The late great F.D.R. didn’t shred, but thanks to him we can. In the mid 1930’s, as part of “The New Deal,” president Roosevelt dispatched the Army Corps of Engineers to help build the Beartooth Highway, a rugged section of U.S. Route 212 between Red Lodge, Montana and Cooke City, Montana. A series of steep switchbacks climbs over 3,000 vertical feet in just 12 miles peaking out at 10,947'. Each Memorial Day riders come from around the country in pursuit of life, liberty and some of the best roadside backcountry in the Lower 48.
This spring the Venture and Spark R&D crew packed our board bags and made the pilgrimage for the annual Beartooth session. What followed was an epic four day adventure with fresh snow, fun loving people and good times.
Starting the trip off proper with a roadside drop in and 2K decent.
Some eager campers chomping at the bit to demo the new rides.
Dedicated! Ski The East crew made the Beartooth pilgrimage.
Matt Paris dialing in the Odin before the drop.
Matt Paris getting some early morning turns in Moon Couloir.
E-Mo testing the waters in Hanging Couloir.
Guess E-Mo thought it needed a little more testing.
Possied up before ascending another 1.5K to the lakes below.
Split mode meanderings with our new friends.
Campfire tales and tasty beverages at the end of another long day.
Morning ritual.
The other morning ritual.
Doing our best to “act natural” while capturing an impressive interpretive tourist selfie session.
Chance Lenay making the trek all the way from WA to get his hands on the new Paragon.
Chance fully committed with a close out spine line for his warmup run. Typical.
E-Mo riding some large flanks at Beartooth Basin.
The snow gods were watching out for us with some steady cloud cover and a little refresh on our objective.
Some high speed corn harvesting above Rock Creek.
Chance Lenay surfing a nice left break in June Couloir.
Last turn of the trip turned out to be the best. Chance with the white room exit to end the day.
Pretty much the last thing you want to deal with at the end of a 4 day trip and 8 hour shred mission... Marmots invaded the Tacoma. Took about an hour to get these little guys out of the engine. Fortunately for us we had a few marmot whisperers on staff to talk them down… Clutch skill to have in the Beartooth backcountry.