Beartooth Pass Closed due to Avalanche

[pattyowe]

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) -- Authorities say a family of eight was trapped Tuesday night on Beartooth Pass after a small avalanche blocked the road on their way back to Red Lodge.

The family was vacationing in the area when the avalanche struck at about 5:30 p.m. just north of Vista Point. The slide did not hit the vehicle and no one was injured.

The highway was open only to the Wyoming state line, so there was no way for the family to get out. At about 8 p.m., the Montana Department of Transportation used heavy loaders to clear a path through the avalanche - which was about 50 yards wide.

The pass is closed to all traffic, and transportation officials are expected to evaluate the damage Wednesday morning. The names of the people trapped were not released.

[lobstahmeatwad]

MILK JUG WHERES MY FACE!!

[stuckathuntermtn]

soooooo, cell phones work up there?

[iceman]

soooooo, cell phones work up there?

Apparently so, they were only stuck for a few hours.

[total_immortal]

soooooo, cell phones work up there?

Only in spots, they likely had service towards the top because I don't think there is service lower on the pass or in the valley.

Bummer it's closed I was considering heading back that way this weekend. Oh well...

[leifar]

they have skiing out there!!!!! you've got to be shitting me!!!!

[corn dog]

Shit. Anyone got any good info?

[stuckathuntermtn]

they have skiing out there!!!!! you've got to be shitting me!!!!

I mean if I know about it......

[wisdum]

I live in Billings. The pass will be back open tomorrow (saturday). Im headed up on sunday to go ski.

Here is some info on little ski area up on top of the pass.

happy summer skiing everyone

[tone capone]

I don't think they're running it this year

[total_immortal]

^^^ I thought they ran out of money or something because they weren't open last year. It's pretty hard to make money when there is just as easy access for free right across the street.

[Jumper Bones]

Anybody make it up this weekend? Guess there was another slide and closure today, the news said it'd be shut through thursday.

[corn dog]

Whoa, guess I got real lucky. We made it down on friday, woke to the good news of the road opening on saturday. Skied Gardiner headwall a couple of times and some laps on the boot out, then a couple of laps on the lift line on saturday. Sunday we dropped a car up rock creek road and skied a big bowl down to the road. Started from the top of the Reefer ridge area, but went futher west (?) to the next drainage over.
There is a ton of snow up there. Last year the plateau was bare, this year blanketed with several feet of snow!

[mnflyfish]

^^^ I thought they ran out of money or something because they weren't open last year. It's pretty hard to make money when there is just as easy access for free right across the street.

They weren't open last year due to lack of snow. That said I was told the operation is for sale, ie a good tax shelter to loose a little money with. In fact I think 3 people tried to sell it to me one night at the Snowcreek.

Jay

[total_immortal]

They weren't open last year due to lack of snow.

I'm pretty sure lack of snow was one of the reasons but they have been struggling financially for awhile and couldn't afford to open with a shorter season last year. Why else would they be so desperate to sell it to someone in a bar??

[corn dog]

should be good for a while

[stuckathuntermtn]

plz post a full TR!

[montanaskier]

^^^^ That is the most snow I have seen in that area this late since we moved there 5 years ago. WOW. Good thing our home here has a shit ton left as well otherwise I would be jealous.

PS- someone can live within 30 minutes of that if they buy my house, price just reduced another 10k.