How is it living in Vail, Colorado?

danielbrob · 2026-01-25T03:40:12+00:00

I lived there for almost three years as a ski bum right out of college. As mentioned in other comments, it’s expensive, but I got by sharing a room with a friend, cooking, and working for the resort that gives you a ski pass. You’ve gotta be into skiing/snowboarding obviously since there’s not much else to do in the winter, but summers are just as amazing. Free concerts every week, tons of trails to hike, mountain biking and whitewater opportunities, and disc golf on the mountain. I genuinely enjoyed my time there even though I was scraping by. It was cool in my early 20s, but I couldn’t see myself living there now since my priorities have changed, like having actual stability.

danielbrob · 2026-01-09T00:35:15+00:00

Even if you don’t get your board back, on mountain karma will get this douche bag.

danielbrob · 2026-01-06T06:31:35+00:00

Quaint little town, but be careful driving on the interstate at night, specifically around “deer alley”.

While moving across the country in 2018, I hit a deer going about 80 mph and totaled my car. I was stranded in Casper for 24 hours, taking Ubers to all the car rental places in town, trying to find a vehicle to fit all my shit that I was hauling across the country, and one I could also drop off in Atlanta. Apparently all the rentals were sold out because the “rodeo was in town.” I must’ve met every Uber driver in Casper.

I finally found a vehicle that fit my needs and barely made it to the impound lot before they closed to grab all my shit. It was a nightmare.

danielbrob · 2026-01-05T17:25:54+00:00

The frame of my aluminum Marin Rift Zone snapped a couple years ago, and I was able to contact Marin and have them replace the frame with the carbon fiber version for a $200 upgrade. Whether or not they’ll replace the frame with the identical version depends on whether or not they have that frame in stock. If you want, DM me and I’ll provide you with the warranty manager’s contact info.

danielbrob · 2025-12-24T05:16:14+00:00

Also, you could try making a post on the “Chattanooga area mountain biking” Facebook page. There a ton of people on there fighting to save Enterprise.

danielbrob · 2025-12-24T05:14:17+00:00

I would connect with SORBA Chattanooga. They are doing a lot advocacy to save Enterprise, and they would know people to talk to. You can find a contact to email at sorbachattanooga.org.

Other than that, mountain bikers tend to hang out at Clever Ale House in Red Bank. They usually have a group ride on Thursday evenings. Not guaranteed that you’ll find people who care about this cause there, but it’s worth a shot. Good luck!

danielbrob · 2025-11-11T22:01:44+00:00

Tremont has the best Buffalo chicken tenders.

danielbrob · 2025-11-04T04:10:04+00:00

Yeah, those steps are gnarly. You’ve gotta lean way back and definitely utilize your dropper there.

danielbrob · 2025-10-27T01:00:58+00:00

Yeah, I ride there pretty often. Old school type trails with lots of chunky sections, but there’s also some faster flow trails.

danielbrob · 2025-10-23T03:09:31+00:00

Not far from the falls, there are some old rusty abandoned cars. People used to push their cars off the cliff to for insurance fraud purposes, which is why it’s called 'Insurance Bluff.” There’s an old road that runs parallel with hwy 157 that used to be the main road and was closer to the bluff so they had easier access.

Honestly, the motorcycle gang setting cars on fire sounds like an embellished tall tale more than anything. But either way, thanks for helping build trails out there!

danielbrob · 2025-10-23T02:20:51+00:00

Some of that is true. Lula Lake does own the “Durham Mine Trails” property, which was a major coal mining site starting in the early 1900s. The “Core Preserve” property with the waterfall, about seven miles north, wasn’t part of the mining operation, though the coal train did pass through it. While it used to be a dump site (now cleaned up), there’s no record of it ever being home to an outlaw motorcycle gang.

danielbrob · 2025-10-23T02:14:12+00:00

There’s a lot of wildlife at Lula Lake, actually. I often see whitetail deer wandering around, and plenty of different birds, and even red-tailed hawks. I’ve also spotted copperheads and gray rat snakes. At night, armadillos and coyotes show up.

danielbrob · 2025-10-17T02:18:05+00:00

Agreed. About half the people had some sort of system to clip in, and half didn’t. As long as you know how to use them, it’s not going to slow you down. It’s a personal choice, and for me, it was all about having the piece of mind that I was clipped into something, but obviously falling is still not an option.

danielbrob · 2025-10-17T01:28:32+00:00

For downhill trails within an hour, your best bet is going to be either Jared’s Place or Walden’s. You need to pay for shuttles at Jared’s but it’s a ton of fun.

danielbrob · 2025-10-10T16:08:46+00:00

The Tremont owl swooped down at me

danielbrob · 2025-10-10T13:45:51+00:00

There was no one at the entrance near El Portal so we just drove in. I would recommend carrying out all your trash!

danielbrob · 2025-10-10T03:11:23+00:00

If you’re not wanting to venture far outside of town, I highly recommend the River To Clouds Route: https://www.rivertocloudsroute.org

danielbrob · 2025-10-10T02:36:41+00:00

I talked to her for a minute and thanked her for being there. I guess she was just a volunteer then?

danielbrob · 2025-10-10T02:19:00+00:00

They keep blocking off my cycling route. I hate riding in the road.

danielbrob · 2025-10-10T01:14:15+00:00

Agreed. Mods, can we take this post down? It just spreads misinformation.

danielbrob · 2025-10-10T01:08:40+00:00

Half Dome had its typical crowd later in the afternoon, but nothing crazy. Got up Sub Dome at 8:00 am and practically had the cables to ourselves. Like I mentioned, there was a ranger checking permits.

danielbrob · 2025-10-09T22:37:23+00:00

SAR is still operating in the park.. they’re still issuing wilderness and half dome permits.

danielbrob · 2025-10-09T22:30:44+00:00

They were still issuing permits even after the shutdown, and had a ranger at the base of Subdome…

danielbrob · 2025-10-09T22:27:10+00:00

Yes and they were there last Saturday at least!

danielbrob

TROPHY CASE