Easter vacation/spring break with the kids saw a return trip to Red Lodge, MT. We booked a place to stay in January not knowing the ski area would be closed during Easter. We had a blast last year in Red Lodge and has become my favorite mountain town out west. No ego, super friendly people and commercialism keeping at bay. We went out despite the hill being closed since family only time doesn't happen to often. We were very fortunate to go. We brought the jibskate skis, bikes, rollerblades, hockey sticks, footballs, basketballs, nerf swords/mauls, to keep the wheels moving and books and movies to chillax.
Jake and I explored some roads outside of Red Lodge including the Beartooth highway. Even though we didn't do any alpine skiing it was a great trip, good memories and Easter Sunday was pretty much a perfect day. Sunday we went to a local church in Red Lodge, had brunch than spent the rest of the day on Beartooth highway from the point it was closed up to the point it was snow covered.
Jens and Jon, deck hockey.
Heading up Beartooth highway via blades and bikes Easter Sunday. I thought Sunday there would be a bunch of people from the closure up to maybe the first switchback but we were the only ones. Pretty neat to be on a closed highway and not worry about cars zipping around. The Beartooth highway is one of the
most beautiful highways in the United States. We stopped at the local museum one day that had a nice display about how the highway was made.
When we got to the first switchback, Jake and I rode up to the point the road became completely snow covered. It was about five miles from the closure. There was hardly any wind, sun was blasting in full force. A incredible day in the high country for spring considering the weather that moves through this time of year.
Snow removal equipment on rest for the weekend away from any avalanche chutes.
At the point the pavement met the snow, there was a PistenBully 200 with just a front end blade. It looked like they used it for making a path so the bigger snow removal equipment would know where to go. Fun job.
Taking a break before heading back down.
Jonell was a trooper for walking over three miles up the road when we all had wheels. Said it wasn't going to be fair going down. Took care of that proper.
Just down from the closure, I eyed a nice slope and we stopped to hike up it and ski and slide down.
Checking out the best line. There was 2-3" of nice tranformed snow on top of a solid base of 1-3 feet and pretty much perfect skiing. The jib skates don't have much beef to them which is nice for making quick turns but if the snow gets cruddy, it's tough to turn. The ideal surface made for real nice skiing.
Jake carving it up. Jonell watching from the car below.
Jon and Jens sliding down.
Jack having a go.
Proud of the boys for burning up that slope nicely.
Before we rolled out of town, we stopped at the Red Lodge Cafe to get filled before the journey home. The pancakes were huge. Jack usually can put the cakes down no problem but he met his match on this one. Reminded me of the ones at the old Erie Jr in DL.
Love the drive back across the plains. There was a area along 94 near Jamestown that was flooded out maybe 10 years back and the trees died. There were 100's of cormorants sitting in the tops when we when by and the setting sun created an interesting scene. Great photo Jonell!
Jens and Jon, deck hockey.
Heading up Beartooth highway via blades and bikes Easter Sunday. I thought Sunday there would be a bunch of people from the closure up to maybe the first switchback but we were the only ones. Pretty neat to be on a closed highway and not worry about cars zipping around. The Beartooth highway is one of the most beautiful highways in the United States. We stopped at the local museum one day that had a nice display about how the highway was made.
When we got to the first switchback, Jake and I rode up to the point the road became completely snow covered. It was about five miles from the closure. There was hardly any wind, sun was blasting in full force. A incredible day in the high country for spring considering the weather that moves through this time of year.
Snow removal equipment on rest for the weekend away from any avalanche chutes.
At the point the pavement met the snow, there was a PistenBully 200 with just a front end blade. It looked like they used it for making a path so the bigger snow removal equipment would know where to go. Fun job.
Taking a break before heading back down.
Jonell was a trooper for walking over three miles up the road when we all had wheels. Said it wasn't going to be fair going down. Took care of that proper.
Just down from the closure, I eyed a nice slope and we stopped to hike up it and ski and slide down.
Checking out the best line. There was 2-3" of nice tranformed snow on top of a solid base of 1-3 feet and pretty much perfect skiing. The jib skates don't have much beef to them which is nice for making quick turns but if the snow gets cruddy, it's tough to turn. The ideal surface made for real nice skiing.
Jake carving it up. Jonell watching from the car below.
Jon and Jens sliding down.
Jack having a go.
Proud of the boys for burning up that slope nicely.
Before we rolled out of town, we stopped at the Red Lodge Cafe to get filled before the journey home. The pancakes were huge. Jack usually can put the cakes down no problem but he met his match on this one. Reminded me of the ones at the old Erie Jr in DL.
Love the drive back across the plains. There was a area along 94 near Jamestown that was flooded out maybe 10 years back and the trees died. There were 100's of cormorants sitting in the tops when we when by and the setting sun created an interesting scene. Great photo Jonell!
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