Missoula, Montana — While it hasn’t operated as a lift-serviced ski area since 2003, Marshall Mountain has remained a recreational hub for the active Montana city of Missoula. Ski tourers still love to shred the old trails when there’s sufficient snowfall, and many mountain biking trails have been sculpted across the area.
The local government purchased the ski area last year, and a comprehensive master plan could see more trails for mountain bikers and hikers, as well as the addition of a small surface lift for beginner skiers. Its future is bright, even if Marshall won’t be as big of a ski area as it once was.
One of the most interesting things that happened there during this past winter was the cleaning out one of the old rooms at the base lodge. Over the past year, work has begun on the removal of some of the skiing infrastructure that was left abandoned for many years, which included the old chairs and the rental shop.
In terms of the rental space, it was stunningly left abandoned and practically unchanged since its closure in the early 2000s. Before crews removed nearly everything, photographer Myke Hermsmeyer went inside to capture images of the old ski gear. His photographs capture a stunning space that went untouched for over two decades.
The Marshall Mountain crew decided to give away the old rental gear, along with some of the old chairs, to Hellgate High School. The equipment was converted into items like Adirondack chairs.
As part of this process, Chip Reinhart, the building trades teacher at Hellgate High School, was interviewed. He grew up skiing at Marshall Mountain, so it was fitting move to allow him, his students, a few other locals to clean it out.
The plan is to create an online space where people can share their memories of Marshall Mountain. Called Marshall Shop Talk, this video series will interview various people who have been a part of Marshall Mountain’s illustrious history. If you’re looking to learn more about this special place, go give them a follow.
Image/Video Credits: Myke Hermsmeyer, Skier72, Marshall Shop Talk
