tbrant

A couple teacher friends and I (late 40s, early 50s) have discussed how much we would love to take a winter vacation in the mountains and do some snowmobiling over our Christmas break next winter. We will be travelling from St. Louis, MO area by vehicle and Colorado is about as far as we will care to drive - one full day of driving. I have done some research but I really can't find all that many places that fit our desires. Grand Lake sounds fun, but are the trails really in the mountains and would this be a real tourist trap? Scenery, of course, would be a must for a us flatlanders. We have inexpensive tastes - cheap lodging without all the perks suits us fine. A small cabin or inexpensive hotel would suit us fine. Are there any small towns that would have cheap lodging and snowmobile rental (and maybe a grocery store and local tavern) where we could ride snowmobiles in the mountains? Keep in mind we are not rich - best I can tell snowmobile rentals will run each of us about $180-200 each per day, and we wouldn't be willing to pay more than $100 each for lodging - a cabin with a kitchen or a hotel kitchenette would be great. We would also like the freedom to come and go as we please, keep the snowmobile overnight if possible, and not have to pay for a guide. Although we have never snowmobiled before, we're past the daredevil age and can't imagine us going very fast on one. Just little leisurely rides in some awesome scenery.

We have been to Colorado several times in the summer but want to see it in the winter on snowmobiles. Can anyone give me any specific details on something that sounds like it would be for us? Is Grand Lake doable on $300 per day? Does it get overrun with snowmobiles over Christmas?

This would be a once in a lifetime vacation for us, and we would like to know ahead of time what we are getting into and we wouldn't be disappointed.

However, we have checked into the guided tours into Yellowstone National Park from Jackson Hole. This sounds awesome, but we are not sure we can afford a trip like that.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

rgoers

I'm not sure un-escorted mountain riding would be the best idea for first-time riders.

Mountain trails are typically NOT well defined, and definitely are not well marked (if they are marked at all). Getting turned around and lost is very easy to do, as is following someone's tracks and thinking it's a "trail". You also need some knowledge of how to navigate very deep (often 10' or more) snow, and stay away from dangerous areas like drop-offs or avalanche areas.

If you want mountain scenery in a safer environment, I would highly recommend a guided tour. Most tours will take you to one or two play areas, and let you go have fun.

Your pricing estimates are about right. You should easily be able to get a nice cabin well below your price threshold. Keeping sleds overnight won't be an option in most (if not all) places.

Sounds like a great adventure! I hope you actually do it. You won't be disappointed!!!

If you're up to driving another 8 hours (from Denver) I could give you some recommendations in Utah, near Idaho and Wyoming borders.

__________________
2004 Polaris Trail RMK 136
1997 Ski Doo Summit 500
2000 Arctic Cat ZL550 ESR (in NY)
2000 Arctic Cat 440 Panther (sold)
1980 Arctic Cat Jag 3000 F/C (in NY)

"If it ain't broke, take it apart and find out why!"

aduck

the grand lake trails are pretty amazing plenty of scenery. theres a few really nice cabins in town ride in ride out and a couple rental places.

__________________
93 mach1 670
02 rmk 800 162
95 powder special 580

tbrant

I have been checking out the info on Grand Lake. There appears to be plenty of places to stay at reasonable costs. Even though we are first timers, are there plenty of trails that would be safe for us to go unguided. We would even probably be willing to pay for the guided tour on the first day to show us the ropes. After that, we would like to come and go as we please. We are in 40s and 50s and not looking for the speed thrill. We would be perfectly happy putting along on some trails with great scenery. There also appears to be plenty of places to rent snowmobiles. I sure like the idea of using the snowmobile to cruise around town. And we would love the freedom to go as we please - go ride for a couple hours, go back to our place for a while, and go ride some more.

We are considering a trip to Jackson Hole too and a guided tour into Yellowstone. But cost could be an issue with that one. We are but a couple poor school teachers.

