So I’m a flatlander from Wisconsin with many years of riding experience. This winter I’m looking to take my 2 boys and wife out west riding in the mountains. I’m thinking a really nice Airbnb with Mountain View’s or resort. Does anyone have advice for times of year to go and the best place to stay. We will be renting sleds.
bullwhipman
West Yellowstone is good with more restaurants and such available than most places, with good riding. Sled rentals are easy there. West Yelowstone prohibits weekly vacation rentals (or at least they used to) so you have to go outside the town to find one of those in that area.
Togwotee is very good too. The motel and lodge areas are more remote but there are plenty of good rental homes at Union Pass, from where you can ride directly. There are several lodges in the area. (I can fill you in on most of those if you think that is where you are heading.)
The Big Horns have only a couple of lodges. Snow can be thinner if it is a low snow winter.
Same goes for the Snowies as far as places to stay.
The Black Hills area is much more erratic in having enough snow.
Late Jan-Feb is the best time to go in the Woming areas. The snow has had time to build by then. It continues to build in the high elevations into March.
I'll have to let others speak about Colorado.
Are you planning on trail riding or off-trail too?
Togwotee is very good too. The motel and lodge areas are more remote but there are plenty of good rental homes at Union Pass, from where you can ride directly. There are several lodges in the area. (I can fill you in on most of those if you think that is where you are heading.)
The Big Horns have only a couple of lodges. Snow can be thinner if it is a low snow winter.
Same goes for the Snowies as far as places to stay.
The Black Hills area is much more erratic in having enough snow.
Late Jan-Feb is the best time to go in the Woming areas. The snow has had time to build by then. It continues to build in the high elevations into March.
I'll have to let others speak about Colorado.
Are you planning on trail riding or off-trail too?
Last year forced me out west like a lot of people from the Midwest. We normally ride the UP and NWI so that was a bust last year.
Wife and I trailered our Renegades out to Albany Lodge in the Snowies outside Laramie. It is 10 hours West of Des Moines, IA and only 35 miles off I-80 with no major mountain pass to cross if you drive. The lodge has cabins, a hotel, mountain or touring sled rentals(Polaris Touring and RMK 165s), and bar/restaurant on site. This was the closest place that had snow in March from the Midwest. We stayed in a stand alone cabin with great views. We had a few clear blue sky days on the trails and the views were amazing. The groomers leave every night right from the lodge so the trails are fresh leaving every morning if trails are your thing. They have around 300 miles of trail in that area you can access. Not much for food in the area other than the lodge and a few other lodges scattered around the trail system but overall not much. We got absolutely pounded with snow and they got 3 FT overnight and 5-7 FT in a single 24 hour storm it was wild! They also run guides out of there as well if you plan to venture off trail. Also SAR is located at the resort as well. Overall it was a great experience and we will defintley be headed back there. Another place I have heard about from many people and at the top of my list is Spearfish Canyon lodge in the Black Hills. Multiple people have mentioned that place to me as their favorite spot when it has snow.
Enjoy! Be careful as I almost talked myself into buying a mountain sled on the way home.
Wife and I trailered our Renegades out to Albany Lodge in the Snowies outside Laramie. It is 10 hours West of Des Moines, IA and only 35 miles off I-80 with no major mountain pass to cross if you drive. The lodge has cabins, a hotel, mountain or touring sled rentals(Polaris Touring and RMK 165s), and bar/restaurant on site. This was the closest place that had snow in March from the Midwest. We stayed in a stand alone cabin with great views. We had a few clear blue sky days on the trails and the views were amazing. The groomers leave every night right from the lodge so the trails are fresh leaving every morning if trails are your thing. They have around 300 miles of trail in that area you can access. Not much for food in the area other than the lodge and a few other lodges scattered around the trail system but overall not much. We got absolutely pounded with snow and they got 3 FT overnight and 5-7 FT in a single 24 hour storm it was wild! They also run guides out of there as well if you plan to venture off trail. Also SAR is located at the resort as well. Overall it was a great experience and we will defintley be headed back there. Another place I have heard about from many people and at the top of my list is Spearfish Canyon lodge in the Black Hills. Multiple people have mentioned that place to me as their favorite spot when it has snow.
