Ski Beartooth Pass
If you enjoy skiing or snowboarding and are looking for something out of the ordinary to do in early summer, there is an exceptional spot in Montana to indulge yourself. One of the most scenic highways in the world, the Beartooth Highway between Red Lodge and Cooke City, offers access to high-elevation snowfields that persist well into the summer. The opening date of the road varies with spring weather conditions and winter snowpack levels, but the Beartooth is usually open by late May. A trip to the top is like turning the calendar back a couple of months, and affords a chance to extend your ski season nearly to the 4th of July. more info
Austrians Pepi Gramshammer and Eric Sailer founded the Beartooth Pass ski area in 1966 to coach Olympic hopefuls. They attracted top European Olympic skiers and coaches to train young American racers. In 1984, lift towers were erected. Before that time portable lifts were used. And prior to that, a rear wheel of a Jeep was used to power a rope tow, winding up and letting out the line.
In 2002, Rob Hart and Joe Maxwell, of Red Lodge, and former Red Lodge resident Kurt Hallock, now of San Diego, purchased the operating permit and two ski lifts from the Forest Service for $65,000. The mountain is open to the public with controlled daily use. In addition to offering the public access, the ski area also host ski racing and freestyle skiing and snowboarding camps. Clubs from around the United States and the region have reserved times to practice on what is considered the steepest training site in North America.
The Red Lodge International Summer Ski and Snowboard Camp's lifts cling to the slopes above Twin Lakes at an elevation of 10,800 feet above sea level. All of the runs are rated advanced intermediate to expert. That means they are nearly vertical. Mount Hood in Oregon and Whistler in British Columbia are more well-known for their summer programs. They are ski areas that draw in large numbers. The Beartooth has a distinct advantage, its terrain varies from bowls to glades and chutes. Racers are able to mix things up, work on areas of their freestyle, not just racing. The pitch is steep, it's all steep, ranging from 15 to 50 degrees.
Even though the hill is open to the public, because of the difficulty the mountain presents, guests are initially guided to assess their skiing or snowboarding skills. Those unable to demonstrate adequate ability are turned back. The runs off the top of Beartooth Pass are steep and challenging. It offers a great learning environment for skiing terrain with varying degrees of difficulty.
The Red Lodge International Summer Ski and Snowboard Camp will employ about five or six people to operate the lifts and patrol the mountain. The season will run until July 4, or however long the snow permits and interest remains high. The cost to the public to ski is $35. Only 100 people will be allowed on the slopes each day. The hill will be open from 8am to 1:30/2pm, depending on the weather. Skiers will be required to sign a liability waiver.
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