Donations pave way for Turner Mountain's new snowmobile

Thanks to two local grants and several donations, Turner Mountain Ski Patrol was able to buy a new snowmobile for its mountain operations.

According to a press release from Turner Mountain, Flathead Electric’s Round-Up for Safety and Lincoln County Community Foundation helped the Ski Patrol acquire the new machine.

In September they received a $2,500 grant from Lincoln County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Montana Community Foundation, whose mission is to enhance community vitality. 

That was closely followed up by a $5,000 grant from Round-Up for Safety, a community safety program sponsored by the Flathead Electric Cooperative. 

Rounding out the fundraising were several generous donations by private parties, totaling $4,450.

TMSP is an all-volunteer run organization that is vital to the operations of Turner Mountain Ski Area. 

Sarah Valentine, secretary for the Turner Mountain Ski Patrol Board of Directors, explained the need for a new machine.

“Currently we have two snowmobiles that are used for mountain operations, which includes providing rapid responses to any incident on the mountain, transporting equipment and personnel around the mountain and assisting with lift evacuation in the event of a breakdown,” Valentine said. “The two current snowmobiles are over 20 years old and in desperate need of replacement. Thanks to the generous donations of these private donors, foundations and programs, Turner Mountain Ski Patrol will be able to replace one sled this fall and better carry out their mission at Turner Mountain Ski Area.”

Carpenter told The Western News snow conditions on the mountain are currently looking good.

In a Nov. 25 Facebook post, the snow report from the day before indicated 20 inches at the summit and six inches in the base area.