Me and a few of my serious snowmobile buddies have been considering taking a trip out west this year instead of going to the UP a few times with a million other people.

I would absolutely be in heaven if we could get into some powder and mountain riding. We never get to do anything like that around here, It would really be nice to do some real riding.

Is there anybody that could either recomend a place for us to go, or maybe meet up with us, and give us a good time. We are all VERY aggressive, hard riders and are serious about it. This last winter we had a 250 mile day, and put on 750 miles that weekend in 2 and a half days.

We live in South East Wisconsin, and we don't really want to have to drive farther than we need to. I don't know where the closest area is to us that offers this kind of riding.

Any info would be greatly appreciated! :banana:

I can suggest where to go and a possible contact.

First where to go.... Jackson Wyoming & the Togwotee (Toe-Go-Tee) Pass. There is a lodge right in the pass where you can stay and 680 + miles of trails and unlimited amounts of meadows, climbs, play areas and POWDER! On the west side of the pass is a ranch that when you take the tour, you sled out to a hot spring and take a dip while they BBQ your lunch. You are just minutes from the south entrance to Yellowstone park (NOW OPEN TO SNOWMOBILES AGAIN! Best Available Technology Sleds though) Contact the park service to see if you sled qualifies for the park and also reservations and a guide if you want one.

I know that Artic Cat Cat's Pride has group trips out to Togwotee also. Check the Cat's Pride on http://www.arcticcat.com/ for more info and dates. Also I have an F7 Team SnoPro with the 1.35 track. I found that in the really really fluffy stuff that I had to be moving and stay moving to keep from getting stuck. But for the most part I was able to go anywhere my buddies did on their rental Polaris 800's with the 15 x 152 x 2 tracks went. This was in the 2nd week of February. I hear that later into March the snow base is much deeper, heavier and better, with fresh powder on top!

Anyway about who to contact...... That would be a fellow HCS member named ZLZEBUB. He takes guys out to Western Montana with his buddies called LaRues Loggers. He has been on here before offering trips out west as a guide service. He also recommends renting sleds out there. Because of the fact that the weather is unpredictable and you driving there and getting there with you sled can be iffy since storms can and have shut down all the roads in the area. He suggests to fly in and they pick you up at the airport and take you to the lodge. They use 700 M1's (I beleive) anyway pm him if you are interested in that route.

Well that's the quick and short of it. If you have any more questions let me know.

Arctic Blast F7

Thanks man, I will look into it!

I would have to reccomend West Yellowstone Montana for anyone going west for a first time. There is a great trail system and lots of places where the trail system encloses an area so you can jump off the trail into powerdery woods and find your way back to a trail without a worry.

If you end up going there I can scan my maps and email them to you. I have all of our "play areas" marked. There are a few places you can stay that the hotel owner will take you out. PM me for details.

Another option to look into is Colorado – not many people up here and we get a ton of snow –I live in Buena Vista Colorado and we have several trailheads with in a 30 min drive of town. If you want to look into this option the Taylor Park Trading Post (970 641 2555) is a 20 mile snowmobile ride from Buena Vista on groomed tails and from the Post you could eat up a week of riding very easy. Ride in ride out cabins at the post are $80 a night and they have 2 queen beds in each cabin along with hot water, all cooking utensils, a wood burning stove, good gas, and a small store - basically they are like a hotel with a kitchen. They also have a lodge with 7 double beds for $270 a night. The best time to come is in March the snow should be plenty deep by then.

There is a ton of info at sledcity.com on many areas of Colorado. We are at 9000 plus feet so you will need to set up the sleds accordingly. A call to the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce can get you all set up with the maps that you need ect. If you need any more info on this area feel free to post and I can get you what you need.

Also if you have never been out west to ride you need to come – it is a great time! One thing to remember is the avalanche danger up here. It is very real and it would be a good idea to have beacons, probes, shovels, and know how to use them.

sweet, I will have check out all my options, and talk to my buddies and make sure they are serious about it and won't back out for any reason. I would like to take the shortest drive possible.

I don't think we will be able to accomplish a short drive, and mounting riding in the same trip, since there are no close mountains :banghead:
Maybe I can talk someone else inot driving, then i don't care how long of a drive it is

We fell into to the spot of people saying they wanted to go on a mountain trip, then backing out and not having enough stronger guys to help when stuck, and someone good at navigation.

So a few years ago, a friend recomended Togwotee Mountain Lodge (was Cowboy Village), since they have a package deal that included lodging, daily guide service (part of their job is to get ya unstuck...for me at least!!LOL), breakfast and dinner (way more food than anyone I know can eat..you could have prime rib every night if ya want!), and a minimal tip for the waitstaff, plus a 90 minute "happy hour" with free drinks and appetizers, and the taxes included also. We figured if all our friends backed out on us, we could still go, have the guide service and possibly get grouped with other riders.

Some think its a spendy trip, but for me its worth it.....someone else can worry about where to take us, and get us back safely...I can just ride and play...then come back, toss back a few drinks, eat a HUGE meal and enjoy the hot tub!! It just costs us for lunches (we also bring trail food cuz you can't always get some place for lunch...some drinks beyond the social hour deal if wanted, and then a nice tip for the guide).

Alot of people drive straight thru...but for me, this is my "big" vacation each year. So we take it a tich slower, and still ride 6 days. So we drive all one day ...12 hours or so... then stop for the night, have a good meal and some cocktails, get up and finish the drive and then are refreshed for arrival, unloading, unpacking and taking the sleds down the trail close to the lodge for a quick test, back for dinner and "social hour"

We make reservations in early September (usually after Hay days, cuz they usually have their people there and offer a 10% discount), and request the same guide. They have a web site www.togwoteelodge.com...and click on web cam (very small word on right side of top of the main page)...its fun to go look every few days this time of year (they keep getting snow, and then it melts)...but soon enough I will check daily...especially as our Feb trip approaches!

Theres nothing like mountain riding!!!

Wow 250 miles in a day. We do good boondocking if we hit 60miles and that is an all day trip with barly time for me to break out the camera and snap a few shots of the crazy buddies getting big air.
And being stuck is part of the days rideing adventure. lol

I live in western Montana and ride in great mountain riding every week, but.....the recomendations for TOGWOTEE Pass, its close to you and no better mountain riding can be found, different.......but not better, been there most every spring for years..........go for it!