When it comes to Authentic, it’s hard to beat Montana’s ski areas. Montana is home to 16 ski areas, twelve of which are operated under special use permit with the US Forest Service, and one, Great Divide, that operates under lease with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Another is owned by the Chippewa Cree Tribe and is one of three Montana ski areas run by non-profits and volunteer labor. Montana offers true niche skiing, and these hills have some great history.
Many of these ski resorts have been running since the 1930s. By the time Nordic ski racing and jumping became Olympic events at Chamonix, France in 1924, skiing was a well-established sport in Europe and was catching up quickly in the US. Interest in Montana spurred the formation of numerous local ski clubs, mobilized in most cases to work with the Forest Service to carve out the first runs and jumps from nearby forests. Annual ski races and jumping events around the State led to friendly competition between clubs, and many club members became competent competitors on the National and Olympic scene. Many helped to teach and coach others for decades to come. A fascinating read on Montana’s ski history can be found in the book Downhill in Montana, a pictorial history by Montana writer and publisher, Stan Cohen.
While many of the original ski tows and lifts were pieced together from retired mining equipment and tractor engines, the lifts found in Montana today range from older lifts that were installed in the mid-1900’s to modern, high-speed, high-capacity lifts and trams. From the high-end to the “mom and pop” operations, most Montana ski areas offer great snow conditions and relatively short lift lines. A distinct few operate as luxury resorts, complete with mountain communities offering of lodging, restaurants, shopping, spas and entertainment, not to mention pro-golf designed links courses and an array of other activities for individuals, families and groups.
The classic Montana mom and pops tend to keep it simpler, with tight-knit crews working through the temperate seasons to prepare equipment and facilities for the big opening, which generally occurs between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some areas are open only two to four days per week during the ski season, but many are offering summer activities and locations for private events as well. In the winter, cozy lodges offer warmth in from the slopes, with tasty food and sometimes a beer or a toddy, but just as often, Montana’s sunny skies draw people outside to relax and enjoy the views and refreshments on open decks. Regardless of the weather, the folks that run these operations are as sunny as Montana skies; they love what they do, and you will love their laid back, friendly attitude and atmosphere that they create.
Montana Authentic wishes to capture the essence of what makes Montana, Montana. Montana Authentic seeks to bring to your awareness this great State’s iconic landscapes, deep culture and history, and authentic values. We will ask with each feature, “How do we not spoil this”?
Believe it or not, Montana was once home to several more ski areas. Operating a skill hill is not an easy business and many run on a shoe-string budget. Remember that much of what is authentic in Montana is driven by hard-working individuals or groups, and you can add to their longevity by bringing them your business and even volunteering to help where it might be possible. Doing so could add a new dimension to your life’s collection of experiences! Volunteerism has evolved over time, and is generally fading when it comes to the decades-old clubs and organizations that endeavored to create and maintain the Montana wonders that we still enjoy today, particularly those located on public lands. Please consider taking some of your recreational time to assist a local organization, or make a monetary donation, toward keeping authentic Montana experiences going for future generations.
Montana’s Sweet Sixteen: Highboy and Company: Cory Birkenbuel and Kevin Hilton created a film project/ documentary about skiing all 16 ski areas in Montana in 16 days, promoting the beauty and love for the outdoors that the beautiful state of Montana provides.
Downhill In Montana-Montana Publisher Pictorial Histories Publishing Co, Inc.: Alpine skiing in Montana and Yellowstone National Park has a rich past dating from the late 19th century. From simple homemade rope tows to present high-speed quad chair lifts and trams, the history of over 60 ski areas is illustrated in this book in black and white and color photographs, newspaper articles, correspondence, ski patches and personal accounts.
Montana’s Ski Areas:
Montana Authentic 