here and could show ya around for free!! check out the ruby mountains on the internet... i have also heard that island park is realy nice to... we are going this year.. the only diff on riding mountains is that if you get stuck your sled could just roll down with out ya because its so steep... other than that its snow...
 
I've been to Western Colorado. I have an open invitation to go back if I could only find the time and money.

Mountain sledding is like Meth. So be prepared to go back every year.

Get the most power you can afford if your renting. The riding style is completely different. Your clothing choice is different too. Plan on wearing layers. It can be cold and warm in a heartbeat.

If you have never been to any significant altitude I would go out a day or 2 early and try to get used to 7500 feet + altitude. The place we stay is at 5800 feet and we ride out of ~8500 feet. I can tell you that the thin air is likely your limiting factor on how hard you can ride. I've been up to 12090 feet on foot and it is a lot different than the 930 feet I am used to here in Waterford.

I will also second the avalanche equipment. Get the beacon. Know how to use it in both modes before you go out. It might not be you that needs finding. When your out there in the hills there is more of a group mentality. Go as a group leave as a group.

Take water. You will need about a gallon per person per day. Drink it even if you are not thirsty.

Use sunscreen. Even if it is not sunny the thin air and the fact that your a mile closer to the sun plus standing on a very reflective surface equals sunburn. This goes for eye protection as well. We were in Colorado and you don't realize how far south you are so even though it February it was pretty easy to get a sunburn.

I mention these things because they are important. There is no reason to spend a grand on a snowmobile trip and have a miserable time doing it.

Also if your not in shape you should consider a training routine a few months before hand to get your body in better condition. Your not just sitting on the sled pushing on the throttle a bit. If you have a cold or develop a cold from your plane ride over then at the first sign of it start the medication. A head cold (like the one I have right now) is simply unbearable in the mountains when your changing elevations all the time.

So with all that said... Going west is freaking awesome. I'd move out there if it was possible.

I don't have any pictures of myself but here is one of my Dad. We were finishing up lunch at 9000 feet.
dadincolorado.jpg
 
Grand Lake in CO is always good. So is Snowy Range in WY. Both areas have mountain sled rentals and accomodations. ;)!
 
pm me. i can hook you up with some good all around mtn riding in n idaho, set you with a place to stay, and a plethera of sleds to ride/rent. not alot of steep, but lots of deep! challenging boondocking, moderate hill climbing, powderful meadows, well you get the point. and to top it off, low avalanche risk.
 
snowdad4,i will shoot you a pm when the time rolls around, this is in the books hopefully for next december... I'm all for low avalanche risk, i can take a steep hill and risk loosing the sled, but i don't wanna end up 25 feet under snow....lol
 
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