Winter 2013 trips

polarisrider1

New member
OK, sorry to ask such a stupid question, but curious how you all "plan" these trips? Just put dates on the calendar and hope for the best? I haven't been doing it all that long, but have gone w/ the "snow and go" plan. BUT, I've got some buddy's I'd like to get into the sport and their schedules don't lend real well to this short notice. Best game plan I've come up with is picking two locations and hoping at least one of the two has snow on the ground, but I also don't want to waste their time with mediocore conditions or they might not get sold on it, which is also key for my long term plan to have riding buddies. Anyway, just wondering how everyone else handles this? Thanks.

Major trips (out west) are pretty easy to do, it is the UP trips that you can never count on. I don't bother much with Michigan riding anymore unless it is a major dumping. I am fortunate enough that I can go on a moments notice for those rare occasions. I have never been burned by lack of snow at Togwotee, Cooke City, Island Park or even the Snowies, Lava Mtn. only once but it was in early April. It has to do with what months increase your odds the best. I leave Feb. open for MI and Ontario riding since that gives you best odds there, but still can be hit or miss. Last year I never even changed my pimping rims out for the snow tires here in MI. So I guess what I an trying to say is the planned trips are at peak times with maximum odds of good snow. I always have a plan "B". If Grand Marais is low on snow then switch up for Wawa, or If Lava Mtn. is thin then head up the mtn. to Togwotee. West is most the time better than north and North west seems to increase odds for me.
 

garyl62

Active member
OK, sorry to ask such a stupid question, but curious how you all "plan" these trips? Just put dates on the calendar and hope for the best? I haven't been doing it all that long, but have gone w/ the "snow and go" plan. BUT, I've got some buddy's I'd like to get into the sport and their schedules don't lend real well to this short notice. Best game plan I've come up with is picking two locations and hoping at least one of the two has snow on the ground, but I also don't want to waste their time with mediocore conditions or they might not get sold on it, which is also key for my long term plan to have riding buddies. Anyway, just wondering how everyone else handles this? Thanks.

Since this is under the western riding thread polarisrider1 hit those things about out west on the head. If you're talking about midwest I've still got all my trips planned too. Only 4, but all 4 to 6 days. Been doing that for years to work around kids school schedules, vacation requirements and general work issues. There are times when we've canceled, and times we've missed the big snows, but generally speaking we've gone most of the times we planned and always had fun as long as on the less than stellar trips we remind ourselves "it beats working". After all, its about being away with a good group of friends and making memories, we just hope it's positive memories of snow conditions, but if the snow is only average I bet you'll still come back with some memory that puts a smile on your face and makes you want to go again.
 

winter_time

New member
polarisrider1

where do you recomend going in late december I am not sure if I will be able to go again until mid March.
 

polarisrider1

New member
polarisrider1

where do you recomend going in late december I am not sure if I will be able to go again until mid March.

North Pole. I have never been burned by going to Togwotee the week before Christmas. You will pay a premium for were ever you go between Christmas and New Years. Besides your mom wants you home for Christmas.
 

polarisrider1

New member
polarisrider1

where do you recomend going in late december I am not sure if I will be able to go again until mid March.

Joe, I plan to visit you and ride in your neck of the woods, after I finish your Grandma's backsplash. How's it going with the tile at the Dreamland Fire dept.?
 

winterrules03

New member
We are heading to the Snowies (Ten Mile Lodge) at the end of January. 7 of us. And then we are making that same trip at the end of March and that one is looking to be 12 to 15 guys. Can't wait!!!
 

winterrules03

New member
We just got back on Saturday. Trip was excellent. When we arrived on the 27th, we found good snow but you had to get into the trees. We did that for a couple of days and then the snows came. We probably got about 12 inches at the Ten Mile but as you went up in elevation, the now just got deeper and deeper. Eventually, snow was coming over the hood on the trail. Off trail was great anywhere you wanted. Stuff we hit on Tuesday and Wednesday looked untouched on Thursday. Here's a few pics from Wednesday and Thursday. As always, Ten Mile Inn (Ken and Kimberly) took great care of us. We'll be going back out end of March.
101_0696.jpg SAM_1648.jpg SAM_1657.jpg
 

polarisrider1

New member
We just got back on Saturday. Trip was excellent. When we arrived on the 27th, we found good snow but you had to get into the trees. We did that for a couple of days and then the snows came. We probably got about 12 inches at the Ten Mile but as you went up in elevation, the now just got deeper and deeper. Eventually, snow was coming over the hood on the trail. Off trail was great anywhere you wanted. Stuff we hit on Tuesday and Wednesday looked untouched on Thursday. Here's a few pics from Wednesday and Thursday. As always, Ten Mile Inn (Ken and Kimberly) took great care of us. We'll be going back out end of March.
View attachment 38230 View attachment 38231 View attachment 38232

Nice!
 
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