First off I would like to say that I am from MN and have wanted to come out west for awhile now and finally this is the season. I am going with 3 other friends and we have decided to go to the snowies. It seems like it is a good place for people that dont have the experience of the real steep stuff. Anyway there are a few things that i would like to figure out-

1. Good place to stay (definetly leaning towards albany lodge from reading the other posts). I really dont want to trailer, I want to take off right from the lodge. and am not that concerened about the night life.

2. We are bringing our own sleds out there which are 121s, so whats the elevation out there. I believe that it is between 8000 and 12000 feet??? Im thinking I should be safe if i change my mains to 280's or 290's. Also anyone have a good clutch set up for a rev 600 ho?? I have Stock clutching. (I do have it geared down and am running just about 1.75 track.) Oh yeah i will be ditching the sway bar too.

3. We are thinking about in early January some time. OR possible late feburary. What do you think the best would be? If we go in Jan. will it be blistering cold all the time? Is the snow still decent in late feb there and can i count on it? (as I have been dying to go out west for the last few years and dont want to be let down)

4. How is the navagation through the snowies? Is it something that I should get a GPS for?? Im pretty good at navigating but would like to know for sure. How about guides? any locals out there wanna show around a few flatlanders??

5. We are just looking for some good open areas to play in with rolling hills and some places to climb with some powder. We are pretty agressive and like to give our sleds a run for their money. From the pictures this place looks ideal. Would this be an ideal spot for us to go?

6. Anything else to consider? Any thoughts?

Thank you to everyone who responds....it will be a big help. :beerchug: :beerchug: :beerchug:

Check your post in the general forum

I lived in Montana just outside of Yellowstone. You 're sure in for a suprise. 121 inch tracks just don't cut it in the mountians. Most people with short tracks stay on roads and trails. snow in the mountians can get 10 to 20feet deep guys that play in that have 150inch and longer tracks. Sidehilling can be very dangerious too because its hard to judge just how steep you can go on and some just end up rolling down the mountian. Mountian snow can be very light because the air is much drier than in the east. You'll be like tring to walk in deep snow without snowshoes. You'll just sink in. Also in steep areas avalanches are a concern. Without the knowledge of them you can get yourself killed. go to the areas that have trails you'll have tons of fun and great scenery too. Just don't do something stupid and hurt yourself. Good Luck and have a good time and bring'em back alive. PS get yourself a small packable snow shovel and take it with you. Just in case you bury your sled. Also take alone survival stuff like matches and extra dry clothes. Storms can come up very fast and you might have to wait out a blizzard.

you'll need a guide to have some fun offtrail, 120" tracks aren't gonna cut it off trail. i'd recommend a beacon too! in places the snow is over 10ft deep, i've seen people who rode their whole life on trails then get off the trails , there stuck every 5 minutes and miserable. its like relearning how to ride again.

you'll need a guide to have some fun offtrail, 120" tracks aren't gonna cut it off trail. i'd recommend a beacon too! in places the snow is over 10ft deep, i've seen people who rode their whole life on trails then get off the trails , there stuck every 5 minutes and miserable. its like relearning how to ride again.

the 121 tracks will work to start out & learn with but don't go far off the trail , 144 would be better, albany is a good palce to go, just got back yesterday they had plenty of snow you should take a extra gas can , two way radio's ( in case someone gets lost from the group , its easy for someone to get stuck behind a tree ) GPS handheld is also somthing I wouldn't go without , extra gloves ( they get wet from digging out ) you can rent long track sleds from $180 to 200 @ day , about what a track is going to cost , just remember , you are not having fun if you are not getting stuck , I know because I'm from the flat land of southeastern MN also & anything is better than sitting around here looking at your sled collecting dust ,also make you get the jetting & clutching right or you won't be happy 10,000 ft would be a good number to use .

Thanks for the tips.... I plan on still bringing my sled 121 cause i know that i am not going to be doing to much huge stuff out there. And i also figure that if worse comes to worse and it really sucks with my sled than i can just rent one. My buddies got a Renegade so i think he will be okay and i think my other buddy will be renting when we get out there. Just got back from the dealership and got some hollow pins, and also i have the holtzman aTaCC system so i sould be set up. I have a 1.65 track and am geared down so i think keeping my track speed will be huge for me in the powder. I have ridden in some deep stuff before in the UP and my track speed was everything....being aggressive with the throttle is key. I am glad to hear the good snow report......17 days and counting...... :div20:

I have the holtzman atacc on two of my vipers & they worked good outwest , but this trip last week two of my freinds had them on their RMK's & they ran really rich so they unhooked them & rejetted, they always work good ran great on other trips , one other good thing to take with is snobunje , they work great for getting unstuck

My son rides a 122 formula 500 through the snowies. I have a renegade. He makes me shake my head at some of the places he goes but gets stuck no more than the rest of us. It is how you ride as much as it is what you ride. Yes long tracks are more forgiving. He is smart enought to follow in a track when the going gets tough. Get a trail map and on windy days stay away from the mountain top. I have seen where you can not see the sled 10 foot in front of you. The trails are pretty well marked and unless you go way off trail or the wind is blowing finding your way around is do able. When you get a map and want some pointers PM me and I'll help you.