Enjoy! Be careful as I almost talked myself into buying a mountain sled on the way home.
been out to west yellowstone/island park a couple of times, has 500 miles+ of trails to ride and can break each section into loops for the days. went there last march after not riding in the midwest too much. enjoyed my trip and the scenery was awesome as always. west yellowstone will definitely have a lot more amenities than IP does, we stayed at IP lodge and although the rooms were newly remodeled and nice, the restaurant was closed and there wasnt a pool. We had a foot of fresh snow while we were there and had a 5' base which was still very low for that time of year. plenty of back country and trails around.
the spring hill suites is the nicest around there, for sure. its not a lodge or BNB but it is still very nice and well worth staying there if you go that way. it is right on the trail, gas is just down the road as well.
steve
the spring hill suites is the nicest around there, for sure. its not a lodge or BNB but it is still very nice and well worth staying there if you go that way. it is right on the trail, gas is just down the road as well.
steve
As everybody has mentioned, Island Park / West Yellowstone is a popular destination.
Prime snow months are Jan and Feb. Dec can be a bit iffy snow wise and land mines off trail.
Cooke City is popular to the more aggressive mtn riders, but I have no idea what kind of accommodations are available.
Towgotee mtn lodge (north of Jackson Hole) is nice, less aggressive terrain, but very playful meadows and drainage ravines and trails. Ride up to 'Top of the World' for a nice look around for miles. Plus the Teton mtns are right there too.
Prime snow months are Jan and Feb. Dec can be a bit iffy snow wise and land mines off trail.
Cooke City is popular to the more aggressive mtn riders, but I have no idea what kind of accommodations are available.
Towgotee mtn lodge (north of Jackson Hole) is nice, less aggressive terrain, but very playful meadows and drainage ravines and trails. Ride up to 'Top of the World' for a nice look around for miles. Plus the Teton mtns are right there too.
Those of us here out West are mostly spoiled with the various styes of riding we have available out here. As others have mentioned, depending on what you desire for style of riding will determine where you go. While there are trails out here, most often the trails are for tours and tourists who want to see the splendor of the Rocky Mountains in wintertime and get that feeling of being out in the cold so it feels awesome to come back in from the cold.
We don't really have the lake stuff that the Midwest has. We have everything else from steep aggressive chutes, tight trees all the way to wide open powder meadows that rarely see greater than 30* slopes. My preference is the latter. I'm not picky, however I do prefer 18-36" of new snow on a bluebird day in the meadows so I can ride my sled like I was riding a sea-doo on water, gliding on top of the powder.
Reason being? It hurts less when I fall.
As most visitors will try to get accommodations close to the areas they will be riding, distance won't be as much a concern for you than us. While we will look to do a overnight or two, most just drive from home the day of. As expected, there are usually rooms or AirBNB available near great spots. A few with ride-in and ride-out accessibility.
If you want a good combo of trails and meadows in Colorado, Grand Lake has lots of both. They get good snow, and for most of the season sleds are allowed on the streets in town.
Grand Mesa is fantastic, and usually gets tons of snow. There are places to stay very near the Mesa, but they are usually pretty booked.
I am hoping to get my first shot at the Snowy Range (In Wyoming) this winter. That general area between Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming can get some very decent snow totals and have lots of similar terrain. That includes most of the stuff I mentioned earlier.
For the hardcore folks, north of Colorado has the most. Colorado does have its fair share, but nothing like Wyoming north.
Due to the terrain, it is usually after the holidays when the snow starts to be the best and can continue through April.
We don't really have the lake stuff that the Midwest has. We have everything else from steep aggressive chutes, tight trees all the way to wide open powder meadows that rarely see greater than 30* slopes. My preference is the latter. I'm not picky, however I do prefer 18-36" of new snow on a bluebird day in the meadows so I can ride my sled like I was riding a sea-doo on water, gliding on top of the powder.
Reason being? It hurts less when I fall.As most visitors will try to get accommodations close to the areas they will be riding, distance won't be as much a concern for you than us. While we will look to do a overnight or two, most just drive from home the day of. As expected, there are usually rooms or AirBNB available near great spots. A few with ride-in and ride-out accessibility.
If you want a good combo of trails and meadows in Colorado, Grand Lake has lots of both. They get good snow, and for most of the season sleds are allowed on the streets in town.
Grand Mesa is fantastic, and usually gets tons of snow. There are places to stay very near the Mesa, but they are usually pretty booked.
I am hoping to get my first shot at the Snowy Range (In Wyoming) this winter. That general area between Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming can get some very decent snow totals and have lots of similar terrain. That includes most of the stuff I mentioned earlier.
For the hardcore folks, north of Colorado has the most. Colorado does have its fair share, but nothing like Wyoming north.
Due to the terrain, it is usually after the holidays when the snow starts to be the best and can continue through April.
