Showdown Ski Area

Showdown is an alpine ski area located in the Little Belt Mountains in Central Montana, United States.

History

Created in 1936 and originally called King's Hill Ski Area, Showdown is a small-scale ski area normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, receiving most patrons on the weekends. During the summer months, the area offers a variety of activities ranging from mountain biking to hiking to camping. Showdown is known for the 100% natural snow, beautiful scenery, and family atmosphere.

In 1973 the Ski Area changed its name from King's Hill Ski Area to Showdown Ski Area. In 1995, it was changed again to Showdown Montana.

Geography

The Ski Area is near the Kings Hill Scenic Byway also known as highway 89 which snow removal crews work throughout the winter season to keep open for year-round access. The hardest run is Glory Hole, the easiest run is Golden Goose. Showdown has runs from Green Circle to Black Dimond.

Additional lodging is available in Monarch, Montana and in nearby Neihart.

Ski resort

A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area – a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and other supporting services such as hotels, restaurants, equipment rentals, and a ski lift system. In North America it is more common for ski areas to exist well away from towns, and the term ski resort is used for a destination resort, often purpose-built and self-contained, where skiing is the main activity.

Types

The ski industry has identified advancing generations of ski resorts:

The term ski station is also used, particularly in Europe, for a skiing facility which is not located in or near a town or village. A ski resort which is also open for summer activities is often referred to as a mountain resort.

Facilities and amenities

Ski areas have marked paths for skiing known as runs, trails or pistes. Ski areas typically have one or more chairlifts for moving skiers rapidly to the top of hills, and to interconnect the various trails. Rope tows can also be used on short slopes (usually beginner hills or bunny slopes). Larger ski areas may use gondolas or aerial trams for transportation across longer distances within the ski area.