Great Divide Snowsports
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| Great Divide Snowsports | |
|---|---|
| Location: | |
| Nearest city: | Helena, Montana |
| Top elevation: | 7233 ft |
| Base elevation: | 5730 ft |
| Runs: | 140 |
| Longest run: | 3 miles |
| Lift system: | 5 Double, 2 Handle Tows |
| Snowfall: | 180 inches |
| Web site: | Official webpage |
Great Divide is a local ski hill for the residents of Helena, Montana and the surrounding area. Located west of Helena in Southwestern Montana near the Continental Divide, Great Divide is a locally owned ski area known for being the first ski area in Montana to open each year, though often opening with only a single run, with little snow, and only on weekends. Because of it's location, Great Divide's mountain, Mt. Belmont, receives little snow comparative to the rest of the state and is sometimes referred to as 'The Rock' in reference to the poor conditions.
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[edit] History
Mt. Belmont's first trail was built to accommodate the 1942 Northern Rocky Mountain Ski Races, and was selected amongst other surrounding mountains including Elkhorn Peak, Red Mountain, and Mt. Edith. The first chair lift, Mt. Belmont chair, was built in 1986 and went to the top of the mountain [1]. Since, Good Luck, Meadow Mountain chairlifts have been added to mid-mountain areas and a recent expansion of the area added the Rawhide and Wild West Chairlifts.
[edit] Current Operations
This mountain makes the largest terrain parks in the area. The mountain has five lifts and one rope-toe that bring you to over 140 trails covering 1500+ acres. There are patrollers on duty at all times that are hired on in a volenteer status. The area is closed mondays and tuesdays, except holidays, and offeres night skiing on Fridays, adult daily lift tickets are $30 each. They offer lessons daily from 10a.m. til 3p.m. and there crew is always friendly and committed to helping you have fun. There is an all-mountain ski-team that is a 7 week program for kids age 7-19, it has been a great success with over 120 kids participating each season. As of the 05-06 season Great Divide has been host to the Montana State Snowboard Championships and will host the Montana State Ski Championships in 08.
[edit] Location
Great Divide Ski area is located about 22 miles west-northwest of Helena, off Highway 279 (Lincoln Road), and seven miles up Marysville Road past the Silver City Saloon and Marysville, Montana.
