A briefing on the Showdown Ski Race

Every season there is a stop on the Northern Division YSL circuit that brings an especially broad smile to my face:  The Showdown Super G.  While it may be a glorified Giant Slalom by USSA course set standards there is no doubt that a J4 going 50 plus mph qualifies as a speed event.  Aside from the racing at Showdown there's usually some fresh powder and sunshine mixed into the 3 day event.  But the best part of the trip is (as cliche as it sounds) the journey.

Of the 16 ski resorts (I use the term "resort" extremely loosely) in Montana there are few that rival Showdown.  I'm not talking about huge chute lines, awesome nightlife, or high speed trams...I'm talking real Montana skiing.  It's the kind of place that makes you feel like time travel is possible.  Pleasantville meets Ski School meets Deadwood.   If I had to sum it up in a word?  Classic. 

The two towns that sit just down the canyon from Showdown are Neihart and Monarch.  These old mining towns still have prospectors holding court at the local watering hole.  I'm not kidding, they still prospect and even pan for gold on occasion.  The ski hill itself has been in operation since the 1930's when some skiing pioneers founded the Great Falls Ski Club.  I can only imagine what the drive was like back then -- it's about an hour and half now.

There aren't many pretensions at Showdown.  The rental shop is in an old A-frame that looks as old as the mountain itself (see picture above).  The breakfast special is called the Miner, the drink special is coffee (until noon), and everyone is on a first name basis, including the owner.  George has owned and operated Showdown since God bequethed it to him on the sixth day, or so it seems anyway.  Old George is a bit of a  curmudgeony fellow but he runs a tight ship.  He might be bellowing instructions to the staff one minute and then serving you hot coffee with a smile the next.

The skiing at Showdown is also free of pretension and the lack of posers is pretty refreshing.  Porphory peak provides some solid vertical and with an elevation a little over 8,000 ft there's always a fair amount of snow.  Every time I visit it's either a bluebird day or a powder day and on a few occasions it's been both.  I won't spray about awesome pillow drops or perfectly spaced tree lines; I'll leave it to you check out the action yourself.   Oh, and if you're in the area make sure to stop by the Cub's Den or the Lazy Doe for a frosty pint and a few stories, I gaurantee a classic moment will occur.