Skill Level: All levels.
Ride Description: This will be a “run your rust off” ride. Come on out and test out your new gear, make sure your belt isn’t broken, and make sure you’re in shape for the season. This ride will be for all levels and may break into two groups depending on rider skill level. Great ride for new members and new to snowmobiling. Recommend downloading the free COTREX app if you don’t have another winter trails app that shows Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area trails; you can also click VPWRA, where you can download a PDF and/or an Avenza Map for this area.
Riding Clinic: For any interested beginners or advanced beginners, we’ll do a 2-3 hour off-trail riding clinic, where we’ll learn and practice drills for getting on edge and staying on edge in the neutral riding position, getting ourselves out of a tight spot, getting unstuck, and staying on edge across a gentle side hill. Then we’ll ride the rest of the day, practicing what we learned.
Location: Vail Pass – Snowmobile Parking Area. See the map below for map/directions.
- Parking lot may or may not be plowed, but it usually is or is well packed down.
Parking Fee: There’s a $10 parking fee at this location, or you can buy an annual pass for it. Bring cash since their credit card machine sometimes fails.
Breakfast: None planned.
Pre-Ride Gear Check & Meeting: 8:00a, near Jason’s red RAM 1500. (Be unloaded, geared up, and ready to ride at this time.)
Ride Start Time: 8:15a.
Ride End Time: 3:00p, or earlier if group wants.
Must Haves: Avy beacon, Probe, Shovel, Charged cell phone, FRS or GMRS radio set to channel 18, privacy code 21.
Lunch Plan: Carry whatever you need to stay fueled and hydrated for the day; we won’t return to the parking lot until the end of our ride.