Bell Lake

The Tobacco Root Mountains in southwestern Montana have always eluded me. I have spent years staring at them and only ventured into their terrain once since I moved to Montana almost 10 years ago. This streak broke last weekend when I was fortunate enough to join my fellow backcountry ski partners on a trip to Bell Lake; with rumors of huge peaks, endless terrain and 2 feet of fresh snow. My expectations were immensely exceeded when we finished the 6 mile approach into the Bell Lake basin and the site of the yurt, which would be home for the next 3 days.

Photographer maestro Josh Gage had set up a few days prior and welcomed the rest of us with open arms and photos of the terrain he had been skiing the past few days. Unbelievable to say the least. Our excitement and confidence in the snowpack pushed us high up on Branham Peak right away to a couloir called The Contender. 2,000 feet of 50-60 degree slope, a mere 20 feet wide with hundred foot cliffs on both sides. Gazing back up the line we had skied was overly impressive, perhaps one of the most aesthetic things I have ever skied and only to be witnessed by the herd of 8 mountain goats promenading on the ridgelines above.

With 10 people crammed into a 20 foot in diameter tent, needless to say things were quite cozy. We cooked gourmet meals accompanied with plenty of wine that was carried in conditionally, for this was Valentines Day weekend, and we were with 5 women.

Sunday dawned crystal clear skies and fresh snow throughout the Bell Lake basin. 10 strong, we made our way up to the likes of Bell and Branham peaks, skiing untouched snow throughout the day. Glassing across a valley here and there, sights of our elated crew make their own signatures down pristine lines of powder through rocks, cliffs and chutes brought the feeling of individuality in the mountains and brotherhood together.

Another evening spent in this mountainous paradise chopping firewood, drying out gear, and sharing stories from the day, ever growing in intensity as wine and whiskey bottles pass around and around. This is living, I kept saying to myself, this is what it is all about: Friends and Mountains.

After taking a couple early morning runs down the North face of Bell Peak through a striking couloir splitting the 500 foot rock band, we packed up and braved the steep ski down the canyon through dense forest, passing a crew of folks heading up to share in the glory that is the Bell lake yurt. How was it? they asked. We looked at each other with wide eyed grins, and without much conversation, they knew what they were about to enter. Regrouping at the trucks, sharing high fives and eventually a burger at Café 287 in quaint Harrison, I looked back at the peaks of the southern Tobacco Root range as we drove from the Harrison Valley back towards Bozeman and bid farewell, but not for long.

The Business of Extraordinary Living

In March 2009, the Sotheby's International Realty brand began an exclusive relationship with The Wall Street Journal as the publication's first true, all-encompassing partner using both digital and print mediums to consistently reach its readers. As part of the partnership, the brand created a microsite called "The Business of Extraordinary Living" on www.wsj.com that features custom content, industry blogs and local market information written by Sotheby's International Realty professionals and The Wall Street Journal writers. It also showcases the brand's significant properties.

In 2010, our partnership with The Wall Street Journal will be taken to the next level with the reintroduction of our Business of Extraordinary Living microsite. This microsite will be enhanced to allow for better engagement of our global affiliate network by providing local content to local users within "The Address" a section of the microsite.

Click here to see the latest news and information posted to our microsite: http://online.wsj.com/ad/sir

Ode to good news

2009 year end numbers are in and we would like to share them with you...

February 9, 2010, The Bozeman Daily Chronicle; written by Robyn Erlenbush

Each year, we eagerly await the final December home closings to be entered and tallied. Once again, it's time to take our annual market-at-a-glance overview of some key statistics from the real estate happenings of 2009. The data presented in this article is from the Southwest Montana Multiple Listing Service (SWMLS). As important as it is to focus on the complete story, it is also refreshing to spotlight the good news and segments of the market that are leading the recovery in Bozeman. Two principal indicators are favorable: decreasing inventories and increased sales for the fourth quarter. And notably, the inventory levels for homes under $300,000 are at a very healthy supply rate.

For the complete article, flip to page D12 using the following link:

http://pioneer.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/BDChronicle/SaveForOffline.htm?dochref=BDC%2F2010%2F02%2F09&doctitle=Bozeman%20Daily%20Chronicle%20Tuesday%2C%20February%C2%A009%2C%C2%A02010&uniqueid=262593_1265736555671

It's hard work to preserve Montana's soul

As reported by The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Saturday, January 30, 2010- Opinion, Bob Ekey, Guest Columnist

Every once in a while it is nice to be reminded that patience and persistence pay off.

