Altoona Ridge Lodge

Short edit from last weekend at Altoona

2010-04-14T10:52:00.004-06:00

This is a short clip from 4/9-4/11 up at the Lodge. Thank you to Eric Dawson for the footage. There is still plenty of snow up there, contact Denison to book your trip!

Avalanche Awareness Weekend - Mar 12 - 14

2010-02-21T09:18:00.001-07:00

Join us March 12 – 14, 2010 for a weekend of fun and learning at Altoona Ridge Lodge. The weekend will focus on the basics of safe backcountry travel and gear use. We will cover topics from Routefinding to Avalanche Assessment to Trip Planning and Preparation. The trip includes all your food and snowmobile shuttles to and from the Lodge, and every guest is welcome in the sauna at the end of the day. The course is limited to 8 participants so act fast! The course costs $199 before March 5^th, $249 in the last week.

Denison and Eric Find Pow in the Dryspell

2010-02-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

Owner, Denison von Maur, and Altoona guide, Eric Dawson, made a trip to the Lodge last weekend to explore and try to find some powder during Montana's continued dry spell. They were fortunate to find some great snow just behind the Lodge. There are still openings this season, come up and let us lead you to some pow stashes of your own.

Avalanche Level 2, Jackson, WY

2010-02-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

I just got back from my Level 2 avi course in Jackson, WY. They got hit hard with a big storm right before my arrival. This made for excellent skiing at Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole before the course started. It also made for very interesting snow to look at during the course. The Jackson area usually sees an intermountain snowpack, but this year they have been dealing with a Continental pack, similar to Colorado. This makes for some very persistent weak layers, which were fun to look at and study, but scary to ski. It was fun to be in the Tetons, but it's always nice to come back to Montana and I can't wait for the University trip this weekend.

University Trip Feb. 5 - 7, 2010

2010-01-25T10:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend ARL will be holding a special weekend for 8 students from the University of Montana. Join us for a weekend of skiing and fun, meals included for just $199. Snowmobile shuttles will be available Friday at 10am and 5pm from the Princeton parking lot. During the weekend, guests can ski as much as they would like and we'll always have a hot sauna and appetizers ready for your return. Depending on group size and ability, guiding will be available during the day. Contact James@AltoonaRidgeLodge.com ASAP reserve your spot.

Avalanche Course Recap

2010-01-13T09:02:00.001-07:00

The avalanche level 1 course went great, I really enjoyed the mix of people we had between instructors and students. The weather was pretty cold to start, but warmed considerably and made for great touring weather as the course progressed. A big thank you to the whacky Montana weather this year for creating some very interesting layers and crystals for the students to observe. It is nice as an instructor to be able to point to depth hoar instead of trying to explain it, but as a skier I wish that would settle out. The snow is stabilizing nicely at the lodge, and in the next couple of weeks, there should be some bigger lines that become skiable. Thanks to everyone who came up, including our awesome instructors, looking forward to next years class already.

Zack tours through an old burn on Altoona Ridge

Instructors, Josh and Eric, enjoy the sun while praying for snow

Rutschblock time, Paul gives it a go

The author wrapped up tight in the final extended scenario

Avy Course Approaching

2009-12-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hi all, the Avalanche Level 1 Course at Altoona is filling fast. The course runs Jan 7 - 10 and is limited to 8 participants. Contact me today to reserve your spot - james@altoonaridgelodge.com. The course balances classroom learning with hands on experience in the terrain surrounding the Lodge. Come learn from expert instructors and spend a great weekend at the Lodge. Cost is $599 and includes all food, lodging, and instruction.

ARL in Montana Headwall

2009-12-23T20:24:00.001-07:00

Altoona Ridge Lodge appears in the newest edition of Montana Headwall. The article is written by George Ochenski with some great photos from Chad Harder. Denison makes an appearance, ripping a turn on first page of the article. Check it out online - Montana Headwall

Avy Course

2009-11-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

Reserve your avalanche training experience today!

