Industry News
Running a ski resort is one of the most difficult businesses to operate successfully. There are so many aspects of the business to look at like lift maintenance, snowmaking operations, the food and beverage department, hospitality and guest relations, and much more. Add in the major factor that the industry heavily relies on Mother Nature to cooperate and provide cold temps and snow and the industry can be very tough for owners to navigate.
Beartooth Basin, America’s sole summer-only ski area, has made the momentous decision after two bad seasons, which saw the ski area opening for a mere two-and-a-half weeks in 2023 and not at all in 2024. The ski area made the announcement on its website and social media accounts. The investment details include a 20-year permit allowing year-round operations to 90 acres / 1000+ vertical feet. This is the exclusive ski area permit on the Beartooth Highway. It also includes two high-speed Doppelmayr surface lifts, three Snowcats, a portable diesel generator, seven trailers, and all tools and equipment needed to operate the ski area.
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Austin Hart is one of five owners of Beartooth Basin and is a lifelong native of the Beartooth region and has worked at the Basin since 2003. He is a nationally registered EMT, professional ski patrol and mountain guide, and owner of Beartooth Mountain Guides at Red Lodge, Montana. The owners all have different jobs or businesses outside of running Beartooth Basin and Hart said it was time to move on to something new. “We’re ready for a change, and we feel left the place better than we found it, and we’re happy to pass that opportunity on to the new owners,” Hart said.
Situated at an altitude of 10,900 feet (3,322 meters) in the Beartooth Mountains in Montana along the border to Wyoming, Beartooth Basin offers 600 acres of summer skiing serviced by three lifts. The ski area was established in the mid-1960s by three Austrian-American race coaches as an alpine ski racing summer training ground. The original founders, Pepi Gramshammer, Eric Sailer, and Anderi Molterer, established what was to be known as the Red Lodge International Ski and Snowboard Camp. In the late 90s, the trio decided to sell the ski area to its new owners who opened it up to the public. The newer ownership group has changed a bit over the years but is now majority-controlled by Austin Hart, Justin Modroo, Kurt Hallock, and David Leuschen.
Resort Stats:
- 10,900 feet peak elevation
- 9,900 feet base elevation
- 1,000 vertical feet
- Two high-speed platter lifts
- Skiing terrain that varies in pitch from 15° to 50°
- 3,000 vertical feet of shuttled or hike-in backcountry skiing and riding
Hart said the ownership group is entertaining any serious inquiries but would not put a price point for how much the owners were looking for. “We are more concerned about the Basin going to a good home than going for that big dollar sign,” Hart said. He added that the owners hope that Beartooth Basin stays in the community and the new owners support the local community. Trying to formulate a price point for the only summer ski area in the United States can be difficult. “What would someone pay for their little slice of heaven?” Hart asked.
The ownership group has owned Beartooth Basin for over two decades and there have certainly been a lot of great memories. “It’s been a blast, it’s been an amazing opportunity, and I don’t think anyone in the group regrets it,” Hart said. “We hope the Basin goes to a good home, a driven and determined ownership group, we care immeasurably about the local community, and we hope they keep the spirit and vibe going up there.”
For more information visit Beartooth Basin’s website.
