Teton Pass Ski Area
Feasibility Study
Teton Pass Ski Area
Feasibility Study
Please complete the survey before the April 20th deadline.
Teton Pass History
- When did Teton Pass Ski Area open? 1970’s.
- Who was the customer base? Local and area families – Choteau, Shelby, Conrad, Great Falls.
- What was the experience like? Much as it is today – family oriented and friendly.
- Why did Teton Pass Ski Area close? The ski area was listed for sale in 2017 and has not operated since the 2016/17 season. The current owner closed the area and offered it for sale due to his financial circumstances and the need for purchase of a generator. The closure has disappointed a wide customer base from Canada to Bozeman. Over 30 jobs were lost, and the community of Choteau has experienced reduced winter visitation.
Current Process
This feasibility study concept came from a community meeting in March 2018. Montana Cooperative Development Center(MCDC) offered to write a grant with the help of the Choteau Area Port Authority, and a USDA Rural Business Development Grant was received in September of 2018. SE Group was chosen as the consultant. MCDC, the Port Authority, and a local advisory group have worked with SE Group over the past months.
USDA Rural Business Development Grant
This program is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas which will employ 50 or fewer new employees and has less than $1 million in gross revenue. Programmatic activities are separated into enterprise or opportunity type grant activities.