Anyone Snowmobile in Golden or Revelstoke?

[Draug]

We are thinking of heading to Golden next week to do some mountain sledding. We normally go to Fernie each year, but the snow sounds awful down there at this time.

We have never been there, which makes a guide a must. A good guide makes a trip way, way better. Plus, the extra avalanche safety is never a bad thing.

A guide is available from Golden Snowmobile Rentals (http://www.goldensnowmobilerentals.com/index.php).

Has anyone used them before? Are they great guides? Does anyone have any better references for guides out of Golden?

[Draug]

As I have been investigating, it seems the snow is not great in the Golden area either.

We are now considering going all the way to Revelstoke. Anyone have any great guide contacts there?

[Tron_fdc]

Ya man, I'm out there all the time. What do you need to know?

You don't really need a guide. If you're in Golden I would suggest Quartz Creek as a good starter. It's busier, but there is a cabin (wood stove, bbq, lots of seating) that is a good warming up point. There are trails and bowls all over the place there, so it's really tough to get lost. If you want a guide though, GSR is the way to go. They're a super cool group of guys, and they might take you into Gorman or Silent Pass, which are 2 other areas that don't have cabins but are pretty decent as far as conditions go.

What kind of riding do you do? How about abilities?

[Tron_fdc]

Snowest is a great forum for conditions. This is for the Golden/Revy area

http://snowest.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=165

Pretty sure you can hook up guides out in Revy as well, but there again if you stick to popular places like Boulder or Frisby you don't really need one.

[Draug]

Thanks for the replies Tron.

Like I have said, we normally go on our annual trip to Fernie, but the snow appears to just be way too bad this year. We have always had such a great time there that we have never felt the need to go to Revelstoke or Golden.

The purpose of us hiring a guide is not because we fear getting lost. Rather, it is to have someone with us that is out many days per week and therefor knows the places with the best current conditions. Also, I expect a guide to be way better at assessing the safety level of any given area than I am, and that will help us stay safe (someday I want to get around to taking some avalanche courses). A local guide can also find us those 'hidden' areas that a foreigner will never find, and generally, that is where you can find untracked snow. In a guide, Im really looking for an exceptional rider, who is local, and can be a friend on the trip, rather than a 'business transaction'; know what I mean?

In Fernie, even though we now know the area well, we always hire the same guide, Keely. Awesome guy, amazing rider, and knows the area intimately. He always finds untracked and good snow, even when it seems like there shouldnt be any. It is well worth the money every time.

As far as skill goes, we arent newbies anymore. We have gone out every year, for 2-3 days, for at least the past 8-10 years. We arent expert riders, but we are competent. All 4 of us are very mechanically inclined and generally well coordinated and in good shape, which really helps. We know how to use machines, not just ride them. But, there are still places we look at and decide it just isnt worth the risk to test our skill to that extreme. We always want to get off the trails, and the beaten path, and get into the upper mountain bowls that offer some tame hill climbing, rolling hills, meadows, and trees. We always rent the best Skidoo Mountain sleds, so we always have more machine than courage ... this year, we have Summit XP 800's with a 154" track.

Would you recommend going to Revelstoke or Golden, next weekend? If the snow generally warrants the extra 2 hours of distance, plus another nights stay, then so be it.

As for guides, if we go to Golden, we'll use GSR, especially with your vote of confidence. For Revelstoke, I've ruled out Glacier House (too corporate, and I feel wont adapt the day as we want to). There was a second guide, named Mark, but he was busy. I have talked to a couple local 'Godlike' sledders, and one might travel with us, but of course that is a little more risky than a full time guide. Maybe you even know him, so I'll PM you.

[Tron_fdc]

PM Sent!

Based on what I'm reading I would do either Quartz in Golden, or Boulder in Revy. They're both groomed on the way in, are relatively safe, and you'll find some decent snow there.

Boulder is a huuuuuuge area, so I'm sure you'll find some decent snow. I've also ridden Fernie, and it's nowhere near Revy as far as terrain or snow conditions.

Another person you might want to try is Rob Alford at logchalet.com. His sister is a friend of mine, and I've met Rob quite a few times. He's a pro rider that lives out there, so he has LOADS of experience in the area. Not only will he show you around if he can, chances are he'll pull some sh*t out there that will blow your mind. He's a nutter.

Good luck man. Go to Revy!!!!

[Tron_fdc]

Boulder Mtn





My truck, with OVERNIGHT snow on it. This was at Glacier House, at the base of Frisby ridge

[Berger_4_]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Boulder Mtn





My truck, with OVERNIGHT snow on it. This was at Glacier House, at the base of Frisby ridge

Goddamn, that's something I really want to do. I wish I didn't sell my little sled...oh well maybe once uni is done and I have money I'll be able to go to the mountains to sled...

[Draug]

Well, the trip was a huge success. All 4 of us managed to ride completely damage free.

Revelstoke (until the day after left) hadn't had any snow in 3 weeks, but there was a huge base. We hired a local sledder to 'guide' us, and that was the best investment of all. We went up on Frisby Ridge, and he took us down some chutes and we still found untracked virgin snow, in pretty large areas. I wouldn't have thought it possible.

A big thanks goes out to Tron for all the advice he offered while I was planning the trip.

[Tron_fdc]

Sweet man, glad you had fun. Too bad you're not heading out this weekend......almost a meter is forecast this week in Revy. It's pretty tough to get around when that happens though, you usually end up spending half your day digging.

Sounds like you had a better time than my weekend in Fernie. 3 wrecked sleds (1 written off) and a backcountry brewhaha with a bunch of idiot rednecks. All in all, I'm surprised the cabin we were in didn't burn down, seeing as everything else went completely sideways.

[Draug]

Ouch, tough weekend.

I'd love ot head out this weekend.... but since we have to rent sleds, it generally has to be planned far in advance.

Last year, we went to Fernie and have well over 2 ft of fresh snow everywhere. Was probably the best day of sledding so far.

I just need to convince my wife to let me buy a sled, and convince my brother and a couple friends, and I'll be GOLDEN!