How much tip is enough for a guide?

[chicagosledder]

We are heading out to Tog in March and want to know how much should we tip the guide if we are going to sled for three days?

[willey]

I have heard most do $25/rider/day but it depends upon the service you receive as well. I have never heard a complaint! Have fun and hope for some fresh!!!

[polarisrider1]

we do $100 for 5 days each guy. For 3 days I would do $60-$75 each guy. I have only done 5-6 days at a time at Tog. You can request certain Guides. No garantees. Carter to learn. Noah to do some lumber jacking and sidehilling to the top, Brent to play in the meadows, Justin for a "hold on and here we go" adventure, Chad (not sure if he is still around) willow and creek riding. Never rode with "Lefty", Matt Binon is retired from Tog. but still a favorite. not sure if any new guys this year?

[polarisrider1]

Forgot to mention. The guides do earn their keep. They will bring you and your sled home. And you will be grinning!

[chicagosledder]

Thanks guys, it sounds like $25 per day per guy is good. I am looking forward to this trip. Appreciate all the help.

[pez]

First off....Personally, I think if you tip $25.00, you are being too cheap. Think about this....you go out to dinner, order a bottle of wine, bill is $100.00 and you tip $20.00. That is for maybe 1.5 hours of "service". Now go snowmobiling out west...The guide is with you from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The first 10 minutes into the ride you get stuck and he helps dig you out. Then he helps you again and again. You try to do it on your own, but have no idea what you are doing. He starts giving you pointers on how to do this and that. You are smiling from ear to ear the whole time. 8 hours later he has got you un-stuck X number of times. Taken you to the freshest powder ever.....trust me, he has earned more the $25.00 for the day.

[polarisrider1]

First off....Personally, I think if you tip $25.00, you are being too cheap. Think about this....you go out to dinner, order a bottle of wine, bill is $100.00 and you tip $20.00. That is for maybe 1.5 hours of "service". Now go snowmobiling out west...The guide is with you from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The first 10 minutes into the ride you get stuck and he helps dig you out. Then he helps you again and again. You try to do it on your own, but have no idea what you are doing. He starts giving you pointers on how to do this and that. You are smiling from ear to ear the whole time. 8 hours later he has got you un-stuck X number of times. Taken you to the freshest powder ever.....trust me, he has earned more the $25.00 for the day.

True, but the guide is also paid from the lodge. I will guide you and your group all day every day for $25 per head plus peanut wages. The sleds are provided and so is their gas and oil. These guys do earn their money and nothing against them but I will guide a group around for free most the time and provide everything on my own. At Togwotee, I highly recommend a guide. At Cooke and IP, truck me out and I will show you around. The guides truly earn their keep with newbies and trucking around the "Huxtables". Give them some seasoned riders and they are also having a ball, sledding and collecting money. Most groups out of Tog. run with about 8 guys in a group. If tipping is what one states, then the guide is making $200 a day in tips plus wages. No disrespect to the guides, they are worth it. Pez, make note, the guide is not pulling out everyone all the time, depends on the group. Heck I have pulled on Carters ski a time or two.

[chicagosledder]

I guess we will have to see how many times we get stuck. Man now I am really up in the air on how much to give, so I guess it is safe to say at least 25 per man and if we are a pain in the rear end it may go up. I just want to have fun and show my appreciation to the guide.

[Skylar]

I guess we will have to see how many times we get stuck. Man now I am really up in the air on how much to give, so I guess it is safe to say at least 25 per man and if we are a pain in the rear end it may go up. I just want to have fun and show my appreciation to the guide.

We have always done $25 a guy, per day. The last time we were out we had 9 in our group from Sunday till Friday. 6 days, 9 guys, $25 per guy= $1350.

[willey]

We have always done $25 a guy, per day. The last time we were out we had 9 in our group from Sunday till Friday. 6 days, 9 guys, $25 per guy= $1350.

And they are working. I wish I could ride everyday in the best place on earth for my day job.

[pez]

True, but the guide is also paid from the lodge. I will guide you and your group all day every day for $25 per head plus peanut wages. The sleds are provided and so is their gas and oil. These guys do earn their money and nothing against them but I will guide a group around for free most the time and provide everything on my own. At Togwotee, I highly recommend a guide. At Cooke and IP, truck me out and I will show you around. The guides truly earn their keep with newbies and trucking around the "Huxtables". Give them some seasoned riders and they are also having a ball, sledding and collecting money. Most groups out of Tog. run with about 8 guys in a group. If tipping is what one states, then the guide is making $200 a day in tips plus wages. No disrespect to the guides, they are worth it. Pez, make note, the guide is not pulling out everyone all the time, depends on the group. Heck I have pulled on Carters ski a time or two.

