In addition to Chef Paul Sharp’s fine cuisine including a four-person gourmet dinner experience comparable to your memory’s recollection of the best dining you have ever had coupled with a night at the elite Gordon Reese Chateau, this year’s prizes once again include a spectacular night for two at the Triple Creek Ranch luxury resort with dinner, libations and breakfast! Newly featured this year from Bob Ward & Sons is a complete cross-country ski package including skis, bindings, boots and poles valued at almost $400. Bob Ward went beyond our request by offering completely different packages depending on whether a lady or gentleman is the winner. Rounding out the selection is your choice of a night for two, generously provided by Club member Inge Peterson, at her businesses: The Darby Bed & Breakfast or at The Jackson House in Jackson. Pam Kaye, owner of The Wild Mare Restaurant in Corvallis, has graciously donated a dinner Gift Certificate. Tickets are still only $1 or 6 for $5. New innovative marketing specials at 12 for $10 and 24 for $20 are also available this year! If successful, next year may see a 30 for $25 package. Remember to thank these sponsors with your appreciation and by patronizing their businesses.

Tickets will be available at 17 new locations this year bringing the total to 25. Seven of the new locations are in Missoula and two in Salmon, both areas that had no selling locations last year. Prizes and ticket selling locations will be widely promoted with 200 large posters and 500 fliers throughout the Bitterroot Valley, Missoula and Salmon. As a proven selling incentive, the prize for the business selling the most tickets is once again a coveted night at the Gordon Reese Cabin. Your purchases through these strong supporters of the Club would be most appreciated.

Tickets will also be available in the parking lot on Saturday, January 21st when the Club hosts the annual Nordic Ski Lessons at Chief Joseph Pass Ski Trails Area. Tickets will be for sale at the January and February meetings as well as at the Gordon Reese Hut. The drawing takes place at the February 9th meeting so make your plans to attend and bring your checkbook to participate in the final buying frenzy. Mel Mooers was a Cabin night winner twice in past years with an aggressive ticket-buying strategy. Bring your elbow pads to even up your chances in the ticket line that night.

This is our main fund-raising event to stuff the treasury for ongoing expenses to fuel, maintain, and operate equipment for grooming the many miles of tracks each week for the benefit of anyone and everyone who enjoys our fine Nordic ski trails. Now is the time to encourage your friends and those new faces you meet on the trail to buy tickets to help us make this the best EXTRAVAGANZA ever. Contributions in addition to ticket purchases are always welcomed too!

For those interested in purchasing tickets via email, contact Earl Philips: skihut@montana.com. For others wanting more information or to purchase tickets over the phone, contact Linda Stoudt: 777-5958 or Deb Duffy: 821-2276.