boatingbent
New member
I have only been to the Snowies so I don`t have much to compare with ....If you had your Choice which one of the above would you go to ....I really like Snowies cause its the closest for us
Togwotee , Taylor Park or the Snowies
- Thread starter boatingbent
- Start date
lookin4snow
New member
Togwotee for Sure
Bent,
I have not ridden Taylor Park. But I have at least a dozen trips to the Snowies and probably 16-18 to Togwotee. I like Togwotee for the overall experience. I guide our group in the Snowies, but really like being guided at Togwotee. Don't go for the food, but who does. Opinions vary on this site, but I think they are improving since the Aramark purchase - change is slow. The price is going up, so don't expect to compare it to an "on the cheap" trip. I was there twice last year and they treated me well both trips. Overall, the place, the experience, the guides, the atmosphere, it's all good.
Bent,
I have not ridden Taylor Park. But I have at least a dozen trips to the Snowies and probably 16-18 to Togwotee. I like Togwotee for the overall experience. I guide our group in the Snowies, but really like being guided at Togwotee. Don't go for the food, but who does. Opinions vary on this site, but I think they are improving since the Aramark purchase - change is slow. The price is going up, so don't expect to compare it to an "on the cheap" trip. I was there twice last year and they treated me well both trips. Overall, the place, the experience, the guides, the atmosphere, it's all good.
Firecatguy
New member
yeap what Kris said.....
boatingbent
New member
.....
So lets say we decide to go to the Debois Area .....Where would you stay ....I am not to crazy about Togwotee Mountain Lodge I think its to expensive ????? I have looked at Lava Mountain and like it......We have rented houses in the Snowies and really like that .....So is there any of you that can make recomendations
So lets say we decide to go to the Debois Area .....Where would you stay ....I am not to crazy about Togwotee Mountain Lodge I think its to expensive ????? I have looked at Lava Mountain and like it......We have rented houses in the Snowies and really like that .....So is there any of you that can make recomendations
Firecatguy
New member
I know it looks expensive BUT if you put all the amenities you get your right around wha you would pay if you went somewhere else......the Bonus and the reason we goto Tog i the guide......anyone going west for first few years will benefit from a guide!!!!you will learn soooo much that you do not know!!!!!you will learn faster how to have a good time on the snow and get places you may not be able to ride too now.....the other places you have to trailer up to the good snow.......
I also have ridden both places and snowies is a trail riders dream....easy to navigate easy to find untouched the wind and snow are the factors out there!!!!Tog is a bit harder to ake your own way around!!!alot riders in that area But alot do not find rthe untouched cuz they play so close to trail and lodge.......
I also have ridden both places and snowies is a trail riders dream....easy to navigate easy to find untouched the wind and snow are the factors out there!!!!Tog is a bit harder to ake your own way around!!!alot riders in that area But alot do not find rthe untouched cuz they play so close to trail and lodge.......
Call Turpin Meadow Ranch. It's 8 miles or so by trail from Togwotee and has better pricing for lodging and sled rental. We stayed there last season and still rode with a guide (Lefty) from Togwotee. Had an incredible time. Turpin doesn't have a bar, but they have a big central cabin and you can bring your own drinks and save some money that way also.
Tog cut us a good deal on the guide service when we were there also. We rode with a guide 2 days and on our own 2 days. I think that worked out well. Riding with Lefty wore us out, so it was nice to have the off days to explore on our own. On the other hand, you'll probably never get to some of the spots he took us to on the days we rode with him, so I would highly recommend a guide for some days at least. Plus he gave us many pointers on how to ride a mountain sled that we wouldn't have figured out quickly on our own.
If you get on snowest, you can probably find some other small lodges in that area also. Everything on the mountain is going to be more expensive than off the moutain, but I wouldn't want to drive up and down the mountain from Dubois every day. Takes too much time and the road can be iffy also.
Last edited:
polarisrider1
New member
Of the three choices it would be Togwotee hands down. I think the snowies is a waste of time, from what I seen of it. Island Park and Cooke City are also great riding areas once you figure out where to go there.
mezz
Well-known member
Polarisrider, A buddy of mine & I are trying to decide on what riding venue to use this year. We went to Tog for the first time last year & I personally would like to do it again for a number of reasons. My Bud on the other hand is talking Cooke City. I have no idea what to expect there, or what is available for lodging, food, gas etc... Any info would be helpful. Thanks.-Mezz
polarisrider1
New member
Several places to stay at Cooke City. Cooke is serious riding. Avy areas aplenty. Bearclaw Bob is who you need to contact at Cooke for Lodging and food. To me Cooke is the step before Revelstoke. Earn your wings at Tog. Ride with Carter for at least a day there (if your lucky you get him all week), He will get you on the right path. I recommend Avy class and learn how to us your equipment. Servival is paramount if things go wrong. A guide is great but you need to know what to do if the guide has a mishap or gets injured also. I have experienced that.
Firecatguy
New member
yeap if you goto Cook...take avy class with all your riding friends that are going.......Know how to use your equipment!!!!
I agree with Wayne on snowies....I still like them as we can find alot stuff to play in and on as most do not travel far from trail sys.......
