Trip advice - where to go

[elf]

Looking for some ideas for my groups next snowmobile trip. We go out west every other year as a group and we've always gone to Beaver Creek Lodge in Northern Utah. Great place and the riding and accommodations are also great but looking for something new.
We are a fly and rent crowd (I'm not opposed to driving but others are so that limits us) so need to be within a couple of hours of a airport, like to have rentals, lodging, and meals all on site. Any good suggestions?

 

[600_RMK_144]

Have you considered West Yellowstone / Island Park area? Bucket list trip for me that got checked off the list in 2017. Tons of places to stay and play. VERY sled friendly community, ride sleds in-town, etc. The one crappy thing is the only way you can ride inside the National Park (and you WANT to ride inside the park) is with a guide, renting one of their sleds. It REALLY rubs me the wrong way that I haul my sled out there 20+hrs, but then I gotta rent if I wanna ride inside the park??? Really not cool! Personally I think it's a racket with the rental companies to make sure they get plenty of business. Technically, they have a lottery where they will let 10 or so private groups into the park without a guide. I checked into it a couple years ago, but the catch is even that is limited to "best available technology" > meaning if you don't have the right sled, then they don't allow it.

All that said, you REALLY, REALLY should take a day and ride inside the park. I did not (on principal) and kick myself for being so stubborn. A couple of my buddies did it and saw some amazing things, wildlife, etc. But even if you decide not to ride the park, there is PLENTY of riding to do without that. Highly recommend that everyone try to make it out there at least once.

 

[wiscrev]

Lived just 3 hours from Yellowstone back in the 90's before the ban. Have been in that park all 4 seasons but my fav was winter with the sled. Valley around Old Faithful was awesome.

 

[garageguy]

been there 4 times in winter. something everyone should see in their liftime!!

 

[elf]

I've been to West Yellowstone twice in the past 3 years and the riding is amazing. Tried to book a tour for the first year and they were fully booked out. Didn't try to do it last time but still want to at some time.
I think we are leaning towards Crooked Creek Guest Ranch in Dubois, WY. We looked into 4-5 spots and this seems to provide good value and we've gotten some good feedback from people who've been there.

 

[skiroule]

Dubois used to be our go-to destination for western riding. I’ve stayed at Crooked Creek a couple of times. Always enjoyed staying there and I liked the location. Last time we stayed there we had a group of five and we rented their largest unit. It was huge and more than big enough for our group.

We would ride both north and south from there but I personally liked to head south towards Kendall Valley. Lots of valley and meadow riding with options to do a little more aggressive climbing. Plus, it doesn’t get pounded like it does up around Togwotee.

With maybe a couple of exceptions, we were mostly a group of modest riders (including me) but on one trip we did manage to work our way to the top of a wind-blown lookout point which gave us a 360 degree view of the mountain range. Very cool.

 

[cooksend]

Dubois used to be our go-to destination for western riding. I’ve stayed at Crooked Creek a couple of times. Always enjoyed staying there and I liked the location. Last time we stayed there we had a group of five and we rented their largest unit. It was huge and more than big enough for our group.

We would ride both north and south from there but I personally liked to head south towards Kendall Valley. Lots of valley and meadow riding with options to do a little more aggressive climbing. Plus, it doesn’t get pounded like it does up around Togwotee.

With maybe a couple of exceptions, we were mostly a group of modest riders (including me) but on one trip we did manage to work our way to the top of a wind-blown lookout point which gave us a 360 degree view of the mountain range. Very cool.
View attachment 70170

This is the view from the Lava Mountain area looking back east towards where you are at.

 

[skiroule]

This is the view from the Lava Mountain area looking back east towards where you are at.

Great shot! Love the tracks in the valley. Some fun was had down there.

You’ve made some great videos of riding out there. You really should post one here, we really need an early taste of winter.