Yeah, IDK about lodges and whatnot near Wolf Creek?
Years ago we stayed at an old skewl motel of sorts. (I don't remember anymore)
They did build a big new motel there several (20?) yrs ago now.
Stayed there once, but it was obviously filled with skiers (families) that are there - presumably every weekend it seemed.
Last time we were there, they had just gotten 90" a few days prior, and the temps dropped out, and my truck gelled up overnight. Apparently Colorado diesel isn't treated as much as we are used to. It started by noon tho.
If any-one any-where has snow - it will be Wolf Creek.
But that's not our normal area.
.
Years ago we stayed at an old skewl motel of sorts. (I don't remember anymore)
They did build a big new motel there several (20?) yrs ago now.
Stayed there once, but it was obviously filled with skiers (families) that are there - presumably every weekend it seemed.
Last time we were there, they had just gotten 90" a few days prior, and the temps dropped out, and my truck gelled up overnight. Apparently Colorado diesel isn't treated as much as we are used to. It started by noon tho.
If any-one any-where has snow - it will be Wolf Creek.
But that's not our normal area.
.
Or just stick to the trails and enjoy the ride and the scenery. I just turned 71 and am pretty careful to limit the times I can be exposed to highly strenuous exercise... like digging out! It still is great riding. The altitude has not been any effect for me that I have been able to perceive. Now 14,000' + at Pikes Peak is whole 'nother story...
altitude sickness for flat landers is a real thing on its own. driving out will help, as you can acclimate a little on your way out there. flying and dropping at 9000'+ is killer and will get you sick if you aren't used to it. oxygen cans for off trail are probably a good idea if you are even slightly over weight/out of shape and from low altitude. your lungs will feel like they are going to explode LOL we were tired out last spring just riding on the trails in deeper snow haha 245# and not in shape (round is a shape right??) for out there from WI.
steve
steve
The ski lodge is showing snow up top, but the base is still clear (or maybe drizzle).
Actually, that summit cam has shown the snow coming down a lot more in just the last few minutes.
Either way, the ground is warm yet.
Actually looks to be coming down harder at Monarch, which isn't even on your map.
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Actually, that summit cam has shown the snow coming down a lot more in just the last few minutes.
Either way, the ground is warm yet.
Web camera video hosting by Brownrice Internet
Webcam video hosting by Brownrice Internet
live2.brownrice.com
Actually looks to be coming down harder at Monarch, which isn't even on your map.
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Grand Lake, Colorado
We have plenty of rental options and our trails are well groomed. There is plenty of off-trail riding as well. Lots of lodging options in town, as well as abundant VRBO properties. It's legal to ride a sled in town and there's a trail from town to the trail system, so trailering sleds is not a necessity.
We have plenty of rental options and our trails are well groomed. There is plenty of off-trail riding as well. Lots of lodging options in town, as well as abundant VRBO properties. It's legal to ride a sled in town and there's a trail from town to the trail system, so trailering sleds is not a necessity.
Been out in the West Yellowstone/ Island Park area several times over the years. For your family, its the place to go. However, there are lots of inexperienced tourists out there. We went by several wrecks last year. The groomers also had a very hard time keeping up...the trails were so whooped out at times they were almost unridable. I highly recommend bringing your own sleds as the rental places want all their stuff back by sunset. Not sure how they handle multiple day rentals. Better riding at night as the traffic is way down. Get out early and beat the tour groups out so you don't get stuck behind them. The tourists will drive right down the middle of the trail, won't move, and no hand signals either. Be ready for anything.
Personally, I don't ride West Yellowstone anymore...but for rookies/families it's the best place to cut your teeth. It's a helluva a long ways away from Sconnie. Pray for snow back home.
Personally, I don't ride West Yellowstone anymore...but for rookies/families it's the best place to cut your teeth. It's a helluva a long ways away from Sconnie. Pray for snow back home.
No Utah suggestions yet? Snowmobiling the Uinta National Forest is great. There are groomed(or well beaten) trails out to the fun stuff. Slopes, trees, meadows, frozen lakes, etc. Put in near Heber, Logan Canyon, or Strawberry Reservoir and find anything you could ask for along with great snow. You will start around 6K feet, but can quickly get over 10K.
I've been seeing a very few tracks in the highway cam at Togwotee Pass for over a week. But snow build up has slowed considerably in the last 10 days; it has been stuck, at around 18 inches. Weather has been cold enough to keep it there at the high elevations. One groomer has moved in the Lodge's webcam. So not really ready yet for wide area riding.
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