Rainbow Ranch

Today’s blog entry is written by Turi Hetherington. Twelve years ago Turi started out at -RR as a server in the restaurant, since then she has taken on the role of event coordinator, assistant lodge manager and marketing director. Although she receded from management four years ago to have more time to spend with her son, her commitment and dedication to -RR has not abated. It is with great sadness that she writes today’s blog entry.

On Tuesday, April 22 a devastating fire nearly consumed the main lodge of the Rainbow Ranch. Fortunately no one was injured, even little Poindexter our resident black Manx is okay. The fire blazed for nearly 12-hours destroying the restaurant, lounge, wine cellar, laundry room and offices.

Remarkably, the 21 rooms, three cabins, hot tub and wedding venue were not affected by the fire. Investigators are still combing through the ashes, trying to determine the cause of the fire.

With the loss of the building we also lost a bit of Big Sky’s heritage. For generations the Rainbow Ranch Lodge has offered travelers good food and friendly hospitality. Over the last thirteen years Patrick has poured his heart and soul into putting the -RR restaurant on the map as a world-class establishment.

However, with springtime comes new life and for us that means rebuilding a world-class lodge and restaurant. When you come to visit this summer some things will be different, but much will be the same. The Gallatin River and surrounding mountains are beautiful as ever, the rainbow trout are waiting for you to cast a line in the pond, and the infinity-edge hot tub is warm and inviting.

As it is too early to determine our exact plan of action, in the interim the hotel will remain open. We hope to operate the restaurant out of the riverside gazebo.

In place of the front desk, check-in will occur across the river at the Bald Eagle Cabin, which now serves as our offices. The cabin is across the river from -RR, the first log cabin on the right.

We will keep you all posted with plans and progress.

Thank you for your support.

As our restaurant closes and ski season comes to an end I have been looking back on this past winter. We had an amazing ski season with new snow still coming in.

One of my favorite memories of the season was last week when I was blessed to have my father come visit my brother and I, and to go skiing of course! Day one involved warm up cruises down the groomers over at Moonlight Basin. Day two was a bit colder, but the snow that was coming down was great! We decided to go over to Big Sky Resort and ski the bowl. As we got off the Triple Chair Lift and took the traverse across the top, it was hard to see what your next turn was going to be as it was snowing so hard! No problem!! We skied down and went over to Andesite Mountain. One of the many things that are so great about Big Sky Resort is that you can be in some horrendous weather on one part of the mountain and have blue skies and sunshine on another. The last day we saved for the Tram at Big Sky Resort. As we made our way through the line, we couldn’t help but look around and see all of the amazing skiing right at our finger tips, especially if you don’t mind hiking a bit. We finally crammed into the cab and glided up to the top where perfect weather and snow conditions were waiting for us. We stopped and took a few family pictures for our mom and then it was time to make some great turns down Liberty (the best sled hill)!

So as I look back on this and many other great memories this season I am sad to see it end, but very much looking forward to the fishing, hiking, horseback riding, floating, camping and testing for Rainbow Ranch’s new Outpost that is coming in June.