The Albany Lodge in the Snowy Range Mountains west of Laramie was for decades an iconic destination for snowmobilers during the winter and off-road vehicle enthusiasts in the summer.
It closed in June, seemingly marking the end of an era. But a couple originally from Texas, Jeff and Nicki Archer, purchased it and hope to reopen it under a new name.
It will be called Trailshead Lodge Snowy Range, Jeff Archer told Cowboy State Daily, noting that the couple’s three children will help them run the business.
Other than the new name, the family doesn’t plan to make any significant changes to the formula that made the lodge a hub of activity for many seasons.
“Come in for cold beer, good food and a great time,” he said.
Wyoming State Snowmobile Association president Jay Slagowski told Cowboy State Daily that the lodge’s reputation as an oasis for sledders is known far and wide.
And he has personal memories of the place.
“Even back then, and we’re talking the early 90s, it was a hot spot. It was the place to go,” he said.
‘An Icon And A Landmark’
When the lodge closed, many assumed it was a permanent lost for the outdoor powersports community.
Archer said he didn’t know the details of why the Albany Lodge closed. Messages sent to the previous owners weren’t returned by publication time.
Archer’s family was already in the business; they own a lodge in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
So, when the Albany Lodge came up for sale, it was too good of an opportunity to pass, because the property spoke for itself, he said.
“This is kind of an icon and a landmark of the snowmobiling and mountain community,” he said.
He spoke over the phone on Tuesday from the lodge, where he was busy with some renovations. The family hopes to open the doors by mid-March, he said.
“It’s basically going to be the same. We’re going to run it our way and put our fingerprint on it,” Archer said.
Faith For Snow
The one ingredient that’s lacking so far this winter is snow.
The Snowy Range has enough for some snowmobiling, but not nearly the usual amounts that have made the mountains a premier snowmobiling destination, Archer said.
He and his family are turning to their faith, with the assurance that things will work out, he added.
“You know what? God’s got a plan. We’ve got faith, and that’s all that matters,” Archer said.
“I think every time we get a little more snow, we’re going to get a few more sleds,” he said.
There’s still much to do before the opening, such as hiring a full staff.
When it’s fully up and running, the business will include lodging, as well as snowmobile and side-by-side ATV rentals, Archer said.
“It’s going to be a family-friendly gathering spot,” he said.
‘They Follow The Snow’
Slagowski said he was delighted to hear that the lodge is reopening.
Any time you ever have a ride-in, ride-out destination that covers all your needs in the winter, those are awesome locations. They’re good for the business community and good for snowmobilers,” he said.
The Albany/Trailshead lodge is a linchpin of Wyoming’s snowmobiling business, which attracts visitors from all over, he said.
“In Wyoming, 63% of snowmobile registrations are from non-residents,” he said.
Wyoming is particularly popular with sledders from Midwestern states, such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota, he said.
The Snowy Range is considered to have some of the state’s best snowmobiling. But with a relative lack of snow there so far this winter, snowmobilers have been seeking out other spots.
Snowmobilers watch real-time reports about snow conditions on social media, he said.
“They go where the snow is,” he said.
Slagowski lives in Dubois and said that there’s been steady snowmobile traffic in the Togwotee Pass area.
There’s also been an influx of riders from Colorado and Utah, where there’s been virtually no snow, he said.
March, April and May are typically heavy snow months in Wyoming, so if the Trailshead Lodge opens as planned, the Archers should see a busy late winter season, he said.
“The odds are in their favor,” Slagowski said.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