You guys take some much tougher routes that we do. Elf would have no problem, especially if he gets a new turbo. Me, not so much, there would be a lot of this:

 

[cooksend]

Looking for some ideas for my groups next snowmobile trip. We go out west every other year as a group and we've always gone to Beaver Creek Lodge in Northern Utah. Great place and the riding and accommodations are also great but looking for something new.
We are a fly and rent crowd (I'm not opposed to driving but others are so that limits us) so need to be within a couple of hours of a airport, like to have rentals, lodging, and meals all on site. Any good suggestions?

So many good places to go. Years back we stopped making reservations and started to chase storms. Many times you have to drive a bit further every morning to get to the trailheads but had the bonus of great snow!
If the snow is good it is tough to beat Togwotee for overall riding options. Has something for everybody and is a very larger area. Good options for lodging would be Crooked Creek, Lava Mountain Lodge and Togwotee Lodge. The drive from Dubois isn't too bad and gives you VRBO and motel options.
Then there is Rabbit Ears, Wolf Creek, Seeley Lake, Lolo Pass, Snowies, Cooke City and so on! So tough to choose just one. LOL



Skiroule:
I still sled some but really have moved more towards snowbikes over the last 6 years. Not too many edits in the last 6 or so years either. I may have shared this one. Figure it's fitting seeing as this was a December RIP at Buff Pass. Only a few months off!

 

[mezz]

Nice! Great vid matched with a great Triumph tune.

 

[elf]

So many good places to go. Years back we stopped making reservations and started to chase storms. Many times you have to drive a bit further every morning to get to the trailheads but had the bonus of great snow!
If the snow is good it is tough to beat Togwotee for overall riding options. Has something for everybody and is a very larger area. Good options for lodging would be Crooked Creek, Lava Mountain Lodge and Togwotee Lodge. The drive from Dubois isn't too bad and gives you VRBO and motel options.
Then there is Rabbit Ears, Wolf Creek, Seeley Lake, Lolo Pass, Snowies, Cooke City and so on! So tough to choose just one. LOL



Skiroule:
I still sled some but really have moved more towards snowbikes over the last 6 years. Not too many edits in the last 6 or so years either. I may have shared this one. Figure it's fitting seeing as this was a December RIP at Buff Pass. Only a few months off!

I'd like to just chase storms but unfortunately still have to plan in advance due to work schedule. That will not be a factor next winter however, I'll be able to go on the drop of a hat. We looked at most of the options you suggested for this trip, Seeley, Snowies, Cooke and Steamboat area. This group doesn't like to drive out from MN, they like to fly and just rent so that limits us.
Next year I hope to spend a month out west and move around some and ride with my son in multiple spots.

 

[cooksend]

It would be easy enough to fly into Jackson Hole then get shuttled up the mountain to Togwotee Mountain Lodge. Book an "all inclusive" set up to include lodging, rentals, breakfast, happy hour and guide.

 

[elf]

It would be easy enough to fly into Jackson Hole then get shuttled up the mountain to Togwotee Mountain Lodge. Book an "all inclusive" set up to include lodging, rentals, breakfast, happy hour and guide.

Thats what we plan to do at Crooked Creek. We'll have to do our meals but will rent sleds. Looking forward to it.

 

[600_RMK_144]

So many good places to go. Years back we stopped making reservations and started to chase storms. Many times you have to drive a bit further every morning to get to the trailheads but had the bonus of great snow!
If the snow is good it is tough to beat Togwotee for overall riding options. Has something for everybody and is a very larger area. Good options for lodging would be Crooked Creek, Lava Mountain Lodge and Togwotee Lodge. The drive from Dubois isn't too bad and gives you VRBO and motel options.
Then there is Rabbit Ears, Wolf Creek, Seeley Lake, Lolo Pass, Snowies, Cooke City and so on! So tough to choose just one. LOL



Skiroule:
I still sled some but really have moved more towards snowbikes over the last 6 years. Not too many edits in the last 6 or so years either. I may have shared this one. Figure it's fitting seeing as this was a December RIP at Buff Pass. Only a few months off!

Thanks for the video. Motivated me to go out and do some work on the sleds this afternoon!