w w w. d i s t i n c t ly m o n ta n a . c o m
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The Beartooth Mountains,
like the Bozeman area,
have a long skiing
history in both the
winter and summer.
camps. Modroo would eventually ski on the
World Free-skiing tour, finishing in the top
fifteen, 30 times.
Surrounded entirely by Wilderness Study
Area, the ski area is a true diamond-in-the-ruff.
Beartooth Basin owners sometimes plows the
roads themselves in order to remain open.
Keeping a consistent season and access has been
a priority to keep Beartooth Basin a dependable
place to ski.
But to Modroo, the effort is worth the skiing.
Even with his high list of skiing accomplish-
ments, two of his three biggest lines came from
skiing the Beartooths. "Pretty gnarly stuff,"
commented Modroo, "Montana is really un-
touched in summer skiing. People are blown
away by the season and blown away by the
snow quality."
An excellent vertical, coupled with legitimate
cornice skiing, can challenge the best skiers
while intermediate skiers can opt for the more
gradual descent to skier's right. Beartooth Basin
has also added a big air park for those looking
to practice their best tricks into the summer.
Whether hiking a backcountry couloir or taking
the lift in the Beartooths, southern Montana has
developed into a premier summer skiing destina-
tion. The snow-tipped peaks remind all Montan-
ans that though many seasons come and go, ski
season is not among them. No, ski season carries
on in Montana, snow or shine, always waiting for
the next summer skier to pass through its high
snowy mountains.
Travis
Anderson
Jon Wingo
scales the Great One.
