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Moonlit slopes: Montana's newest resort offers fresh terrain for a friendly price

Sunset, Dec, 2004 by Caroline Patterson

This winter, follow the paved road up into the Gallatin Range of the Rocky Mountains, past the venerable Big Sky Resort's condo villages, and into the stands of Douglas fir. Just when you think you're lost, you'll come to the newest of Montana's 16 ski areas: Moonlight Basin.

Located on 11,166-foot Lone Mountain's north side, the ski area is small and friendly, and the views of southwestern Montana from the 8,000-foot elevation of Lone Tree lift are expansive: the Gallatin and Tobacco Root mountains, Madison Valley, and Gallatin Canyon. This winter, the year-old resort has added 25 more runs and a quad chairlift, bringing the mountain to a total of 76 runs and five chairlifts. With an annual snowfall of 400 inches, a vertical drop of 2,070 feet, and 2,000 acres of terrain ranging from open, beginner-level slopes to tree-lined expert runs, the cost of a lift ticket--$40 a day--is reasonable.

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For a tasty lunch that's easy on the pocketbook, grab a Reuben or the Mighty Quinn sandwich of cheese and cold cuts at the resort's slopeside Timbers deli ($). After skiing, warm up with hot toddies in the log lodge, cozy with its Persian rugs, overstuffed chairs, slope-facing windows, and 175-ton stone fireplace.

For dinner, try the buffalo tenderloin or honey and mirin-lacquered duck at elegant Timbers Restaurant ($$$$; 406/995-7777). Accommodations (from $218) range from small log cabins complete with whirlpool baths to elegant, leather-floored penthouse suites.

Moonlight's variety of new ski terrain nicely complements the much bigger ski area at nearby Big Sky Resort (www.bigskyresort.com or 800/548-4486)--sunny, wide-open slopes with 18 lifts and a vertical drop of 4,350 feet.

INFO: Moonlight Basin (www.moonlightbasin.com, 866/212-0612, or 406/993-6000) is about 45 miles southwest of Bozeman via State 64. For travel information, contact the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce (www.bigskychamber.com or 800/943-4111).

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PHOTOGRAPH BY CAMERON LAWSON

Moonlit slopes: Montana's newest resort offers fresh terrain for a friendly price

Sunset, Dec, 2004 by Caroline Patterson

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