New West Network

Just Like Going to a Whole New Ski Resort

By jeneb, New West Unfiltered 3-20-05

I went skiing yesterday at Red Lodge Mountain . and used my season pass that has laid dormant at the bottom of my ski bag since the end of February. Only instead of the familiar Rock Dodge experience, I felt like I was on vacation at a ski resort I had never been to before.

I’ve lived in the Billings area about a year a half, and yesterday was my first day at Red Lodge when the Cole Creek area was open to the general public, not just double black diamond skiers carrying their avalanche gear. I felt the rush of excitement that comes with skiing new terrain for the first time - the uncertainty of what lay ahead, the distraction of new mountain views, the joy of trying a new run for the second time (and the third), and the satisfaction of weary muscles at the end of the day.

The only drawback to Red Lodge at the moment is the closure of the Triple Chair, the main chair for moving skiers from the base up the mountain.

Here’s hoping the spring snow will continue and Red Lodge will get an extension on the season from the US Forest Service to stay open past the April 10 closing date.

BTW, anyone out there know why the Triple Chair is closed for the rest of the season?