Short edit from last weekend at Altoona

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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'

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.