Montana Skiing

I remember my Dad yelling at me like it was yesterday, "Curt, fall down! Fall down!"

It was one of our first Montana skiing trips and I was headed straight for a stand of pine trees.

Of course, as an 8-year-old I saw my Dad's concern as a mere roadblock in my efforts to beat my previous speed records. Damn his concern...the lodge pole pines dotting the trails...and the scenery. Snowplowing was a foreign concept. My motto: point 'em downhill and go. I was a little Lightning McQueen on skiis: SPEED!

Of course, after a few hard falls and a near-death experience with a pine tree I began to see the wisdom in my Dad's advice. And, in doing so, I realized 3 things about skiing in Montana:

1) Falling at a high rate of speed hurts
2) Lodge pole pines are harder than they look
3) And from where I crashed I suddenly realized that I could see the Big Horn Mountains...in Wyoming! It was amazing just how far you could see when on a cloudless day on a Montana mountain.

In fact, it's common to be able to see 50-60 miles when you're up on the mountain.

And the views weren't the only thing that I have fond memories of. After a couple of runs down the mountain my dad and I would stop in the Midway Lodge for a well-deserved hot chocolate (his had a well-earned shot of Schnapps). I look back on them now and smile. And, I'm nervous too because my boys are quickly reaching the age where they'll want to be towed up the mountain just to prove how fast they can go until they learn better.

But, memories like this are easy to make skiing in Montana because I honestly believe that compared to the rest of the country Montana is one of the best places to go skiing. Here's why:

1) Montana Has Plenty of Skiing for You to Enjoy

Here's a snapshot of what Montana Ski Resorts have to offer you:

• 16 Ski Resorts dotted throughout the western and mid-central part of the state

• Over 14,500 acres of skiing and riding opportunities

• 924 individual runs at the time of this article

• 400 inches of pure Montana snow

• And, believe it or not, 223 days of sunshine a year

In fact, probably the best thing you'll find when you come skiing in Montana is the sheer variety of terrain, price and opportunity. For example, some of them are smaller. Some of them are pretty large and cater to more of the tourist like Big Sky Resort and Whitefish Mountain. Which leads to the next point.

2) Montana's ski resorts, for the most part, are geared towards the family - not rich tourists.

I don't mean this as a slam towards other states skiing opportunities, but when most folks new to Montana think of ski resorts they immediately conjure up images of Vail, Aspen and posh resorts that dot other Western states.

Now, while Montana does have a couple of really nice resorts like Big Sky Resort and Whitefish Mountain, Montana is primarily a 'working class' ski resort state. Meaning, it's geared more towards families on a middle class income.

For example, Red Lodge Mountain Resort is just a half-hour away from where I live. It has plenty of runs, ample snow, good lifts, instruction, short lines and everything else you would expect - except it lacks what I would call a 'resort' feel. For example, no celebrities (at least I've never seen any) and the prices are more than fair.

A day pass for an adult at Maverik Mountain near Dillon will run you $25. Very reasonable by anybody's standards.

Head to Whitefish Mountain (also called Big Mountain) and you'll pay $54.

A day pass at Big Sky Resort will bump you up to $75.

3) Montana skiing is all about variety

With the Rocky Mountain as the backdrop you have a lot of different terrain. Which may explain why when you arrive at any of the 16 Montana ski resorts you'll find a run (or two or three) that are right up your alley and a few to challenge you a bit.

Vertical drops are typically thousands of feet.

For example, Red Lodge Mountain Resort is close by and is named after the small (former mining) town at it's base - Red Lodge. Just this last week, for example, Red Lodge got 59" of fresh powder - and it's not known for it's powder.

But again, it's relatively inexpensive and has plenty of variety.

So the point is this - skiing in Montana can give you nearly everything you're looking for. Different price ranges, different skill levels, great family environment and great memories if you're willing to make them.

And that isn't all.

4) There's the whole other side of the state to consider

Generally, when people think about skiing in Montana they think mountains, chair lifts, snowboards, deep powder and the western side of the state. But, my wife and I are really wanting to try some cross-country skiing (Jodi is really pushing this - I wonder if it might be more work than it's worth - but hey, I'll try anything once!).

And the great thing about cross-country skiing is you can literally do it anywhere in the state that gets snow. And since all of Montana gets snow that opens up the whole eastern side of the state to you.

This is really one of Montana's untapped resources when it comes to tourism. Most visitors focus on the severe western side of the state because that's where the 'mountains' are. But don't overlook the eastern side - particularly for cross country skiing near the river bottoms.

...the Drought Has Affected the Skiing Though

Even though Montana has plenty of mountains and ski resorts, the last decade has been a little tough for the industry.

A decade-long drought has resulted in lower than normal snow pack.

However, we are beginning to come out of a bit. For example, just last week Big Sky Resort reported reaching the same snow pack level for all of last year!

So, all-in-all, Montana would be a great place for you to come skiing, particularly if you are one a budget. Improved snow pack, good prices, wide variety and short lift lines add to the appeal also.