Summer Safety

At Red Lodge Mountain the safety of our guests and employees is our top priority.  All guests who recreate at Red Lodge Mountain are responsible for complying with our Summer Safety Policies. Failure to comply with these policies may result in loss of summer/winter pass privileges.

SUMMER MAP | WEATHER  | Overnight Camping | FIRE DANGER | BEAR AWARENESS/WILDLIFE

 HORSES | DOGS | INFANT CARRIERs | MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT | DRONE/UAV POLICY

SUMMER TRAIL MAP

Please refer to our summer operations map and be aware of our patrolled areas during operational hours. If you need help while recreating in our patrolled area, please call dispatch at (406)-446-2610 EXT. 306. Recreating outside of our patrolled area is at your own risk, and you will need to call 911 if you need rescuing. Please note our “patrolled areas” are only patrolled during business hours. All recreating at Red Lodge Mountain outside of business hours is at your own risk.

WEATHER

Summertime at Red Lodge Mountain can deliver quick changes in weather patterns! We strongly recommend coming prepared with extra layers, especially a waterproof layer. In the event of a thunderstorm, seek shelter immediately. Guests can shelter in the Yurt located near the top of the Stache Express chairlift.

Per the National Forest Service if shelter is not immediately accessible, crouch with your feet together and head low. Don’t sit or lie down – these positions provide much more contact with the ground, allowing a wider path for lightning to follow. If you are with a group and the threat of lightning is high, spread out at least 15 feet apart to minimize the chance of everybody getting hit.

Please note, the lift will remain closed for the duration of severe weather events. Your safety is our top priority. In prolonged weather events, we cannot predict nor guarantee when we might be able to restart lift operations and downloading. The lift attendant can direct you to the best foot route back to the base area, about a 20 to 30 minute hike on average.

If the lift remains closed for the day, and you are unable to hike back down the mountain, please call dispatch at (406)-446-2610 EXT. 306 to arrange transport.

OVERNIGHT CAMPING

Overnight camping is permitted at Red Lodge Mountain in the LOWER PARKING LOT ONLY. Red Lodge Mountain reserves the right to take away camping privileges at any time due to weather, mountain operations, or if mountain policies are broken. While camping, please be respectful, practice “Leave No Trace Principles”, and follow our fire danger guidelines.

FIRE DANGER GUIDELINES

To lower the risk of wildfires at Red Lodge Mountain, bonfires, unauthorized motor vehicles, use of matches, lighters, and fireworks are strictly prohibited.

Wildfires are a threat to Red Lodge Mountain and the surrounding forested areas.  Please take care with cigarettes, lighters, and any other devices that produce sparks.  Cigarette smoking is prohibited while riding chairlifts during summer operations.  Fireworks are not permitted on Red Lodge Mountain or USFS lands.  Report any fire immediately by calling patrol at (406)446-2610 ext. 306 or dialing 911.

BEAR AWARENESS / WILDLIFE

Red Lodge Mountain is home to some incredible wildlife, and it is imperative to keep your distance and respect the animals that call this place home. We strongly recommend carrying bear spray, and that guests know how to use it. Per the National Forest Service, if you see a bear:

  • DO NOT RUN.
  • Remain calm.
  • Group together and pick up small children.
  • Continue to face the bear and back away slowly, talking calmly to identify yourself as a human.
  • If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by making yourself as large and imposing as possible by stretching your arms overhead and making loud noises.
  • Carry and know how to use bear spray, which is available at many outdoor retailers and can be used to deter a charging bear.

Information courtesy of US Forest Service.

If you see a bear or moose during operating hours, please notify our patrol team by calling: (406)-446-2610 Extension 306 at once.

HORSES

Red Lodge Mountain is open to foot and bike traffic only. Horses are not permitted.

DOGS

Dogs are permitted at Red Lodge Mountain during the summer. If you wish to bring your dog, please adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Dogs MUST be on a leash in the base area.
  2. Dogs must be within a manageable distance.
  3. Owners must have a leash in possession at all times.
  4. Dogs are not allowed to approach, or harass people, pets, or wildlife.
  5. Please pick up after your dog and dispose of waste properly.
  6. Dogs are NOT permitted on chairlifts.

CHILD/INFANT CARRIERS

  • During summer operations only, children/infants may also be carried onto the lift in the arms of an adult if they are not able to load themselves.  They may sit on an adult’s lap or in their own seat.
  • Any child carried either uphill or downhill on a chairlift is considered their own person and they count towards total chair capacity.  Chairs are not to be filled beyond capacity.
  • When using backpack carriers designed to carry a child, one will be asked to remove the pack when riding chairlifts.
  • Any child utilizing chairlifts at Red Lodge Mountain, whether in a carrier or using their own equipment, must have their own valid lift ticket.  Even if your child is young enough to qualify for the FREE lift ticket for those aged 5 and under, they still need a physical lift ticket in order to load the lift.  These are available at the ticket office.
  • Usage of lifts and participation/observance of activities that take place at Red Lodge Mountain while carrying a child/infant in a wearable carrier is to be performed at the discretion of the wearer of the carrier.  Red Lodge Mountain assumes that all who choose to use lifts or participate in/observe activities offered at Red Lodge Mountain while using a child/infant carrier are both physically and mentally able to safely handle the child/infant and the carrier.  Keep in mind that risks exist outside the immediate action of the wearer.  Participants in activities including other chairlift riders, bike riders, hikers, and disc golfers, as well as wildlife, and adverse weather conditions, are just a few examples of risks that are beyond the control of the wearer that may be encountered at Red Lodge Mountain.
  • In the event of a lift evacuation, children/infants incapable of being lowered on the evacuation seat create a special rescue situation that will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.  This situation may involve extra risk.  Be aware that it is possible your child and/or wearable carrier will need to be belayed to the ground.
  • At Red Lodge Mountain, we are proud to allow all members of the family to participate in recreational activities, even if they are too young to do so themselves.  Please be smart, safe, and vigilant while using a child carrier at Red Lodge Mountain so that future families can do the same.

MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT

  • Be aware that mountain equipment, including all mountain vehicles, chairlifts, and conveyors, may be operated at any time without warning.  For your safety, keep an adequate distance and do not climb or sit on any mountain equipment beyond that provided for summer activities.
  • In the event of a lift evacuation, you may be required to walk on varied terrain.  Please dress appropriately for a rugged alpine environment.

DRONE/UAV POLICY

Due to safety concerns for guests, employees, and resort property, as well as concerns for individual privacy, Red Lodge Mountain (RLM) prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, by the general public – including recreational users and hobbyists. This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone use by media or journalists operating above or within RLM property, boundaries, or Special Permit Use lands owned by the US Forest Service.  This extends to drones launched from private property outside of the RLM boundaries but flying over RLM property. Violation of this policy may result in suspension of your skiing or snowboarding privileges, revocation of your season pass, legal responsibility for damages, including privacy and/or physical or personal injuries or property damage, as well as regulatory fines and legal fees.