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Showdown Holds Special Place in Skiers Hearts

By Ashlie Rodriguez

Story Created: Feb 22, 2012 at 7:33 PM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 22, 2012 at 7:56 PM MDT

It’s no surprise why Ron Hall chose to scatter his brothers ashes at Showdown Ski Resort.

"This is the place where we spent most of our life," Hall said.

This year marks Showdown's 75th anniversary, and Hall's been skiing at the resort
since 1942. He says 75 years prove this place has got something special.

"You go to White Fish, or the Big Sky, or Sun Valley," Hall said, "but then you have to put up with the big crowds and the people you don't know. So this is kind of a family place."

Which might be the reason Showdown has had so much success over the years.

"When you get here, people say 'Hi, how you doing?'" said Owner George Willet .

"The owner of this place, like he'll be calling you by your first name by the second time you come here," said nine-year-old skier Esmie Hurd.

"You can't not love going to a place where the owner is sitting there telling you what the snow is and is right out there with you," said mother of two and long-term skier Hannah Sexton.

Last weekend, around 1200 stopped by to ski.

“Bringing all those families together with a common goal of sliding down a mountain, it’s as if we were one big family,” said ski instructor Ben Haugan.

Showdown is affordable, it’s comfortable, and more than just being family-friendly, it gives skiers the sense their all one big happy family.

"This is home, you feel like home when you come in," said long-term skier and father Nick Hocevar. "Everyone knows you. It's kind of like Cheers bar."

"Everyone's a family member, we just love it," said mother and long-term skier Susan Sanford.

The resort is the oldest in the state, and one of the only ones with all natural snow.

"There's really good snow," said 10-year-old Virginia Meador.

"It’s bigger and has more runs," said one skier.

"It has a nice lift that's easy to get off of," said Sherry Meador from Helena.

At 76, Ron Hall's skiing has slowed down, but his devotion to Showdown remains steadfast.

For the rest of this month and most of March Showdown will have mini-anniversary parties every Saturday featuring live music and special discounts.

The big celebration will be March 24th and Owner George invites everyone to enjoy the snow before ski season ends in April.

Happy birthday Showdown!


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