ChrisC
Well-known member
Red Lodge was the final stop on my inland Northwest ski tour. Potentially there was supposed to be snow from a strong upslope storm (this was the same day Denver was receiving almost 3-4 feet), but the wrap-around snow bands never materialized. So more of the same....sunshine and spring skiing.
Red Lodge is also on the Indy Pass. Given the daily rate is $90, a Spring Indy Pass for $199 quickly pays for itself. However, the day I arrived was an intra-state ski club race so lines for lift tickets were long since everyone had a free lift ticket voucher. Also, lift lines were long in the AM with all the racers and spectators on the hill. There was also a decent amount of day skiers from Billings. Still, the definition of a line is maybe 5-10 minutes.
On a final note, Red Lodge is not exactly in any snowbelt located far from the Continental Divide, and snow bases were the lowest I experienced on my trip. Mostly this was not an issue. However, there is a peculiar situation going on at Red Lodge. The main runs on the front side of the mountain - Miami Beach, Triple and Grizzly Peak lifts - are all covered by snowmaking and had good snow bases.
But Red Lodge expanded in the 1990s to their backside - Cole Creek and Palisades lifts - and installed high-speed quads yet neglected to add snowmaking to any of the runs. Therefore, coverage was really sketchy on the main runs in this zone. In the Cole Creek zone, all the intermediate runs had such low bases and exposed obstacles, they no longer could be groomed. Worse yet, the entire Palisades sector is referred to as "Bonus Terrain - Open Weather Permitting". WTH?! :shock: :? (This sector closed about a week before I arrived. But it reopened a week later after more snow so they want to open it.) I assume Red Lodge is trying to set expectations that this sector is rarely open - or less than 50%. I don't get it - you put in 2 multi-million $$$ quads in the 90s but do not install the supporting infrastructure of snowmaking ... and you have had 20+ years to correct this issue? There is snowmaking on the front side - why not just extend it? And if it's water rights - acquire more or just ration your current use? It's a shame because there are beautiful sandstone spires in this zone.
This debacle must have served as inspiration for Discovery Basin's expansion into Silver Chief Basin. Both places - Let's install a lift lower than the rest of the resort - places with already modest NW snowfalls - and just pray for snow? :-k Oops - does not work.
Anyways, I do not want to detract from Red Lodge overall. There was plenty of snow on the front side -- all the expert runs up high with low traffic. With the arid air of the plains, the snow was quite dry and remained packed powder. However, I recommend monitoring snow reports before committing to a visit to Red Lodge.
OK, onto the skiing.
My phone lost power before the end of day...
I arrived from Livingston, MT in the morning ... Red Lodge is very noticeable in the distance.
The actual town of Red Lodge serves as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park as well. Again, another Montana gem.
The lower mountain and early race preparations.
The upper mountain Grizzly Peak.
Views off the summit towards the Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness.
The Cole Creek sector. This area was surprisingly steep with lots of narrow canyon runs, bumps, and glades.
A few more Grizzly Peak photos. It's quite austere looking out to the Plains.
Finally, it was time to drive back across Montana to Spokane. Incredibly scenic. A week in the inland Northwest - practically without a cloud or any precipitation.
Red Lodge is also on the Indy Pass. Given the daily rate is $90, a Spring Indy Pass for $199 quickly pays for itself. However, the day I arrived was an intra-state ski club race so lines for lift tickets were long since everyone had a free lift ticket voucher. Also, lift lines were long in the AM with all the racers and spectators on the hill. There was also a decent amount of day skiers from Billings. Still, the definition of a line is maybe 5-10 minutes.
On a final note, Red Lodge is not exactly in any snowbelt located far from the Continental Divide, and snow bases were the lowest I experienced on my trip. Mostly this was not an issue. However, there is a peculiar situation going on at Red Lodge. The main runs on the front side of the mountain - Miami Beach, Triple and Grizzly Peak lifts - are all covered by snowmaking and had good snow bases.
But Red Lodge expanded in the 1990s to their backside - Cole Creek and Palisades lifts - and installed high-speed quads yet neglected to add snowmaking to any of the runs. Therefore, coverage was really sketchy on the main runs in this zone. In the Cole Creek zone, all the intermediate runs had such low bases and exposed obstacles, they no longer could be groomed. Worse yet, the entire Palisades sector is referred to as "Bonus Terrain - Open Weather Permitting". WTH?! :shock: :? (This sector closed about a week before I arrived. But it reopened a week later after more snow so they want to open it.) I assume Red Lodge is trying to set expectations that this sector is rarely open - or less than 50%. I don't get it - you put in 2 multi-million $$$ quads in the 90s but do not install the supporting infrastructure of snowmaking ... and you have had 20+ years to correct this issue? There is snowmaking on the front side - why not just extend it? And if it's water rights - acquire more or just ration your current use? It's a shame because there are beautiful sandstone spires in this zone.
This debacle must have served as inspiration for Discovery Basin's expansion into Silver Chief Basin. Both places - Let's install a lift lower than the rest of the resort - places with already modest NW snowfalls - and just pray for snow? :-k Oops - does not work.
Anyways, I do not want to detract from Red Lodge overall. There was plenty of snow on the front side -- all the expert runs up high with low traffic. With the arid air of the plains, the snow was quite dry and remained packed powder. However, I recommend monitoring snow reports before committing to a visit to Red Lodge.
OK, onto the skiing.
My phone lost power before the end of day...
I arrived from Livingston, MT in the morning ... Red Lodge is very noticeable in the distance.
The actual town of Red Lodge serves as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park as well. Again, another Montana gem.
The lower mountain and early race preparations.
The upper mountain Grizzly Peak.
Views off the summit towards the Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness.
The Cole Creek sector. This area was surprisingly steep with lots of narrow canyon runs, bumps, and glades.
A few more Grizzly Peak photos. It's quite austere looking out to the Plains.
Finally, it was time to drive back across Montana to Spokane. Incredibly scenic. A week in the inland Northwest - practically without a cloud or any precipitation.