Casual Ambience Rules At Blacktail

CORRECTION: 3-5-2000; H5 The Outlook Inn Bed & Breakfast sits on the northern shore of Flathead Lake in Somers, Mont. The name of the inn was incorrect in the Feb. 20 Travel section. For information about the inn, call (888) 857-VIEW or look on the Internet at www.webby.com/montana/outlook.

Despite its name, the Cold War had nothing to do with winter.

Even so, North America’s newest ski area can trace its fall lines to Cold War fallout.

Forty years ago, Blacktail Mountain was the site of an early-warning air defense system. The Air Force built a winding, 13-mile road to the 6,676-foot peak and installed power lines. The Federal Aviation Administration took over the site, along with road maintenance, in 1975.

So, when investors began looking at Blacktail Mountain as a potential ski area in the mid-‘90s, two of the biggest challenges developers normally face - access and power - were already in place.

And because Blacktail Mountain is an isolated U.S. Forest Service holding, environmental concerns such as wildlife corridors were minimal. (Old-growth issues did influence the way runs were cut and lifts installed.)

Thanks in large part to the sweat equity of local backers, Blacktail Mountain ski area opened last season with 200 acres of skiable terrain, three used lifts and a new three-story lodge.

In the distance, visitors can see Flathead Lake, Glacier National Park, and, 30 miles to the north, Blacktail’s only competition: Big Mountain, with its eight lifts and 3,000 skiable acres.

How can Blacktail hope to compete? Through the pocketbook. Blacktail’s adult lift pass costs $24, compared to $40 at Big Mountain.

“The whole idea here is to keep prices down,” explains Blacktail co-owner and general manager Steve Spencer.

Spencer knows what he’s up against, having worked at Big Mountain 25 years, ultimately as mountain manager.

“When your only choice is a destination resort,” Spencer says, “a lot of locals drop out of skiing. They can be turned off by the price and atmosphere. Our goal is to get families back into skiing.”

Blacktail cultivates a mom-and-pop atmosphere with friendly service, inexpensive food and a cozy, casual ambience.

Oh, and there’s one other thing Blacktail lacks: crowds. Spencer says the lifts and parking lot easily can handle 2,200 skiers a day - almost three times the typical weekend crowd.

This sidebar appeared with the story: IF YOU GO Blacktail ski area

How to get there: Blacktail Mountain is a four-hour drive east of Spokane via Interstate 90 and Montana highways 135 and 28.

Rates: Adult lift passes are $24; children’s passes cost $15; ages 7 and under ski free.

Phone (406) 844-0999; e-mail skiing@blacktailmountain.com; and www.blacktailmountain.com.

Lodging: Clean, inexpensive accommodations are available nearby in Lakeside and Somers. Among those are Somers Bay Log Cabin Lodging (888) 443-3881; www.westerntravel.com/bay and Overlook Inn Bed & Breakfast (888) 857-VIEW; www.webby.com/montana/outlook.