Seeking snowmobiling advice in Colorado

[madbomber08]

Good evening T4R,
A couple of friends and I are planning on going snowmobiling January 1st, 2017. We are snowboarding starting the 2nd, so we decided to go down a day early to try snowmobiling (renting sleds) since we've never done it before. We are staying in Golden, CO the first night at one of my friend's relatives house, and I would like to find a rental company close to there (Frisco area).

In my mind, we'd like to do a self guided tour, but I'm basing that off of watching hours of YouTube videos of experienced guys boondocking and jumping their sleds. We are all around 25 years old so I'm thinking a trail tour with a guide just won't hit the spot, I want something that's going to spike the adrenaline.

I've been on my dad's sled - 1980 Ski Doo Blizzard - so I know the basics of riding and I just want to experience riding in the mountains (we are from eastern Nebraska) on a newer sled.

Ultimately I'm looking for suggestions to rental companies or where a good place to ride is that will keep me wanting more. Any experience/suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[kyle_uran]

Good evening T4R,
A couple of friends and I are planning on going snowmobiling January 1st, 2017. We are snowboarding starting the 2nd, so we decided to go down a day early to try snowmobiling (renting sleds) since we've never done it before. We are staying in Golden, CO the first night at one of my friend's relatives house, and I would like to find a rental company close to there (Frisco area).

In my mind, we'd like to do a self guided tour, but I'm basing that off of watching hours of YouTube videos of experienced guys boondocking and jumping their sleds. We are all around 25 years old so I'm thinking a trail tour with a guide just won't hit the spot, I want something that's going to spike the adrenaline.

I've been on my dad's sled - 1980 Ski Doo Blizzard - so I know the basics of riding and I just want to experience riding in the mountains (we are from eastern Nebraska) on a newer sled.

Ultimately I'm looking for suggestions to rental companies or where a good place to ride is that will keep me wanting more. Any experience/suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

I lived in Golden for half a year and up in Granby, north of Winter Park. Grand Adventures has unguided tour options in WP and Grand Lake. Grand Lake is the snowmobile capital of the US due to 100s of miles of trails. You can also upgrade to a Ski Doo 600 All Mountain sled per their website. 120hp vs. 60hp on their other sleds.

Ive only done guided tours, in Winter Park, Fraser Valley and Leadville.

But before you go, CHECK SNOW REPORTS and CONDITIONS. My brother lives near Breck and sent pics last week of dry conditions on mountains.

 

[MtnT4R]

dont really know about rental companies, but OP, please consider taking an avalanche course or at the very least buying(and reading) this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Staying-Aliv...1&keywords=staying+alive+in+avalanche+terrain


Colorado has one of the most unstable snowpacks in the world, and avalanches are VERY common. Unfortunately people die every year, and a large percentage of deaths are snowmobilers who have no avalanche gear or experience/training.

The basic gist of avy awareness is understanding that pretty much any slope over 20 degrees is avalanche terrain, and WILL SLIDE if the right conditions are met. As the slop gets steeper the slide potential increases significantly, requiring less and less of a triggering event. Sledding anywhere in the mountains will put you at risk, and a self guided tour is particularly dangerous for the uneducated.

Just to be clear, I'm not telling you to not go sledding while you're here, just hope you can make yourselves aware of the risks. keep an eye on the weather and this website:

Colorado Avalanche Information Center
On CAIC, check out the Accidents tab at the top. its pretty sobering.

Watch this video:
Know Before you Go


This is also an eye opening thread on Teton Gravity with a pretty scary video:
Colorado Sledneck whacked by Avy, complete with obligatory GoPro Footie



My brother already remote triggered a pretty significant slide just a couple weeks ago on Vail pass that probably would have killed him if he hadn't been on safe ground and known what he was doing. Vail pass is a huge recreation area for skiers, sledders, and snowcats, but slides happen all the time and near misses are unfortunately not uncommon.

 

[madbomber08]

Thanks for the info both of you! I have been looking into avalanche awareness. I talk like we are going to go into the back country when we will probably most likely stay on the trails.

Any other advice or suggestions are welcome.

thanks,

 

[MtnT4R]

Just came across this:

Snowmobilers survive avalanche on Rabbit Ears as slide danger grows in backcountry | VailDaily.com

A lot of trails run across avy terrain, and don't necessarily look like a danger zone at all. These guys were on a Forest Service road.
Just something to keep your eyes peeled for at all times. We've been getting pounded with storms the last two weeks or so which should continue through next week, so hopefully you'll find a lot of fresh snow when you get out here. But all the fresh snow = increased avalanche risk.

Not sure if anyone runs tours(or rents sleds) up into the Flat Tops Wilderness(outside of Gypsum, CO), but worth looking into. Thats just one big playground up there, and like the name states, a lot of flatter terrain where you can rip around without getting into too much trouble, even though the guys in that article obviously got into a bad spot...