I guess it is a personal choice then. I have only been there twice and was extremely grateful and happy to have them. Don't forget, wait staff get hourly wages too. There are also people who don't tip at all and sometimes the groups are just the guide and one or two people. It is true, there are seasoned riders that go and I am sure the guide just guides and has a blast with them. (Skylar ) But I am not there yet. I would say see what work they do for you and tip accordingly.

[snoluver1]

$25 a head per day plus an hourly wage and a sled, all to go out and have fun every day??
I think I need to get into this guiding racket! Heck I'll do it for 20 a head and make up the difference with volume-LOL.

[yoopermike]

We did $20 per head, but that was 6 yrs ago...man I need to go back there. Been too long.

[doo_dr]

Give what you think they are worth!!! Just like your waiter. But before you do, think about how much you have invested in your trip (sleds, cars, vacation days, clothing, family/friend time) and then compare it to the time you had with the group and guide. I'm sure a $100 tip for a week's worth of guiding doesn't even come close to a good enough tip. A good guide can make a $4K trip feel like the best vacation you have ever been on and that is where the tip should be reflected. FYI- I think the NORM is $25/day/person and then add more for the experinece level you had.

[willey]

Give what you think they are worth!!! Just like your waiter. But before you do, think about how much you have invested in your trip (sleds, cars, vacation days, clothing, family/friend time) and then compare it to the time you had with the group and guide. I'm sure a $100 tip for a week's worth of guiding doesn't even come close to a good enough tip. A good guide can make a $4K trip feel like the best vacation you have ever been on and that is where the tip should be reflected. FYI- I think the NORM is $25/day/person and then add more for the experinece level you had.

Very good point! I think the main thing is to tip according to your experience and what your pocket book allows. I bartend and do appreciate good tippers and work hard to get good tips. Pays for this addiction I call snowmobiling!

[mspease]

Very good point! I think the main thing is to tip according to your experience and what your pocket book allows. I bartend and do appreciate good tippers and work hard to get good tips. Pays for this addiction I call snowmobiling!

What bar do you work at? My wife used to live in Milltown and I still own a house there. We talked about that at the Mosquito during the Ride In fundraiser.

[polarisrider1]

What bar do you work at? My wife used to live in Milltown and I still own a house there. We talked about that at the Mosquito during the Ride In fundraiser.

just love it when the mods take us off topic. (Ya, it's like the pot calling the kettle black) lol. Willey, have no fear I will guiide you around IP for free. Just three in my main group and we mix it up with adding others. Anyways, the guides are worth it at Tog. And buy them a drink at Happy hour. It is great to visit with them at the end of the day in the big "social room" and gleen knowledge and build friendships.

[mspease]

I'm sorry PR1, how dare I? I know you have never ever gone off topic! LMAO

[polarisrider1]

I'm sorry PR1, how dare I? I know you have never ever gone off topic! LMAO

just had too!

[willey]

I work at Mckenzie Lanes in Centuria on weekends here and there. I live just a block from Hacks, Wise Guys and Shafers! 3 bars within walking distance.

[pfeifest]

A little off topic (though not that bad)....

As a general rule what sort of $'s would I be talking to go to Togwotee for 4-5 days, fly in, get a ride to the lodge, rent a sled, and get a guide? I'm just looking for ballpark numbers.

Thanks!

[doo_dr]

Excluding your air fare, they have the rates right on the website. They do pick up and delivery to the airport. You can choose which sled you want to ride. You get your meals, happy hour, and room. Guide included!! Fully inclusive pkg.

[snobinge]

Probably around 350-400/day for Winter package and Rental of M8 or Rmk 800. As stated this includes lodging, transfers from airport, guide, happy hour(5-6:30 including beer/rails and appetizers), buffet breakfast and dinner off the menu.

This does not include airfare, tips, or lunch on the mountain.

[techsledder]

A little off topic (though not that bad)....

As a general rule what sort of $'s would I be talking to go to Togwotee for 4-5 days, fly in, get a ride to the lodge, rent a sled, and get a guide? I'm just looking for ballpark numbers.

Thanks!

Best to call the Lodge front desk at (307)543-2847 to get a quote for the "Classic Winter Package" in one of their lodge rooms.

[JasonF]

We drive out with sleds in tow, get a cabin (6nights) without meal plan, eat some in the cabin some at the bar, ride for 5 days with guide for around $1200 per person. A sled will add around $200-220 a day.