The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘Skiing’ Category

6 Interesting Things To Do In Missoula

Missoula is a great place to live and visit. Find out six interesting things to do while in the city. ... more

Why Consider Caregiver Jobs in Missoula Montana

If you are currently in the health care field (or hope to be) and you want to offer your services in a caring community set within the Northern Rockies, come to Missoula.... more

The Seven Best Ski Resorts in Canada in 2021

We are pleased to present to you our list of the top ski resorts to visit this season, promising fun for the whole family!... more

Tips for Easily Staying Safe When Skiing

Like most sports out there, skiing can be hazardous, particularly if the necessary precautions are overlooked. Here are tips for easily staying safe when skiing.... more

Local Snowmobile Store to Host Annual Avalanche Training Event

Gull Boats & RV will host a free annual avalanche traiing event at Big Sky Brewing on October 30 at 6pm featuring instructor Mike Duffy from the American Avalanche Association.... more

Top 5 Vacation Destinations This Winter

Traveling during the winter is something that many individuals and families make the decision to do. ... more

Winter Carnival at Marshall Mountain Feb 6

By BECKY GOODRICH-Join Parks and Recreation for the second annual Winter Carnival at Marshall Mountain on Saturday, February 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ... more

Great Style Never Gets Old

By DILLON TABISH-Maggie Voisin, one of the nation’s best slopestyle skiers, is back on snow and stronger than ever.... more

Mount Jumbo Wildlife Closure Begins December 1

By BECKY GOODRICH-Most of Mount Jumbo closes to recreational use during the winter months to protect wintering elk. Read more about the closures areas.... more

Missoula – A River Runs Through It

Missoula - a river does indeed run through it. In 1992, the Oscar-winning feature film A River Runs Through It brought notoriety to a town in the Pacific Northwest and the world was introduced to Missoula, Mon... more

My Most Spectacular Failure Was a Gift

By SHELLI JOHNSON - Former Lady Griz hoopster, Shelli Johsnon tells how getting cut from the team and losing her scholarship was a game changer that led her to an Epic Life! ... more

Snow or No Snow: Parks and Rec Hosts Winter Carnival at Marshall Mountain

Snow or no snow, Parks and Rec is hosting the first annual Marshall Mountain Winter Carnival on Sun., Feb. 22 at Marshall Mountain, from 10-4 pm.... more

Small Town Seeley Lake Working to Create a Big Nordic Ski Vision

By MARK VOSBURG - Inspired by the birth of the Maine Winter Sports Center, a group of Seeley Lake (population 1,659) residents formed the Seeley Lake Regional Outdoor Center for Kinetic Sports (ROCKS).... more

Winter Carnival and Snow Races at Marshall Mountain

Join Missoula Parks & Rec for the first annual Marshall Mountain Winter Carnival and Snowshoe/Ski Races on Sat., Feb. 22 at Marshall Mountain, from 10-4 p.m.... more

Citizens Urged to Call 911 to Report Mount Jumbo Trespassers

Parks & Rec Reminder: Mount Jumbo is closed for the winter and with the new snowfall Avalanche Danger is HIGH. Cititzens are urged to call 911 to report Trespassers.... more

The Flathead Valley: A Nordic Oasis

By TRISTAN SCOTT - As downhill ski areas open for the season in Northwest Montana, the allure of the chairlift can eclipse the abundant Nordic ski trails that wind through the region.... more

Whitefish Mountain Resort Opens New Terrain for New Season

By JUSTIN FRANZ - After years of planning, new Flower Point Chairlift opened on Big Mountain.... more

Warren Miller WWII Ski Trooper Documentary Premieres in Missoula Dec. 7

Warren Miller's Documentary, “Climb to Glory” tells the story of the 10th Mountain Division and how the Greatest Generation shaped the ski industry. It Premiers at the Top Hat Lounge on Dec. 7.... more

New Chairlift Installed on Back Side of Big Mountain

By DILLON TABISH - The latest expansion at Whitefish Mountain Resort is coming together as crews finish installing the Flower Point Chair Lift.... more

A Wild Idea: Celebrating 50 Years of the Wilderness Act

By TRISTAN SCOTT-Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, advocates look toward the future... more

Hamilton Native Tony Neaves Shares His Paralympic Experience

By MARK VOSBURGH - When Nancy Stevens moved to Summit County, Colo., 21 years ago, her guide dog kept bringing her to the door of the same shop. Blind since birth, Stevens, 52, finally went inside. ... more

Warren Miller: Knee Deep Powder

By WARREN MILLER - When I produced my first ski movie, there were fewer than 15 chairlifts in the world. Everyone who went in the ski business during the following 25 years was a real innovator.... more

Take Your Kids Skiing

By WARREN MILLER - I was able to teach all three of my kids how to enjoy the scenery and the freezing cold mountain air and somehow they are still skiing 50-plus years later. I hope you give your kids the same ... more

Next Stop Sochi for Whitefish’s Voisin

By DILLON TABISH - Whitefish's Maggie Voisin builds momentum for Winter Olympics where she will be considered a top contender.... more

Whitefish Native Maggie Voisin Tabbed for Winter Games

Whitefish native and 15-year-old freeski phenom Maggie Voisin will round out the U.S. Olympic Freeskiing roster after being awarded the coaches’ discretionary spot Tuesday afternoon.... more

‘Inspiration’ Tops CNN’s List of Worlds Best Ski Runs

A CNN featuring the “World’s Best Ski Runs,” ranked “Inspiration” at Whitefish Mountain Resort No. 20 on its list of 100 best ski runs. It's the only Montana run in the top 100.... more

The Missoula Nordic Ski Club: Your Ticket to Cross Country Skiing

By MARK VOSBURGH - It's officially winter here in Missoula and snow is on the ground. Lets go cross country skiing! The Missoula Nordic Ski Club has got you covered.... more

Is Roller Skiing For The Rest of Us?

