A shimmering celebration of Montana women.
It shouldn’t have been a surprise: what had looked like light snow falling turned out to be glitter—biodegradable, of course—shimmering through the air. The annual Unity Ski Parade at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in northern Montana was soon to commence, hosted by International Women’s Day (IWD) 406, celebrating outdoor women from Montana and beyond.
In the parking lot, nearly every trunk and tailgate was open, surrounded by friends and families ready to ski. But this wasn’t the usual gathering of grills and coolers. Instead, trunks were filled with sequins, makeup, and accessories. The parking lot had turned into a sparkly dressing room.
It’s not every day you see an entire mountain covered in glitter.
As I finished wrestling with my ski boots, I noticed my friend Savannah had disappeared. I circled around the car and realized she’d been seized and glitter-bombed by some local Whitefish gals. They'd even detailed her makeup, and every inch of her face now glistened in the sunlight in preparation for the main event to come.
We headed toward the lifts, but were drawn to the eye-catching tent draped in sequins at the base. Under the tent, another sparkle station awaited, complete with mirrors, glitter of all colors, and a speaker blasting the kind of music that gets your heart pumpin’. Behind the table, dressed in a neon tutu and a platinum galactic outfit stood Julie Walz, the founder of IWD 406. Beside her stood coordinator Tiffany Counts (who helps with other "Sparkle & Shreds" events that were simultaneously taking place at Red Lodge, Glacier Nordic Club, and Showdown Mountain). She donned a bedazzled captain’s hat, a neon pink wig, a western-style jacket with shimmering tassels, and plenty of glittery makeup. Tiffany had attended the first Unity Ski Parade—which had a floral “Women in Bloom” theme—and proudly noted that this year’s event more than doubled in attendees.
On the left side of the tent, Nobody’s Princess, a winter-apparel company for women of all shapes and sizes, had set up shop. The founder, Maria Baker, dazzling in her own glittery gear, greeted us before outfitting Savannah with a pair of bibs and a sharp multi-colored jacket.
Not one to shy away from glitter, I indulged at the makeup table, covering my face in as much sparkle as I could handle. After all, this was a day to shine.
The tents were conveniently positioned at the base, making it easy to fuel up with an energy drink or re-apply sparkles between runs. The snow was crunchy—as you’d expect in early March—but nothing could dampen our spirits. The mountain views overlooking Flathead Lake were gorgeous and the trees looked like they were designed by Dr. Suess.
It wasn’t long until Maria and Tiffany revealed the pièce de resistance: a pink ski with shot glasses glued to the top.
Trekking up to the lodge, we noticed that more than half the population in our periphery was either sparkling or neon. Even the women at the ticket window were dressed up.
It’s not every day you see an entire mountain covered in glitter.
The Unity Ski Parade commenced sometime after noon. Clad in their sparkles, everyone lined at the top of the mountain and skied down together in a dazzling display. Folks who just happened to be at the mountain joined in too, caught up in the infectious energy.
The fun didn’t stop on the slopes, either. After the parade came the red carpet, and anyone who wanted could strut down the catwalk and pose in their sparkle-filled outfits. The audience voted for the best flair. Winners were announced, and a raffle ensued. With thousands of dollars’ worth of gear & apparel from event sponsors, there were plenty of chances to win.
As the wind picked up and the mountain quieted, attendees moved inside the lodge for the après ski party at Muley’s Bar & Grill—home of the best Bloody Mary I’ve found out west. Savannah and I settled at the bar just as the event-goers poured in. It had been near closing when a stampede of glittered individuals arrived, waving their free-drink tickets. Thankfully, the bartender was a trooper, offering smiles and libations as the afternoon unfolded.
It wasn’t long until Maria and Tiffany revealed the pièce de resistance: a pink ski with shot glasses glued to the top. “We have our own shotski,” said the bartender. “So do we,” Maria grinned. He chuckled, Fireball was poured, and the vessel was christened. Shots continued to flow for everyone eager to participate in the camaraderie.
The energy had subsided by the time Blacktail’s lifts stopped spinning, but I was still buzzing from the excitement—so much so that it carried into the next day. On the way back, I got pulled over just outside Missoula for speeding. “Do you have any idea how fast you were going?” the officer asked. I glanced at the speedometer and replied, “The car’s off.” He didn’t appreciate the joke, but I was let off with a warning. After all, it’d be wrong to ticket a woman during International Women’s Month, right?
While International Women’s Day has come and gone, IWD406’s mission to connect Montana women lasts all year long. The organization hosts outdoor events for every season. At Blacktail, the gals who I assumed to be longtime friends had only met that morning. The Unity Ski Parade for International Women’s Day is already gearing up for the next couple years, with plans to expand into southwest Montana. So ladies, keep your eyes peeled and your ears to the ground. New friends may only be one sparkle-day away.
