Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 25 MIOURI RIVER Helena, mt WOLF CRK GREAT FALLS TO HELENA to Mioula to Bozeman great fa•s, MT CRAIG First People's Bu€alo Jump BIG BELTS HWY 12 LI„LE BELTS ADEL MOUNTAINS INTERSTATE 15 GREAT FALLS TO HELENA SCENIC DRIVE Presents WINTER 2016 DISTANCE: 91 MILES ROAD: 4 LANE, DIVIDED INTERSTATE It's not often that you can count an interstate highway as a scenic drive; but you certainly can count the I-15 run from Great Falls to Helena among the best in Montana. It stretches like a bell curve from the Electric City (so named for the large number of power plants tied to the Missouri river in the 1890's), to the state's capital, Helena. Along the winding way you will glimpse the Rocky Mountain front, view the Little Belt mountains to the southeast and keep the Big Belts smack-dab in your windshield. As you drive the 50-year-old highway past the 75-million-year-old heavily eroded Adel Mountains, don't be surprised if your mind drifts a bit in wonder. Pause and admire the First People's Buffalo Jump, the largest in the world, or the deep gouge of the Missouri River, which carried the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the far west, slipping like a dream through a remarkable landscape. If you have time, make a stop at Craig for great fishing, or at Wolf Creek, with ready access for more water recreation. Find friendly old cafés and taverns at each stop. Descend finally into the Helena Valley as it yawns suddenly before you and coast into the Queen City, which deserves a day or two respite before you enjoy another AAA MountainWest Great Drive. WOW FACTOR: THE TOWERING PEAKS STACKED PRECARIOUSLY OVER THE I-15 CORRIDOR AND THE BRIGHT SHINE OF THE MISSOURI RIVER, LEAVING THE MOUNTAINS IN A PRISTINE WAKE. WATCH OUT FOR FALLING ROCK AT MANY LOCATIONS ON THE DRIVE. CHECK OUT THE FIRST PEOPLE'S BUFFALO JUMP, JUST UNDER 4 MILES OFF THE INTERSTATE. LOOK UP FOR GOLDEN AND BALD EAGLES (BUT NOT WHILE DRIVING). Contact us for area maps, AAA TourBook Guides and hotel reservations. Call 877-340-8137 Click AAA.com/Travel or stop by a local branch. AAA MOUNTAINWEST & GREAT MONTANA DRIVES NUMBER OF LIFTS 1 chairlift 23 chair lifts/ 11 surface lifts 3 chair lifts/ 1 handle tow 1 quad, 5 triple, 2 double chair lifts 5 triple, 2 doubles, 1 surface lift 5 chairlifts 1 handle tow 3 double and 1 triple chair lifts 5 double chair lifts 3 rope tows 1 double chair lift 1 handle tow 2 chair lifts 1 quad, 1 triple chair, 3 double chairs, 1 magic carpet 1 triple, 2 double chairs and one magic carpet 1 double chair, 1 platter tow, 1 magic carpet 1 double chair lift 14 lifts: 3 high speed quads, 2 quads, 6 triples, 1 easy carpet, 2 T-bars NUMBER OF TRAILS 24 300 24 75+ 67 110+ 34 60+ 24 39 65 36 43 22 105 LONGEST RUN .5 miles Liberty Bowl to Mountain Mall (6 miles) 1.75 miles 3 miles 1.5 miles 3 miles 1.5 miles 2.5 miles 1 mile 1 mile Lazy M (2.5 miles) 2 miles 3 miles 1 mile Hellfire (3.3 miles) NUMBER TERRAIN PARKS None 7 1 2 1 6 3 2 0 1 2 1 1 0 5 GREEN PROGRAM With Tesla charging stations, multiple recycling receptacles, no smoking policies at all lift loading areas and within 100 feet of all building entrances, 4-stroke snowmobiles for mountain operations, and various energy saving policies throughout the resort, Big Sky is committed to protecting the Yellowstone ecosystem and offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly mountain resort. Actively participates in NSAA's "Keep Winter Cool" program. Also, currently evaluating paving the 10-mile stretch of road to the top of Blacktail Mountain, which would provide long-term sustain- able access for land management and public use. Actively participates in NSAA's "Keep Winter Cool" program and offers carpool parking lots at the ski area and Gallatin County Fair grounds. Bridger's three lodges are all equipped with energy effi- cient light bulbs and recycles products like cardboard, glass, aluminum, and paper and magazines. Extremely proud of their re-used ski lifts. Since 1984, Discovery has installed several lifts that were all purchased from other resorts such as Sun Valley, Deer Valley, and Park City. From the towers and chairs to the cables, electric motors, gear boxes, and auxiliary diesel motors, Discovery took advantage of everything they could. Discovery also promotes recycling and uses LEED-certified roofing shingles to improve insulation. From recycling and composting to waterless urinals and low-energy snowmaking systems that use gravity instead of fans, Great Divide stays one step ahead in their green business practices. Features multiple recycling receptacles throughout the area. Snow making machines utilize pumps that rely on gravity flow. Red Lodge is a member of the Yellowstone Business Partnership and took part in Uncommon Sense — a two-year sustainable business operations program that promotes waste-stream management, responsible purchasing and energy, and water and transportation efficiency. Over the past few years, Showdown has implemented a number of energy efficiency improve- ments. These include the use of biodiesel for all heaters in Showdown's maintenance shops, LED light bulbs in the main lodge, and reusable dining ware instead of disposable dishes in their food services division. Offers several recycling receptacles for aluminum and paper products at the hill and also uses LED light bulbs in all of their lighting fixtures. The resort actively participates in a recycling program, uses motion-activated lighting, and energy-efficient construction. Whitefish also offers a free shuttle bus from the town of Whitefish to the ski hill in an effort to minimize the number of vehicles on the road.

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