Lack of Snow, High Winds Challenge Red Lodge Mountain

The severe winter weather conditions resulted in a slow season for the ski resort and surrounding businesses.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:38pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a snow-covered mountain range obscured by heavy fog and wind, with only the faint outline of a ski resort visible in the distance, conveying the overwhelming scale and raw power of the extreme weather conditions.The overwhelming power of nature challenges a ski resort's ability to operate during an exceptionally harsh winter season.Billings Today

Red Lodge Mountain in Montana faced significant challenges this past winter due to a severe lack of snow and high winds, leading to multiple closures and a slow season for the ski resort and surrounding local businesses. The poor conditions resulted in fewer visitors and a drop in occupancy for nearby accommodations, while businesses in Billings also felt the impact as fewer people traveled to the mountain.

Why it matters

The struggles at Red Lodge Mountain highlight the growing challenges that ski resorts and mountain towns face due to the effects of climate change, with less reliable snowfall and more extreme weather events disrupting the winter tourism season. This story showcases how these weather-related issues can have a ripple effect on the broader local economy.

The details

Red Lodge Mountain faced a severe lack of snow and high winds throughout the winter, leading to multiple closures of the mountain. In March 2025, a deadly gust of wind knocked a skier off a chairlift, resulting in his death. The poor conditions led to a slow season, with fewer visitors and a drop in occupancy for nearby accommodations like Red Lodge Reservations. Businesses in Billings, such as the Ski Station, also felt the impact as fewer people traveled to the mountain, shifting their focus to equipment repairs rather than retail sales.

  • In March 2025, a deadly gust of wind knocked a skier off a chairlift, resulting in his death.
  • Throughout the winter, Red Lodge Mountain faced multiple closures due to high winds.

The players

Red Lodge Mountain

A ski resort located in Montana that faced significant challenges this past winter due to a severe lack of snow and high winds.

Jean Mikulas

The first-year General Manager of Red Lodge Mountain, who said the resort focused on safety and the village experience during the difficult winter season.

Chelsea Toupin

The owner of Red Lodge Reservations, a property management company that saw a noticeable drop in bookings due to the poor winter conditions.

Adam Paulson

The manager of the Ski Station in Billings, Montana, who said the shop shifted its focus to equipment repairs and hosting a winter gear sale due to the lack of snow.

Jeff Zinne

A skier from Billings who died after being knocked off a chairlift by a deadly gust of wind at Red Lodge Mountain in March 2025.

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What they’re saying

“It's certainly the worst snow year that I can remember. This year, the snow was pretty bleak.”

— Adam Paulson, Ski Station Manager

“We're always being mindful of safety, right? That's number one for us.”

— Jean Mikulas, First-year General Manager, Red Lodge Mountain

“This is the worst year my husband and I have seen since we've moved to Red Lodge.”

— Chelsea Toupin, Owner, Red Lodge Reservations

What’s next

Red Lodge Mountain is focusing on investments in other parts of the mountain, such as the village experience, snowmaking, and summer events, as they shift gears for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The struggles faced by Red Lodge Mountain and the surrounding businesses highlight the growing challenges that ski resorts and mountain towns must navigate due to the effects of climate change, with less reliable snowfall and more extreme weather events disrupting the winter tourism season. This story showcases the need for these communities to diversify their offerings and adapt to changing weather patterns to remain resilient.