The way to Plan a Ski Journey to Crimson Lodge Mountain, Montana

There isn’t any scarcity of ski areas in Montana, however there’s just one in America’s “most charming” city. Based in 1960 as Grizzly Peak Ski Space, Crimson Lodge Mountain is simply seven miles from downtown Crimson Lodge’s delightfully Western predominant avenue, the place galleries, outlets, cafés, and historic buildings line the walkable blocks. 

“For these coming from the Midwest, like myself, Crimson Lodge Mountain is the primary cease ski space when you hit the Rockies,” explains Anne Kosorok, the director of mountain operations. Positioned alongside the Beartooth Mountains, the ski space is immediately above the Wyoming border and the northeastern nook of Yellowstone Nationwide Park. Whereas the placement could seem a bit distant for some vacationers, the mountain itself is greater than definitely worth the journey — particularly should you’re searching for a wide range of terrain and an approachable, pleasant scene. In line with Kosorok, “Folks from throughout be a part of native legends, households, race groups, and faculty teams, they usually discover turns no matter their potential degree.” 

Should you want exhausting numbers to persuade you to guide the flight, contemplate this: Crimson Lodge Mountain has 1,635 skiable acres, a vertical drop of two,400 ft, and a mean snowfall of 250 inches every season. 

With these statistics in thoughts, this is every little thing you have to know to plan the proper ski journey to Crimson Lodge Mountain. 

When to Go

For anybody seeking to fill their calendar with spring snowboarding journeys, Crimson Lodge is a good possibility. “We’re in a really distinctive location so far as climate patterns go, so it may be an actual wildcard, however springtime tends to be our time to shine,” says Kosorok. “You may usually rating the perfect snowboarding in March and April.” The mountain does, nevertheless, have snowmaking capabilities, so that you’ll be capable of get in some runs as early as late November. Opening day is normally the day after Thanksgiving, and the season runs by means of the second Sunday in April. 

The place to Keep 

The Yodeler Motel

“The Yodeler presents a hip little place to crash proper on the town,” says Kosorok. The constructing itself dates again to 1909, but it surely didn’t develop into a Bavarian-themed motel till 1961. Visitors are greeted by a chalet-style entrance, and the standard-but-cozy rooms function southern German motifs and parts of ski tradition. There’s additionally a scorching tub to get pleasure from after an extended day on the slopes. 

The Pollard Resort

A storied historical past meets fashionable facilities at The Pollard Resort, housed inside the primary brick constructing constructed in Crimson Lodge. Positioned proper in the midst of city, the 38-room resort can also be a stable selection for breakfast, lunch, and a chill après scene. The on-site restaurant, Marli’s, serves up buttermilk pancakes, waffles, and breakfast burritos within the morning; at lunchtime, you may dine on grilled cheese and large pretzels. When it’s cocktail hour, sip on a Cowboy Espresso (the resort’s model of an espresso martini) or a Marli’s Previous Original. 

The place to Eat

Prindy’s Place

An enormous ski or snowboarding day requires a hearty breakfast, and you will find simply that at Prindy’s Place. The basic diner opens at 6 a.m. each day, so you will get your fill of their well-known candy cream pancakes or omelets earlier than making your solution to the mountain. And should you’re solely snowboarding for a number of hours? Come again for lunch; the under-$10 scorching canines and hamburgers are ready. 

Cafe Regis

Cafe Regis is one other dependable breakfast spot in Crimson Lodge (though it’s closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Together with its classic grocery retailer facade and a comfortable neighborhood really feel, the restaurant has an in depth menu of filling entrees — with every little thing from the home favourite huevos rancheros to a tofu burrito and biscuits and gravy. 

Halfway Lodge

So far as consuming on the mountain, you’ve got a few selections. Kosorok suggests the Halfway Lodge for “nice views,” and it will get bonus factors as a result of “you do not have to make your method again all the way down to the bottom space.” The meat-heavy menu could also be on the smaller aspect, but it surely’s filling; suppose chili, rooster tenders, and pulled pork sandwiches.

Prerogative Kitchen

Two-time James Beard nominated cooks Chris Lockhart and Danny Mowatt are the minds behind Prerogative Kitchen, a weekend brunch and dinner spot with rave evaluations. You will order from the rotating a la carte chalkboard menu, and the restaurant notes that they make an effort to accommodate dietary restrictions with vegetarian and gluten-free choices. 