Altoona Ridge Lodge offers an all-inclusive experience in Avalanche Training and Certification. Learn avalanche fundamentals from the experts with hands-on sessions in varied ski terrain. After each day on the slopes, return to the lodge for a hot meal, sauna, and sunset views. The package includes 5 days of accomodations and meals.

Contact: James Pyke

james@altoonaridgelodge.com

Cost: $599 (Limited to 8 participants)

UM Ski Club Fundraiser

2009-11-24T17:59:00.001-07:00

Kevin Freund has restarted the backcountry ski club at the University of Montana. UM is certainly a school that should offer this as a club option. It is a great way to expose new students to their backcountry options and have a chance to go on unique trips. Altoona is proud to support the club and will be offering them a chance to come stay with us in February. Keep up the good work Kevin!

There is a fundraiser for the club at Bayern Brewing on Nov. 30th from 6 - 9pm. They will be accepting donations and running a raffle for some great prizes, including avalanche gear from BCA.
Check out the Facebook page at - UM BC SKI FUNDRAISER

New Yurt for Sale - 22'

2009-11-24T09:25:00.003-07:00

22' Custom Yurt, Handmade in Mongolia
Mongolian style yurt - New $8800.00

IF YOU BUY IT TODAY IT IS YOURS FOR $6900 AS IS

22 feet in diameter
2 doors, unusual on this style yurt
Exterior - thick durable, waterproof canvas
Interior natural fleece liner
Mosquito netting around the entire interior
5 foot high interior walls - very cozy easier to heat
Colored silk liner for the interior wall

*Lead Based Paint disclosure: There may be lead in the paint that was used on the interior. However, it has not been confirmed by testing. $7800 if we repaint the interior*

The yurt will be in Montana in early December.

Contact: denison@altoonaridgelodge.com

LT Patrol Event in Hamilton

2009-11-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

On November, 14 Lost Trail Ski Patrol put on a fundraiser to kick off the season. The event was held in Hamilton, at the Pharaohplex Theater. Members of the LT park crew built an awesome rail jam set up for several intivtees to session.

Will Moss sliding the upper rail

There was food being served, ski flicks playing, and lots of stoke being thrown around for the season. Denison and I went down and set up a table to talk with folks about ARL and sell raffle tickets for a weekend getaway. We had a great time being out there and hanging out with the Hamilton ski crowd. Congratulations to the couple that won the trip, hope to see you soon.

Denison and James behind the ARL table

Winners!

Raffling a Trip at Hamilton TGR Premier

2009-11-13T11:56:00.004-07:00

Tomorrow at 11am there is a fundraiser for LT ski patrol in Hamilton, MT. There will be a rail jam, yes in downtown Hamilton, and a premier of TGR's new movie, Re: Session. Denison and I will be there promoting trips and enjoying the festivities. We are giving away two person, one night trip to the lodge for this winter. The trip includes all meals and ski guiding. Additional people or additional nights come at $99/person/night, when attached to the promotional weekend. Tickets will be $1 and all proceeds benefit LT ski patrol. Hope everyone can make it, check out the movie trailer below and pray for snow!

Re: Session Trailer

The Lodge Gets a Classic Touch

2009-11-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

I just finished refurbishing this classic pair of skis. My guess is that the snow they saw at Altoona was probably the first they'd seen in a while. They serve as an excellent reminder of the longevity and history of this sport. It will be interesting to see what's out there when my rossis are this classic.

New Porch and Lots of Dry Wood

2009-10-27T15:58:00.001-06:00

After the Bear Den was completed Denison had the idea to connect the porch with the Lupine. This will let people walk directly from the warm cooking/living area to the cozy bunkhouse, while enjoying a fantastic view. The guys got it up early this fall and its a great addition.

Another late addition that will make a big difference this season is the woodshed. We stocked this thing with a bunch of great firewood, ready to keep you cozy in the winter months.

Racetrack looking nice!

