If you like spring/summer skiing then one of the best places on the planet for easy car access skiing is the Beartooth Pass in Red Lodge, Montana. Call MDOT at 800-226-7623 to make sure it's open as snow even falls in June up here. This is some of the best car accessible ski terrain anywhere on the planet.
Ten miles south of Red Lodge is where the Beartooth Pass begins its climb to the sky. It offers 4,000 vertical feet of big mountain lines when it first opens (check out the photos). If you can't ski all of the steepest stuff that the big names resorts offer then this probably isn't the best place for you. There is a little run off the shoulder of Gardiner headwall that is fairly intermediate but that is about it.
We headed out of town to a bluebird day and marveled at our good fortune as we headed for the drop-off point. It is best to bring two vehicles so you can leave one at the bottom of Glacier Lake Road for the big ski out. When you get on Glacier about 5 miles up is a rock about the size of a small hotel; leave your car here. Orient yourself to the line you will take by looking up and getting some large scale reference points you can use in the Valley to orient yourself from above because you'll need them later in the day.
We all stayed at this really cool new development called The Spires at Red Lodge the night before and went for a big walk on their trail system marveling at the views of the high peaks to the west. We were amazed by just how affordable Red Lodge Montana real estate is as they were selling complete cottages for under $200,000. We didn't think there was a ski town anywhere where anything left that was this affordable.
With our drop complete we take off up the Pass and are more amazed by the incredible high mountain scenery. Journalist Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth the most beautiful highway in America and we all agree that he got it right.
Between the east and west summits we check out our first conquest of the day which is called the Gardiner headwall. It is looking like good corn snow and we are psyched with anticipation of a great run. A few little slides on either flank tell us that there is a need to pay attention - ACHTUNG BABY!
The corn snow has us giggling half way down it is so good. It is a short 500 vertical foot hike out which takes about 20 minutes and we decide to have lunch at the rocks along the top by the highway. This had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that there were five 20-somethings in bikini tops sunbathing. From there we headed to Reefer Ridge where there are many lines to get you back to your morning vehicle drop. These are all 3,500 vertical foot big mountain lines and some of them cliff out so choose your lines carefully or you'll be doing some hiking.
We found a beautiful 40 degree Couloir that allowed us to ski virtually to our car and, thanks to the main Rock Creek still being frozen we skied right over it (not wet boots). Get somebody to skier cut everything you ski at the top just to be safe as we kicked off a wet one that ran for 2,500 feet which got our attention. Check out this line for a car accessible ski it is pretty radical.
We then drove back up the Pass to get the other car and on the way back down dropped in to ski the Rock Creek headwall which is another 2,000 vertical feet of expert fun. Cold beers were awaiting in the car and on the way back in to town we all marveled at our good fortune getting to live in such a special place that has virtually no competition for the wide open spaces. - 22873
Ten miles south of Red Lodge is where the Beartooth Pass begins its climb to the sky. It offers 4,000 vertical feet of big mountain lines when it first opens (check out the photos). If you can't ski all of the steepest stuff that the big names resorts offer then this probably isn't the best place for you. There is a little run off the shoulder of Gardiner headwall that is fairly intermediate but that is about it.
We headed out of town to a bluebird day and marveled at our good fortune as we headed for the drop-off point. It is best to bring two vehicles so you can leave one at the bottom of Glacier Lake Road for the big ski out. When you get on Glacier about 5 miles up is a rock about the size of a small hotel; leave your car here. Orient yourself to the line you will take by looking up and getting some large scale reference points you can use in the Valley to orient yourself from above because you'll need them later in the day.
We all stayed at this really cool new development called The Spires at Red Lodge the night before and went for a big walk on their trail system marveling at the views of the high peaks to the west. We were amazed by just how affordable Red Lodge Montana real estate is as they were selling complete cottages for under $200,000. We didn't think there was a ski town anywhere where anything left that was this affordable.
With our drop complete we take off up the Pass and are more amazed by the incredible high mountain scenery. Journalist Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth the most beautiful highway in America and we all agree that he got it right.
Between the east and west summits we check out our first conquest of the day which is called the Gardiner headwall. It is looking like good corn snow and we are psyched with anticipation of a great run. A few little slides on either flank tell us that there is a need to pay attention - ACHTUNG BABY!
The corn snow has us giggling half way down it is so good. It is a short 500 vertical foot hike out which takes about 20 minutes and we decide to have lunch at the rocks along the top by the highway. This had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that there were five 20-somethings in bikini tops sunbathing. From there we headed to Reefer Ridge where there are many lines to get you back to your morning vehicle drop. These are all 3,500 vertical foot big mountain lines and some of them cliff out so choose your lines carefully or you'll be doing some hiking.
We found a beautiful 40 degree Couloir that allowed us to ski virtually to our car and, thanks to the main Rock Creek still being frozen we skied right over it (not wet boots). Get somebody to skier cut everything you ski at the top just to be safe as we kicked off a wet one that ran for 2,500 feet which got our attention. Check out this line for a car accessible ski it is pretty radical.
We then drove back up the Pass to get the other car and on the way back down dropped in to ski the Rock Creek headwall which is another 2,000 vertical feet of expert fun. Cold beers were awaiting in the car and on the way back in to town we all marveled at our good fortune getting to live in such a special place that has virtually no competition for the wide open spaces. - 22873
About the Author:
There are not many places with the affordable real estate and world-classs recreation like Red Lodge, Montana, where you can ski runs like Rock Creek Headwall. While you are in Red Lodge, Montana check out The Spires at Red Lodge
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