I was reminded of that a couple of weeks ago while attending a press conference in Helena where energy companies announced they were retiring decades-old oil and gas leases along the public lands of the Rocky Mountain Front.

The room was full of ranchers from the Front, hunters and anglers, oil company executives, conservationists and representatives of the Blackfeet tribe and we were all celebrating the same thing- the protection of the Front.

For complete article, flip to page A6 using the following link:

http://pioneer.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/BDChronicle/SaveForOffline.htm?dochref=BDC%2F2010%2F01%2F30&doctitle=Bozeman%20Daily%20Chronicle%20Saturday%2C%20January%C2%A030%2C%C2%A02010&uniqueid=569574_1265054337812

A Weekend in Augusta, MT

This weekend, I drove up to Augusta, Montana on the Rocky Mountain Front. Leaving Bozeman, I drove NW to Helena (the State Capital) and had a delicious lunch at Ernie's Bistro in the Downtown Historic District. As I left, driving north towards Great Falls, about 5 minutes out of town, I felt my shoulders relax. Now becomes the favorite part of my trip; the development ends and the landscape becomes very large ranches and public land all filled with wildlife. You drive along spring creeks, which flow into the Missouri River with great fly fishing around Craig, and through canyons with Bighorn Sheep grazing on the rock walls. Just north of Wolf Creek you take the State Highway and head west. Passing through the famous Dearborn Ranch bordering the state highway for over 14 miles, and crossing the Dearborn River, used by fishermen and rafters.

As you approach the small town of Augusta, about 40 miles from the interstate you catch glimpses of the mountains of odd shapes: Haystack, Sawtooth, Castle Reef and Ear Mountain to the North near Glacier National Park. The mountains seen from Augusta are in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex encompassing 1.5 million acres, the 3rd largest wilderness complex in the U.S. Link to additional information on the complex: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/wilderness/bmwcomplex.shtml

The small town of Augusta is primarily a ranching and outfitters' town. With services for the area: bars, restaurants and lodging, and a charming store called Latigo and Lace, the town feels a lot like the 1950's and is famous for the great "Augusta Rodeo" held the last weekend in June.

I drove 3.5 miles west of town toward the Wilderness where I own a small ranch that I have just put on the market, "Augusta Wildlands", a spectacular piece of Montana real estate. Link to listing: http://www.thecollectionsir.com/property/augusta-wildlands/ . The 284 acre ranch faces the mountains about 5 miles to the west, and to the north adjoins a section of State Land, used for cattle grazing by the neighboring rancher. The ranch to the east is on the plains, the T Bar Ranch running Red Angus cattle and owning land all the way back to town. The property adjoining mine to the south is a very special house, the old Augusta Railroad Station that was moved out to the 33 acres and restored. It is called "Ringside" and has been published in the Big Sky Journal, Home, and Montana Magazine. It has a wonderful horse set up: a large round pen, stalls, a barn and office all made out of old buildings. It seems to make the mountains even more spectacular with the old barn and round pen in the foreground.

The area is a recreation paradise. The Sun River Game Range is 5 miles to the west, land purchased by the State of Montana for Elk calving and Grizzly Bear habitat. It adjoins the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Willow Creek Reservoir is 2 miles north; great for boating and fishing. Sun Canyon leading to the Wilderness is just 4 miles NW; great for fishing, hiking, horseback riding and hunting.

I have learned after spending time here for 9 years that being close to the Wilderness and over 40 miles away from an Interstate Highway has the most relaxing effect on a person. You suddenly feel muscles relaxing, your mind quieting and just enjoying the peace and quiet. In the Fall I have been walking around the land at dusk and the only sound there is, is the Snow Geese wings flapping as they head to the Willow Creek Reservoir for the night. In the Spring, many birds are nesting or flying through to Canada: Curlews, Artic Terns and Hawks. I feel very fortunate to have experienced this special part of Montana, and learned to feel what Wilderness does to you.

Vivian Bridaham
Broker-Owner
The Collection Sotheby's International Realty