The place to Après-ski

Bierstube

Should you’re making an attempt to get in as many laps as doable, Kosorok says to “skip lunch and revel in your après expertise on the Bierstube.” The après menu is offered from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and contains all of the classics: cheese curds, beer cheese pretzels, scorching chocolate, and scorching toddies. When it’s sunny, drinks are greatest loved on the deck. 

Snow Creek Saloon

It wouldn’t be a correct Western city and not using a saloon. Snow Creek Saloon is the proper selection for informal beers, karaoke, and a correct night time out in Crimson Lodge. Meals service is proscribed, although, so make sure that to seize dinner earlier than you kick issues off. 

Off-mountain Actions

Go cross-country snowboarding on the Crimson Lodge Nordic Middle.

There are practically a million acres of designated wilderness in our yard. “You determine what to do, simply respect the house,” says Kosorok. One solution to expertise the fantastic thing about the realm is to cross-country ski on the Crimson Lodge Nordic Middle. Day passes are $10 (youngsters beneath 12 ski at no cost), and also you’ll have entry to miles of groomed trails. Non-public and group classes are additionally obtainable.

Plan your journey across the Nationwide Finals Skijoring Races.

Yearly in March, Crimson Lodge hosts the Nationwide Finals Skijoring Races; for individuals who aren’t acquainted, skijoring includes a horse pulling an individual on skis. It’s a decidedly Western occasion (though its roots are Scandadavian), and greater than 100 groups come to city to compete for the highest prize. The 2025 races will probably be held on March 8 and 9. 

Take a flip across the native ice rink.

Want a break from snowboarding? Attempt ice skating. The Crimson Lodge ice rink has open skating all through the season, and whereas it’s free to skate, they do settle for donations. Don’t have your individual skates? Grizzly Peak Open air has leases. 

The way to Experience

Tickets

Crimson Lodge has day and multi-day passes, with grownup elevate tickets beginning at $57; youngsters ages 5 and beneath ski free. Precise ticket costs are likely to fluctuate based mostly on the day, and it’s at all times cheaper to pre-book your ticket on-line versus shopping for on the window day of. Crimson Lodge can also be on the Indy Cross. Cross holders get two free days plus 25 p.c off the third day. 

Leases

There’s a rental store on the base of the mountain — ski and snowboard leases begin at $38 per day — but it surely’s essential to notice that they don’t hire goggles, helmets, jackets, or ski pants. You have to journey with your individual gear or buy the mandatory gear and clothes at Grizzly Peak Open air in downtown Crimson Lodge. 

Snowboarding and Snowboarding

Crimson Lodge has eight lifts, together with its latest addition, the Stache Specific. The high-speed removable triple chair, which was put in in summer time 2023, has a vertical rise of 521 ft and might transport as much as 1,800 riders each hour. 

The ski space has 70 marked trails throughout 1,635 acres, and the terrain breaks down into 19 p.c newbie, 25 p.c intermediate, 36 p.c superior, and 20 p.c skilled. Should you’re simply getting began in your skis or board, Kosorok recommends sticking near the bottom of the mountain. “Miami Seashore, high to backside, is nice for learners, and the three-minute elevate experience makes for a fast turnaround,” she says. “The highest is huge open and gentle in slope, and as you roll onto the decrease part, there may be some pure terrain that’s tremendous flowy and enjoyable.” 

For these searching for out corduroy, head as much as Lazy M, the place she says, “the views from the Grizzly Peak are definitely worth the journey” alone. By using the Cole Creek elevate, you’ll entry plenty of superior runs — nevertheless, the opposite aspect of the mountain, the place you’ll discover the Grizzly Peak elevate, is house to Drainage, a run Kosorok says “takes the cake for greatest run on the mountain.”

Programming

Crimson Lodge presents personal and group snowboarding and snowboarding classes for all ages. Those that have by no means skied or snowboarded earlier than even have the choice to take part within the Be taught 4 Life program; for $299, individuals obtain 4 classes, 4 elevate tickets, and 4 leases. Upon commencement, they obtain a season cross.