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Vail Pass Riders?

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2.2K views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  ckyttle85  
C
#1 ·
I'm a complete newbie and just bought my first sled. It's a used 2016 Summit RS with a 174 track; had only 289 miles on it! Anyway, I'm looking for anyone that rides in Summit County Colorado that would be willing to mentor a new rider a bit. I want to make sure I'm safe out there and don't end up being a total idiot. I've been back country snowboarding for a few years now, so I'm fairly up to date with avalanche safety. I really just have no clue where it's OK to ride, where it's not, what general protocol is when out there, and probably some basic technique for riding. I've thought about just showing up where everyone unloads to see if I could just meet people and tag along, but I didn't know if that was cool. I've looked for clubs, but none of them seem to have forums or weekly rides. I usually see that clubs have 1 trip planned per season.

I was looking for schools (like I went to for my motorcycle license), but didn't find anything. Other than a really cool level 1 Avy class that is focused for snowmobile riders, I haven't seen anything to help in this area either.

Thanks for the advice!

Chris
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
Welcome to the site!

In the past I've gone up to Vail Pass to ride there at least once a year. I didn't make it up there last winter, as I was recovering from surgery. Although I'd really like to, I'm not sure if I'll be able to get up there for a ride this winter (I live in northern New Mexico).

Anyway, nothing wrong with your idea of going up there and seeing if you can hook up with some other riders at the trailhead parking area... there's always a bunch of sleds up there on the weekends, and people are generally laid back and seem pretty friendly.

Here's a couple links with some info on sledding in the Vail Pass area:

http://dillonrangerdistrict.com/winter/vaipaswinrec_sm.htm

http://www.coloradodirectory.com/maps/snowmobilenorthvail.html
 
J
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
I see you're from Denver. Check out the mile high snowmobile club and the colorado snowmobile ride share groups in facebook. The mile high snowmobile club has weekly rides and you could ride with them.

You can also use facebook to find other sled-related forums/groups where you can see who is riding and meet people that way.

Vail pass snowmobilers on facebook is another good one.
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
no reason not to go solo. Vail pass area is well populated by sledders, a cat operation, and alpine tourers. I felt the same way, that as a novice there must some not so obvious rules everyone else knows. This isn't so. It's mostly common sense. Abide by signs showing where you can and can't sled. Stay to the right on a trail. Bring a shovel, you'll be doing a lot of shoveling. Buy a High Jacker snowmobile lift. http://highliftjack.com. easiest most effective self rescue tool when you bury your sled in the snow. Its awesome. most challenging thing for me was the parking scenario. Sledders can be aggressive but creative parkers. Look at how they are able to create another parking spot where non exists while not blocking someone in.

I go solo all the time.

Check out Corona bowl across from Winter Park Resort, Jones Pass on the I-70 side of rte 40/Berthoud, and Grand Lake. Snowmobile shops are good sources for all sorts of info.

I've generally found sledders to be friendly and helpful, easy to approach and happy to chat and share info.
 
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