Distinctly Montana Magazine

Anyone who has spent a winter in this state knows how amazing Montana is this time of year, and ice sailing is an invigorating, lowimpact alternative to the traditional days spent on ski hills. An added bonus is that the friendly ice sailors are often willing to take along a rider in their two-seater rigs. 24 nomenon in Montana, but it has been a prominent fixture on the frozen lakes and rivers of the Midwest since the 1800s when freight and produce were transported on the ice-bound Hudson River. Gluek, a third-generation ice-sailor, has been sailing for over 40 years. His parents used to call him and his brothers out of school on cold windy days, and today he and his wife spend as much spare time as they can out at Canyon Ferry during ice-sailing season, often sleeping in their vehicle so they can get more time on the ice. Gluek declares that ice sailing is a safe sport, as long as a few basic sailing techniques are used. An ice boat can go in only two directions, either upwind or downwind; if you can make the critical moves to change from one direction to the other, "You're home free." Another important move on Canyon Ferry is to avoid the 20-foot methane gas hole, often decorated by a Christmas tree and aptly named "Dave's Hole." On a number of occasions he has not been able to avoid it and ended up getting fished out by the ice fishermen who gather around the hole. Ice-sailing is a sport for true adventurers, because much of the time it's a spur of the moment event. Sailors from Butte, Helena, Bozeman, and as far away as Spokane rush toward Canyon Ferry when they hear that the conditions are good. In 2007, an Ice Regatta took place on the lake with over 55 boats racing, but there hasn't been one since because it's impossible to predict exactly when the environment is going to be right — windy, with at least two feet of ice on the water. Still, Gluek praises the semi-arid climate of Canyon Ferry for being one of the best places in the world to ice-sail because of its length, dryness, and lack of snow on the ice. On Canyon Ferry, ice-sailing truly is a family affair. While there may only be 20 or 30 ice boats out, there are often many people enjoying the ice: skating on the remarkably smooth surface, playing hockey, skate-sailing, ice-fishing, and picnicking. When the ski hills are crowded, you have no sense of being hemmed in on Canyon Ferry. Because the lake is about five miles wide and 13 miles long, it is possible to achieve solitude as well as community this time of year. Anyone who has spent a winter in this state knows how amazing Montana is this time of year, and ice sailing is an invigorating, low-impact alternative to the traditional days spent on ski hills. An added bonus is that the friendly ice sailors are often willing to take along a rider in their two-seater rigs. Gluek cautions would-be sailors to dress warmly. On an average day, he will wear four-five layers on his bottom half, and six-eight layers up top, ending up looking like a warm, but very round Michelin Man. He recommends cleats for walking on the ice, especially on windy days. Gluek speaks fondly of a terminally ill young man in a wheelchair several years ago who had the opportunity to ride in an ice-boat with his father. Sadly, that young man passed away recently, but Gluek spoke of how thrilled the man was by the experience, claiming, "Once you ride in an ice-boat, you'll never forget it." distinctly montana • winter 2014

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