By MARK VOSBURGH -Elite Nordic racers and Olympic hopefuls train on roller skis during the off season, but are roller skis for us mere mortals and recreational skiers?... more

Dean Cummings’ “Chugach” Film Screening & Steep Life Protocols

Legendary ski mountaineer Dean Cummings' presents his Steep Life Protocols--a sensible approach to mitigating risk in the mountain environment and avoiding avalanches.... more

3rd Annual Ride for Tanner Rail Jam Nov 9 in Caras Park

FYI - Rail Jam to Benefit the Tanner Olson BMX Park in Downtown Missoula happens on November 9 from 4-10 pm at Caras Park. Be there or Be Square!... more

Missoula Premier of Sherpas Cinema’s “Into the Mind” Oct 10th

By TRAVIS GOODKIND - Ski movie season is in full swing and Sherpas Cinema's "Into the Mind" is easily the most anticipated ski film of the season.... more

Warren Miller: Montana Skiing

By WARREN MILLER - After traveling the road for 55 years with my skis and my cameras, I was invited to Montana for the first time. When I discovered what Montana had to offer, I quit traveling.... more

Snowbowl Expansion Delayed as U.S. Forest Service Investigates

By KARL SCHNEIDER - Nearly a decade ago, Montana Snowbowl announced a plan to nearly double the size of the ski hill. The permit process and economics of the plan have been slow to materialize, but that may be ... more

Our Marriage Survived a Partial Bathroom Remodel

By BOB WIRE - There are three words that, when spoken together, have the power to blow a marriage apart like a hamster in a microwave: HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.... more

Strong Men Also Cry

By BOB WIRE - Are you surprised at my tears, sir? You know what, sometimes your ol’ buddy Bob just has to have himself a good cry. That’s right: strong men also cry.... more

Happy Birthday Jack Kerouac

By BOB WIRE - My best friend and I are just back from a landmark road trip to see the original manuscript for Kerouac’s iconic book, “On the Road"--the King of the Beats’ massive outpouring of creative br... more

Bob Wire’s Guide to Used Car Shopping

By BOB WIRE - When it comes to buying a car, I’m in the driver’s seat. Not to say that my wife doesn't know her way around the automotive ken, but I have cars in my DNA.... more

Missoula’s Urban Deer

By BOB WIRE - We live on a hillside overlooking the Missoula valley, and we see more deer than we do dogs, cats, pigeons, squirrels, or any other neighborhood-style critter.... more

Bob Wire’s Surprising Oscar Picks

By BOB WIRE - There’s a lot to talk about with the 85th Academy Awards. Let’s get down to the nominated movies. Here are my impressions of each movie, and why it doesn’t deserve to win Best Picture.... more

My Reaction to Gov. Steve Bullock’s State of the State Address

By BOB WIRE - First of all, thank you for wearing a tie, Gov. Bullock. Very Refreshing. Looks like you might actually be here to run the show, not just moseying into town for mule liniment & canning supplies.... more

My Sanity: Just Out of Reach

By BOB WIRE - After spinal fusion surgery Bob Wire describes himself thus: "I am a pathetic worm. A writhing, whining, grunting, squirming carcass of need."... more

Worst Part of Surgery Recovery? Daytime TV.

By BOB WIRE - I’m bed-bound for two weeks, flat on my back after spinal fusion surgery. The physical pain is nothing compared to the mental agony of watching daytime TV.... more

Tips for Wanna-Be Filmmakers

By WARREN MILLER - There is an often-told tale that is not very nice about filmmakers. The men and women who can’t make a living making movies make a living teaching other people how to make movies.... more

Snowboarding in the Middle Ages

By BOB WIRE - One day last winter, the Wire clan piled into the 4Runner and hit the road for Discovery. Next time, we'll wear helmets to protect against dain bramage.... more

Videos: Non-Stop Fun on Skis with a Two-Year-Old

By TRAVIS GOODKIND - We took our son skiing for the first time last winter. He took to it like a fish to water, and is already hitting the slopes at Snowbowl this year.... more

Warren Miller On Finding a Job: Go North Young Man

By WARREN MILLER - So you are out of college and can’t find a job? As Richard Henry Dana once said, “Go North, young man!” Today, you don’t have to go north to Alaska, just go to North Dakota where the ... more

Ski with the Legendary Glen Plake at Discovery on Monday

Infamous for his extreme skiing and trademark mohawk, Glen Plake will shred with locals on Monday, Jan. 14, from 12:30-3 p.m. at Discovery Ski Area near Philipsburg. ... more

Ski Season Kicks Off This Weekend in Northwest Montana

By DILLON TABISH - Contrary to outward appearances, ski season is arriving in Northwest Montana. Whitefish Mountain Resort confirmed Wednesday that the mountain will open Saturday, Dec. 8. ... more

The 2nd Annual Ride for Tanner Rail Jam in Caras Park

This Saturday, Nov. 3, the 2nd annual Ride for Tanner Rail Jam will bring big air and big fun to Caras Park. All proceeds go to benefit the construction of a new BMX park.... more

Whitefish Mountain Resort Earns Best Ranking Ever in Nationwide Survey

By DILLON TABISH - Whitefish Mountain Resort earns best ranking ever in a nationwide survey by readers of SKI Magazine.... more