March 2011

Upcoming Events

April 12:  Groomers Appreciation Celebration

May 5:   BRTA’s Annual Public Meeting

June 4:   National Trails Day

Annual Meeting Scheduled

Interested in pedestrian and bike trails along our highways in Red Lodge?  Then plan to attend the BRTA annual meeting, Thursday May 5^th, 7:00 pm, at the Café Regis.   Montana Department of Transportation representatives Ryan Dahlke and Stefan Streeter will present the current ped/bike trail plans along Highways 212 and 78. BRTA will present potential trail linkages between the two highway projects. Refreshments will be served.

It’s all about the Groomers!

by Tricia Decker

Everyone is invited to Sam’s Taproom, Tuesday, April 12, 5:00PM, to celebrate the Nordic ski season and honor the groomers that made it possible. Join in with a story or cheer to share as we toast these amazing groomers:  Bob Johnson, Ed Williams, Grant Barnard, Lee Hauge, Les Hedquist, Ray Masters and Ray Svenson.

November 18, 2010 saw the first skiers on groomed snow and we’re still skiing at the end of March. This season, 2300 skiers signed in, including 108 season pass holders. Seven volunteer groomers, using two snowmobiles, rollers, Ginzu groomers and a couple of shovels have kept the snow skiable in every kind of weather. Good snow and weather also helped.

The second Ginzu ($4,900), purchased last fall, lets two groomers work at a time; it’s safer for them and gets the work done in half the time. Typical operating expenses are: gasoline-$570 and snowmobile maintenance-$1,440.Your donations, trail fees, and a Recreational Trails Program grant from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks pay for this.

Note: Red Lodge Nordic Center caps are being made for the groomers and extras will be available for sale.

West Fork Grooming

Jeff Schmidt, General Manager of Red Lodge Mountain Resort, provided significant support to BRTA this ski season. First by sending a crew to help set up our Nordic Center in October, and recently by sending one of their big Bombardier grooming cats to the West Fork Road to groom! On March 7, they did a fantastic job of grooming 4 miles of the road, even pushing wind-fallen trees off the road. The only thing that kept them from grooming all the way to the end of the road was a bridge too narrow to cross. Thanks, Jeff and RL Mountain for your support and community spirit!

Nordic Center News

This winter, when the Nordic Center is discussed, smiles abound. With plenty of snow, terrific grooming and a series of fun events this winter season, BRTA has completed a very successful year. When weather permitted, we groomed several mid-week days and both weekend days. A new skating oval and teaching circle were added and the Far Side trails were improved.

Moonlight Skis were popular. Friends gathered around a warm fire with chili and hot chocolate. Interesting speakers from the Beartooth Ranger District spoke on outdoor topics. With lots of positive response, BRTA looks forward to partnering with them next year.

Our Free Kids Ski Lesson program burst with energetic kids learning to ski through playing ski games. The students, many from last year, quickly learned their skills. With a well-coordinated program, a team of master instructors and lots of able assistants, smiles were everywhere.

Our Kids Season Ski Rental program was a huge success again this year. Over 20 kids rented skis for the season to use for classes, school ski days or whenever the snow called to them.

The Nordic Festival, our grand finale, was a smashing success. We had a great turnout, thanks to sturdy, dedicated Nordic types that braved brutal cold and wind to race, volunteer, and celebrate Nordic skiing. Warm fires and hot chocolate provided relief for frosty participants.

The magic of BRTA is the quality of the board members and volunteers that make it all happen. Emboldened by a very good season, BRTA intends to expand all our programs for next year. Look for next year’s schedule on our website in April and make plans for a great Nordic winter.

Backcountry Film Fest

Thanks to everyone who attended our 4th annual Backcountry Film Festival fundraiser and raffle. BRTA netted over $500 from entry fees and the raffle. It was a fun social event with great movies. Big THANKS to donors of the raffle items: Montana Cyclery, The Base Camp, Sylvan Peak, Tom Kohley, Grant & Laurie Barnard, Mark Edwards & Ray Masters, King’s Cupboard, Red Lodge Mountain Resort. And special thanks to Jay West for his sound set up and Bob Holman for his big screen.

Member Spotlight

Our featured member this month is Gretchen Nolan. She has been our board treasurer since 2006. Here’s what Gretchen had to say about her involvement in BRTA:

“I first became involved with BRTA when then president, Cynthia Rozamus, and Mary Ellen Mangus invited me to a board meeting. I immediately appreciated the work of the organization and all of the effort that went into developing and maintaining the Nordic Center.

“I also belong to the Red Lodge Hiking Club through which I continue to learn more about our mountains while roaming them with other happy wanderers.  In February, some of us shared a delightful private tour offered by the Yellowstone Institute. We skied the park, visited a wolf den and from our porch were delighted to witness the Blacktail wolf pack on the move. I’d recommend these tours to anyone interested in deepening their Yellowstone experience.”

BRTA Supporters Join Ski for Light Montana, Inc. Event

by Gretchen Nolan

Five Red Lodge area residents participated in a recent 3 day Ski For Light Montana program in West Yellowstone.  BRTA Board members Carol Fleck and Gretchen Nolan were joined by Curt Fleck and Marlene Tetrault as guides for visually impaired or blind skiers.  Bobbie Sacks also participated as a visually impaired skier and coach for morning stretching sessions.

To learn more about the program, go to the website: http://www.trollstegan.com/sflmt.

Forest Service Updates

Call or stop in at the Beartooth Ranger District office in Red Lodge for current information on trails and roads in the Beartooth Mountains, 446-2103.

Beware that the West Fork Road from the Silver Run turnoff to the gate (½ mile) is not plowed and is difficult in deep snow; the same goes for the Lake Fork road from Highway 212 to the gate at Lions Camp. Lots of snow on all the trails!

Always consider yourself welcome at BRTA monthly Board meetings, second Wednesdays, at the new RLACF building, (13th & Oakes, across from Post Office), 6:30 pm., or call your favorite Board member to learn what’s up with BRTA.