Downing Mountain Lodge

I purchased the property in July 2012 after managing the lodge as a destination backcountry ski lodge since 2008 and caretaking the facility since 1998. It had always been my dream to purchase the lodge and operate it as a year round, adventure lodging and events destination. In 2012 everything came together to purchase and move forward with this dream. I studied at the University of Montana in the Forestry School for Wildlife Biology and decided to stay in Montana for the wealth of outdoor and entrepreneurial opportunities.

I chose to buy this property because it is the one-of-a-kind, unique mountain retreat in the Bitterroot Range. Located at 5,550 feet elevation it is the highest elevation home in the Bitterroot Mountains. Its proximity to great backcountry ski terrain, hiking, and to the town of Hamilton, where I live, make it the perfect year round private recreation/relaxation destination. Nowhere else nearby is there a private access road to high elevation that is adjacent to high quality, pristine, ski and hiking terrain on the Forest Service.

I fell in love with the property over the years caretaking for the owner during the winter and then opening and operating the Downing Mountain Lodge during the winter. After four successful years managing the winter lodge and meeting all the great people who come from all over the country for backcountry skiing, I knew this was a genuinely great lodge business that satisfied many different people and families and brought out the best in people in a most authentic of backcountry experiences. With the lodge accessible to wheeled vehicles during the summer, and desirable to more than backcountry skiers, I knew taking the leap into ownership and year round adventure lodging and consulting would be a great way to pursue my career goals and offer guests the year round benefits of this unique log lodge in its unique location.