Home Improvement

Like many of us, Bozemanites Chris Axelson and Mandy Bowden had a dream. A dream to open a family-style, sustainable Nordic Center. But unlike many, Axelson and Bowden are actually making their dream come true.

Atop Homestake Pass (15 minutes east of Butte), Axelson and Bowden's Homestake Lodge provides great skiing in a beautiful location. They are opening with 15-20 kilometers of groomed trails (and more in the future), a cozy yurt to serve as a home base (a lodge to come), and varied trails (15-foot wide groomed trails for skating, classic, narrower “Adventure Trails,” and backcountry touring trails).

With an eye on minimizing their carbon footprint through the use of passive solar heating, thermal masses, photovoltaic panels, and other eco-groovy techniques, Homestake Lodge looks to be the perfect place for a day—or a weekend—out of town.

Cost is $13/day ($8/day 12 years and under) and $140/season ($85/season 12 years and under). For more info, visit homestakelodge.com.