2009-10-20T08:21:00.001-06:00

On 10/17, Will and myself made quick hike up to the top of Altoona Ridge. This simple hike offers great views of the available ski terrain, especially Goat Mt and Racetrack Peak. Racetrack is full of big, fall line couloirs that are starting to look awesome! Check it out below:

There was almost two feet of snow in some places on the upper ridge, so we were soaked by the time we got back from the hike. It was great to see Racetrack coming into its winter self, and of course to have the warm lodge and a great sunset to come back to.

Bear Den gets final touches, as snow starts to fall

2009-10-11T11:33:00.003-06:00

The Bear Den is nearing completion with just a few floor and wall boards needing to go up. When we were just up there the outside temp didn't rise above freezing, but the lodges were very warm. It should be a great place to get some rest in between ski tours this winter.

Altoona Avalanche Course

2009-10-02T18:25:00.003-06:00

Altoona Ridge Lodge offers an all-inclusive experience in Avalanche Training and Certification. Perched at 8000’ in the Flint Creek Range, the lodge provides the perfect backcountry location for the course. Learn avalanche fundamentals from the experts with hands-on sessions in varied ski terrain. After each day on the slopes, return to the lodge for a hot meal, sauna, and sunset views. Package includes 4 days of accommodations and meals.

The course costs $599 and is limited to 8 participants. Reserve your avalanche training experience today!

Contact: James Pyke, james@altoonaridgelodge.com, 406 207 0575

Yurt For Sale

2009-09-21T10:27:00.004-06:00

With the Bear Den complete Denison no longer needs the big yurt. He has put it up for sale for $1500. It is an all natural, hand made, Mongolian yurt. The yurt is big enough that he had three beds, a couch and a small stove inside. It is very comfortable living.

VFW 1st Annual Quad Run and Pig Roast

2009-09-18T10:45:00.003-06:00

The VFW in Maxville will be hosting a quad adventure and pig roast on Saturday, September 26th, starting at 11am. Altoona Ridge Lodge will host quad riders on their way to explore basins beyond the lodge. There will be a one night stay at the lodge, for two, given away on the day of the ride. Quad riders will be treated to beer along side the road as they tour into the early afternoon. After the ride the VFW will host the pig roast and it will be wrapped up in time for participants to watch the evening Griz Football game. Should be a fun event, especially with some nice weather.

Racetrack Peak

2009-08-31T11:23:00.011-06:00

This past weekend I took several friends from Missoula gear shops up to the lodge. I put them to work Saturday creating a massive bonfire stack to be burned this winter. On Sunday, I took the guys up Racetrack Peak which is about six miles from the lodge. The tour first takes you to Goat Mt., which at just over 9200' offers great view of the Flint Creek and Pintler Mountain ranges. The photo below looks toward Racetrack from Goat's summit.

From Goat we continued over a dramatic alpine ridge connecting Goat and Racetrack. The ridge stays at about 9000' between the summits, which all sit above 9200', with Racetrack at about 9500'. It is sort of surreal hiking in alpine environments like this with sprawling meadows and mountains all around you.

Once we reached Racetrack's north ridge we decided to climb the spine of the ridge which offered some mild exposure and very fun boulder scrambling. Below Nate and Brett descend the ridge.

At the summit we enjoyed lunch and looked at some great ski lines. Overall a fun day and I can't wait to tour this in the winter.

Get Pumped!

2009-08-17T14:13:00.000-06:00

Rain unable to stop Bear Den progress

2009-08-15T17:28:00.007-06:00

Denison and Jamie have been making some serious progress on the Bear Den, and it is really starting to take its final form. The trickiest part had to be getting the trusses in place way up on the roof, but everything seems to have gone smoothly. Although it has been nice to get the moisture the rain has been slowing the process. Once the roof is up there will be a nice dry place to work and we can do the inside work. It would be great to have this done as nature seems to be throwing fall at us early. I can't wait to go up this week! More on the progress after my trip.

