Montana Town Rallies to Save Fire-Damaged Ski Hill

When the Sand Creek Fire swept across Maverick Mountain 16 days ago, it destroyed the small ski area's only chairlift and threatened a place where generations of Montana families learned to ski. For co-owner Erik Borge, the damage meant the mountain would likely stay closed this winter.

But in southwestern Montana's Grasshopper Valley, losing Maverick would mean losing something irreplaceable. Cory Birkenbuel's mother skied there while pregnant with him in 1985, only stopping when her doctor insisted she have the baby. Birkenbuel himself grew up on those slopes before becoming a ski instructor and traveling the world.

The base buildings and snowcats survived the flames, but replacing ski lift infrastructure costs millions. Insurance wouldn't cover everything, so residents launched Friends of Maverick Mountain to raise the difference.

The nonprofit Dillon Jaycees, which has run a "little skiers" program at Maverick for decades, is collecting donations online and through Stockman Bank branches across Montana. Supporters are sharing photos and memories to spread the word about the campaign.

Tim Montana, a hard rock musician who co-owns the Wise River Club 25 miles away, jumped in to help even though he doesn't ski. His business served 260 meals a day to firefighters battling the Sand Creek Fire, and when he heard about Maverick's damage, he knew what to do.

This Saturday, Montana will perform a free concert at the Wise River Club for the first in-person fundraiser. The event features silent and live auctions, with community members volunteering to help. There's no ticket price, just whatever people can give.

"I don't care if they have a dollar, $10 or $20," Montana said. "That's the ticket fee to see the concert."

The Ripple Effect

In sparsely populated Beaverhead County, where towns are separated by long distances and winter activities for kids are limited, Maverick matters beyond just skiing. It's where families gather, where children gain confidence, and where rural communities stay connected through Montana's long winters.

Montana's own children have visited the mountain, and he understands what it means for young people growing up in this remote corner of the state. "I think this is kind of for the kiddos," he said.

The community hopes to see skiers back on Maverick Mountain this winter.