Although no lifts have been installed at the proposed Bitterroot Resort in Lolo, owner Tom Maclay says he is moving ahead with plans to develop his land into a world-class ski resort.
A Montana native, Tom Maclay decided to transform his family's ranching land into the Bitterroot Resort in response to falling revenues in agriculture.
Jim Gill points to ski runs already cut through Tom Maclay's property.
"Lucy," Tom Maclay's border collie, lounges in front of the Maclay residence, a Bitterroot Resort model home built by local timber craftsmen. To date, 12 lots have been sold and six houses have been built as part of the Bitterroot Resort.
Tom Maclay surveys his 3,000 acres of property, land which he plans to incorporate into the layout of the Bitterroot Resort.
Just across the border from National Forest land, a yurt sits atop one of the highest ski runs at the Bitterroot Resort.
A wood stove inside the yurt welcomes skiers eager to warm up before making another descent.
The original site plan for the Bitterroot Resort has downsized significantly in terms of acreage since its inception.
Tom Maclay's request to expand his current ski runs onto National Forest land has raised significant public outcry, most recently in response to possible lynx habitat encroachment.
Tom Maclay points to the latest proposed Bitterroot Resort land use map to go before the National Forest for review.
According to Maclay, the question is not whether the BItterroot Resort will move forward or not but whether National Forest land will be incorporated into the overall plan or not.