The Bear Den is starting to look liveable

Jamie, wishing the roof guy would get to work

Roof Assembly

2009-08-11T20:02:00.004-06:00

Denison is making serious progress on the new bunkhouse. The frame was up last week when I was last up there and it looks like he is starting to put up the trusses for the roof. Looks like he was able to lift the heavy trusses with the excavator, saving a big hassle as those things are preassembled and very heavy. Looking forward to seeing this building at completion, it's looking great.

Bunkhouse nearing completion

Few more days left with the big machine/toy

The area

2009-08-06T10:53:00.001-06:00

When I talk to people around town about the lodge the first question that usually comes up is what kind of terrian the lodge accesses. Having hiked around I can safetly say there is an unbelievable amount of quality ski descents. Below is an image from Google Earth showing prominent peaks that are easily within a day tour from the lodge. Feel free to leave any questions about terrain offerings in the comment section and I can ellaborate on what is back there.

Goat Mountain

2009-08-06T10:30:00.000-06:00

This past weekend I took my family on a nice hike up to Goat Mt which offers amazing views of the Flint Creek mountains and Pintler Wilderness. The hike takes about three hours and is over moderate terrain. Goat Mt sits just over 9200' and shares a lengthy ridgeline with Racetrack Peak and East Goat Mt. The ridge top meadows are amazing and the terrain up here will offer unbelievable ski lines come winter. Can't wait to share this with everyone when the snow starts falling.

East Goat Mt seen from the summit of Goat Mt

Pike's Peak from the same vantage

Snow fills in several pencil chutes in this cliff band offering great advanced ski lines

Bunkhouse Construction

2009-07-31T09:31:00.001-06:00

This week we started construction of the bunkhouse, between the The Lupine and The Wild Rose. Denison had poured the concrete into for the footers already and we were able to begin actual building. However, the project got held up on the first day as we had trouble getting the brackets on the concrete footers and had to make the trip to Phillipsburg for more parts. We did get a full day of building on Wednesday and completed the supporting beems as well as the framing for the floor boards. Right now Denison is thinking of naming the new building the "Bear Den" which is fitting, but feel free to leave ideas for other names in the comment section.

This is where we started Wednesday

Supporting beams go into place

Denison precariously placing I-beams 15' off the ground

Starting to visualize the third structure

Headed up

2009-07-27T18:20:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow we leave for the lodge with a trailer stacked with lumber for the bunkhouse. Denison and I will be building for the next couple days and can hopefully make some good progress. Look for a construction report on Thursday when we get back into town.

University Package

2009-07-25T14:32:00.000-06:00

This year the Altoona Ridge Lodge will offer a package for university students. The package will be all inclusive offering lodging, food and guide services for clients. The final price has yet to be finalized, but the aim is to make it considerably more affordable than taking a weekend at a ski resort. As with all bookings clients will hike in from Princeton and have their gear towed by the snowmobile. Group sizes will range from 6-8 people and could be composed of seperate parties or one big group. Please post comments and suggestions in the comment section.

Point 8400'

2009-07-19T23:13:00.001-06:00

Today I took a short hike to the top of the ridge behind the lodge. The trail that leads up from the lodge is the access to the great hiking, and eventually skiing, near the lodge. From here one has great views of both Goat Mt (left) and Racetrack Peak (right). Both peaks will offer great ski tours and countless lines come winter. In unstable snow there are countless lines on the way to these great peaks.

Construction begins on new bunkhouse

2009-07-19T22:17:00.000-06:00

Today four of six footers were installed to support the new bunkhouse being built at the property. It was quite a project but the excavator made things go very smoothly. Watch Eric work his magic below:

The bunkhouse will be 18' x 24' and will have three private rooms as well as an employee bedroom upstairs. It will be right between the kitchen/living room and the bath house (The Wild Rose) making both very accessible from the sleeping quarters. It'll be a great place to get some rest after a hot sauna in the winter!