I agree with Wayne on snowies....I still like them as we can find alot stuff to play in and on as most do not travel far from trail sys.......
mezz
Well-known member
Thanks guys, I appreciate your input. Our first trip to Tog ended short due to a Ghost Rider incident on my Bud's behalf. Not only did the sled get buggered up (barely rideable out of the backwoods) but he had also injured his R hand attempting to topple the sled so it wouldn't go down the hill driverless, needless to say it did & found a group of pines about 2/3rd way down. His hand was so sore he couldn't even hold a can of pop so renting one was not even an option. The following day, I came down with some awful flu bug, then, our other Bud got sick as well. Our trip was a whopping 2 day's out of the 5 that were planned. I was seriously bummed as I had been wanting to do this trip for over 20 years. A year of planning, then I went out & bought a decent used enclosed trailer for this trip & a Crew Cab pickup for the comfort of the 3 of us for this 1500 mile trek. I feel I need to go back for retribution, plus the folks there were really good folks & everything is there. No need to worry about anything else, gas, food, guides etc... Now I have to convince my Bud.-Mezz
boatingbent
New member
....
I made reservations for the big house at Lava Mountain last night Jan 7th thru the 14th .......
So now I have 2 reservations LOL ...I also have the Big Brown house at albany for Jan 14th thru the 22nd ....I belive I will cancel the Albany reservation so if anybody out there might be interested let me know .......We will make our decision Aug 31st which mountain we will go to ....
Is there anything good or bad about Lava mountain ......Everything I found on Snowest was postive other then a waitress being a Bitch or something
I made reservations for the big house at Lava Mountain last night Jan 7th thru the 14th .......
So now I have 2 reservations LOL ...I also have the Big Brown house at albany for Jan 14th thru the 22nd ....I belive I will cancel the Albany reservation so if anybody out there might be interested let me know .......We will make our decision Aug 31st which mountain we will go to ....
Is there anything good or bad about Lava mountain ......Everything I found on Snowest was postive other then a waitress being a Bitch or something
lookin4snow
New member
Hmmm
I'm going to be at Togwotee the week before. I've never stayed at Lava but have ate and drank there. You'll do good. Check into getting a guide from Tog for a day to show you around, unless you get some other folks to join in that have knowledge of the area.
I'm going to be at Togwotee the week before. I've never stayed at Lava but have ate and drank there. You'll do good. Check into getting a guide from Tog for a day to show you around, unless you get some other folks to join in that have knowledge of the area.
We didn't stay there but they were very helpful to us when we had a sled issue nearby (on a sled rented from somewhere else). Everyone was friendly to us there.
polarisrider1
New member
I have stayed at Lava Mtn. In the big house a few years back. Food was fantastic. It is a good deal if you have 10 guys. Only down side I can come up with is you have a short walk up to the lodge, big deal. Also you have a little ditch riding either north towards Brooks or south to get to the trail head to get you out to the good stuff, another so what item. So as a whole Lava works fine for me. Never an issue with staff there. They go all out for you. Gas, food, beer,beds all on site, what else you need. Well snow is good.
polarisrider1
New member
To me the snowies is the Kmart of mtn. Riding, with wind. I may try 10 mile on the west side,but sense I am in the truck already 20-22 hours what's another 3-5 hours to the really good stuff.
AS Wayne mentioned, Tog is THE place to go. My father lived in WY for 15 years, and together we hit Dubois, Lander, Casper Mtn., Yellowstone and Tog was the best so we kept going back. Early season they have(had) an in state special pricing. Plus the guide cant be beat, and he will help dig you out........lol
I havent rode in the snowies, dads coworkers all told him go to Togowtee. Dubois was cool Cowboy Polaris went out of his way for repairs and rentals if he couldnt get right to it. You drive right thru Dubois on your way to Togowtee. You could stop at one of the ranches and see what is or is not still operating lodging. The place we stayed at didnt even rent mountain sleds in Dubois back then. Some nice open areas but without a guide we surely missed the sweet spots......
I havent rode in the snowies, dads coworkers all told him go to Togowtee. Dubois was cool Cowboy Polaris went out of his way for repairs and rentals if he couldnt get right to it. You drive right thru Dubois on your way to Togowtee. You could stop at one of the ranches and see what is or is not still operating lodging. The place we stayed at didnt even rent mountain sleds in Dubois back then. Some nice open areas but without a guide we surely missed the sweet spots......
polarisrider1
New member
Taylor Park, Colorado. If anyone has ridden there please share with us. I have not a clue about the place other than it is on the continental divide in Colorado. Never hear any mention of it either until here.
Funny, I have never had a bad time at the Snowies, but location is everything, Most guys from the East, tend to stay, and ride on the East side of the range, Key for me, The extra 3 hour drive to stay, and Ride the West side of the Range. Home Base for us has Been Ten Mile Inn, the Hosts, Ken and Kimberly, are the Best. Best Riding for me has been in the Snowy Range, with Cooke City being a close Second, and Togwotee Pass being 3rd. Steamboat Colorado was the Sea & Snow of West Mtn riding for me LOL.