Strangely, there's no real backcountry culture in Red Lodge. Even the grizzled, gray-bearded telemarkers were ripping it up at the downhill resort that's near town. Apparently, because Beartooth pass is closed early in the season, you really need a sled to get to the goods. And you can buy a lot of season passes at the ski hill for the cost of a sled.
So, since there's no real backcountry culture, there's a TON of grooming and skier-broken regular trails. I have been told that everybody who lives in town owns at least 6 pairs of skis.
The ski hill has the steeps for those of you so inclined. Also, ski joring is huge here. The first race was held in 1960 and the prize was a bottle of whiskey. This year, their race is going to have a $20,000 purse.
For nordic action, there's several options: First, there's a few well-marked and mapped trails the Forest Service maintains. Both are near town and free topo maps for them are available at the Beartooth Ranger District office in Red Lodge.
The best groomed action near town is run by a 501-3(c). Red Lodge Nordic Center. All volunteer labor. You pay $5 to ski. A great system they've got set up, and it's on private land.
The area looks a lot like Boulder, Colo., probably because this is the foot of the Rockies up here, just like in Boulder. Here's the nordic center:
We finally found some fresh snow to break. Luckily Mrs. C.T. brought the Fischer Rebounds:
Lots of aspens. The nordic center was like Ashton on steroids. Something like 15k:
Then it was some time for some speed. From the top of Grizzly Peak, looking down on the eastern plains:
At the ski hill. Now we're talking:
Happy holidays everybody. Here's to about a foot in Iowa between now and the Aston race. If I don't make it back for the race, Brett, you can log me for my best time out here: 2.5 mi. in 4 min. 15 sec. I'm sure the 2,000-foot vertical had nothing to do with the time. Cheers! --CTK
