Crooked Creek is a great place to stay. We have stayed there or in a cabin near there numerous times. Accommodations and food were excellent. I prefer the bar at CC vs TML. The staff is also great at CC.
As far as the riding goes, they don't usually have as much snow as TML does, but also consider there is far less sled traffic on Union Pass to track it up.
They do have some good terrain not all that far from the lodge, if the snow is decent, otherwise a 10-15 min trail ride will net you an abundance of riding areas. Not exactly sure what type of riding you are looking for, but good boondocking can be had, especially if you have a sense of adventure and are willing to get off the beaten path and explore. There are plenty of meadows to ride in, and some climbing, but not a great deal of open hills. It tends to be a bit more rolly polly than the Brooks Lake / TML area. If you want, I'm sure their guide Nick, would show you around the area quite well. He's a great guy.
I think its worth a shot imo.... Ive rode all over the west and still make 1 trip a year to CC because the overall experience is a great.