Any and all advice is welcome.
Thanks from Missouri,
Mark

Dukeryder

My first time riding in CO was 3 years ago in Grand Lake, CO. I had only ever ridden in the W. Mass/So. Vt prior to riding out here. It is an awesome experience and far from a tourist trap! My first time out I stayed at the Gateway Inn and rented from Grand Adventures. I loved the Gateway Inn but it's not really walking distance to town (in the dead of winter anyway). My buddy from New Orleans had moved up here and he introduced me to the place.

This year I took my Girlfriend up and we stayed at the Spirit Lake Lodge over new years and rented her a nice Ski-Doo 550. It's walking distance to all the bars and restaurants in town. If there's enough snow you can ride right from the hotel to the trails. This was my 2nd time renting from Spirit lake, last year before moving here I rented the IQ RMK 600.
Spirit Lake Lodge and Snowmobile Rentals - Accomodation in Grand Lake, Colorado

I think Grand Lake is the ONLY novice friendly place in the state for unguided riding. As long as you stay off of Gravel Mtn/Super Chicken you shouldn't have any Avalanche concerns.

Here's a video of me and my girlfriend riding over New Years weekend this year. She had never even seen snow before this trip!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IsvRhF7Hed4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
here's what it looked like this year on 12/31

Gravel Mt

Last March

Nice Trails & the Rental IQ 600

mmgg

Fernie alpine resort BC.

rgoers

Nice views in CO. Surprising how hard packed it all looks though... I'm used to never seeing my skis.

__________________
2004 Polaris Trail RMK 136
1997 Ski Doo Summit 500
2000 Arctic Cat ZL550 ESR (in NY)
2000 Arctic Cat 440 Panther (sold)
1980 Arctic Cat Jag 3000 F/C (in NY)

"If it ain't broke, take it apart and find out why!"

aduck

snow was late in co this year for sure. unfortunately im in il and tonite is hopefully gonna be our 3rd measureable snowfall

__________________
93 mach1 670
02 rmk 800 162
95 powder special 580

snowfeind

Check out Vail col. It has 50 miles of trails you can ride one day for 130 and that's a 1000 cc sled with a guide, then ride the next day without a guide!!! Or you can then drive a couple more miles after riding the first day to aspen and wide a different mt!!! That's what we usually do!!! Hit Vail on the first day, drive to aspen get a cheap hotel up there n then rent fresh in the am!!!

tbrant

thanks all who responded. It sure sounds like Grand Lake is just what we are looking for. Now does anyone have any thoughts on how long in advance we would need reservations over Christmas?

aduck

id start booking now for better deals and a better chance at finding a cabin(which is what i recommend its alot more fun in a cabin).
snowfeind i lived in gypsum for 2 years and aspen is way more than a couple miles more like an 1 1/2 hr drive. the trails get pretty abused in that area due to all the tourism not my first choice. i typically drove either up to the summit or the flattops while i lived there to avoid the mayhem.

__________________
93 mach1 670
02 rmk 800 162
95 powder special 580

kccats

Many years ago I went to Togedy Pass (Cowboy Village) in Jackson Hole! Great place!
You will really want to work out and get in real good shape! I worked out for 6 mo before going out! I couldn't carry my bag to the first landing!

rgoers

+1 on what kccats said ^^^

The altitude will definitely leave you short of breath in the mountains! I went riding the first winter after I moved to Utah. With all my snow gear on, I would walk 20 feet and be out of breath! I started working out a couple times a week since then, and it has made a world of difference!!!

__________________
2004 Polaris Trail RMK 136
1997 Ski Doo Summit 500
2000 Arctic Cat ZL550 ESR (in NY)
2000 Arctic Cat 440 Panther (sold)
1980 Arctic Cat Jag 3000 F/C (in NY)

"If it ain't broke, take it apart and find out why!"

tbrant

Thanks all, we've pretty much settled on Grand Lake, CO. IF anyone knows of a good deal on a cheap cabin, info much appreciated, keeping in mind we are of simple needs and travel as cheap as possible. We would love to stay in town close to restaurants and bars.